In 1947, and after a stint with the Arm Forces Radio Network near the end of WWII, Robin Seymour began an 18-year broadcasting career with WKMH in Dearborn. Today we are presenting his show’s opening theme. This one from 1956 – BOBBIN’ WITH THE ROBIN” – by the Four Lads (and accompanied by the Percy Faith Orchestra). The theme became his signature show-opener during the latter-1950s and was heard daily at the start of his show, 6:00 in the morning on Radio 1310.
Today, we remember this legend. Robin Seymour passed away, on this day, April 17, 2020. He was 94.
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In April 1956, Clark Reid transitioned from WJR to WJBK to become the new morning host, replacing Joe Gentile, who was moved to early-afternoons. We are presenting his show’s opening theme and this one was from 1961 – I WANT TO BE HAPPY – heard Monday thru Saturday when he signed-on for his show at 6:00 in the morning on Radio 1500.
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Mickey Shorr transitioned from WJBK to WXYZ during the summer of 1957. He was a disk jockey at WJBK for two years, starting there in 1955. When Ed McKenzie left WXYZ in the spring of 1959, Mickey Shorr took over his 3 to 6:15 p.m. weekday show. For a time Mickey also conducted McKenzie’s old Saturday Dance Party on WXYZ-TV. Denied ever having taken any pay-for-play, commonly referred to as “payola,” Schorr was terminated by WXYZ during the height of the scandal in November of 1959.
We are presenting Mickey’s show’s opening theme – NIGHT TRAIN – heard nightly when he signed-on at 7:15 p.m. at Radio 1270 in Detroit, some 65-70 years ago.
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A CORRECTION — We are grateful from having recently heard from the quintessential, Detroit radio historian, David Carson (July 7, 2024), author of ‘Rockin’ Down the Dial’.
David pointed out a couple of date anomalies he found in the Mickey Shorr post this site presented, above:
“Mickey Shorr took over the 7:00 pm to 12:30 am evening hours on WJBK in June, 1955. His last show on WJBK was broadcast on Saturday, April 29, 1956 – not in 1957. His first day on the air at WXYZ was Monday, August 27, 1956.
You also mentioned that Mickey filled in for Ed McKenzie on his TV show in the summer of ’58 – this is correct. However, upon his return from medical leave Ed decided to give up his show: “Ed McKenzie’s Saturday Party.” The show was renamed “Mickey’s Saturday Dance Party” and moved to 3:30 in the afternoon where it aired from Sept. 1958 thru November 1958.”
There you have it. It just goes to show, at times, even the newspapers we rely upon with their provided information in print (source info provided for the M.S. post was from the Detroit Free Press archive), sometimes even the publication can get it wrong.
Thank you, David, for setting the record straight. And thanks as well, for providing the two articles, below, which clearly provides added support to the correct dates we missed in our (April 15) Mickey Shorr /theme/timeline/presentation.
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Motor City Radio Flashbacks
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This list is selected each week by WXYZ Radio reports of records sales gathered from leading record outlets in the Detroit area and other sources available to WXYZ.
The above WXYZ 04/12/1965 chart survey was digitally restored completely in its entirety by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
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By mid-January 1965, the Detroit Sound Survey charts was no longer printed for the public in general. The WXYZ charts, as featured above, were instead published solely for Detroit record retailers, music outlets, one-stop jobbers, and distributors only.
These Radio 1270 top 40 charts was the largest of the WXYZ Detroit Sound Survey charts ever printed, having measured 17.5″ W x 22 L” inches in size. These charts were primarily used for weekly record rank based by popularity, position, retail sales, and were used for record retail rack displays as well.
For the very first time, Motor City Radio Flashbacks will be featuring a dozen or so — as chart dated — of these extremely rare WXYZ 1965 surveys throughout the year, 2024.
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ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE? Tap over WXYZ chart image. Open to second window. “Stretch” chart across your device screen to magnify for largest detailed view.
ON YOUR PC? Click on chart image 2x for largest detailed print view.
The above WKNR chart was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
ON YOUR PC? To fully appreciate this WKNR Music Guide for the week of April 10, 1967 chart feature click on image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.
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ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE? Tap over WKNR chart image. Open to second window. “Stretch” image across your device screen to magnify for largest print view.
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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 WKNR music chart courtesy of Mrs. Patti Griggs and the George L. Griggs estate.
