Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is a federally recognized, state chartered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving the Philadelphia Broadcast Community since January of 1962.

July 17, 2019 FREE Tour
WPHL-TV, Channel 17
Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Three Tours of the Station
Tours: 9:30, 10:30 & 11:30 am
Ratecard: Free

Please reserve now!
Kindly e-mail reservations!
rsvp@broadcastpioneers.com

Another Third Wednesday Event!
July Summer Tour

ADMISSION IS FREE!
Reservations are a must!

Choice of three tours of
WPHL-TV, Channel 17
9:30 am or 10:30 am only
11:30 am tour completely filled
Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Space is limited to 25 people per tour!

DON'T MISS THIS TOUR!

The next Broadcast Pioneers event takes place on Wednesday, July 17th. It's a FREE tour of WPHL, Channel 17. The location is at 5001 Wynnefield Avenue, in Philadelphia. It's only a few minutes from the Bala Golf Club where we have our monthly luncheons.

DON'T DELAY! RESERVE YOUR FREE SPACE NOW! However, there's only 25 spaces per tour and only three tours. When these are gone, they're gone.

WARNING: You MUST reserve for this event in advance. We are obligated to provide the station with a guest list which they will give to security. If you are not on that list, you cannot attend.

There are three tours. 9:30 am, 10:30 am or 11:30 am. Be there at least ten minutes early. This is important because if you miss your tour, you cannot be placed on another one.

11:30 am tour is filled. Space still available one the 9:30 am and 10:30 am tours.

When we first meet with each group, we will announce who will be our 2019 Person of the Year. Plus, we'll announce our 12 living inductees to our Hall of Fame for this year. We'll also reveal the names of our 6 posthumous inductees.

PHL 17 does their own morning news program from 4:55 am to 8 am daily. As part of the tour, you will be in their air studio with the news set. At the tail end of the tour, there is an optional trip to the second floor to see the actual newsroom. There is no elevator. You must climb stairs. However, those wishing not to go up stairs may leave the tour at that point and thus remain on the first floor. If you don't take the optional tour, you will not need to climb stairs.

HOW TO SIGN UP!

This will be an exciting morning. Space is limited! Total running time for visiting the station is about 30 to 35 minutes. Members may bring guests with them but they must also have reservations. Please reserve your space now.

E-mail us at: rsvp@broadcastpioneers.com. Make sure to include your name and the names of any guests. You will be confirmed by return e-mail. Members without e-mail service may call (856) 365-5600. E-mails get service faster. Make sure you give us all the necessary information. First come, first served!

WE WANNA SEE
YOUR FACE IN THAT PLACE!

Visit Our Website Often - http://www.broadcastpioneers.com
You should check the front page of our website frequently (link above) for important information!

Tune in to our YouTube Channel - http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/youtube
Our YouTube Channel has all our luncheons, exclusive interviews and archival material!

Check out our Facebook Page - http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/facebook
There are things on our Facebook Page that are NOT on our website (like our vintage photo of the week)

Go to our Twitter Account - http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/twitter
The Broadcast Pioneers Twitter Account has info and stuff not available elsewhere!

Go to our Instragram Section - http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/instagram
Here's another one of our social media sections. Visit it as often as you wish!

Our Officers & Board for 2019 - 2020

OUR NEW OFFICERS & BOARD

Officers

Gerry Wilkinson - CEO
Bill Gellhaus - Chairman of the Board
Pat Delsi - President
Brad Seecof - Vice-President
Bill Kelley - Vice-President
Jeff Benton - Vice-President & Secretary
Steve Tatz - Treasurer

Board

Eric Address
Paul Big Bear
Mike Bove
Ed Eisen
Bob Kravitz
Carol Leebron
Dorie Lenz
T. Morgan
Michael Muderick
Mike Nise
Leigh Richards
Kal Rudman
Steve Sacks
Jackie Strauss
Art Wilson
Bill Wright, Sr.

Board Members Emeritus:

Dave Abramson
David J. Custis
Ed Hurst
Dick Kearney
Barry Reisman
Alan R. Tripp

REMINDER!
IF YOU HAVEN'T PAID YOUR DUES BY NOW...

YOU'RE LATE!!!

Please note that six weeks ago, we snail mailed your membership renewals. If you haven't paid by now, you are late. 30% of our members haven't sent their renewals in yet! Are you one of them? If you believe that you didn't get a renewal notice, please let us know and we'll send you another one (this time by e-mail).

