WHYT – Page 5 – Motor City Radio Flashbacks

From the MCRFB news archives:

NEW CALL LETTERS SOUGHT: WJR-FM Getting Joseph, ‘Hot Hits’

NEW YORK — When consultant Mike Joseph arrives in Detroit the first week in July, he’ll be taking his “Hot Hits” format to WJR-FM, which petitioned the FCC for a call-letter change to WHYT-FM on June 8.

Joseph confirmed Thursday that he would “monitor and research” the Motor City market for WJR, but it’s premature for him to commit to a new station sound. The Capitol Cities property is now a beautiful music outlet in the Detroit market.

WHYT-FM studios, as was situated on the 21st floor of the Fisher Building in 1986. — **WHYT-FM studios situated on the 21st floor of the Fisher Building in 1986.** *(Click on image for larger view; photo courtesy Gary Berkowitz).*

Joseph normally lives in the market he’s consulting for a six-month period. But he says the length of his stay in Detroit will be “open ended.” The consultant last worked on the city scene in 1963, when he engineered a one-book turnaround for WKNR-FM, which simulcast the Top 40 sound he instituted for WKNR-AM during that time.

WJR-FM general manager Roger J. Longwell was in Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio on Wednesday, and was unavailable for comments on Joseph’s hiring. But WJR-FM sales manager Roger G. Sisson confirmed that the station had petitioned the FCC for new call letters and that other Motor City stations have been notified.

WHYT Airstaff in 1986 - Capt. Rick Jagger; Mark Jackson, Mike Benson; Jennifer Stevens; Bob Shuman; Dirk Hunt; Bobby Mitchell; JJ Walker; Michael Waite and Bob Stuart. Kneeling - Hal Buttermore and Gary Berkowitz. — WHYT airstaff in 1986: Capt. Rick Jagger; Mark Jackson; Mike Benson; Jennifer Stevens; Bob Shuman; Dirk Hunt; Bobby Mitchell; J.J. Walker; Michael Waite and Bob Stuart. Kneeling: Hal Buttermore and Gary Berkowitz. (Click on image for larger view; photo courtesy Gary Berkowitz).

Joseph’s arrival “proves again that Detroit is the most volatile market in the country,” according to Elaine R. Baker, vice-president and general manager of WOMC-FM (104.3), an adult contemporary Metromedia outlet in Detroit. “I suspect the stations in the market will take a wait-and-see attitude.”

Baker says she doesn’t anticipate a format change at WOMC at present, although she notes that “aggressive management always look at new possibilities. But we’re adult contemporary and that’s where we are today.” Asked about any possibility for change “tomorrow” at WOMC-FM, the station executive replied, “I don’t have a crystal ball.” END

(Information and news source: Billboard; July 3, 1982).

From the MCRFB AIRCHECKS Library —

Joey Reynolds on 96.3 FM WHYT

…We’re gonna get funky… get those Q-Tips outta your ears and pay attention to what we’re doin’….

Last week, MCRFB Aircheck Of The Week had featured Joey Reynolds on WXYZ 1270 AM in Detroit during 1966.

This week, MCRFB features the talented Joey Reynolds once again. Having left New York City’s WHTZ, Reynolds was back in Detroit on “Hot Hits” 96.3 WHYT on the FM dial, this time in the ’80s.

In this featured WHYT aircheck, you’ll note Joey Reynolds showcases his own brand-of-characters during his entire show, while highlighting more of his quick-and-spontaneous humor with his wit in rapid-delivery fashion this time around.

Before the end of the year, Reynolds would leave WHYT in Detroit for the west-coast once again, this time on KMGG in L.A. Reynolds was previously in Los Angeles on KRTH during 1980 and 1981.

For this week’s MCRFB Airchex feature, here is Joey Reynolds on WHYT in Detroit on April 10, 1984. This was Joey Reynolds at his Detroit best.