This article/advertisement courtesy freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2024. Newspapers.com
Printed in black and white, the featured Detroit Free Press ad was digitally re-imaged, colorized, and was entirely restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
Missed any of our previous ‘Detroit Radio Back-Pages‘ features? GO HERE
MCRFB Note: Special THANKS to our friend, John Bartony (a.k.a. Jukebox John) St. Clair Shores, Michigan, for providing the above Detroit Free Press WXYZ 1270 ad (November 1960) for this site, as featured today.
A special thank you to senior MCRFB consultant Greg Innis, of Livonia, MI., for contributing the Newspapers.com archives (Detroit radio related) articles, ads, and images we have provide for this site since 2016.
Thank you, Greg Innis, for making these historic Detroit radio features possible. 🙂
ON YOUR PC? You can read this entire newsprint article/ad — the fine print — ENLARGED. 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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Compiled by the Music Popularity Chart Dept. of Billboard, from national retail store and one-stop sales reports, and radio airplay reports.
April
Main Article: April 1966
April 2 – The Indonesian army demands that the country rejoin the United Nations.
April 3 – Luna 10 is the first man-made object to enter lunar orbit.
Detroit Free Press Saturday, April 9, 1966 (Double-click over newspaper image 2x for largest detailed PC view. Or, tap on and stretch the image across your mobile device screen for detailed view).
April 5 – During the Buddhist Uprising, South Vietnamese military prime minister Nguyễn Cao Kỳ personally attempts to lead the capture of the restive city of Đà Nẵng before backing down.
April 7 – The United Kingdom asks the United Nations Security Council for authority to use force to stop oil tankers that violate the embargo against Rhodesia (authority is given April 10).
Kenyan Vice President Oginga Odinga resigns, saying “invisible government” representing foreign interests now runs the country. He will head a new party, the Kenya People’s Union.
The South Vietnamese government promises free elections in 3–5 months.
April 15 – An anti-Nasser conspiracy is exposed in Egypt.
An artificial heart is installed in the chest of Marcel DeRudder in a Houston, Texas, hospital.
The opening of the Parliament of the United Kingdom is televised for the first time.
Haile Selassie visits Jamaica for the first time, meeting with Rasta leaders.
Moors murders: Ian Brady and Myra Hindley go on trial at Chester Crown Court in north west England for the murders of 3 children who vanished between November 1963 and October 1965.
April 24 – Uniform daylight saving time is first observed in most parts of North America.
A new government is formed in the Republic of the Congo, led by Ambroise Noumazalaye.
The magnitude 5.1 Tashkent earthquake affects the largest city in Soviet Central Asia with a maximum MSK intensity of VII (Very strong). Tashkent is mostly destroyed and 15–200 are killed.
April 27 – Pope Paul VI and Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko meet in the Vatican (the first meeting between leaders of the Roman Catholic Church and the Soviet Union).
April 28 – In Rhodesia, security forces kill seven ZANLA men in combat; Chimurenga, the ZANU rebellion, begins.
April 30 – Regular hovercraft service begins over the English Channel (discontinued in 2000).
Source Credit: 1966 (April) Wikipedia
ON YOUR PC? To fully appreciate this Billboard Hot 100 (week-ending) April 9, 1966 chart feature click on image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.
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#1 | “(You’re My) Soul And Inspiration” by The Righteous Brothers
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Debuted #90 week-ending March 5, 1966, “(You’re My) Soul And Inspiration” peaks at #1 (3 weeks) on the Hot 100, week-ending, April 9, 1966. Having charted 13 weeks overall — on its final week on Billboard the single drops out at #33 for the week-ending, May 28, 1966.
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Source: The Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Charts [1966]
Debuted #76 week-ending February 26, 1966, “Daydream” peaks at #2 (2 weeks) on the Hot 100, week-ending, April 9, 1966. Having charted 12 weeks overall — on its final week on Billboard the single drops out at #29 for the week-ending, May 14, 1966.
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Source: The Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Charts [1966]
#3 | “19th Nervous Breakdown” by The Rolling Stones
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Debuted #46 week-ending February 26, 1966, “19th Nervous Breakdown” peaks at #2 (2 weeks) on the Hot 100, week-ending, March 19, 1966. Having charted 10 weeks overall — on its final week on Billboard, the single drops out at #27 for the week-ending, April 30, 1966.
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Source: The Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Charts [1966]
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