If you joined in the past couple of months, you may have received a form, but you are not required to pay any dues at this time. The form will tell you whether there is an amount due. We sent the form so we could verify that all the info we have is still correct. The next membership directory will be printed before you know it.

WE DO NOT SEND YOU MULTIPLE NOTICES! THIS WILL BE THE ONLY NOTICE FOR RENEWAL THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE.

IMPORTANT!

If you haven't already done so, kindly return your form and check at your earliest convenience. Please also note that on the form is an important little box that you can check if you would like to make a contribution. Our archival project is becoming an expensive thing to do. It costs us over $9,000 a year just to store all our archival material. That averages out to about $18 per member. If you can can afford it, please help us in this important project. We are a federally recognized, state-chartered charity with 501(c)(3) status. That means your gift is fully tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Your tax advisor will give you complete details. Any additional amount will be greatly appreciated! Large or small!

If you are not sure whether you paid your dues, e-mail us and we'll let you know whether you are up to date. We thank you for your continued support! It's people like you that make this a wonderful organization.

DIGITAL ARCHIVAL PROJECT NEWS:

VIDEO:

(Left to right) Members Mike Strug and Lew Klein Lew Klein's home
Monday, December 30, 2013

Broadcast Pioneers member Lew Klein, one of the true legends in broadcasting, passed away last month. After graduating Cheltenham High School in 1945, Lew went to the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a degree in English.
Lew's first venture into broadcasting was during his years at Penn when he did a commercial for "Dutch Boy Paints" and used a marionette. Lew worked at WFIL TV beginning in 1950 and stayed for 22 years.

In 1972, Lew was one of the partners that purchased the Triangle TV stations from Walter Annenberg. WFIL-TV in Philadelphia went to Capital Cities. All the other television stations went to Klein'’s company, Gateway Communications, Inc. They owned WBNG-TV, Johnson City, New York; WTAJ-TV, serving Altoona, Johnstown and State College, Pennsylvania; WLYH-TV, Lancaster-Lebanon, Pennsylvania; and WOWK-TV, Huntington-Charleston, West Virginia. All were CBS affiliates. From 1972 to 1984, he served as Gateway's Executive Vice-President and from 1984 to 1993, he was Gateway's president.

Before leaving WFIL-TV, Lew was Director of Television Programming for the Triangle Group for five years. He supervised the programming of all six of the Annenberg (Triangle) television outlets. Previous to that, Lew worked in a variety of programming functions. He directed and produced a wide variety of shows for Channel 6. He was the director/producer for Sally Starr’s show and director of “Romper Room” that featured “Miss Claire.” Miss Claire Coleman went on to marry Richard Schweiker, former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania and President Reagan’s Secretary of Health and Human Services. Claire, by the way, was one of Lew’s undergraduate students from Temple University where he taught for five decades. In 2001, he was inducted into school's "Hall of Fame."

Lew Klein was Executive Producer of Bandstand for its stay in Philadelphia, and its network counterpart, American Bandstand. In 1967, Klein and Broadcast Pioneers member W. Carter Merbreier (Captain Noah) created "Captain Noah's Magical Ark" over an oyster lunch.

During the seventies, Lew Klein served as President and then Chairman of the Board of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. In 1982, he was honored by our organization as our "Person of the Year," and was inducted into our Hall of Fame in 1993.

For decades, Lew has been a professor of communications at Temple University. His list of students include a who's who of Philadelphia broadcasting.

For years, he has served on the board of directors of Dick Clark Productions. Lew Klein is truly what it means to be a Broadcast Pioneer.

This is an interview that Broadcast Pioneers did with Lew Klein. Member Mike Strug, a legendary news reporter conducted the conversation. It was recorded in HD 1080 with two cameras at Lew Klein's home in 2013.

Watch the video

(video courtesy of Broadcast Pioneers VP Brad Seecof and Metramedia Broadcasting & Studios)

AUDIO:

Some Lew Klein audio.......

(Left to right) Lew Klein, Frank Maffei, Joe Terry, Pat Delsi & Tommy DiPietro 
Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Luncheon
Bala Golf Club, Philadelphia  
Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Broadcast Pioneers member Lew Klein was our speaker at our March 21, 2007 luncheon. Since Lew was involved with Bandstand, we felt that it was only fitting that we added to the program, Philly's own, "Danny & the Juniors" who performed for us at the luncheon. This group appeared on "American Bandstand" more than 50 times over the life of the TV series. Frank Maffei & Joe Terry are original personnel from Danny & the Juniors. Frank brought his cousin, Tommy DiPeitro along as part of the group.

