WKNR – Page 42 – Motor City Radio Flashbacks

A SALUTE TO A DETROIT RADIO LEGEND: SCOTT REGEN!

From the MCRFB audio files, featuring:

Scott Regen ON AIR HIGHLIGHTS 1965 — 1970

“Scott Regen was a phenomenon, and I just went along for the ride.” — Scottie Regen, legendary “Keener 13” and “Big 8” Detroit radio personality in the ’60s

“This is John Lennon, you’re probably listening to Scott Regen now and if you’re not, well you can’t hear what we’re sayin,’ tuh duh. . . .”

“Hello this is Paul McCartney, talking to a gentleman called Scott Regen who does his best to keep you happy.”

“Hi, this is Scott Regen of the Miracles and you’re listening to the Smokey Robinson show.” — Smokey Robinson

“Hi. This is Stevie Wonder and I’ll be visiting the Scott Regen Show. I hope that you’re with me when I do… I like to thank all of you for your cards and letters asking for me to be on the Scott Regen Show, you know I was coming. . . . so, until I’m on I’ll see ‘ya later.”

“Hi, this Johnny Rivers reminding you that you’re listening to the Scott Regen Show, that’s where it’s happening.”

“Hello Regen my ole’ friend, I’ve come to talk to you again. . . .” — Simon and Garfunkel

Do you understand the history you’re holding in your hands? –Johnny Randell, former WXYZ radio personality, Detroit, 1965 –1975

(Notes below from CD liner insert, as written by Johnny Randell, 2002).

Scott Regen, a phenomenon of the 60’s, was a legendary DJ on Detroit radio stations WKNR and CKLW. Scottie at one point had a 25 (share) rating on WKNR from 7 – 10 PM compared with the 7 and 8 of his two competitors. And WKNR could only be heard in half of the city! At one point on CKLW, Scott was No. 1 not only in Detroit, but in Toledo and Cleveland as well!

I was a deejay on a competing station. Scott was the most innovative and powerful force on rock radio. He was light years ahead of his time, instinctively marketing himself via what I call “Audience Directed Programming.” A concept no one even thought of back then.

Scott Regen used research, music mix, and the audience itself to create “Scott Regen.” And all from the heart. The history he made, his creative influence, is still copied today by radio programmers and DJ’s. Hearing Scott is hearing the evolution of rock radio.

WKNR's Scott Regan with the Beatles, August 13, 1966, at the Olympia. — WKNR’s Scottie Regen with the Beatles, August 13, 1966, at Detroit’s Olympia Stadium *(photo courtesy Scott Westerman and Keener13.com)*

Scottie says the ’60’s were a phenomenon and he just went along fro the ride. Listening to his CD shows otherwise. Scott didn’t just play ’60’s music. He was the ’60’s. He was a gift. His is the voice we remember. Now, remember it all again with this historic CD. Or hear it all for the first time. Either way you’ll see why Scottie is “radio king of the ’60’s.”

Scottie has lived in New York for the past 23 years (as of 2002 when this CD was released). He has worked for Atlantic Records, New York Newsday, and has appeared on several New York stations including 92KTU, Z100, WXRK, WYNY, and LITE-FM. He currently owns his own Manhattan based marketing-advertising company. His music tastes range from Billie Holiday to Benny Goodman to Chuck Berry, to Sinatra to Bach, and lots in-between. His favorite music however, is of the ’60’s. Particularly Motown and of course, the Beatles.

In 1999, the Temptations requested Scottie write their liner notes for their historic CD re-issue, “Temptations Live.” Scott introduces the Temps on the original album, as well as on this CD.

And he never stopped believing that “… in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”*

— Johnny Randell

* Lyric line from Beatles' Abbey Road

None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for Bob Green.

“When I auditioned for the job at WKNR, Bob Green (now Bob Green Productions, Houston) still the best radio production person on the planet, was on the air from 3 – 7 PM. He was also the station Production Director. And he was the one who created the admired, unique, “on air” sound of WKNR.

None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for Bob. He got me the job at WKNR. Not many people know this but I was turned down twice. Even so, Bob still went to bat for me! He believed I had it in me and put himself on the line with then GM Frank Maruca. He coached me. And I submitted a third audition tape. Then Frank heard what he needed to hear and I was hired.

