11.21.16
by Rollye James
and
Claude Hall
Rollye: Last week while writing the column I became increasingly concerned at not hearing
from Claude Hall. Upon hearing from both Claude and Barbara less than a day after column
was put to bed, I shared my relief in an email to all of you. Within minutes, I started getting
responses. While America is divided politically, readers of this column are unanimous: we’re
all glad Claude is OK, and hope he will be for a long time to come. Johnny Holliday, Mike
Sakellarides, Shane Gibson, George Jay, Jay Melnick, Tom Campbell, Bruce Miller
Earle, Jack Gale, Burt Sherwood, Don Sundeen and Bob Levinson were among the first to
reply.
Tom Campbell (to Claude): “Thank goodness!!! Glad you are ok. CES is almost here. I look
forward seeing you and Barbara in early January. Miss you and read you every week without
fail.”
Bruce Miller Earle: “Thank you for this update. I as many others have been worried about
Claude's radio silence. Since learning of of Bobby Vee's passing I have been worried about
Claude. Then knowing of Claude's strong political persuasion and how the election went I
have really been worried about him. There is only so much an old boy can take.
“I love Claude and Barbara to death as they have always treated me as family. I do hope to
have the opportunity to meet and also know you someday. After hearing of you over many
years I do look forward to this. Again, thank you for letting us know that Don Claudio is alive
and well. You take care.”
Jack Gale: “So glad Claude is okay. You can’t keep a good guy down. Pretty soon Claude,
you’ll catch up to me. I reached 91 last week, still doing voiceovers and going to Nashville to
produce for my label, Playback Records. Talked to Arnie Ginsburg a few weeks ago. He hit
90. Also chatted with Long John Silver and one of the best promotion guys ever, Chuck
Chellman. Great memories. Like I tell my wife who is looking down on us every night.. ‘We
had what was meant to be’.”
Burt Sherwood (to Claude): “Every day is good. I will try to help us both stay. I know I have a
couple on you. Love to you and Barbara.”
Don Sundeen: “Well that’s a relief, was so sorry to hear about Bobby, Claude. Scotty Brink
went up to Minnesota for the Memorial Service.”
Rollye: “Scotty, we’d love a report on that.”
Bob Levinson: “Thanks for the good news about Claude’s status, with confirmation from the
main man himself. ...Also thanks for plugging my latest novel, THE STARDOM AFFAIR, in the
last Vox Jox. Now delighted to advise I have a story in the December Ellery Queen Mystery
Magazine, the issue that concludes the magazine’s 75th anniversary celebration. ‘With Eyes
Like That’ tracks rock star Willie Strongbow’s efforts to meet a daughter he never knew he had.”
Rollye: “‘The Stardom Affair’ is now permanently enshrined on the left side bar. But to read
‘With Eyes Like That’, we’re gonna have to subscribe. Probably worth it, given Bob’s writing
skill. Find out how to sign up, here. I hope I didn’t miss any “early responders”. As the day
went on, I heard from more and more of you. I know Claude will be pleased.
Claude Hall: “The election wiped me out. It blasted many that I know, mentally and
physically. My kidney specialist said she couldn't sleep that night. I, too, had trouble
sleeping. She and I were frightened out of our wits. Frightened about what’s going to happen
to America. I’m not so worried about me, specifically, because I probably don’t have much
longer on this planet. But she was evidently a native of India. I noticed that the entire
professional basketball world was also shook up. But, as Charles Barkley said, “He’s my
president.” My son John, Esq., refuses to accept him as president. Not that he can do much
about it.
“Why and how, I do not know. But both Barbara and I – and my sons – ended up bleeding
heart liberals. I’m so liberal I think that some food staples, basic clothing, basic housing, basic
medical attention, and all educations should be free, absolutely free, for those that wish it. I
feel quite strongly that pinto beans and rice and potatoes should be available for just walking
up to a central location and asking for five pounds. You see, I recall – and I thought it dumb at
the time – when farmers burnt piles of potatoes in the field in order to increase the price. I
think the price was 7 cents a pound in those days.
“I’ve been vastly lazy of late. With the exception of reading Sabatini, I haven’t done much.
