The above WJBK chart was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
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‘SANTA COMES TO TOWN’ “More than a quarter-million children and parents jammed Woodard for the annual J. L. Hudson Thanksgiving Day Parade to give Santa Clause and Christmas Carol a rousing welcome to Detroit.”
Detroit Free Press, Friday, November 29, 1963
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Woodward Avenue. The precise spot where the photo was taken, facing towards east Grand River in the heart of downtown Detroit. To the right, was the J. L. Hudson building. Towering in the background is the historic Merchants Building. The old Singer building, as it was known at the time, is visible on the left. It is the Shinola Hotel today.
Added inside the photo frame is the exact street view (looking up Grand River from Woodward Ave) as it appeared in November 2022. The featured photograph was taken by Detroit Free Press chief photographer Tony Spina during the J. L. Hudson Thanksgiving Day Parade in Downtown Detroit, in November 1963. 60 years ago, today.
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This official Record Review survey was tabulated overall by each record’s popularity and its appeal, sales, listener requests and record airplays based on the judgement of WJBK Radio 1500 (1963)
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The above WJBK chart was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
ON YOUR PC? To fully appreciate this WJBK Radio Record Review chart for the week of November 22, 1963 click on image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.
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A sincere thank you, Mrs. Patti Griggs. This featured presentation would have not been possible without your generosity, dedication, and your continuous support.
Above WJBK music chart courtesy of Mrs. Patti Griggs and the George L. Griggs estate.
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In this segment you will hear NBC radio reports by the following correspondents:
Ron Nessen (Washington); Don Doke (White House); Ed Gulf (Mobile Unit); Dave Rush (St. Matthews Cathedral)
The complete coverage of the Low Pontifical Requiem Mass for President Kennedy at St. Matthews Cathedral, as broadcasted on WWJ, Detroit, on the NBC Radio Network. Highlights:
“Hail to the Chief” (JFK casket brought into Cathedral); Commencement of Mass; Entrance Hymn; Reading of the Gospel; Offertory; Consecration; The Lord’s Prayer; Celebrant’s Communion; Communion Missile; Communion Prayer; End of Mass; Words by Reverend Phillip M. Hannon (Auxiliary Catholic Bishop) Washington; Cardinal Richard Cushing; Cardinal and dignitaries exit Cathedral.
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Note: In 1963, WWJ WWJ-FM was owned and operated by The Detroit News. The NBC Detroit affiliate was represented nationally by Peters, Griffins, Woodward, Inc.
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In this segment you will hear the NBC reports of President John F. Kennedy’s State Funeral:
The complete and final coverage of President Kennedy’s Funeral. As broadcasted on WWJ, Detroit, on the NBC Radio Network. Highlights:
JFK’s casket, caisson leaves Cathedral; Ed Gulf, (Mobile Unit) reporting; JFK Funeral procession crossing Potomac; Procession continues; Procession enters Arlington; JFK casket carried to gravesite; Kennedy family approaches grave; National Anthem, Air Force Bag Pipes; The Fly-By; Blessing of the Grave (Richard Cardinal Cushing presides); Military Honor 21 Gun Salute; Oratory Prayers, Church Consecration; Military Honor Guard 3 Gun Salute, Playing Military Taps; Military Honor Guard folds Flag; Cushing officiates Prayers, recites Church Blessings of the Grave; Flag handed to Mrs. Kennedy, commence lighting of the Eternal Flame.
” . . . John F. Kennedy, has been laid to rest.”
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Classical music resumes play over the NBC Radio Network
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A special thank you to Bob Pratt, of Farmington Hills, MI., for contributing these historic recordings to the Motor City Radio Flashbacks archive.
In November 1963, Bob Pratt recorded over 20 hours on reeled tapes covering the tragic four days, 60 years ago.
In November 1963, Bob Pratt recorded over 20 hours on reeled tapes covering the tragic four days, 60 years ago. The recordings began at 11:16 a.m. through 3:43 p.m., Monday afternoon, November 25, 1963.
Bob Pratt also shared his own recollections of President Kennedy’s assassination. His personal memories is featured on this website, here.
These historic Detroit radio broadcasts was never available to anyone — anywhere. Motor City Radio Flashbacks featured these historic recordings in their entirety — exclusively here — for the very first time, when this site premiered these broadcasts in November 2018, five years ago.
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Above newspaper images courtesy from the freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2023. Newspapers.com.
The above featured images was ‘clipped,’ saved, and imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
All photographs used for this featured presentation was randomly selected. All photographs was captioned by the author. All selected photos herein were found to be under/as ‘public domain’ and are displayed here for educational purposes only, as stipulated under the “fair use” clause, unless specified otherwise, and having been credited, as.
