The year 1969 was the year CKLW did not present their annual Top 100 or Top 80 year-end countdown. Instead, the Big 8 opted for the Top 100 Hits of the 1960s — closing out the decade — as CKLW prepared to usher in the 1970s.
On July 3-4 — for the first time ever — host Charlie O’Brien and Big 8 Radio presented the hits of 1969 as was heard on CKLW throughout that memorable year. Beginning with song 100, all the way to the number one song on top.
And now, you can listen to the entire 6 hour countdown — on demand — anytime here on Motor City Radio Flashbacks, courtesy of our friend, Charlie O’.
The featured program began on Saturday, July 3 at 4 p.m., and was rebroadcast on Sunday, July 4 at 12 noon. Another exclusive presentation by Charlie O’Brien and big8radio.com.
The ‘Top 100 of 1969’ playlist was tabulated from the weekly CKLW Top 30 Records charts from 1969 and was researched by noted CKLW historian Dave Kelly.
So here you have it. In its entirety. Enjoy the countdown! 🙂
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NOTE: On Monday, August 2, look for the special, Big 8 Radio’s own (five page) CKLW ‘Countdown Top 100 of 1969’ playlist/brochure on this site.
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— SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT —
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NEW! A special THANK YOU to Charlie O’Brien for contributing the featured CKLW Top 100 of 1969 broadcast with Motor City Radio Flashbacks
“(I Can’t Get No) SATISFACTION” | THE ROLLING STONES | LONDON 9766
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BILLBOARD HOT 100 TABULATED BY RECORDS RETAIL SALES AND RADIO AIRPLAY
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JULY 10 through July 31, 1965
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“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones debuted on the Billboard singles chart at #67, for the week ending, June 12, 1965. The Stones’ single would make its eventual climb to its four-week stay at the top — its fifth week on the charts — week-ending July 10 through week-ending July 31, 1965.
Fourteen weeks overall on the pop singles chart, “Satisfaction” dropped to #41 on its last week on Billboard, week-ending September 11, 1965.
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BILLBOARD HOT 100 TABULATED BY RECORDS RETAIL SALES AND RADIO AIRPLAY
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JULY 26 through AUGUST 8, 1964
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“A Hard Day’s Night” by The Beatles debuted on the Billboard singles chart at #21, for the week ending, July 18, 1964. The Fab Four’s single would make its eventual climb to the top — on its third week on the charts — week-ending August 1 through week-ending August 8, 1964.
Thirteen weeks overall on the pop singles chart, “A Hard Day’s Night” dropped to #50 on its last week on Billboard, week-ending October 10, 1964.
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THIRTEEN WEEKS overall on the singles chart, “A Hard Day’s Night” by The Beatles peaked at #1 this week (2 weeks) on the Billboard Hot 100. Beginning July 26 through week ending, August 8, 1964. (Source: Billboard)
For our previous Billboard 1964 Number One U.S.A. Hits go HERE
Liggett Broadcasting Banks Big on Rogers for Morning Drive and Programming
DETROIT — Eddie Rogers has taken over program director and morning drive duties at AC-formatted WCLS (“Class FM,” formerly WABX) here. He replaces Bob Christie, who departed six weeks ago to open his own consultancy firm in Bend, Ore., and who remains as group consultant to WCLS owner Liggett Broadcasting.
According to WCLS general manager John Piccirillo, who took over that position three and a half months ago after predecessor Grant Santimore suffered a heart attack, acting PD Gary King will remain at WCLS on the 7 p.m. to midnight shift and may be named assistant PD. Also new to the staff is former WMJC production manager Steve Cassidy, who takes over from 9 a.m. to noon.
Piccirillo, who had worked with PD Rogers at adult contemporary WYYS (now WLLT) Cincinnati in 1980, says he’s looking forward to teaming up with him once again. “He’s a great morning man, and he’s never been given the opportunity to be the dominant morning man, which I think he’ll be in the next two years,” predicts Piccirillo.
The WCLS GM took up his new position after a year in Cincinnati with Warner Amex as vice president of ad sales. Prior to that, his 20 years in radio included VP /GM stints with the aforementioned WYYS, top 40 WIKS (now WZPL) Indianapolis in 1979, and WNDE/ WFBQ Indianapolis.