And I seem to have lost a great deal of my drive. I’m sitting here looking at a picture I took in
the 60s of the Fifth Dimension at the old Billboard office. Wishing I’d taken more photos. I
always had a 35mm camera on me back then. I’ve a basketball game coming up. Barbara and
I follow the Clippers. Have for several years. Just had a piece of apple pie (sugarfree).”
Rollye: “Would love to see that Fifth Dimension photo, Claude!
“Several of you have shared your political thoughts with my inbox, but I’ve refrained from
political commentary on this page, figuring there’s no shortage of it everywhere else no matter
what your political persuasion. But looking at this election solely from a marketing standpoint
(which is the career of most of us in one way or another), I’m convinced Donald Trump did
not win (this isn’t an electoral college comment). Hillary Clinton lost. And it's more than
semantics.
“For those find it impossible to believe that Donald Trump will be our next president, I
contend that Ronald McDonald could have beaten Hillary Clinton. All of us (well, most of
us) are old enough to remember the paradigm shift after the nature of televised debates in the
1960 Nixon-Kennedy battle. There was endless conversation about what it meant to the
political process. In the end, it simply amplified what was happening one-on-one. Elections
are a popularity contest. People pick the guy (or gal) they like. A candidate’s persona is the
key to their success. It is that simple. (It’s encouraging when that persona surrounds the
candidate’s political ideals, but it’s not absolutely necessary— I recall vividly running into a
conservative advice-giving talk radio star years ago, just after she met Bill Clinton. His
politics embodied everything she was against, but she was swooning like a 16 year old.) Bill
Clinton is fabulous at one-on-one interaction (no snickering about Monica, please). He is
almost sociopathic in his ability to make people like him. The problem here is that Hillary is
the polar opposite. It’s not about email, Benghazi or whatever else is hung around her neck
valid or not, it’s that she’s not marketable. As much as people like Bill, they dislike Hillary.
For electability, it doesn’t matter why. If it was my job to reposition her, I'd quit. I have no
answer that would improve her image. (For those concerned about the portion of the electorate
that actually did vote for Trump due to his rhetoric and what he might do in office—
remember, we are a republic, not a democracy, and this election is a fine example of why.)”
John Zacherle
Mel Phillips: “On Monday, November 14, 2016, a memorial for John Zacherle was held at the
Plaza Jewish Community Chapel on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The ceremony was for
family and friends of the late Zach and I was privileged to be invited. Attached are a couple of
photos: a shot of the people starting to gather for the ceremony [below] and a great shot of
Zach, featured on the program [above]. One of Zach's friends mentioned that Zach was not
Jewish but the room was available. Some of the memories mentioned: Zach's love of life, Bear
Mountain State Park, riding his VW with the top down in all kinds of weather (even snow)
because he loved having the wind blow in his face while driving. Zach was 98 when he died on
October 27, 2016. The love of his life for 45 years, Perri Chasin organized the memorial and
accompanied the family to Zach’s plot in Philadelphia where his ashes were buried. Zach was
born and raised in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. Perri and I worked at CBS
Records International in the 80s.”
Crowd at Zacherle’s memorial
Mel Phillips: “I have a photo for you of Leonard Cohen (you'll recognize Leonard, I'm seen
on the left in my "cool" days)... In the 80s we (CBS Records International) had a saloon party
for Leonard on the West Side of Manhattan, the seedy part on 10th Avenue. When I get to the
place, there's Leonard sitting by himself at the bar. Me: "Leonard, did the driver pick you up?".
Leonard: "No, I walked". Me: "Leonard, you're a star, we had a driver for you. This is not the
kind of neighborhood you should be walking alone in." Leonard shoots me one of his forlorn
glazes and says nothing. The place was fairly empty but there sits Judy Collins, alone at a
table for two. I introduced myself and Judy proceeds to tell me how much she loves Leonard
and his music. Judy and I discuss families and tragedies (hers, not mine). What an evening.
Leonard, to me, was like a little Rabbi (right religion for me) and just made everyone he
touched feel good about themselves with that Zen touch of his. Just a wonderful person.”