There’s something as important as believing in yourself. Believing in others. Thank you BG.”

— S. R.

Thank You. Thank You. Thank you. Thank you. . . .

Konstantine and Joanne. WK Studios, New York. Frank Maruca, GM, WKNR, Detroit. Paul Drew, Program Director, CKLW, Windsor-Detroit. The most skilled and “feeling” Producer-engineers of all time, Bob Lusk, Greg Hallup, and Colin Kennedy, CKLW. Jacquie Simo, St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital. Johnny Randell. Alan Freed and William B. Williams. Barney Ales. Al Valente. Phil Jones. Ken Sands and Ralph Seltzer. HDH. Lawrence Horn. Norman Whitfield. Pat Coleman. R. Dean Taylor. Larry Kane. Cliff (Remember the night with Bobby Darin at Lafayette Coney Island) Gorov. Tom Geraldi. Kalvin Ventura. Ron Alexanberg. Irv Biegel. Tom DeAngelo and Tim Tam. The Shy Guys. Bob Jamieson. Peter Gideon. Sammy Kaplan. Edwin Starr. The Fantastic Four. The Parliament-Funkadelics. Michael Stevens. Pat St. John. Steve Schram. Jim Harper. Harry Weinger. “Smokey.” Stevie Wonder. The Four Tops. The Supremes. Berry Gordy, Jr. THE ARTISTS AND ALL THE LISTENERS. ALL OF YOU AND EACH OF YOU. I apologize if I have forgotten anyone. And finally, thank you to my closest WKNR helper, warm hearted confidant and Lafayette Coney Island eating partner, Vaughn (Santa Claus to my daughter Laura) Trafaleaine. Vaugh was known and loved by our listeners as the “Big V.”

Liner notes from CD back cover:

Scott Regen introducing the Beatles at Olympia Stadium, August 13, 1966. — Scott Regen, seen here, introduced, emceed the Beatles concert for WKNR at the Olympia on August 13, 1966. Scott followed the Beatles across cities in the U. S. during half of their concert tour in 1966. He would later say in a recorded interview with Tim Nixon (WHND) in 1983, his experience with the Beatles in the 1960s *“… was astonishing to me. Although I knew all these things were happening to me, I was WATCHING all these things happening to me.” (Photo credit: **Bob Benyas**)*

Scott Regen, a phenomenon of the ’60’s, was a legendary DJ on Detroit area radio stations WKNR and CKLW. On this CD you’ll hear on-air highlights with: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Marvin Gaye, Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr., Herman’s Hermits, The Righteous Brothers, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Simon and Garfunkel, Martha and the Vandellas, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and more. (Back cover; CD liner notes).

From the MCRFB Aircheck Library, featuring Scott Regen:

Scott Regen – Radio King Of The ’60s – On Air Highlights 1965 – 1970 (38:44 audio)

WKNR_Scott_Regen — *Scott Regen (cutout; bottom) from a WKNR Music Guide, 1970*

Addendum:For a comprehensive interview with Scott Regen, his thoughts, comments on his career during his years in Detroit radio and thereafter, read Scott Westerman’s insightful interview with Scottie at Keener13.com.

Thank you, Bob Green. Throughout the years, since I first contacted you in 1999, you’ve provided me with three reels of WKNR production tapes, four Keener 13 CDs including this Scott Regen CD — and for only the asking — through the kindness of your heart. Today, all those materials you provided us is today deposited and archived on this website. Bob Green, you are truly a class act. George Griggs, Scott Westerman and I cannot thank you enough for your contributions, materials, comments, and of your selfless time you’ve provided us with all things that was ever ‘Keener’ for this website.

On behalf of George Griggs, Scott Westerman, our friend Greg Innis, I, and from everyone who grew up in Detroit listening to you on WKNR and CKLW, we thank you, Scottie Regen. For all those wonderful radio memories you shared with us during the time you were sitting high on top at No. 1 in Detroit. Hearing you on the radio, not only were you just on. You were there for us. Your audience. And if only just for that reason, we can say your radio listeners loved Scottie Regen all the more in return.

Today, Scott Regen, MCRFB remembers as we salute you.