CKLW Eddie Rogers 1973
Rogers, who had most recently served as afternoon drive personality on rival Detroit AC WMJC (Greater Media’s “Magic“), is a well-known name in Detroit radio. A native of North Carolina, where he earned early notoriety in the ’60s as “The Royal Flying Doctor” at WLOS (now Kiss 99.9), Rogers put in time as morning man and assistant PD at top 40 WEAM Washington before signing on the FM drive shift at CKLW Windsor during its heyday.
After two years at Heftel’s 13Q (WKTQ) Pittsburgh, Rogers returned to Detroit to join ABC affiliate WXYZ. He has served for the last two years at Magic.
“Greater Media is a great place to work, but I had a better offer,” comments Rogers. Greater Media, he adds, unsuccessfully sought an in-junction a month ago to keep Rogers from working anywhere else in the city. With the injunction denied by the Wayne County Circuit Court, Rogers says, “There are no hard feelings on either side.”
Rogers and Piccirillo say they intend to sharpen up the AC format instituted earlier this year at WCLS. Liggett’s prior experiment with top 40 after purchasing AOR-formatted WABX from Century Broadcasting 18 months ago was not successful.
Since the AC format has been in place, Piccirillo notes, WCLS has gone from a 1.6 to a 2.6 in the summer ratings. “This is a scrappy market, and everybody’s trying to get a leg up,” comments Piccirillo. “It’s clean competition.”
“Detroit’s one of the most competitive markets in the country,” agrees Rogers, “especially in AC.” WCLS opponents in the AC race include, in order of prominence, WNIC (historically the AC leader), WOMC, and WMJC, with WCLS currently bringing up the rear. “We’re the new kids on the block,” says Rogers, “so we plan to program the most precise music for the audience we’re trying to reach.” END
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Information, credit and news source: Billboard; December 1, 1984
“Scott Regen was a phenomenon, um, that just happened, and I just went along for the ride.”
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Right after having signed on WSAI’s Dick (formerly Paul in Cincinnati) Purtan in May 1965, WKNR, the number one Detroit radio station, created much fanfare and media publicity in promoting the arrival of Scott Regen to Detroit from Kansas City’s WHB.
Days before Scott Regen’s arrival to the station, WKNR gave its listeners daily “travel updates” on Keener 13, as Scott Regen loomed closer and closer to his scheduled arrival to the Dearborn studios, scheduled for the evening of Thursday, May 20, 1965.
Today, in honoring Scottie on his 80th birthday, Motor City Radio Flashbacks presents a collage of promos and memories recorded for the famed ’60s WKNR Keener legend.
These WKNR Scott Regen promos were recorded in 1965, 1966 and 1967. You will hear nearly 40 minute of Keener moments Scottie Regen shared in studio (and out) with many of the greatest ’60s pop stars, artists and groups who appeared on the Scott Regen Show, heard nightly 7-10 p.m. on WKNR.
During these noted ‘Keener’ years, Scott Regen became the No. 1 night-time radio disk jockey in Detroit. Just the same, it was during those years Scottie accomplished a phenomenal 25-29 ratings share of the Detroit radio audience — tuning in to his nightly show on Keener 13.
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Happy Birthday, Scottie! And thank you for all the WKNR memories 🙂
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The featured audio file was enhanced by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
On my journey of understanding and spiritual love, my life and values have changed, as may have yours, and not without acute conflict. These poems reflect those times and changes.
SCOTT REGEN 2018
This book is dedicated to our spiritual unfolding, to the “progressive realization” of our Original Mind by whatever name we choose to give it.
And so with that in mind, we can each ask ourselves, how in our everyday daily life, can we progressively realize — or remember — might be a more accurate way of saying it — our True Spiritual Nature?
One way of expressing the answer to that question is: we can try to practice — each in our own way — and there are thousands of ways — there is no one way — what we are taught via Eastern spiritual thinking, exemplified in A Course In Miracles:
“When you meet anyone, remember it is a holy encounter. As you see him you will see yourself. As you treat him you will treat yourself. As you think of him you will think of yourself. Never forget this, for in him you will find yourself or lose yourself.”
“You should look out from the perception of your own holiness to the holiness of others.”
Namaste to each of you in all you do.
Robert Bernstein, (aka Scott Regen, WKNR; CKLW; WCAR; WDRQ; WMJC) ‘Once Upon Time’
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The revised edition (June 17, 2021) is available on Amazon Books for 13.95:GO HERE
Robert Bernstein (Scott Regen) with Eastern Spiritualist and mentor, Swami Satchidananda (Photo credit: Robert Bernstein; Once Upon Time)
REFLECTIONS and PRAISE FOR ONCE UPON TIME
‘Once Upon Time’, by Scott Regen (Revised edition), is available on Amazon Books GO HERE
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“Your author is a man who was there in the 60s, helping to make Rock ’n’ Roll what it came to be. He knew the artists, he was even responsible many times for what should be released and what shouldn’t. He was spot-on every time. Whether you were listening to his radio program or not, he affected your life.