Mel on the left, Leonard to his right— probably the only time Leonard was to the right of anything
Morris I. Diamond: “Just want to get my say on the passing of one of the greats of the
past…Leon Russell. When I was running my record company, Beverly
Hills records back in the Early '70's, I had one of my artists, Jaye P. Morgan record a single
titled “A Song For You” - composed by Leon. It sold a whole bunch. Sales and chart action
was wonderful. To this date, I still rate this single as one of my favorite in my catalog. J P was
a personal favorite of Johnny Carson and he would have her on his show more than any other
gal singer, and she was the only one, on a repeat performance that he would allow to perform
the same song. He loved Leon's song as well. R I P Leon Russell.”
Rollye: “Barry ONeil sent along a wonderful pictorial of how the world has changed. See it
here. This is one of the shots that grabbed my attention.
When Pigs Fly
“In 1909, the first Baron of Brabazon of Tara, in Sandwich (only in the UK, could these words
go together in a sentence, so I’ll use his given name John Moore), put a piglet in a
wastebasket and took it up in his plane, thus violating a long time phrase of futility in the three
and a half mile trip. This nicely sets up a second pictorial sent by Barry, but I can’t find it’s
origin. There are tons of wonderful trucks, sorta like this one:
Texaco’s 1939 Dodge Airflow tanker
“My favorite is the ‘30s Labatt Beer tractor trailer, but I haven’t found a public domain picture
of it. In searching, though, I got some very bad news. [First the preamble. Labatt is a
Canadian beer dating back to mid 1800s in London, Ontario. Even though they’ve had
stateside offices (most notably, Buffalo) for seemingly forever, their unofficial slogan is ‘beer
is to Canada as wine is to France’. After a circuitous owner route, it Labatt now owned by the
world’s largest brewer, ‘Anheuser-Busch InBev’, headquartered in Belgium. (I won’t bore you
with the trail of mergers on that.) Like most unionized workers, Labatt employees get a decent
compensation package— which for over half a century included free beer for life.]
“Recently it was announced that the beer benefit is coming to an end. And it wasn’t a small
amount, either. Pensioners got a 12-pack a week, free. And if they died, their spouses could
continue to reap the benefit. Retirees are facing a dry future. Cut off completely in 2019, and
reduced, effective immediately. Only in corporate speak could it be explained that a survey
was done and other companies weren’t offering retirees free beer... they needed a survey for
that?… suffice it to say, morale isn’t good.
“How you say it is at least as important as what you say. And for many of us what we’re
saying is outdated. Barry ONeil sent some nice proof including Richard Lederer’s Verbivore
blog here. Is anyone among us not occasionally embarrassed by what antiquity pops out of our
mouths? Recently a grocery store clerk looked perplexed when I asked where the TV Dinners
were. Creative Broadcast Services, Inc. amplified on the theme here, noting that murgatroyd
is not in their spell checker (though it can be argued it shouldn’t be, since Murgatroyd is a
seldom used surname). That line of thinking prompted me to research the origins of Heavens
to Murgatroyd (which explains in part why it takes so long to write this column). What I found
was interesting— it’s a play on Heavens to Betsy, popularized by Snagglepuss on The Yogi
Bear Show. That’s as far as I could definitively get. Too late to ask Bill Hanna or Joe
Barbera.”
Uncle Ricky (Richard Irwin): “Just what everyone needs for Thanksgiving - Free Turkeys!
And this Thanksgiving, REELRADIO - America's Most-Forgotten Website - presents a True
Turkey Spectacular featuring NINE original Bobby Rich KFMB-AM/San Diego Turkey
Hours, plus an exclusive interview with the Grand Gobbler himself by KFBK/Sacramento
News Director Michael Hagerty! And best of all, this incredible cornucopia of delicious
delights requires no subscription, no unwanted software, and no excuses!
“It's AIRCHECK CHANNEL TURKEYFEST, with 40th Anniversary presentations of 1976
Turkey Hours from August 23 and August 30, August 6 and November 22, January 6 and
March 16, August 16 and March 23, 1976 and the Original Turkey Hour from December,
1976! In these live broadcasts, Bobby plays those songs that "you don't hardly hear anymore,
not anywhere, not nohow!" He says they're "not all Turkeys, but they are all lovable gobblers."
Assisted by studio guests, precocious poultry and a hearty "Hi Yo!", these are simply some of
the most enjoyable examples of unformatted not-so-hit radio we've ever been privileged to
present. It required carts and vinyl, and it has been a Repository Holiday favorite since
November, 1997.
