NEW! A special THANK YOU to our newest contributor Dave Preston — formerly of WDRQ — for recently donating the featured Don Geronimo FM 93 radio aircheck (he recorded in 1980) to the Motor City Radio Flashbacks’ airchecks archive.
For our recent Dave Preston aircheck contribution (6/25/2021), go HERE
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THE DAVE PRESTON COLLECTION
The featured WDRQ aircheck was audio enhanced by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
NEW! A special THANK YOU to our newest contributor Dave Preston — formerly of WDRQ — for recently donating this FM 93 radio aircheck (he recorded in 1979) to our Motor City Radio Flashbacks’ airchecks archive.
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THE DAVE PRESTON COLLECTION
WDRQ 1979 luminaries: ‘Zippo’, Jim Ryan, Kim Carson, Dave Preston (L-R back) Michael Stevens and Bill Garcia (L-R front). [Photo credit: Dave Preston]
— DAVE PRESTON —
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Dave Preston writes:“Jim, I worked at WDRQ FM 1979-1981 and worked at WTWR, Tower 92 during this time era as well. I worked with some great talent, Jim Zippo was somewhat of a passer by but Don Geranimo really left his mark. This tape dated back to when I was first hired by Eddie Rogers. After a recent switch at the time, the new format of WDRQ was Disco. They had hired a whole new staff at the time and I was part of the new hires over there along with a list of others.
The disco format did not last very long. Eddie Rogers was soon let go and Mark Driscoll then became program director. Mark began adjusting and readjusting both the staff and format on an ongoing basis even from day one from his hotel room, nearly over night, turning the station into a revolving door. Mark was replaced after a year by Bill Garcia. Bill was the program director credited with hiring Don Geranimo for evenings.
At the end of the 1970’s and early 1980’s WDRQ continued to evolve quickly and abruptly. What was once a top 40 station switched to an all disco format. Later shifting to ‘The Motown Sound’ under the direction of Mark Driscoll then changing like a hat, calling itself an ‘Urban format,’ shuffling through a list of air talent and gaining the reputation for being ‘An Endless Revolving Door.’ The only person who seemed to experience any sort of stability was then WDRQ-FM Production Director, Doak Breen.
In hindsight, working for both Steve Schram and Victor Ives was a great experience and a well needed contrast to the ongoing drama at WDRQ during that time.”
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The featured WDRQ aircheck was audio enhanced by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
Tom Shannon Remembered on Motor City Radio Flashbacks
WMJC | DATE: THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1986
In Memory of Tom Shannon
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WMJC Tom Shannon 1987
He was a Detroit radioand television broadcasting legend. His voice was heard for over four decades on numerous great Detroit radio stations, such as CKLW, WJBK, WXYZ, WCAR, WMJC, WTWR, CKMR, and WCXI. Tom once had said that he did (to paraphrase his exact words), “three ‘tours of duty’ at CKLW. ’60s, ’70s, and in the ’80s.”
He formally began his illustrious radio career as a news person, while in his teens, in Buffalo in 1955. He left Buffalo’s WKBW for CKLW in Windsor in December 1964, replacing Terry Knight.
After 50 years in radio (and television) and having been in multiple radio markets around the country, Tom Shannon retired from broadcasting radio in 2005. Tom’s last DJ stint was on WHTT-FM, Buffalo. He was 67 at the time.
Surrounded by his loving family, Tom Shannon died of pancreatic cancer while in hospice care, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. He was 82.
Tom Shannon is a member of the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.
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— Tom Shannon Remembered —
See: Susan Whitall’s published Detroit News article on Tom Shannon (May 27, 2021) GO HERE
Also: Tommy Shannon, Legendary Buffalo Broadcaster, Dies at 82 (The Buffalo News; May 27, 2021) GO HERE
Also: DJ Tom Shannon’s Cause of Death Relates to Long-Time Illness (US Day News; May 29, 2021) GO HERE
Also: A 1961 WKBW Tom Shannon aircheck (5 min.) from the Buffalo Broadcasters Association website, listen HERE
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— In Remembrance —
In observance of his passing last week, Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Motor City Radio Flashbacks will present three CKLW and one WMJC Tom Shannon audio memory beginning (Wednesday) June 2, (Thursday) June 3, (Friday) June 4, and today, (Saturday) June 5.