For largest views – if viewing on your mobile device, tap over newspaper images. Open to second window. “Stretch” images across your device screen to magnify detailed view.
All images posted in this featured presentation was re-imaged, re-framed, and was web created for this featured presentation by Jim Feliciano. The selected ‘televised’ image was used (see top frame), having been obtained from the personal collection of the author.
Photos featured: Associated Press
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In this segment you will hear NBC radio reports by the following correspondents:
Tom Petitt (Dallas); Roger Reedy (Dallas); Tom Perryman (Dallas); Robert McCormick (Washington); Herbert Kaplow (Washington); Don Doke (Washington); Jack Perkins (Washington); Richard Harkness (Washington); Bryson Rush (Washington)
Also, the NBC Radio Memorial Tribute ‘President John F. Kennedy: The Highest Price’.
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Note: In 1963, WWJ WWJ-FM was owned and operated by The Detroit News. The NBC Detroit affiliate was represented nationally by Peters, Griffins, Woodward, Inc.
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The NBC radio memorial tribute, a continuation — ‘President John F. Kennedy: The Highest Price’ (program conclusion).
Near the end of this segment, you will note a brief NBC radio commentary by Morgan Beatty (11:21 p.m.); also a live NBC report by Bryson Rush in Washington.
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Note: In 1963, WWJ WWJ-FM was owned and operated by The Detroit News. The NBC Detroit affiliate was represented nationally by Peters, Griffins, Woodward, Inc.
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A special thank you to Bob Pratt, of Farmington Hills, MI., for contributing these historic recordings for our Motor City Radio Flashbacks archive.
In November 1963, Bob Pratt recorded over 20 hours on reeled tapes covering the tragic four days, 60 years ago.
Approximately 8 minutes after Lee Harvey Oswald was shot on live TV (12:21; EST), Bob Pratt began to record the events as NBC radio was breaking the news story over WWJ-FM, Detroit. The recordings began approximately 12:29 p.m., through 6:00 p.m., Sunday evening, November 24, 1963.
Bob Pratt also shared his own recollections of President Kennedy’s assassination. His personal memories is featured on this website, here.
These historic Detroit radio broadcasts was never available to anyone — anywhere. Motor City Radio Flashbacks previously featured these historic recordings in their entirety — exclusively here — for the very first time, when this site premiered these broadcasts in November 2018, five years ago.
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Above newspaper images courtesy from the freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2023. Newspapers.com.
The above featured images was ‘clipped,’ saved, and imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
All photographs used for this featured presentation was randomly selected. All photographs was captioned by the author. All selected photos herein were found to be under/as ‘public domain’ and are displayed here for educational purposes only, as stipulated under the “fair use” clause, unless specified otherwise, and having been credited, as.
For largest views – if viewing on your mobile device, tap over newspaper images. Open to second window. “Stretch” images across your device screen to magnify detailed view.
All images posted in this featured presentation was re-imaged, re-framed, and was web created for this featured presentation by Jim Feliciano. The selected ‘televised’ image was used (see top frame), having been obtained from the personal collection of the author.
All photos featured: Associated Press
Photos featured: Associated Press (Bob Jackson); Dallas Morning News (Jack Beers); Associated Press
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In this WJBK FM, Saturday, November 23 segment you will hear the 1:00 p.m. WJBK Radio 15 Newsline Report with Bob King and Bernard Morris.
In November 1963, the WJBK News department comprised of 5 news anchors. The Radio 15 anchors were: Bob King, Norm Lenhardt, Alan Thayer, Bernard Morris and Bob Edgington.
For news and information, the WJBK news department was reliant on UPI and AP teletypes machines for local, domestic, and international news wires and reports.
In 1963, the Storer Broadcasting owned WJBK radio station was not affiliated with any major news organizations, nor with a major news network.
You will note a somber solemnity in the first day of national mourning. WJBK, a top 40 station, dropped entirely their music format. The station reverted instead playing continuous dirge music — breaking only for news as they developed at the top and bottom of the hour throughout their broadcasting day, Saturday, November 23, 60 years ago today.
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Note: In 1963, WJBK WJBK-FM was owned and operated by The Storer broadcasting Company. The Storer Detroit affiliate was represented nationally by the Katz Agency, Inc.