“The special will play for FREE on desktop, Apple and Android mobile devices, with no
additional software required, and begins at 9AM Pacific, 12N Eastern on Thursday, November
24. Please join us at here! This special makes a great background for bird-stuffing!”
Rollye: “America’s most forgotten website? Hardly the case in my house. But I feel Uncle
Ricky’s pain and wish that I could make it go away (the pain, not the site). REELRADIO is a
non-profit, user-supported organization, and the first site to stream airchecks online beginning
in February, 1996. Subscribing is a pittance. Even if you don’t want to listen to these
wonderful memories, please support the site. It’s a big piece of radio’s aural history, and you
find a compendium like it anywhere else.
“Ken Dowe was recently asked asked about whether he knew Cloyce Box (if you don’t know
who that is— think Southfork and read the real life story here. )…
Ken Dowe: “I did not [know Cloyce]. Just a few of his buddies. I knew Don Meredith, for
example, really well. There was a circle of people in the '60s and '70s who were the core of
Dallas "society," which is not a word one would then associate with Big D. Just "good ole boys
and gals."
“Meredith was always in a good mood, and very funny. After retirement he moved to Santa
Fe. We ran into each other at a party there one evening. Don began to waltz us around
introducing Dottie and me to strangers: ‘Want y'all to meet Ken and Dottie, my friends from
Dallas. Ordinarily, I don't like them to meet my friends here, because they've known all my
wives!’
“The Texas folk from those days were wild and wooly. No class consciousness at all. Hard
working and demanding, but good guys. No matter who you were, if you brought something to
the table you were welcome to join the "club." The inner circle of Dallas movers and shakers.
And, you became a life long friend.
“The Cowboys of those days made me a family member. As you remember, the team owner
was one of my two mentors. Tom Landry always welcomed me at the practice field. He once
walked between Roger Staubach, Craig Morton, and me...and flipped me the football: ‘Here,
Ken. These boys don't seem to have enough to do. Go work 'em out.’
“Scared the bejeebers out of Roger and Craig. Tom was a kind man, with a razor strap honed
dry sense of humor. The practice field was where I was welcome to hang out and watch the
workouts, and regularly played racquetball with Dan Reeves, John Niland, and half a dozen
or more of the players. Niland once showed up uninvited at our home in San Antonio to report
that he had signed us up as doubles partners at a state Racquetball tournament. ‘You and I are
first up at 8 in the morning. Where do we sleep?’ ‘What?’ Crazy.
“I played Crazy 8 and Hearts with them on the floor in the locker room. I could travel on the
team plane, and I sat in the Owner's Box when their games were at home. G.M. Tex
Schramm did NOT like me: ‘Ken Dowe is not a sports writer, Clint. He has no right to be on
the plane to out of town games!!’ Classic Clint response: ‘You need to leave that one alone,
Tex.’
“These guys were almost all wonderful people. Gentlemen. Like Leroy Jordan and Roger
Staubach. Real people, real friends. No thugs and criminals like those who inhabit much of
most NFL and NBA teams now.
“Sometimes when I jot down these memories, it seems as if it must have happened to someone
else. It was a different time. A different Dallas, too. Shame.”
Rollye: “Joey Reynolds has a new and wonderful website for his Sunday Night Live show
here. It’s put together by the folks at Tied In Media. That might explain the tie-in, so to speak
since their logo has a pink tie in it...”
Joey Reynolds: “Pink tie for Cancer research..” (picture of Joey holding up pink underwear)
Rollye: “Whew! For a minute there I thought Joey had been arrested by Joe Arpaio (the
outgoing but long time Arizona sheriff who died all the prisoner underwear pink, among other
unique incarceration-related tactics). Evidence that Joey Reynolds is doing more than fine...”
It's good to be king. I don't give a S*#! about Trump... he reports to me... says the ever humble
Joey Reynolds.
Bob Levinson: “Pulled this from the files--a close-up that's really a close-up, taken with my
Polaroid camera (remember them?) in Olivia's dressing room backstage at NBC shortly before
her performance on "The Midnight Special" (remember that show?)...”
Olivia Newton-John
Ron Brandon: “Just a few days ago someone sent me a pic of Claude dining at a restaurant
recently. I assumed it had been sent to all of his email list. If you did not receive it for some
reason let me know and I'll see if I can find it and send along to you. I was a little worried that
I received it with no message unannounced but thought nothing further about it.