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Motor City Radio Flashbacks Remembers
— A Special Acknowledgement —
A special THANK YOU to MCRFB consultant/contributor Greg Innis of Livonia, Michigan, who personally recorded the featured aircheck in 1986.
The Greg Innis Collection
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The featured WMJC Tom Shannon aircheck was audio enhanced by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
Tom Shannon Remembered on Motor City Radio Flashbacks
CKLW | DATE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1977
In Memory of Tom Shannon
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CKLW (Tom Shannon) TOP 30 RECORDS August 15, 1967
He was a Detroit radioand television broadcasting legend. His voice was heard for over four decades on numerous great Detroit radio stations, such as CKLW, WJBK, WXYZ, WCAR, WMJC, WTWR, CKMR, and WCXI. Tom once had said that he did (to paraphrase his exact words), “three ‘tours of duty’ at CKLW. In the ’60s, ’70s, and in the ’80s.”
He formally began his illustrious radio career as a news person, while in his teens, in Buffalo in 1955. He left Buffalo’s WKBW for CKLW in Windsor in December 1964, replacing Terry Knight.
After 50 years in radio (and television) and having been in multiple radio markets around the country, Tom Shannon retired from broadcasting radio in 2005. Tom’s last DJ stint was on WHTT-FM, Buffalo. He was 67 at the time.
Surrounded by his loving family, Tom Shannon died of pancreatic cancer while in hospice care, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. He was 82.
Tom Shannon is a member of the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.
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— Tom Shannon Remembered —
See: Susan Whitall’s published Detroit News article on Tom Shannon (May 27, 2021) GO HERE
Also: Tommy Shannon, Legendary Buffalo Broadcaster, Dies at 82 (The Buffalo News; May 27, 2021) GO HERE
Also: DJ Tom Shannon’s Cause of Death Relates to Long-Time Illness (US Day News; May 29, 2021) GO HERE
Also: A 1961 WKBW Tom Shannon aircheck (5 min.) from the Buffalo Broadcasters Association website, listen HERE
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— In Remembrance —
In observance of his passing last week, Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Motor City Radio Flashbacks will present three CKLW and one WMJC Tom Shannon audio memory beginning (Wednesday) June 2, (Thursday) June 3, (Friday) June 4, and (Saturday) June 5.
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Motor City Radio Flashbacks Remembers
The featured CKLW Tom Shannon aircheck was audio enhanced by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
Tom Shannon Remembered on Motor City Radio Flashbacks
CKLW | DATE:MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1977
In Memory of Tom Shannon
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CKLW Tom Shannon Detroit Free Press, January 20, 1980
He was a Detroit radio and television broadcasting legend. His voice was heard for over four decades on numerous great Detroit radio stations, such as CKLW, WJBK, WXYZ, WCAR, WMJC, WTWR, CKMR, and WCXI. Tom once had said that he did (to paraphrase his exact words), “three ‘tours of duty’ at CKLW. In the ’60s, ’70s, and in the ’80s.”
He formally began his illustrious radio career as a news person, while in his teens, in Buffalo in 1955. He left Buffalo’s WKBW for CKLW in Windsor in December 1964, replacing Terry Knight.
After 50 years in radio (and television) and having been in multiple radio markets around the country, Tom Shannon retired from broadcasting radio in 2005. Tom’s last DJ stint was on WHTT-FM, Buffalo. He was 67 at the time.
Surrounded by his loving family, Tom Shannon died of pancreatic cancer while in hospice care, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. He was 82.
Tom Shannon is a member of the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.
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— Tom Shannon Remembered —
See: Susan Whitall’s published Detroit News article on Tom Shannon (May 27, 2021) GO HERE
Also: Tommy Shannon, Legendary Buffalo Broadcaster, Dies at 82 (The Buffalo News; May 27, 2021) GO HERE
Also: DJ Tom Shannon’s Cause of Death Relates to Long-Time Illness (US Day News; May 29, 2021) GO HERE
Also: A 1961 WKBW Tom Shannon aircheck (5 min.) from the Buffalo Broadcasters Association website, listen HERE
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— In Remembrance —
In observance of his passing last week, Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Motor City Radio Flashbacks will present three CKLW and one WMJC Tom Shannon audio memory beginning (Wednesday) June 2, (Thursday) June 3, (Friday) June 4, and (Saturday) June 5.
