February 1968 – Cue the Cowbell!
Two very different but equally dynamic Radio personalities
commanded our attention in February 1968:
Dr. Don Rose honed
his down-home style at WQXI/Atlanta,
while Jim Stagg reveled in his
popularity at his Chicago home station, WCFL.
Many high-profile Rock and Roll Radio DJs crossed paths as
they crisscrossed the nation in their nomadic profession. Interestingly, both
of these veteran DJs graced the air in San
Francisco at one point or another, just not together …
Jim’s early career found him testing the waters in 1960’s City
by the Bay at KYA.
Not finding the avant-garde city his style, in less than a year, he hot-footed
it back to the traditional Midwest. I’m guessing he never learned how to surf.
It would be another decade before Dr. Don skipped across the
country to plant himself at KFRC.
By 1974 the amiable Dr. Don felt his home and his heart, belonged in the
cosmopolitan city, despite his corny, country-bumpkin one-liners. Cue the
cowbell! We loved him.
What else happened in February
1968? Do you hear the sound of progress …?
February 1st – WABX/Detroit
decided classical music was on its way out, and they weren’t about to be left behind in
the music revolution. Grabbing the Progressive Rock shiny new brass ring, they rolled over to a freeform style with a
commanding presence through 1984.
February 19th
– Apropos! THIS month (2018), Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood is in the news again, touting Tom Hanks as the star of a Mister Rogers biopic, You Are My Friend. It’s just in time to herald the show’s National Education Television debut on this day, 50 Years Ago! No, it has nothing to do with Radio, but you can’t
deny Fred Rogers’ influence on the entertainment industry of that era … right
up to this one. (Mr. Rogers moved to a heavenly neighborhood in 2003.)
Featured Radio Survey: A
two-fer! Since we spotlighted two DJs above, and I just happen to have February
1968 surveys for each, you’re in luck! WQXI
and WCFL surveys at your
pleasure … 50 Years Ago This Month! Were you listening? "Love is Blue" (Paul
Mauriat) led us into Valentine's Day on both sides of the continent. An
instrumental that tugged at our heartstrings. Recall that awesome day when …
Celebrate FEBRUARY 1968: 50 Years Ago and … Rock On!
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