(The Scott Regen and Bob Green photographs above courtesy George Griggs).

WKNR's Scotty Regen circa '65. — A 23-year old Scottie Regen on WKNR in 1965. When this picture was taken, evidently this photo did not reveal the legacy early-on that would become synonymous with his name and the station he worked for during the ’60’s in Detroit — WKNR Keener 13.

MOTOR CITY HITS OCTOBER 3, 1966: WXYZ * WKNR

IT’S THE SONG HITS PLAYED THIS DATE IN 1966 ON WXYZ 1270 AND WKNR KEENER 13 IN DETROIT. . . .

. . .Featuring “Respect” by the Rationals: No.9 on WXYZ, No.7 on WKNR; “Coming On Strong” by Brenda Lee, ‘Spotlight Sound Of The Week’ on WXYZ, this day, October 3, 1966

WXYZ *Spotlight Sound Of The Week*: Brenda Lee – Coming On Strong – 1966.mp3

WKNR TURN ON DETROIT WITH “NEW RADIO 13” . . . JANUARY 11, 1964

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1964

TOP 30 Makes Noise In Detroit

WKNR Flashback: WKNR Music Guide December 24, 1964 (Click on image for larger view) — **WKNR Flashback:** WKNR Music Guide December 24, 1964 *(click on image for larger view)*

DETROIT — The impact of the newly formed WKNR (formerly WKMH) is being felt in the Detroit market with the station less than two months into its new Top 30 fare.

The station–long associated with soft instrumental music–was reformatted and reorganized to a Top 30 plus-one sound by consultant Mike Joseph (newly-appointed vice-president, NBC-owned stations) and is staffed by Sam Holman (formerly of WABC), Mort Crowley (a KHJ, Hollywood alumnus), Robin Seymour, (veteran Detroit radio stalwart) and Gary Stevens, among others.

The station, which was in 9th or 10th place in the market several months ago, is now reporting that its morning ratings have doubled while the afternoon number have tripled. It was also revealed by WKNR that it is now tied for third place in the market during weekdays and has moved into second place on Saturdays.

Detroit is perhaps the only city in the country where there is a four-way battle among pop-music formatted stations in the market. Leading giants of the area are Storer-owned WJBK (Radio 1500); ABC-owned WXYZ (Radio 1270), and RKO’s 50,000-watter CKLW (Radio 800), located just across the border in Windsor, Ontario.

WKNR Flashback: WKNR Music Guide December 31, 1964 (click on image for larger view) — **WKNR Flashback:** WKNR Music Guide December 31, 1964 *(click on image for larger view)*

WKNR has launched a major promotional campaign in conjunction with its new programming. One hundred and five thousand two-color school book jackets are being distributed through local drive in restaurant and doughnut shop chains. A (WKNR) pop music list entitled, “Music Guide,” is being handled by 130 retailers of phonograph records (majority record shops) with 50,000 surveys printed each week. Ninety-seven Cunningham Drug Stores are distributing two and a half million serialized match books which are tied in with a WKNR on-the-air contest which has a basic $13 jackpot with $1 being added each hour the prize is not claimed. The station also effected a link with the 77 Kroger food markets in the area for a forthcoming giveaway of Top Value Stamps.

On January 31, the station will co-sponsor with the Ford Motor Company, the 17th annual March of Dimes to take place at the Light Guard Armory, located on 4400 E. Eight Mile in Detroit. Ford will be displaying several of their custom and experimental car products during the two-day benefit event ending Feb., 1st. END

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(Information and news source: Billboard; January 11, 1964)

A MCRFB Note

During the two-day WKNR March Of Dimes event at The Eight Mile Armory, dance and entertainment was also provided by WKNR and Ford Motor Company, attended by some of the top record acts of that time, hit-makers and recognized popular artists both on the national and local level here in 1963 – 1964.