Lew Klein told us that he was going to ask Broadcast Pioneers member Ed Cunningham to come forward and speak for a minute or two about the history of children's hosts. Ed's Channel 12 show at that time was about Philadelphia TV Kids Show Hosts. This program was produced with the assistance of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. Our president at that time (today, our CEO), Gerry Wilkinson, was the program's historical consultant. After Ed spoke, Lew returned and talked for another 15 or 20 minutes.

Listen in Real Audio!

Listen in Windows Media Format!
(Never before available in this format until now)

Today's News Becomes Tomorrow's History!
(This is what our Digital Archival Project, DAP, is all about!)

A LITTLE BIT OF BROADCAST HISTORY!

Far left in front - The Russo Sister - Joan and Lois
Robbie adjusting the microphone and at the far right is 4 year-old Rita Pascal
The Horn & Hardart's Children's Hour
WCAU Radio
1942

IN TOUCH WITH OUR MEMBERS AND THE INDUSTRY:

The Lew Klein Memorial will take place on Sunday, July 14th at 4 pm at the Temple Performing Arts Center, 1837 North Broad Street on the Temple Campus. It will be telecast live on TUTV (Temple University Television) which can be seen for cable viewers living inside Philadelphia. TUTV Is Temple University‘s city wide cable channel and online showcase for the quality content created by students, faculty, alumni and community partners. Launched in 2010 and funded with the generous support of the Kal & Lucille Rudman Foundation, TUTV is available on Comcast Channel 50 and Verizon 45 in the City of Philadelphia and every where online at templetv.net.

Fox 29 has added Jason Martinez to the anchor desk. He comes here from KGTV 10 in San Diego. He'll be doing all the evening casts. That's the 5 pm, 6 pm, 10 pm and the 11 o'clock news. Jason will share the co-anchor duties with Shaina Humphries who came to Philly in January from Des Moines. Wrapping up the main duties on those casts are Kathy Orr & Scott Williams doing weather and Kristen Rodgers on sports.

A recent issue of the Greenwich Times did a nice story on member Al Primo. It was all about how he invented the "Eyewitness News" format in Philadelphia (at KYW-TV) and in New York City at WABC-TV. Primo originated the format here in Philadelphia first before taking it to the Big Apple. Al Primo was inducted into our Hall of Fame in November of 2015. He's also a frequent speaker at our Broadcast Pioneers lunches.

Entercom Philadelphia was proud last month to host the city’s only city-wide pizza festival, “Pizzadelphia.” The family-friendly event showcased over 20 of Philadelphia’s best pizza restaurants and food trucks with the singular mission to prove our city has the best pizza in the Country. It was held at the Navy Yard Grounds in South Philadelphia in the middle of June.

Also, last month, Entercom Philadelphia presented "The Sportsradio 94WIP Garage Sale. The free event featured the sale of one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia and station merchandise, including framed sports jerseys, a pair of seats from the Spectrum, framed artwork and more, with all proceeds benefiting the Pennsylvania SPCA.

Broadcast Pioneers member Steve Nikazy has retired from his duties a few days ago. Steve has been a KYW Newsradio reporter for 29 years. He was the host of KYW's "Reporters' Roundup and was News Director at WFIL Radio before moving to Newsradio. Steve, now aged 62, said that he has had a front row seat to local, national and international stories. He was an eyewitness to history.

And while we're thinking about KYW Newsradio, a few days ago, Margaret Brennan, CBS News Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent and moderator of "Face the Nation," served as the keynote speaker of the station's “Women’s Achievement Awards 2019.” The awards ceremony was hosted by KYW Newsradio morning anchor Carol MacKenzie.

Member Jerry Blavat, our 2016 Person of the Year, thought Joe Biden, former Vice-President of the United States and currently a candidate for the Democratic nod for President next year, was in the house down at the shore at Memories in Margate, NJ. It was a mistake. It was a look-a-like. However, you can understand how it happened because a much younger Joe Biden used to attend the Geator's dances in the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington. To get the Republican equal time, we'll tell you that former GOP Presidential Counselor, Kellyanne Conway, has put in an appearance or two at Margate. Blavat swears her favorite song is "Car Wash" by Rose Royce.