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In this (newly added; November 1, 2019) WWJ-AM hourly segment you will hear NBC radio reports by Russ Ward (New York) and following correspondents:
Richard Volariani (Washington); John Rich (Tokyo); Pierce Allman (Dallas); Enaldo Akalena (Beirut); Wilson Hall (Rio De Janeiro); Joseph C. Harsh (London); John Sharky (Saigon); Phyllis Hepp (Nairobi); Alvin Rosenfeld (Tel Aviv); Irvin R. Levine (Rome); Peter Hackuss (Washington); John Chancellor (Berlin); John Lavencheck (Miami); Robert McCormick (Washington); Robert Gorawlski (White House); Hubert Humphrey (Washington); Bernard Prissell (France) Pope Paul IX (Vatican); Senator John Tower (New York); Representative Hale Boggs (Louisiana); Representative Gerald R. Ford (Michigan); Representative Albert Thomas (Washington); Alan Kennedy (New Delhi)
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Note: In 1963, WWJ WWJ-FM was owned and operated by The Detroit News. The NBC Detroit affiliate was represented nationally by Peters, Griffins, Woodward, Inc.
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In this (newly added; November 1, 2019) WWJ-AM hourly segment you will hear NBC radio reports by Russ Ward (New York) and following correspondents:
Irvine R. Levine (Rome); Ed Newman (Washington); Robert Goralski (White House); Ron Nessen (Washington); Tom Petitt (Dallas); Jim Jenson (Hyannis Port); Jim Holbrook (Chicago); Ray Sherer (White House); Jim Hurlman (New York); Ray Moore (Atlanta); Robert Abernathy (Washington); Bryson Rash (Washington): Eli Abel (State Department); Richard Harkness (Andrews Air Force Base); Dr. William H. McCarcall (Bristol, Tennessee); Wells Heilmann (Bonn)
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Note: In 1963, WWJ WWJ-FM was owned and operated by The Detroit News. The NBC Detroit affiliate was represented nationally by Peters, Griffins, Woodward, Inc.
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A special thank you to Bob Pratt, of Farmington Hills, MI., for contributing these historic recordings for our Motor City Radio Flashbacks archive.
In November 1963, Bob Pratt recorded over 20 hours on reeled tapes covering the tragic four days, 60 years ago.
The featured WWJ-AM recordings began at 7:30 a.m., when NBC Radio (New York) first signed on that morning on all their affiliates nationwide, Saturday, November 23. These recording totaled 4.5 hours, to 12 noon. The featured WJBK-FM recording began in the afternoon, at top of the 1:00 p.m. hour. Saturday, November 23.
Bob Pratt also shared his own recollections of President Kennedy’s assassination. His personal memories is featured on this website, here.
These historic Detroit radio broadcasts was never available to anyone — anywhere. Motor City Radio Flashbacks featured these historic recordings in their entirety — exclusively here — for the very first time when this site premiered these broadcasts in November 2018, five years ago.
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Above newspaper image courtesy from the freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2023. Newspapers.com.
The above featured images was ‘clipped,’ saved, and imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
All photographs used for this featured presentation was randomly selected. All photographs was captioned by the author. All selected photos herein were found to be under/as ‘public domain’ and are displayed here for educational purposes only, as stipulated under the “fair use” clause, unless specified otherwise, and having been credited, as.
For largest views – if viewing on your mobile device, tap over newspaper images. Open to second window. “Stretch” images across your device screen to magnify detailed view.
All images posted in this featured presentation was re-imaged, re-framed, and was web created for this featured presentation by Jim Feliciano. The ‘televised’ image was used (see top frame), having been obtained from the personal collection of the author.
Photos featured: Associated Press
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Approximately 20 minutes after NBC broke programming with a bulletin (AP; 12:40 p.m., CST) President Kennedy had been shot, the NBC Radio Network in New York took control of the news coming out of Dallas on all the NBC affiliates nationwide, including WWJ, WWJ FM in Detroit, at the top of the hour — 2:00 P.M., EST, Friday, November 22, 1963.
In this hourly segment you will hear NBC radio reports by the following correspondents:
Peter Hackus (NBC Radio Network, New York); Edwin Newman (NBC Radio Network, New York)
Robert MacNeill (Dallas); Bill Ryan (NBC TV [feed] New York); Charles Murphy (ABC-TV [feed] Dallas); David Brinkley (NBC TV [feed] Washington); Alan Bickley (WFAA Dallas); Joseph Michaels (New York); Jean Hill [eyewitness] WFAA Dallas); Frank McGee (NBC TV [feed] New York); Robert Gorawlski (Washington); Chet Huntley (NBC TV [feed] New York); John Holfin (NBC cameraman [eyewitness] Dallas); Morgan Beatty (NBC Radio Network, New York); John Lavencheck (Miami); Robert McCormick (Washington); Pierce Allman (WFAA Dallas); Irving R. Levine (Rome); Kenneth Bernstein (London)
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Note: In 1963, WWJ WWJ-FM was owned and operated by The Detroit News. The NBC Detroit affiliate was represented nationally by Peters, Griffins, Woodward, Inc.