On the billing during the two Keener 13 March Of Dimes dates: Johnny Nash; The Riveras; Santo and Johnny; Jamie Coe and the Gigolos; Eddie Holland; Timmy Shaw; Tony Clarke; Gino Washington; Tommy Frontera; The Coronados; Timmy Shaw; The Adorables; Dee Edwards; Chris Peterson and more . . . to be there, what a memorable event that must have been! — MCRFB.COM

A MCRFB NEWS brief: 1964

Mort Crowley Laments Quitting WKNR In 1964

WKNR-AM * Mort Crowley Quits Keener 13 * FEBRUARY 1964

CHICAGO — Detroit’s “Bad Boy” Mort Crowley who hit the front pages by quitting on the air at WKNR has since become the model of deportment. Mort joined Storz-owned WDGY, Minneapolis, in July 1964 and moved to St. Louis with Storz’s KXOG last January (1965). Mort told Billboard by phone he hopes to regain the ground he lost by his mistake and noted: “Thank God, I have an opportunity to do it.” END

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(Information and news source: Billboard; July 17, 1965)

Addendum: Here’s the WKNR “Key Men of Music” line-up for January, 1964: Mort Crowley, 5 AM – 9 AM; Robin Seymour, 9 AM – 12 Noon; Jerry Goodwin, Noon – 3 PM; Gary Stevens, 3 PM – 7 PM; Bob Green, 7 PM – 12 Midnight; Bill Phillips, 12 Midnight – 5 AM.

Frank (Swingin’) Sweeney, formerly program director and air personality at WKBN, Youngstown, Ohio, replaced Mort Crowley for the morning-drive at WKNR in February, 1964. Besides doing mornings on Keener 13, Sweeney was music director at WKNR from August, 1964 through August, 1965, terminated when he abruptly quit on WKNR — as did Crowley — whom he replaced. When Sweeney left in August of ’65, Dick Purtan immediately became the new morning rise on Keener 13 through December, 1967. Purtan left WKNR in January, 1968 for WBAL-AM in Baltimore. Just two months later he would return back to Detroit radio on WXYZ-AM, March, 1968.

Mort Crowley — According to an obit-article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch dated April 2, 1995, Mort Crowley passed away at his home in Miquon, Wisconsin, Thursday, March 30, 1995. He died after a lengthy bout battling prostate cancer. Mort Crowley was 63.

NO. 1 IN DETROIT! WKNR-AM STAYS ON TOP . . . JULY 2, 1966

From the MCRFB news archive: 1966

WKNR KEEPS SINGLES TITLE

From the MCRFB Aircheck Library, featuring:

WKNR 1966: WKNR-AM – Bob Green – 1966

WKNR 1967: WKNR-AM – Scott Regen – 1967

WKNR 1967: WKNR-AM – Dick Purtan – 1967

WKNR Radio Response Billboard July 2, 1966. — Billboard WKNR July 2, 1966

DETROIT — Despite a tight playlist — 31 records — WKNR has won the crown again as the major influence on sales on single records in the Detroit market — the nation’s fifth largest radio market. The latest Billboard Radio Response Rating survey shows the station with 47 per cent of the votes from record dealers, distributors, one-stop operators and local and national record executives. The next closet competitor has only 29 per cent of the votes.

WKNR had 44 percent of the votes in last year’s survey. Bob Green, the station’s major deejay, again took top honors as the major individual influence on the teen market with 30 percent of the votes.

Though WKNR plays comparatively few records over-all, the new records it exposes get extra emphasis, said program director Frank Maruca. Besides the 31 records on the playlist, Maruca features a key single and key album of the week and the top three selling albums, regardless of what they are. The key single and album, however, are brand new records Maruca feels will make the best seller charts.

Last week, the key single was “Friday’s Child” by Nancy Sinatra. Normally, the key single is by established artists, but “Day For Decision” by Johnny Sea was “out of left field. I even broke our rule and put it out (on the playlist) in the middle of the week and normally I would never do that except with the Beatles or the Supremes.”

The key single of the week gets heavy airplay on the station. But, basically, Maruca believes that the tight playlist is the answer in today’s Hot 100 format radio. But, one thing for sure, the music is getting better,” he said. “The record buyers are becoming more selective and the music has to be much better than three or four years ago. When Frank Sinatra makes No. 1, like he is on our playlist now, that’s something to write home about. Too, the groups are turning out songs now with a melody. . . . the day of hard raucous songs are gone.” He said he thought teen-aimed music would continue to grow and improve.

