Most of the photos featured on this page were selected and compiled by George Griggs for this page. This page initially was published on January 30, 2012.
Additional new numbered photos (run mouse over photo and you will see the number at bottom of page) were added into this collection after reconstruction of this page.
Always a work in progress, we do have more Detroit radio pictures in our archives. So check back here. More photos will be forthcoming!
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To all-I just discovered your site when i linked off of Detroit Memories thru WKNR”S site.I looked it over and i’m very impressed.I was involved with Tom Knight’s venture,Jukebox Memories, in 1995 and for a short time was a character in some of Tom’s programs.I have a good recording of one of Spinning Smitty’s “Remember When” shows with Bo Brown assisting on mic.I also have somewhere in the archives a couple of Jukebox Memories shows from 95.I will share them with you if your interested. I look forward to further exploration of your many clips. Regards,Lou
Great site but does ANYONE have any recent info on the great David Newman (of WXYT and WJR)? I knew he had suffered a series of strokes. I wish there was a way to express to him how much he is missed in Detroit talk radio. We could use his intelligent and even-handed approach now more then ever. – Thanks
Brian, send me an email at efsmichigan.com i see David and will pass it along. Im a former Producer for him
I’d like some help finding the resting place of CKLW/Windsor radio personality Mr. Jim Davis From 1988 to 1998=He passed away in Feb 07-I am visiting Michigan (Ann Arbor) in July and would like to place flowers on his grave Also trying to find his son and daughter as I have something of sentimental value to pass on (at great expense!) Daughter Karen lives in Columbus Ohio His son in Houston TX I Posted on Facebook. In Appreciation! Thank you!! AK/TX
Ms. King – Did you ever receive any information on Jim Davis? Jim was a colleague of mine at Channel 7 in Detroit. He was on the radio side. I was in TV News. In addition to working together, Jim and Mary Davis became good friends of ours. Mary passed away from cancer. After stints at WJR and CKLW, Jim moved to Florida where his father was living. Jim passed away there. I also think he is buried there.
His daughter, Karen, was living in Columbus, Ohio working for the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team. His son was in the Army for a time and stationed in Hawaii. I attempted to contact him while I was in Hawaii but was unable to get the Army to cooperate with locating him.
Hi Jim
Lee Alan told me of someone he knew interested in the WXYZ ’66 Batman days and the Batman Imposter who drove around Detroit for three weeks buzzing drive-ins etc. and stirring up the people for the scheduled appearance of Adam West at Edgewater Park to climax the promotion.
That would be me and I no more pics to prove it darnit but maybe somebody does.
Danny Taylor
I am looking for the artist names that performed at Dixie Skateland near Monroe, MI in the late 1950s and 1960s. Any help would be appreciated.
May I use your photo of the late Bill Bailey for my radio epublication, Jockline?
Absolutely Don, you may use the Bill Baily photo and thank you for dropping by the website, much appreciated 🙂
I note that there are no photos indicated above for Ed McKenzie.
I have one of him and Dinah Shore I would loan for archiving.
I got from eBay a few years back. The seller was local and I
Met him at a local restaurant to make the transaction.
This is not a rare photo. I have seen it other places.
Let m know.
Ralph Irish
Jim
Just noted that there is another place named “More DJ pictures” and Ed McKenzie
shows several times in there. I did not see the photo of him and Dinah Shore, though.
Happy to make my copy available at any time.
Ralph Irish
Hi Ralph, thank you for your comments, and thank you for visiting Motor City Radio Flashbacks. Yes, I would be interested in the photograph of Ed McKenzie, as you have described. I am always looking for new material for the website. I am assuming there are others out there as well who may may something of value regarding the Motor City’s rich history of Detroit radio in decades’ past. Again, if you like to submit a pdf scan of your image (credited to you) you can submit it to our email address: motorcityradioflashbacks65@gmail.com and again, thanks so much for your contribution, just the same.
Been a long tine since i have seen or spoke to my ‘ole radio friend; are you a legend also? i know i am, must be as i was at one of the last Legend reunions recent; say, remember WOUX or is it now WOXU as those clowns received a few MAB awards three years in a row! Muskegan, MI to Toledo, Ohio, thats the way to do things! Follow that career onward and live the dream, baby! Ralph, You are definately a Legend as well since you already work commercial pto radio in your lifespan! God bless “TheVic”
we are stiil looking around for those zany reel-to-reel aircheck tascam tapes w/ Victor’s voice and antics which actually got over air – The Honey car (WHND) should be put in ‘Dream Cruise’, or museum; Would Lee Alan still be accepting collect calls to his cell phone? this stuff is more exciting than the Truckers strike on the Ambassador Bridge ,,,🤪🤪
I knew many several of those radio personalities above, namely Kevin O’Neil, the late Tom Ryan, Jo-Jo McGregor ((alive)) and the late Bill Bailey , Ken Calvert as worked with many of them personally. So many are not even pictured!!.What a legendary bunch of talent. GOD BLESS ALL. VIC
Buck Mathews WJR late night was a favorite in the mid-’50’s. Mickey Shore Two sawbucks past the witching hour! WXYZ??? Would be a good add also. Frantic Ernie Durham. WJLB…>Don’t shoot the messenger. It’s been a long time.
Is it possible to see any of Ed McKenzie’s Saturday Party shows ? Were any of them archived ?
Any pics of Joe Gentile and the jocks in the early days of WJBK? Joe had a number of famous sayings credited to him….including the ad agency name “Batten-Barten-Durstine and Osborn” (BBDO) he said “It sounds like someone falling down the stairs” or about hangovers….”If a butcher gave you meat that made you that sick, you’d sue him!” One of the early greats. I’m celebrating 50 years in the business this year…having graduated from Specs Howard in 1974 and had the pleasure of working with some of the greats in Detroit including Dick Purtan, several times, and Kevin O’Neil, Paul W., and MANY others! God bless Detroit’s radio history.