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In this hourly segment you will hear NBC radio reports by the following correspondents:
Joseph Michaels (New York); Bernard Brussell (Paris); Ray Sherer (Washington); Joseph Hersh (London); Berry Simmons (San Diego); Pierce Allman (Dallas); Ian Stewart (Hong Kong); Peter Hackett (Washington); Robert Abernathy (Washington); Nancy Dickerson (Washington); Tom Petitt (Dallas) David Abernathy (Bonn); Richard Volariani (Washington); Robert Goralski (Washington); Joseph Michaels (JFK in New York; 11-15-1963)
Also, you will hear a special WWJ radio news report by: John Hultman, WWJ WWJ FM — top of 7:00 p.m. hour — NBC Radio in Detroit.
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Note: In 1963, WWJ WWJ-FM was owned and operated by The Detroit News. The NBC Detroit affiliate was represented nationally by Peters, Griffins, Woodward, Inc.
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In this hourly segment you will hear NBC radio reports by the following correspondents:
Bob Whitten (Sacramento); Robert Goralski (Washington); Tom Perryman (Dallas); John Rich (Tokyo); Herbert Kaplow (Washington); Joseph Michaels (Interviews Carlos Bringuier, New Orleans — New York); Richard Valariani (Washington); John Chancellor (Berlin); Tom Petitt (Dallas); Robert Abernathy (Washington)
Also, you will hear a special WWJ radio news report by: Don Perrie, WWJ WWJ FM — top of 11:00 p.m. hour — NBC Radio in Detroit.
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Note: In 1963, WWJ WWJ-FM was owned and operated by The Detroit News. The NBC Detroit affiliate was represented nationally by Peters, Griffins, Woodward, Inc.
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A special thank you to Bob Pratt, of Farmington Hills, MI., for contributing these historic recordings for our Motor City Radio Flashbacks archive.
In November 1963, Bob Pratt recorded over 20 hours on reeled tapes covering the tragic four days, 60 years ago.
Some 5 hours after the NBC Radio Network first broke with stunning word President Kennedy had been shot (12:40 p.m., CST 1:00 p.m., CST) Bob Pratt proceeded recording more of the NBC radio news as they unfolded on WWJ-FM in Detroit. The evening recordings began at 6:20 p.m., running through 11:36 p.m. Friday night, November 22, 1963.
Bob Pratt also shared his personal recollections of President Kennedy’s assassination. His personal memories is featured on this site, here.
These historic Detroit radio broadcasts was never available to anyone — anywhere. Motor City Radio Flashbacks featured these historic recordings in their entirety — exclusively here — for the very first time, when this site premiered these broadcasts in November 2018, five years ago.
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Above newspaper images courtesy from the freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2023. Newspapers.com.
The above featured images was ‘clipped,’ saved, and re-imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
All photographs used in this featured presentation was randomly selected. All photographs was captioned by the author. All selected photos herein were found to be under/as ‘public domain’ and are exhibited here for educational purposes only, as stipulated under the “fair use” clause, unless specified otherwise, and having been credited, as.
For largest views — if viewing on your mobile device, tap over newspaper images. Open to second window. “Stretch” images across your device screen to magnify detailed view.
All images posted in this featured presentation was re-imaged, re-framed, and was web created for this featured presentation by Jim Feliciano. The selected ‘televised’ image was used (see top frame), having been obtained from the personal collection of the author.
AP Bulletin image: Scanned from an actual 11-22-1963 AP scroll (from author’s personal collection).
Photos featured: Associated Press; UPI (Mary Moorman)
Photo featured: by Jack Rosen (for additional content by the author further referencing the Jack Rosen photograph, above, go here)
In the Rosen photo, note the television monitors. All three major news networks were broadcasting the news out of Dallas that day. CBS, ABC, NBC, respectively.
The author purchased the Jack Rosen photograph (featured above) 15 years ago, from the official Jack Rosen (now defunct) website. This same image is available today and can now be purchased HERE
Photo featured, by Eanon Kennedy: The Dallas Times Herald
This photograph was published enlarged on the front page of The Dallas Times Herald (and was published also in other major newspaper publications) on Saturday, November 23, 1963.
For a remarkable story about this iconic November 22, 1963 photograph, and the photographer who took it, read this article, HERE.
