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In Memory of George Griggs
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Above WKNR music chart courtesy of Mrs. Patti Griggs and the George L. Griggs estate.
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The prize in itself was unique enough — $1,000 dollars and the opportunity for the winning contestant to have his/her words put to music and recorded by one of the Motown greats. But the on-air execution of the promotion allowed WKNR personalities to entertain beyond the traditional boundaries of a Top 40 format.
In the studio were 30 carts, each with a specialized music “bed” on it. Each hour, a contestant entry was chosen . . . words that, if used on the air qualified that entry to be in the finals for the BIG prize.
The DJ had complete freedom to choose a bed appropriate in the manner in which he would read or even “sing” the words. The approach could be zany, funny, gentle poignant or even poetic. Whatever, it allowed the listener a glimpse of a side of their favorite air personality which might otherwise not have been revealed.
The winner, ultimately, ended up having her words put to music with the Funk Brothers and Stevie Wonder!
— Bob Green
A MCRFB Note: In brief, Bob Green began his professional career in radio broadcasting in Detroit, WKMH, 1961-1962.
After a short stint with famed-Storer WQAM in Miami, 1962-1963, Bob Green returned back to Detroit for the launching of the new WKNR (formerly WKMH), November 1963.
By April’s end, 1968, Bob Green was no longer at WKNR. But he would return in 1970, serving as both Program Director and as on-air personality until sometime, 1971. Shortly thereafter, Bob Green was heard on ABC WXYZ 1270, where he remained briefly, 1971-1972.
Bob Green left WXYZ and Detroit for Houston, Texas, where he founded Bob Green Productions, where Bob and his family resides today.
Among broadcasting peers in the profession, Bob Green is fondly remembered today as “the voice of Keener 13”.
For more on Bob Green and WKNR – see the rest of the story on Keener13.com, the official WKNR website, courtesy our friend, Scott Westerman.
A special THANK YOU goes out to Bob Green for his endless generosity in sharing the WKNR legacy with us throughout the many years having passed.
THANK YOU Bob Green FOR THE MEMORIES
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In Memory of George Griggs
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Above WKNR music chart courtesy of Mrs. Patti Griggs and the George L. Griggs estate.
BILL GARCIA WKNR aircheck date: Tuesday, October 13, 1970
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NEW! A special THANK YOU to David Milatz, of Rochester, MI, for donating this WKNR radio aircheck to Motor City Radio Flashbacks!
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* THE DAVID MILATZ COLLECTION *
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DETROIT FREE PRESS: WKNR
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Above article/ad is courtesy freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2018. Newspapers.com.
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From the MCRFB MUSIC NEWS archive: 1965
‘WKNR Adds DC5 Cobo Hall Show with High School Journalists’ Press Conference’
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DETROIT (DECEMBER 17) —At least 150 high school journalists were “glad all over” last Friday night. WKNR invited them to question the Dave Clark Five at a press conference before their Cobo Arena concert. The minute Dave Clark, Mike Smith, Lenny Richardson, Denis Payton and Rick Huxley into the Polar Bear Room in the Veteran’s Memorial, flashbulbs and question started popping.
(CONTINUES — please read the complete article below) . . . .
— DETROIT FREE PRESS
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Above Dave Clark Five related article is courtesy freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2018. Newspapers.com.
The above featured Dave Clark Five-related ad was ‘clipped,’ saved, and imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
Missed our previously cataloged ‘Motor City ’60s Music’ newspaper features? GO HERE.
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DETROIT FREE PRESS: WKNR
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Above article/ad is courtesy freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2018. Newspapers.com.
The above featured WKNR-related ad was ‘clipped,’ saved, and imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
A MCRFB viewing tip: On your PC? You can read this entire article ENLARGED. For a larger detailed view click above image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.
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Where were you in the Summer of 1969? If you listened to WKNR, you heard the eclectic mix of pop, rock and soul that was Keener’s late 60s trademark.
We have some of each in this week’s podcast including Keener one-hits from Clarence Reid, Shannon, The Electric Indian, Duke Baxter and the Winstons. We remember the movies of that summer and Philip Nye covers Woodstock and Neal Armstrong’s first steps on the moon.
Danny Mullins of St. Johns in Wyandotte was just 18 when he entered Keener’s Motor City Music Search. We have a pristine recording of his performance along with tunes that Bob Seger and Savage Grace played at an outdoor Oakland Mall concert Keener sponsored 37 years ago.
For you Woodward Dream Cruisers, we have details on how you can stick an authentic WKNR Bumper Magnet on your vehicle, and we count down the top 13 Keener hits for the week ending July 24th, 1969. — Scott W.
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Hosted by Scott Westerman, keener13.com
Special THANKS to Scott Westerman for sharing his KEENER13.COM WDC 2005 Keener podcast with Motor City Radio Flashbacks!
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WE CELEBRATE THE 2005 WOODWARD DREAM CRUISE with air checks from past broadcasts featuring Bob Green and Scott Regen and Bob Berry’s interview with Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, a piece that never aired due to the historic black out of 2003. We highlight some of the 2004 Dream Cruise events and showcase a trunk load of music for cruising from Jan and Dean, Ronnie and the Daytonas, the Beach Boys and more. Scott Westerman hosts our 34th Keener Podcast. — c. SCOTT WESTERMAN, KEENER13.COM