And speaking of the Jersey Shore, we can't forget member Bob Pantano, our 2015 Person of the Year. Bob has a lot of things going on by the sand and water. Pantano returns for a second big summer to continue his Friday Night Dance Party at Johnny’s Cafe & Lounge, also in Margate. His Sunday Night Dance Party is at the new Seaport Pier in North Wildwood for its first full summer at this location. The Saturday evening event happens at the Adelphia Restaurant & Nightclub in Deptford, simulcast live to the Jersey Shore on 96.1 WTTH Atlantic City and 93.1 WEZW Wildwood and here in Philly on WOGL.

Word in from the West Coast is that member Bunny Gibson appeared in the "Dances with Films" Official Selection with and created by Carly Tamaren and Leah Lamar in "The Real Witches off West Hollywood" as their "Bubbie." You may remember Bunny from her days dancing on American Bandstand.

WPG, Atlantic City morning host Harry Hurley’s “Hurley in the Morning” 12th Annual Charity Golf Open was held on Friday, June 21st at the Harbor Pines Golf Club and was a huge success. The event, in conjunction with Hurley’s 11th Annual Charity Dinner at Resorts Casino Hotel (with Fox News personality Todd Starnes) held earlier this year, has raised a record $100,000 thus far in 2019 and has surpassed $900,000 over the past 12 years. Hurley, a former TALKERS “Humanitarian of the Year” recipient and recently named the New Jersey Broadcasters Association “Broadcaster of the Year” for 2019, distributes the funds raised by his charity to worthy causes throughout New Jersey, the Northeast and across the nation. Harry is a long-time member of Broadcast Pioneers and was inducted into our Hall of Fame in 2013. A few months ago, Hurley presented us with a check for $2,500.00 for scholarships and other activities, as he has every year approximately 10 years.

Today's News Becomes Tomorrow's History!
(This is what our Digital Archival Project, DAP, is all about!)

A LITTLE BIT OF BROADCAST HISTORY!

(Left to right) Vince Leonard, Jessica Savitch and Mort Crim
The Eyewitness News Team
KYW-TV
circa 1975

Did you know...

it's been seven years since the death of one of Philadelphia's most beloved figures, Joe "Butterball" Tamburro. It's true.

The WDAS Gang
(Left to right) Vice-President of Programming Joe "Butter" Tamburro
General Manager of WDAS AM & FM Robert A. Klein
Assistant Chief Engineer Tony Evasew
WDAS Newsman Steve Schorr 
at the Philadelphia home of WDAS Operations Manager Gerry Wilkinson 
Saturday, August 27, 1977

Joseph "Butter" Tamburro sent an atmosphere of warmth, emotion, and remembrance across the airwaves and into the hearts of faithful listeners for almost a half century.

An Italian-American from South Philadelphia, Butter (sometimes called Butterball) was always an avid radio listener and admirer of rhythm and blues. Aspiring to someday become a radio disc jockey, he played records at record hops around town for Broadcast Pioneers member Hy Lit, a legendary Philadelphia air personality.

In 1964, Butter was able to get his foot in the door of WDAS as an advertising salesman. He was nicknamed "Butterball" by Jimmy Bishop, the program director at the time. Sometime later, Butter became a part-time DJ and he began doing the first oldies show on black radio. Listeners loved both the oldies show and Butterball, and both remained a hit on WDAS.

As Program Director for WDAS, Butter was highly attuned to what listeners wanted to hear and closely monitored the sound of the station. Working with the exceptionally skilled and professional WDAS disc jockeys, he was able to balance their talents to achieve high station quality and ratings. Extremely committed to the community, he worked diligently behind the scenes for many causes, yet he never sought personal glory or recognition for his efforts.

"Butter" talked to his listeners rather than at them, which created special warmth that comes through the radio. People thought of him as a friend. He felt that the reason for the soothing sound in his voice is the fact that "I smile when I speak on the air."

Joe Tamburro 
1967

Throughout the years, Butterball was honored for excellence and service by two of the City of Philadelphia's former mayors (W. Wilson Goode and William Green). The NAACP, F.B.I., Philadelphia City Council, Pennsylvania State Legislature, American Jewish Committee, Martin Luther King Center for Change, and numerous other organizations also paid tribute to Joe Tamburro.