“Also, anytime you are short on material for the column you are welcome to go to my
homepage and copy and use any of the pics there. As you may recall there are over 1000 there
most from old rock and roll, Radio Music Report, days in the 70s. I've found in posting them
on FB over the years the guys really enjoy seeing the old memories. Send me a FB friend
request if you like and it would make it easier to retrieve them.
“And Happy Birthday to legend Jack Gale..who turned 91 yesterday.. the most talented on-air
personality it was ever my pleasure to know and work with.”
Rollye: “I second that. Jack at 91 sounds better than most guys at any age. I’m proud to use
his voice on some of our local commercials. Sponsors and listeners love him. Me too. If you
haven’t read his memoirs, you’ll be spellbound. There’s a permanent link on your left for
them, or just click here. —And thank you Ron, for the generous offers of pictures. I have a
feeling I’ll be taking you up on that. Do send the shot of Claude. We haven't seen it.”
Bill Gardner: “Although I don't get as much of a chance as I'd like to join your group of
legends for Monday discussions due to my current "alternate career" as a full time airline pilot,
I was wondering if my web site could be included on the Vox Jox site with a link to "Our
Community?"
“My old pals and radio team mates Joey Reynolds and Shotgun Tom Kelly always jump out
from your pages when I get a chance to look. And even Claude Hall once presented me with
a Billboard "Major Market Air Personality of the Year" trophy many years ago at the Plaza
Hotel, NYC.
“With your mention of the passing of Bobby Vee, I recalled a wonderful on air visit I had with
him, during my decade as Morning Show host at KOOL-FM in Phoenix. Bobby was a
pleasure to know. It may have been one of his final interviews, right before word came out of
his battle with Alzheimer's. That audio is linked at my web site on the "interviews" page,
along with several others.
“I try to add new pictures to my site each week, and this week, had the pleasure of swapping
emails again with WLS Chicago Morning Show and PD legend Clark Weber. Having posted
the WLS Personality Magazine front and back covers at my site,
BillGardnerOnTheRadio.com, Clark was gracious enough to give me a current update on all
the famous radio faces pictured, and even one who wasn't, my old morning show partner from
WFYR-FM, Chicago, Lyle Dean, since they both currently reside in Ft. Myers Florida.”
“Although we didn't cross paths often, I remember you well. Hope all is good for you.”
Rollye: “Sentiments returned, Bill. Great site. It’s a pleasure to add it to our list.”
Claude Hall: “I only had three assistants during my 14 years with Billboard magazine and one
of the people wasn’t really my assistant, but she was very helpful for the 10 major radio
programming meetings that I organized and conducted.
“We hired Bobby Glassenburg as an assistant when I stumbled upon a talent contest
promotion for the Tea Council of the United States. He was a graduate of one of those fancy
eastern schools. Together, we lined up 115 Top 40 radio stations coast-to-coast. They
“discovered” rock groups in their areas, held a contest, and submitted tapes of the best to
Billboard in New York City. These were screened by Donnie Ovens, charts editor, and the
eight or ten best groups were invited, all expenses paid, to Washington, D.C., for the finals.
Someone from the radio station was also invited to NYC, all expenses paid. Donnie lined up
the judges and these included performers and songwriters and producers. The event went off
magnificently. The PR firm representing the Tea Council invited several from Billboard to
their annual meeting in the Bahamas. Barbara and I were included, along with Hal Cook and
Donnie Ovens. Hal Cook presented me with an electric portable typewriter for my work.
Billboard received $50,000 for its involvement.
“Not too long afterwards, we moved the headquarters of the magazine to Los Angeles. Bobby
Glassenberg could have remained on the staff in NYC, but I saw him not long afterwards in
Los Angeles at Warner Bros. He was driving a Porsche. We shot the bull for a while and that
was the last I saw of him. I liked him. He was a hard worker and talented. I’ve often
wondered what happened to him.
“My work load at Billboard in Los Angeles was enormous. We hired Sam Bellamy at some
point. She was great and I had hope that one day she would take over as radio-TV editor and I
would be promoted. But Lee Zhito, editor-in-chief and publisher, lost his secretary and
“acquired” Sam. She complained one day about Zhito and I helped her land a job at
KMET-FM with L. David Moorhead, the general manager. She was soon programming the
station and I understand she now works as a legal assistant in Los Angeles.