Photos featured: The Dallas Times Herald
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The morning of November 22 began as auspiciously as any day during President Kennedy’s first term in office. In Texas, having arrived on Thursday, November 21, for two pre-scheduled stops in San Antonio and in Houston, the Presidential entourage flies to Ft. Worth late that evening. At 11:50 p.m. C.S.T. President Kennedy and the First Lady was booked into Suite 850 at Hotel Texas for the night, in downtown Ft. Worth.
For Friday morning, the White House itinerary calls for two public speeches to be given by the President. One outside the hotel’s parking lot, and the second speech will be given at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast event inside the hotel’s Grand Ballroom. Thereafter, Mr. & Mrs. Kennedy will take a short 13 minute flight from Carswell AFB to Lovefield in Dallas for a scheduled motorcade through the city, before an afternoon luncheon and a major speech Mr. Kennedy will give at the Trade Mart. President Kennedy and his party will then fly to Austin for a late-evening Democratic fundraising dinner event at the ranch of Vice-President Lyndon Johnson.
Meanwhile, in the day’s national news, the “Soviet staff” abruptly was ousted in the Congo. Debris from a crashed U2 plane was found in the Gulf north of Havana. South Africa rejects UN compliance to end racial bias. Bobby Kennedy stated he will not direct the Presidential campaign in 1964. Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz” is dead. While in Dallas, Richard Nixon tells the press JFK “will drop LBJ” from vice presidential contention in 1964. In Viet Nam news, the Detroit Free Press reports (United Press International) the Kennedy administration, under Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara — ‘Confirmed: 1,300 Viet GIs To Leave Within 2 Months’.
In Detroit, in local news. Due to the 1963 auto boom, Lansing reports the state’s jobless rate dips to 3.9 percent, a 7-year low. An investigation of Teamsters union pension funds revealed 20 million dollars was appropriated for Vegas “gambling enterprises.” Another headline reads, “Hoffa Unaware of ‘Fix’ Try.” In money markets, the ‘Detroit Stock Exchange’ volume in trading reports a significant October markup. In sports, the Detroit Red Wings are 6-8 in NHL standings. In the theater district downtown, the Fox theater marquee reads, now showing, “The Man With The X-Ray Eyes.” At the Olympia, through Sunday, tickets were available for the ‘Ice Follies of 1964’. The Tigers trade Rocky Colavito to Kansas City. For Saturday collegiate football, it will be Michigan State versus Illinois. Also reported in the morning Free Press, Detroiters read, “JFK Walks Into Texas Party Fight”. And the day’s newspaper retail ads reminds Detroiters — 33 shopping days left until Christmas.
For SE Michigan and the Detroit metro area, the day’s weather forecast calls for above average ‘mild’ temperatures. Friday’s highs, 60s. Evening lows, 40s.
In Ft. Worth and in Dallas, the biggest story of the day is President Kennedy’s 2-day whirlwind trip to Texas. At 7:00 a.m. C.S.T., Ft. Worth ABC News affiliate WBAP 570 news anchor Norwood McClendon reports the day’s morning news with ‘Morning Edition.’ And from New York, it is ‘News Around The World’ with ABC News anchor, Don Gardiner. The same ‘News Around The World’ segment you will hear in this presentation aired 8:15 a.m. [E.S.T.] that Friday morning at ABC affiliate WXYZ Radio 1270 in Detroit.
This was the news. On this day, sixty years ago. It is early Friday morning, November 22, 1963. — Jim Feliciano
Audio was digitally remastered by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
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If viewing on your mobile device, tap over the images. Open to second window. “Stretch” images across your device screen to magnify detailed print and view. On your PC, click on images 2x for largest detailed view.
The selected audio file in this featured presentation was obtained by the author and selections were culled and were combined from 20 hours of actual WBAP radio programming the station aired (and recorded) during that tragic weekend, November 1963.
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All photographs selected herein for this feature presentation was found to be in the public domain. All photos were captioned by the author. The selected photos displayed in this presentation are used as historical references and are used for educational purposes only.
The photographs (including the newspaper images) was digitally re-imaged, re-framed by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
The above WKNR chart was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
A special THANK YOU going out to Larry Good, of Plymouth, Michigan, for providing Motor City Radio Flashbacks this rare WKNR November 21, 1963 chart survey, in its original form, for our collection.
Authenticated. In it’s printed originality, the correct WKNR Teal-colored lettering and bordering has been applied to this featured chart.
Compiled by the Music Popularity Chart Dept. of Billboard, from national retail store and one-stop sales reports, and radio airplay reports.
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