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Motor City Radio Flashbacks Remembers
The featured CKLW Tom Shannon aircheck was audio enhanced by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
Tom Shannon Remembered on Motor City Radio Flashbacks
CKLW | DATE:SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1967
In Memory of Tom Shannon
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Tom Shannon on CKLW, 1979 (click image 2x for largest view)
He was a Detroit radio and television broadcasting legend. His voice was heard for over four decades on numerous great Detroit radio stations, such as CKLW, WJBK, WXYZ, WCAR, WMJC, WTWR, CKMR, and WCXI. Tom once had said that he did (to paraphrase his exact words), “three ‘tours of duty’ at CKLW. In the ’60s, ’70s, and in the ’80s.”
He formally began his illustrious radio career as a news person, while in his teens, in Buffalo in 1955. He left Buffalo’s WKBW for CKLW in Windsor in December 1964, replacing Terry Knight.
After 50 years in radio (and television) and having been in multiple radio markets around the country, Tom Shannon retired from broadcasting radio in 2005. Tom’s last DJ stint was on WHTT-FM, Buffalo. He was 67 at the time.
Surrounded by his loving family, Tom Shannon died of pancreatic cancer while in hospice care, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. He was 82.
Tom Shannon is a member of the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.
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— Tom Shannon Remembered —
See: Susan Whitall’s published Detroit News article on Tom Shannon (May 27, 2021) GO HERE
Also: Tommy Shannon, Legendary Buffalo Broadcaster, Dies at 82 (The Buffalo News; May 27, 2021) GO HERE
Also: DJ Tom Shannon’s Cause of Death Relates to Long-Time Illness (US Day News; May 29, 2021) GO HERE
Also: A 1961 WKBW Tom Shannon aircheck (5 min.) from the Buffalo Broadcasters Association website, listen HERE
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— In Remembrance —
In observance of his passing one week ago, May 26, 2021, Motor City Radio Flashbacks will present three CKLW and one WMJC Tom Shannon audio memory in the next four days, beginning (Wednesday) June 2, (Thursday) June 3, (Friday) June 4, and (Saturday) June 5.
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Motor City Radio Flashbacks Remembers
The featured CKLW Tom Shannon aircheck was audio enhanced by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
NEW! A special THANK YOU to our website contributor Peter Faulkner of Calgary, Alberta, for donating this WKNR-AM radio aircheck (he recorded in 1967) for our Motor City Radio Flashbacks airchecks archive.
CKLW 20/20 NEWS | DICK SMYTH | DATE:MONDAY, MAY 26, 1969
REMEMBERING DICK SMYTH
— MARCH 6, 2021 —
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Today, Motor City Radio Flashbacks pay homage to the memory of famed Canadian news broadcaster and veteran radio news director, Dick Smyth. His voice was heard daily over the Detroit and Windsor airwaves on CKLW in the 1960s and early 1970s. He was also news director at CHUM, CFTR, and later, 680 NEWS.
While in hospice care, Dick Smyth passed away, Saturday, March 6. He was 86.
For more on the passing of Dick Smythe, pleasego here.
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Motor City Radio Flashbacks extends heartfelt condolences to the Smyth family
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Audio source from the Motor City Radio Flashbacks archive.
THE MOTOR CITY RADIO FLASHBACKS AIRCHECKS COLLECTION
JIM HAMPTON (Last Show) | DATE:FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1967
— SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT —
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NEW! A special THANK YOU to Jimmy Hampton, of Cathedral City, California, for recently donating his 1967 (very last show) WXYZ radio aircheck to the Motor City Radio Flashbacks archives.
J. MICHAEL WILSON | DATE:WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1968
— SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT —
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NEW! A special THANK YOU to our website contributor, Peter Faulkner, of Calgary, Alberta, for donating this WKNR-AM radio aircheck (he personally recorded in 1968) to Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