WKNR set an all-time record in billings June 13, “and still have the rest of the month to go,” Maruca said. He attributed the popularity of the station in both audience and billings to personalities like Bob Green, who’s “an excellent straight personality with a quiet approach, Scott Regen, who’s become associated with top name artists, and Dick Purtan, who uses a lot of humor.” END

Addendum: Here’s the Radio Response Rating for WKNR in Detroit according to the Billboard Magazine July 2, 1966 edition:

* Top Stations (Pop Singles):

1. WKNR AM-FM 47% 2. CKLW AM – FM 29% 3. WXYZ AM – FM 24%

* Top Disk Jockeys (Pop Singles):

1. Bob Green, WKNR; 30% 2. Tom Shannon, CKLW; 20% 3. Scott Regen, WKNR; 15%

All Others: Lee Alan, WXYZ; Dave Prince, WXYZ; Joey Reynolds, WXYZ; Dave Shafer, CKLW; Duke Windsor, CKLW.

* Top Jockeys (Pop Singles) By Time Slot (Detroit Market):

Morning — Dick Purtan, WKNR; Mid-Morning — Ted Clark, WKNR; Early-Afternoon — Jerry Goodwin, WKNR; Traffic Man — Bob Green, WKNR; Early-Evening — Scott Regen, WKNR; Evening — J. Michael Wilson, WKNR; All Nite — Jim Jeffries, WKNR.

* Music Director, Program Director, Or Librarian (Most Influential In Exposing Records):

Paul Cannon, Assistant Program Director, WKNR; Hugh Frizzell, Program Director, CKLW; Dave Prince, Music Librarian, WXYZ.

MCRFB Note: Click all images for larger views.

(The WKNR Billboard July 2, 1966 page scan courtesy Scott Westerman’s Keener13.com; Bob Green, Scott Regen and Dick Purtan photos all courtesy the George Griggs Collection).

WKNR Keener 13 Bumper Sticker — *The 1965-1966 WKNR bumper sticker. (WKNR bumper-sticker was re-created by Dave Riley of Redford, Michigan; scan courtesy Scott Westerman’s facebook/Keener13.com).*

(Information and news source: Billboard; July 2, 1966)

MOTOR CITY HITS SEPTEMBER 12, 1966: WXYZ * WKNR

. . .ITS WHAT WAS PLAYED THIS DATE IN 1966 ON WXYZ 1270 AND WKNR KEENER 13 IN DETROIT. . . .

FLASHBACK MOTOR CITY HAPPENINGS ’67 . . . AUGUST 19, 1967

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1967

Music Happenings In and Around Detroit Town, 1967

Monkees Concert canceled at Detroit's Olympia for July 29 1967. — **The Monkees’ Concert** was canceled at Detroit’s Olympia Stadium, Saturday, July 29, 1967.

DETROIT — The Monkees concert originally scheduled for July 29 at Olympia Stadium which was canceled due to the riots, was rescheduled for August 13. WKNR, alongwith its promotion and production department, heavily advertised and was sponsor to the Detroit sold-out event, in conjunction with Dick Clark Productions. . . . The Pleasure-Seekers, an all-girl group from Grosse Pointe, are booked into Trude-Heller’s in Manhattan and have signed with Associated Bookings in New York. . . . The Grateful Dead played at the Grande Ballroom, a psychedelic ballroom-venue here owned by Russ Gibb, on Friday and Saturday, August11 – 12. . . . . CKLW-TV personality Robin Seymour is hosting a series of ‘Celebrity Nights’ at the Upper Deck at the Roostertail on Mondays. He opened on Monday, August 7 with the Rationals, Deon Jackson and Chris Peterson. . . . MGM promotion manager here, Larry Benjamin, is hosting a party for the Paupers to meet disk jockeys and the press at the Pontchartrain Hotel Wednesday, August 16. . . . The Kingsmen are booked to perform at the University of Detroit, Saturday, August 26. . . . “Bearskin Rug Sounds,” an album of readings by CKLW disk jockey Tom Shannon, did so well locally that it will be distributed nationally on the Sound label. . . . Walsh Allen has joined WJLB as operations manager. He spent three years as program director at Cleveland’s R&B WABQ. . . . The Jimi Hendrix Experience makes its first Michigan appearance at the Fifth Dimension in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, August 15. . . . The Spencer Davis Group is in concert at the Ford Auditorium here, slated for Thursday August 24. . . . The Motown Records sales convention takes place here August 25 – 28. END

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(Information and news source: Billboard; August 19, 1967)

A MCRFB Note: For more on the WKNR 1967 “Monkees In Detroit” concert, see our previous MCRFB March 3, 2012 feature, here.