“Diane Kirkland never worked for me, but she was a valuable aid during the days we were
planning and conducting the International Radio Programming Forums. She was a writer and
had items printed in Tiger Beat, I believe. I thought she was due an outstanding career with
Billboard. Now living back in the Midwest, she drops me a note now and then.”
Robby Vee: “Time for some Holiday Twang this season with our annual “Mechanical Holiday
Twang” Rockin’ Christmas show feature!
“A Rockabilly Christmas!” is featured at the Mall of America, sponsored by Mystic Lake
Casino. Get your holiday rockin’ with some Mechanical Holiday Twang
featuring Christmas favorites and twangy holiday surf instrumentals fixed with some of my
rocking’ favorites from the golden era.”
Shows:
Nov 29 Grand Casino, Hinckley MN
Nov 30 Grand Casino, Hinckley MN
Dec 1 Grand Casino, Hinckley MN
Dec 2 Northern Lights Casino, Walker MN
Dec 3 Northern Lights Casino, Walker MN
Dec 5 Grumpy's NE, Minneapolis MN
"BENEFIT for Alzheimer's" Dedicated to Bobby Vee.
Dec 9 The Caboose, Tracy MN
Dec 10 The Caboose, Tracy MN
Dec 15 Minneapolis, MN TBA
Dec 31 "NYE" Bluff's Bar & Grill Hager City, WI
Mel Phillips: “To commemorate the launch of WRKO on March 13, 1967, invitations to the
Reunion Dinner will be emailed on that date, just 4 months from now. Our review of the stories
that made headline news in 1967 following the launch continues. Just below those stories is the
schedule of events surrounding our 50th Anniversary Reunion Weekend.
“In October, Hair opens off-Broadway bringing with it hits like "Hair", "Aquarius" and "Easy
To Be Hard". Tens of thousands protest the Vietnam War in Washington, D.C. and Walt Disney
supervises his last animated movie, "The Jungle Book". At the end of October U.S. Navy pilot
John McCain is shot down over North Vietnam and taken prisoner.
The monument at Bruc Bach Lake commemorating the Capture of John McCain on Oct. 28, 1967.
“Red Sox slugger Carl Yastrzemski wins baseball's Triple Crown and the AL MVP Award in
November and LBJ signs the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967...
Yastrzemski at Fenway Park
LBJ signing the Public Broadcasting Act
“Five of our original NOW CROWD personalities (Al Gates, Joel Cash, J.J. Jeffrey, Chuck
Knapp and Arnie "Woo Woo" Ginsburg) will be back to celebrate on the air June 3, 2017...
“Reunion dates to remember:
Friday, June 2, 2017: Invitations will be emailed in March for the Reunion Dinner at the
Crowne Plaza (Newton) Charles Ballroom. Cocktails at 6 followed by dinner. Jordan Rich
will emcee. Parking fees will be waived with front desk validation for those driving to the
event...
Saturday June 3, 2017: On air live (7pm-11pm) on WRKO & Backbone Network streaming
(produced by George Capalbo Jr.) featuring a lineup that includes Al Gates, Joel Cash, J.J.
Jeffrey, Chuck Knapp, Arnie Ginsburg and other WRKO voices (TBD). Music & Jingles
will come from 1967. Art Vuolo will video tape the reunion, a copy of which will go into the
National Radio Hall Of Fame in Chicago...
Reservations: Rooms are still available at the Crowne Plaza (Newton). Check-in Friday (June
2) Checkout Sunday (June 4). Call 617-969-3010. Ask for special "WRKO Reunion" rate of
$159 a night (tax not included). You'll pay about $175 after taxes but more if you park at the
hotel. We suggest using a cab or car service getting to the hotel and while staying there...
Dinner invitations mailed in 4 months, party time in 7 months...
Next update on December 2. Happy Thanksgiving everyone…”
Rollye: “True confessions-- it's 3:00 AM, and I'm no longer sure if I'm going to sleep or
waking up I need to stop typing now.. Apologies in advance for all the typos or heaven only
knows what. I'll proof and correct this Monday afternoon.”
