On October 12, 1969, WKNR killed Paul McCartney.Russ Gibb, working on WKNR-FM, heard from an Eastern Michigan University student about a series of clues that seemed to point to Paul McCartney’s death. The story took on a life of its own, both on Keener and WKNR-FM and Russ received credit for making the tale of McCartney’s supposed demise a national story. In the Spring of 2007, Dutch documentarians came to Dearborn to ask Russ to recount the adventure for posterity.Read the full story at Keener13.com. And watch the full documentary here.
WKNR all-night personality Jim Jeffries in 1965. (Click on image for larger view)
We’re going to take you back to January 30, 1967. A time when Keener 13 was still hot on the radio dial in Detroit.
During the time this aircheck was recorded, WKNR arbitrarily still held the number one slot overall in total audience ratings. Number one for three consecutive years since the Keener Sound took a phenomenal hold on Detroit radio early-on in 1964.
When Keener DJ Bill Phillips left the overnight shift open at Keener 13 in mid-1965, Frank Maruca, station program director for WKNR at that time, promptly filled the void. He knew where to call. He made the call for Jim Jeffries from sister-station WKFR “Keener 14” in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Jim Jeffries on WKNR Keener 13.(Click on image for larger view)
While doing the overnight 1AM to 6AM shift, once on board, Jim Jeffries popularity rose to prominence at WKNR. Jim connected well with his audience with his blend of personality, humor, exuberance and warmth. The Jeffries brand soon became the overnight sensation during his entire radio stay in Detroit. By mid-1966, Jeffries became the most listened to deejay doing the all-night show in Detroit at the time.
But before the end of 1967, Jim Jeffries would set sail for newer horizons outside of Detroit. This time he was offered a ‘prime-time’ radio slot for another radio market outside of Michigan. Keener newsman Bob Neal, along with Keener DJ Bob Harper, would soon follow Jim Jeffries down to WQXI in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sadly, Jim Jeffries passed away suddenly on November 17, 2009. (For more on his passing, see Scott Westerman’s special tribute to Jim Jeffries at Keener13.com).
But as you listen to this January, 1967 Jim Jeffries aircheck, you’ll understand why a generation of Detroiters during that time stayed up faithfully throughout the night listening to the Jim Jeffries Show on Keener 13.
If WKNR’s owner, Mrs. Knorr, thought that Tommy James’ “I Think We’re Alone Now” was a little too much for the Keener airwaves, then “Jungle Fever” by the Chakachaswas well over the edge of the envelope. That it became a hit at all is one of those improbable stories that seem to proliferate in the music business. Here’s the backstory from Keener13.com.
The number one songs from this week in 1965-72. The unlikely rock star who recorded “The Girl From Ipanema“, Detroit’s Flaming Ember and The Beatles Last Concert. Learn the backstory atKeener13.com.
On October 12, 1969, WKNR killed Paul McCartney. Russ Gibb, working on WKNR-FM, heard from an Eastern Michigan University student about a series of clues that seemed to point to Paul McCartney’s death. The story took on a life of its own, both on Keener and WKNR-FM and Russ received credit for making the tale of McCartney’s supposed demise a national story. In the Spring of 2007, Dutch documentarians came to Dearborn to ask Russ to recount the adventure for posterity. Read the full story at Keener13.com. And watch the full documentary here.