For more on Tommy Shannon’s “Bear Skin Rug” Music LP, see our previous MCRFB May 4, 2012 feature here.

**The Monkees in 1967.** WKNR and Dick Clark sponsored the (re-scheduled) Monkees’ Concert at the Olympia on August 13, 1967.

**Legendary CKLW** great Tom Shannon was host to “Bearskin Rug” in 1966. *(Photo courtesy Tom Shannon)*

WKNR * KEY SONG OF THE WEEK * AUGUST 28, 1967

“MOTOWN MONDAYS” GOING ‘LIVE’ FOR WKNR . . . SEPTEMBER 17, 1966

A MCRFB NEWS brief: 1966

Scott Regen Host Motown At Detroit’s Roostertail Club For WKNR

. . .The Upper Deck of The Roostertail, is proud to present . . . .

— From the MCRFB Aircheck Library featuring WKNR-AM

Motown Monday LIVE at The Roostertail (w/Scott Regen) 1966

DETROIT — The “Motown Mondays” at Detroit’s Roostertail Supper Club are now being broadcast on WKNR, Detroit, each Saturday at 11 P.M. Scott Regen is host. Artists of Motown Records appearing on the show include the Four Tops, Junior Walker & The All-Stars, Marvin Gaye, Martha & The Vandellas, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Marvelettes, The Supremes and The Temptations. This marks the first time in memory that “live” entertainment and music will have been broadcast on WKNR exclusively from the location for the nightly popular Scott Regen Show. END

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Addendum: In 1967, Scott Regen, heard nightly 7 to 10 p.m. on WKNR at the time, wrote the liner notes for “The Supremes Sings Holland – Dozier – Holland” Motown LP. Scott also wrote the liner notes for “The Four Tops Live At The Roostertail” and can be heard singing along side with the Four Tops on “Reach Out.” Scott Regen also introduced the Temptations on their 1967 album “The Temptations Live At The Roostertail” as well. On ‘Keener 13,’ Scott Regen became the highest-rated night-time deejay in Detroit – No. 1 — in 1965, 1966 and 1967. Truly, Scott Regen was “Detroit Radio King Of The ’60s!“

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(Information and news source: Billboard; September 17, 1966)

The Roostertail in Detroit. — **The Roostertail**, 100 Marquette Drive, Detroit, MI. 48214

**Inside the spectacular Roostertail Supper Club** as it looked in the 1960s. Besides showcasing Detroit Motown artists during that era, many, many other great acts performed here since its opening in 1958.

**The Roostertail Upper Deck** bar and lounge area circa 1967.

WKNR: ON THE RADIO WITH JIM TATE AND MAC OWENS * AUGUST 21, 1970

From the MCRFB Aircheck Library:

Jim Tate and Mac Owens on WKNR-AM 13 August 21, 1970

Today is the 21st day of August and MCRFB will be showcasing two complete airchecks (nearly 2 full hours) from WKNR with Jim Tate and Mac Owens. These WKNR airchecks was recorded 42-years ago in 1970, it was a Friday, and it was August 21.

WKNR 1970 Music Guide for June 2, 1970 (Jim Tate). — *(Click on image for larger scan).*