He received awards and honors in the music industry from The Black Music Association, and from many trade publications such as R&R, Billboard Monitor, B.R.E. Magazine, Gavin Magazine, Impact and Jack The Rapper. Joe was the 1997 recipient of the Ken Garland Lifetime Achievement Award from the March of Dimes' A.I.R. Awards, and a 1997 Philadelphia Music Alliance inductee onto the Art Bank's Walk of Fame.

Joe was the 1998 recipient of the Salute to Excellence Award. However, of all of his various accolades, he held dearest the love he felt from his listeners that welcomed him into their homes each week as they listened to his broadcast and continued to support his show and WDAS-FM with high ratings.

Joseph Tamburro, born 1942, collected old records and classic cars. He once aspired to become a race car driver. He was also a skilled auto mechanic, a lover of good foods, and a connoisseur of restaurants.

Wedding photo of Joe Tamburro
January 1968 
(Photo originally donated by Sam Lit)

(Back row clockwise from left to right)
Singer Dee Dee Sharp, Alex Araco from Atco, record distributor Matty Singer (the Humdinger), Kenny Gamble, Larry Cohen from Jamie Records, Jerry Green of Lost Nite Records, "Broadway" Eddie Warhoftig, Al Melnick, owner of A&L distributors and a partner of Amy-Mala-Bell Records, promotion man Steve Schulman, Motown promotion man Weldon McDougal, Singer Jerry Butler, promo man Chuck Fly, Universal promo man Allan Lott, Arista promo man Barry Abrams

(Next row, left to right)
Singer Bunny Sigler, promo man Harold Burnside (front on floor), Leon Huff, 
WDAS Jock Kae Williams, WIBG Jock Hy Lit, Cynthia Tamburro (bride), 
Joe "Butterball" Tamburro (groom), Harry Rosen, WHAT Jock Georgie Woods (on floor),
Promotion man Matty "the Humdinger" Singer, and Ernie Santone from Chips

(Note the Matty Singer is identified twice in this photo. He obviously can only be in it once, However, this is how the photo was
originally identified)

Broadcast Pioneers' CEO Gerry Wilkinson worked with Tamburro for more than a decade. At the time of Butter's death, Gerry said:

We'll miss my old friend. I was Operations Manager at WDAS AM & FM from 1970 to 1980. During this time, Joe took the reins of WDAS-FM and built it into the powerhouse that it is today. There were daily management meeting held in "the other building," in the office of General Manager Bob Klein who conceived the WDAS-FM format concept.

The meetings would usually start out with a quick discussion of the overnight sporting events. Butter and I looked at each other with blank stares. They continued to talk about the Sixers game from the previous evening. I said to Butter, "I think the Sixers use a basketball." Joe said, "don't forget the bat and goalie mask." Everyone broke up.

Butter was a funny guy with lots of charisma. He had a good musical ear and like his mentor, Jimmy Bishop, he could pick the hits.

When I came to WDAS in 1970, Tamburro was doing afternoon drive on AM. Several years later, he was doing the same shift on FM.

We broke a lot of hits. We had such a big influence nationally that we would get the first play of new releases which we called, "World Premieres." I remember Butter playing advanced copies of the Jackson 5 hits, most of the other Motown artists, all of the Philly International stuff and plenty from Atlantic. By the time, the nation started playing the records, they were already in the Top 10 with us.

I remember sitting in Jimmy Bishop's office with Butter, Georgie Woods and someone else (I forget who) when the promotion man from Motown showed up with an advanced copy of the new Marvin Gaye recording. It certainly was different than anything else Gaye ever did. After listening to it, everyone looked at each other. "Marvin must be crazy," someone said. Everyone thought it was a bomb. Everyone except Joe Tamburro.

The 5:45 pm news was ending. Joe grabbed the record. (Yes, we actually played records then). About ten minutes later, we could hear him cueing it up. Then we realized that Butter had already played his last record. It's 6 pm and time for Jimmy Bishop's four hour air shift.

We came out of the station ID with the opening notes of the new record. Jimmy was in his office. He heard it and said something unprintable here and ran into the air studio (it was only about 10 feet away).

Within 60 seconds, the request line was ringing off the hook. The audience loved it. All of us just stood there with our mouths open, unbelieving at what was happening. Butter heard what no one else did. The song eventually sold two million copies. Its name, "What's Going On." Butter had that great musical ear. We will all miss him.

This column is written and researched by Gerry Wilkinson

Our special thanks go to TUTV - Temple University Television and The Kal & Lucille Rudman Media Production Center.