This book is Reflective and Genuine, Peaceful and Rewarding, Spiritual and Thought Provoking. Read this book and Scottie/Robert will touch your life yet again.”
Pat St.John, SiriusXM Satellite Radio
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“Scott Regen / Robert Bernstein has special powers of imagination and expressions. As a kid growing up in Detroit in the ’60s, he was by far my favorite DJ on WKNR and CKLW. Poetry is a special description of all he does.
Time, it never comes back, but fifty years ago seems like yesterday to me when the radio listening moments were so profound and wonderful.
Here is “Once Upon Time”. I love this book, my favorite book of poems, from my favorite poet. And all from the heart. Scottie tells it like it is.”
Michael Groen, WKNR, WRIF (Detroit)
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“In my years of knowing Robert, I have never seen him move forward in actions that deny the values and balance that create the incredible man he is. His poetry book is an extension of his character. Not only is it creative and spiritually welcoming, but it maintains his elevated level of integrity and belief.
It was gratifying for me to read it, and understand the logic behind his literal and spiritual wisdom. I highly recommend it. You will be pleased, I assure.”
Namaste, Helena Falcon
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“Robert has been my ‘Course in Miracles’ instructor and spiritual mentor for the past seven years. This book was written about times in his life, both before and after he discovered the course’s teachings.
Reading the book for me was a nostalgic trip going back to the 60’s rock and roll era, the dawning of the hippie generation.
It is written with humor, grace and spirituality. It is a heartwarming collection of poetry, commentaries and verse, written about the way we look at the world, and how we relate to both happy and troubled times.”
Chris Miller
Note: More thoughts and ‘reflections’ can be found in Scott Regen’s ‘Once Upon Time’
Scott Regen pre-WKNR years. (Photo credit: Robert Bernstein; Once Upon Time)
A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY WONDERFULLY SHARED
— A PERSONAL THOUGHT —
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This book is unlike any ordinary book I ever read.
For it is a wonderfully different type of book. Robert Bernstein (aka as Scott Regen) writes to us from the heart. He has penned a myriad of poems and lines deeply illuminating life’s journeys, chastened at times, by the human spirit. What is seen. What is not. What is past. What is present. The good. The bad. What is known. What is not.
‘Once Upon Time’ (new revised edition; June 2021) will take the reader into a journey which will stir the imagination of the soul. And if one permits, refresh, if only momentarily, the mind itself.
For what is written within these pages will make you reflect on your own life and mortality, your own time and place. Read. Pause. And thereby think. For you may see what may lie therein between the lines.
Scottie Regen is much more today than a legendary ’60s Detroit radio disk jockey. In that today, he is a man attuned to positive and personally profound spiritual thinking, graced with inner peace. Mind, body and soul.
Jim Feliciano Curator, Motor City Radio Flashbacks
A revised edition (June 17, 2021) is available on Amazon Books for 13.95: GO HERE
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‘This black and white, less costly version of this book, picks up from when the Beatles, Dylan, flower power and the sixties left off.’
Scott Regen backstage with The Beatles. Olympia Stadium, August 13, 1966 (Photo credit: Robert Bernstein; Once Upon Time)
A rare ABC/WXYZ Radio brochure from early-1963. The featured flyer was distributed freely for station visitors, clients, sales staff, and media personnel. The Broadcast House studios was located on Ten Mile Rd., near Northwestern Hwy., in Southfield, Michigan.
WXYZ 1270. Fifty-eight years ago.
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NOTE: For a formidable look-back of WXYZ and its legendary, Detroit broadcasting glory years (previously published on this site), please go HERE.
— SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT —
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NEW! A special THANK YOU to Ray Tessier, of Allen Park, MI., for contributing this rare WXYZ brochure with Motor City Radio Flashbacks 🙂
THE RAY TESSIER COLLECTION
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The above WXYZ flyer was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
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The above featured Detroit Free Press article was digitally re-imaged by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
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— SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT —
A special THANK YOU to senior MCRFB consultant Greg Innis, of Livonia, MI., for contributing the Newspapers.com archives, (Detroit radio related) ads, images, we have featured on this site, since 2016.