These two Keener airchecks was adapted from a saved 1970 WKNR logger tape recorded ultra-slow 15/16 ips, as Jim Tate began the day just after signing-in after 6 AM. WKNR newsman Vincent Smith breaks in with the morning’s newscast at 15 past the hour with a report that a Delta Airlines jet hijacked to Cuba the previous day landed safely at Miami International Airport. The hijacker purportedly to have said to have a bomb. Some of the songs you’ll hear in this aircheck are from CCR, Sandy Posey and 100 Proof (Aged In Soul) along with Eric Burdon and War, two heavy hitters from the WKNR music guide for the week of August 17. The No. 1 song on WKNR? It was “Don’t Play That Song,” by Aretha Franklin. Also, these 1970 airchecks are loaded with memorable spots for the day, Gene Merollis Chevrolet, Canada Dry to name a few, and there’s even a spot for an adults-only flick entitled, “Tuck Me In,” at the time showing at the Trans-Lux in “vivid color” and was rated X! And for 1970, in these Keener airchecks you’ll hear what sounds like the PAMS series 39A jingle package. Here’s the rest of the WKNR deejay caravan for 1970: Dan Henderson, Chris Ryan, Bill Garcia, Gary Granger, Ron Sherwood, Bob Green, Scott Regen and Pat St. John. It’s 1970 all over again and Jim Tate is doing what he did best on Keener 13!

From the MCRFB Aircheck Library, featuring:

WKNR-AM Jim Tate AUGUST 21, 1970 Keener 13 (click name for audio)

WKNR-AM Mack Owens AUGUST 21, 1970 (click name for audio)

WKNR 1970 Music Guide for August 31, 1970 (Mac Owens). — *(Click on image for larger scan).*

The second aircheck highlights an hour of Mac Owens signing in on his show right after Jim Tate at the 9 A.M. hour. One of the WKNR contest production promos at the time was the 1970 WKNR ‘Words’ Contest. Entrants submit lyrics for possible songs to be published and then recorded by Motown artists. Grand prize for the selected winning entry will be $1,000. You’ll hear a spot for Elias Brothers, announcing the newly-opened “Big Boy” restaurant at the Southland Shopping Center in Taylor. Remember “funny car” races at the drags? The big drag event was on Sunday for the Funny Car Spectaculars at the Motor City Dragways at I-94 and 26 Mile Rd. You’ll also hear spots with Johnny Cash for Metro Detroit Chrysler-Plymouth Dealers, Arrid Extra Dry, Pickway Shoe Mart and an offer for 2 FREE Libby 16 oz. glasses with a 10 gallon fill-up at all participating Austin-Gulf gas stations in the Detroit area. WKNR’s newsman Dick Buller reports the day’s news events as we learned 4 homicides were recorded during the night in Detroit. Songs from the WKNR Music Guide for the week of August 17 in this aircheck includes Mongo Jerry, Gene Chandler, along with the Beatles, and there was also a “classic oldie” played by Archie Bell & The Drells from 1968. On the music guide listed for the week were hits by the Carpenters, the Poppy Family, the Motown Spinners, Clarence Carter and Bread. But the most requested song for the morning according to Mac Owens was “Spill The Wine” by Eric Burdon and War, No. 10 on the WKNR Top 13. Relive Keener radio with Jim Tate and Mac Owens (And oh! What a voice!) as it happened on WKNR 42-years ago for this day in 1970 — August 21.

WJR HOLDS NO. 1 SPOT IN A.M. OVER NO. 1 CKLW . . . JUNE 6, 1970

From the MCRFB news archives:

HOOPER RADIO RATINGS REPORT MARCH/APRIL 1970

WJR-AM morning personality J. P. McCarthy. — Detroit WJR-AM morning ace J.P. McCarthy. (Click on image for larger view).

DETROIT — The March/April Hooper has these total rated time figures: CKLW 19.4; WJR 12.2; WWJ 10.2. It’s to early to tell what WKNR will do, but in this rating WABX-FM has a 6 between 7-11 p.m. Sunday through Saturday, while WKNR had a 4.4. As for WCAR, which is the Ken Draper-consulted station, it’s still pretty far back, except for being second each Sunday during midday. WDEE is already fairly far ahead of WEXL, it’s new Detroit country competition. But the market seems to belong for the moment to Paul Drew, program director of CKLW, except when J.P. McCarthy is on the air mornings over at WJR. McCarthy has a 20.9 in the morning slot over CKLW, who holds a very close second during that same time-frame at 20.1. McCarthy is undoubtedly one of the best morning air personalities anywhere because there are few men indeed who could beat the Drake-consulted formula anywhere in the RKO radio chain. McCarthy, incidentally, is one of the speakers slated to make a presentation at the Billboard Radio Programming Forum to be held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel June 18 – 20 in New York. END.

(Information and news source: Billboard; June 6, 1970).