(Click on chart image 2x for detailed view)
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FOURTEEN WEEKS on the singles chart, “Ode To Billie Joe” by Bobbie Gentry peaked this week at No. 01 (4 weeks) on the Billboard Hot 100, week August 20 through September 16, 1967. (source: Billboard)
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MCRFB Link: For the previous No. 1 record in the U.S.A. 1967 GO HERE.
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A special THANK YOU to Diane Steinberg Lewis, daughter of Martha Jean Steinberg, for recently sharing with Motor City Radio Flashbacks this lovely portrait of Martha Jean. August 12, 2017.
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A TRIBUTE TO THE QUEEN
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In the early 1950s, Martha Jean, would become one of but a few female broadcasters in the country working radio “on-the-air.” She landed her first DJ stint in broadcast radio when she was hired at Memphis’ WDIA in 1954.
In 1963, Bell Broadcasting in Detroit, WCHB, hired Martha Jean from Memphis’ WDIA. After three years on the radio there, she left WCHB for Detroit’s WJLB on October 24, 1966.
Fifty years ago, during the Detroit riot in July 1967, in her personal attempt to quell the widespread civil disturbance and “calm the citizenry” — Martha Jean convinced WJLB management to cancel all scheduled programming — thus allowing her to remain on the air for an unprecedented 48 consecutive hours.
The legendary soul radio personality Martha Jean, known as “The Queen,” remained a broadcasting staple for over four decades while in the Motor City. During her decades’ reign on the radio airways here she became a formidable voice for Detroit and its inner-city core. In 1982, she purchased her own radio station, thus, becoming its sole manager thereby having divested all prior control of operations for WQBH (formerly Detroit’s WMZK).
She remained there on the air until the day she passed away, January 29, 2000.
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DETROIT FREE PRESS: WCHB-AM ‘That Queen Of ‘Soul,’ Martha Jean’
(Above WCHB related article is courtesy freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2017. Newspapers.com).
A MCRFB viewing tip: On your PC? You can read the entire 1965 article! 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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Missed any of our previous ‘Detroit Radio Back-Pages‘ features? GO HERE.
THE KING IS GONE * RONNIE McDOWELL * 1977
From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1977
40 YEARS AGO TODAY. ELVIS PRESLEY IS DEAD. WHEN DETROITERS READ THE NEWS
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MEMPHIS, TENN — Elvis Presley, the gyrating king of rock ‘n’ roll who forever changed the face of music two decades ago when he growled, “You Ain’t Nothin’ But A Hound Dog,” died Tuesday of a “erratic heartbeat.”
(CONTINUES — please read the complete article below) . . . .
— DETROIT FREE PRESS
DETROIT FREE PRESS Wednesday, August 17, 1977
DETROIT FREE PRESS Wednesday, August 17, 1977
A MCRFB VIEWING TIP
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Above ELVIS PRESLEY related article is courtesy freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2017. Newspapers.com.
Missed our previously cataloged ‘Motor City ’60s Music’ newspaper features? GO HERE.
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DETROIT FREE PRESS: WJR-AM “Detroit Radio Legend Falls Silent”
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(Above WJR related article is courtesy freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2017. Newspapers.com).
A MCRFB viewing tip: On your PC? You can read the entire 1965 article! For a larger detailed view click above image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.
Click your server’s back button to return to MCRFB.COM home page.
On your mobile device? Tap on image. Open to second window. “Stretch” image across your device screen to magnify for largest print view.
Missed any of our previous ‘Detroit Radio Back-Pages‘ features? GO HERE.
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J. P. McCarthy passed away, on this day, August 16, 1995. 22 years ago.
Today, Motor City Radio Flashbacks reflects on the broadcasting career of this great Detroit radio legend. J. P. McCarthy. See our previous feature, February 12, 2012 (LINKED HERE).
(Click on chart image 2x for detailed view)
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ELEVEN WEEKS on the singles chart, “All You Need Is Love” by the Beatles peaked this week at No. 01 (1 week) on the Billboard Hot 100, week August 13 through August 19, 1967. (source: Billboard)
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MCRFB Link: For the previous No. 1 record in the U.S.A. 1967 GO HERE.