Thank you, Greg Innis, for making these historic Detroit radio features possible. 🙂
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Missed any of our previous ‘Detroit Radio Back-Pages‘ features? GO HERE
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His Biggest Hurdle Now Behind Him, Sam Cooke Looks Toward the Adult Market
MUSIC BUSINESS — (7/11/1964) — The young and talented in our time face a depressing reality. The very mass media which serve to promote and parade them before the public (press, radio, television, recordings) play a double role: they are also the harbingers of obsolescence. The “too much, too soon” machinery has a will of its own, and few understand the mechanics of escaping it. Hopefully, Sam Cooke does.
At 29, Cooke can already look back on seven exceptionally successful years in show business. A graduate of one of the finest gospel singing groups, the Soul Stirrers, Cooke’s first single hit as a soloist was his self-penned “You Send Me,” which appeared on the Keene label. Shortly thereafter he was signed by RCA Victor Records and his career slowly took shape. And it is a solid shape. His last ten singles have all made Top 20 in the country.
SAM COOKE 1964
Long term success is rarely an accident. For Cooke, it has been a case of meticulous planning, and a constant need on the part of the artist for reappraisal of his abilities – particularly as a live performer. “I remember my first stab at the Copa. I had just two hit singles and was booked as a second string act. I wasn’t prepared. I had no conception of an act, lacked stage presence and made little identity with lyrics. It was a painful lesson.”
Others who recall that particular date are easier on Cooke than he is on himself. But he vowed then he’d be a pro before he returned.
When he opened there, June 24, as head-liner, there was something of a vengeance in the first half of the opening set. He was tight and visibly nervous. But then, the real Sam came through and he had his audience with him from there on in – even to singing and clapping while he fed them the lyrics to “If I Had A Hammer.” A pretty risky trick for the staid Copa crowd — but it worked. Cooke has finally broken into the adult market, and he intends to stay there.
Yet there is something enigmatic about Cooke’s past five years as a performer. He has been virtually protected from the adult market, which is hard to reconcile in this day and age. All the while, he has had a tremendous teen following, and the Negro community know him as a “star.” At New York’s Town Hill, for instance, he earns $12,500 per week as a headliner.
When he plays the Apollo in Harlem he breaks attendance records (52,000 his last week there). Yet, his manager of nine months, Allen Klein, when asked why he’d waited so long for the Copa booking, he explained, “Frankly, they didn’t want him. ‘Who’s Cooke,’ they asked. His current booking there wasn’t even set until May.”
Klein has ambitious plans for Cooke’s future, with murmurs of a Carnegie Hall concert and the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, as well as the European scene. Cooke recently left the William Morris Agency and signed with G.A.C., where Buddy Howe is in charge of him. “Howe’s one of the best talent builders in the business,” offers Klein.
Klein explained, “We’re ready to go all the way with Sam. This past year has been a brief hiatus for Sam — he’s not given any personal appearances, save one, so that he could orient himself to the change in his career. Now we’re set to run with it.”
If Cooke’s business acumen is any indication of his talent for carrying things out, there’s little doubt that he’ll make his presence felt. He owns his own publishing firm (Kags) and two record labels, Derby and Sar. As a composer, he’s been responsible for most of his hit record tunes, including “You Send Me,” “Every-body Likes to Cha Cha Cha,” “Only Sixteen,” “Chain Gang,” “Having A Party,”“Cupid,” “Twistin’ The Night Away,” “Another Saturday Night,” “Ain’t That Good News,” and “Good Times,” is just a partial list. And it is intimated that his recent new pact with RCA Victor has some pretty interesting clauses in it. One is that as he develops new talent on his own labels, Victor gets first refusal on signing the acts.
If Cooke has any idol it is talent. He is ecstatic about great performers, arrangers, writers. He spoke recently at length about Bob Dylan. “Now there’s a guy with a real soul. And such a talent for putting beautiful thoughts in a simple framework. If you’ve got something to say, I think that’s the way to say it. If you haven’t you’d better cool it.
“You know,” he confessed, “I was so impressed with one of his songs (‘The Times They Are a-Changin’), I wrote one around it, called ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ “. END
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Information, credit and news source: Music Business; July 11, 1964
The year 1969 was the year CKLW did not present their annual Top 100 or Top 80 year-end countdown. Instead, the Big 8 opted for the Top 100 Hits of the 1960s — closing out the decade — as CKLW prepared to usher in the 1970s.
