MARVIN GAYE * What’s Going On * TAMLA (Motown 1971)
NORMA TRACEY AND THE CINDERELLA KIDS * Skate Board Song * The “Official” WKNR Scott Regen Skateboard Song (1965)
In May, 1965, with the exit earlier in the year of Keener jocks Robin Seymour, Gary Stevens and later Bill Phillips, Dick Purtan, formerly (Paul Purtan) WSAI, Cincinnati, signed on filling one of three voids in the Keener jock lineup. But most notably — WKNR — created much fanfare promoting the arrival of Scott Regen to Detroit from Kansas City’s WHB.
Up until Scott Regen’s arrival to the station, especially the last few days in May, 1965, WKNR would give its listeners daily “travel updates” on Keener 13, as Scott Regen loomed closer and closer to his scheduled arrival here, slated for Tuesday, June 1st, 1965.
It was also during that time, the “Skate Board Song” became the “official” WKNR song record the station had tied in as well, in promoting further Scott Regen’s anticipated arrival here — mind you, traveling on skateboard only! — Kansas City to Detroit.
Listen as well when Dick Purtan made much ado of the “Scott Regen Skateboard Song,” Monday night, May 31, 1965. Purtan signed on WKNR, May 24, 1965. You can listen to Purtan’s shtick that evening in the WKNR-AM BACK ON THE RADIO WITH: DICK PURTAN! aircheck featured today on Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
FOURTEEN WEEKS on the singles chart, “Help Me, Rhonda” by The Beach Boys peaked No. 01 (2 weeks) on the Billboard Hot 100 for the weeks of May 23 through June 5, 1965. (source: Billboard).
MCRFB Link: For the previous No. 1 record in the U.S.A. 1965 GO HERE.
ELEVEN WEEKS on the singles chart, “Ticket To Ride” by The Beatles peaked No. 01 (1 week) on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of May 16 through May 22, 1965. (source: Billboard).
MCRFB Link: For the previous No. 1 record in the U.S.A. 1965 GO HERE.
— BILLBOARD: Peaked #43 December 11, 1965 —
MCRFB Note: In releasing this single, note the authors credited having wrote the music under the song title. The Packers were none other than Booker T. Jones and the M.G.’s having assumed a different name — one time only — for this label’s release late-1965.