They have underwritten a grant to be used to fund two years of all our newsletters. That's until December 2019. We thank them so much for their support!

 

You Can Help Us!

When you log into Amazon via http://smile.amazon.com, all eligible purchases earn Broadcast Pioneers a donation of 0.5% from Amazon. However, you must log in to Amazon through http://smile.amazon.com. We have made it simple. You can also log into them using http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/amazon. It's easy to remember and takes you to the same place.

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices and the same service. The only difference is that they donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to Broadcast Pioneers. IT DOESN'T COST YOU ANY MORE TO DO THIS! Same price to you and we get a donation to help us continue with all our great educational projects! IT'S WIN - WIN!

A LITTLE BIT OF BROADCAST HISTORY!

(Left to right) Al Alberts and his wife, Stella
The Al Alberts Showcase
6ABC, WPVI-TV
January 3, 1998

WE REMEMBER:

Harvey Miller
on the back of a WIBG List

Joe Terry, Broadcast Pioneer member and front man for the rock and roll legendary group Danny & The Juniors, died this past April at his home in Willamstown, New Jersey. Terry was with the group from the beginning and they are best known for their hits “At The Hop” and “Rock and Roll Is Here To Stay.” A couple of times a year the group can be seen at our luncheons. Terry, whose real last name was Terranova, was 78.

Promotional announcement
on the back of a WIBG List

THIS AND THAT! Little Bits of Information....

W3XE Cameras
at Philadelphia's City Hall
January 1, 1941

At the beginning of the year in 1971, Broadcast Pioneers member Al Alberts started a daily half-hour live telecast on Channel 6, which was WFIL-TV at that time. The Showstoppers were on every day as was his second banana, Bob London. Al, of course, is known for his weekly hour broadcast on Channel 6 for 30 years. 125 of the original one inch video tapes reside in our video archive. All the recordings were donated to us by WPVI.

In the Spring of 1960, Broadcast Pioneers member Nicky DeMatteo, had a big hit record. He was 18 years old at the time. "Suddenly" He sang on "The Children's Hour" on WCAU-TV and radio for seven years. That program was hosted by Stan Lee Broza, this organization's first president. He was also a winner on the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts on CBS. "Suddenly" was on Guyden Records, part of Jamie-Guyden.

In 1947, WPEN and their 950 Club originated from Woodside Park on the weekend and offered people holding 950 Club memberships, a 50% discount on amusement rides. The station broadcast their afternoon shows from that site. And speaking of Woodside Park, did you know that in the 50s, it became the home of WDAS Radio? The station built its towers on the site of the old amusment park. Gerry Wilkinson, our CEO was Operations Manager of WDAS AM & FM during the entire seventies. He once saw a photo in the station files of one of the broadcast towers in the middle of the old roller coaster (which was waiting to be torn down). Forty-five years later, the picture is now not known to exist.

Shortly after getting the ownership of WFIL AM & FM (no TV yet), Walter Annenberg was not happy that the Philadelphia Record had worked out a deal to take over WCAU AM & FM (no TV here yet either), one of the most powerful stations on the entire east coast. Rumors were flooding the city that Annenberg was turning his head to KYW Radio, also a very powerful radio station. Of course that deal never went through and The Evening Bulletin took over the option to buy WCAU when the Record went belly up.

We all remember the Hy Lit TV Show on WKBS-TV. But how many of us remember the live Jimmy Lynn Polka Party? The telecast featured two Polka bands, a South Philly string band, a comedian and a "strolling fiddler". Lynn was host and producer and owned the local Cindy Record label.

And speaking of radio jocks moving to television, in 1974, member Sid Mark had a 30 minute telecast on WHYY-TV, Channel 12, called "The Mark of Jazz." It featured jazz musicians performing live at the Channel 12 studios. The broadcast started on October 2, 1974 at 9 pm and featured the amazing Buddy Rich. The telecast was repeated on Sunday afternoons. The program moved over to the educational station from WPHL, Channel 17. We inducted Sid Mark in our Hall of Fame in 2001. Sid continues his Sinatra show, which is almost 2/3 of a century old. Sid joked one time, "Thank goodness I didn't decide to play a whole show of Jerry Vale."

You remember George DeWitt, the host of TV's "Name That Tune?" Sure, you do. Well, he grew up in the Jersey shore, Atlantic City to be precise. Well, long before his TV time, he was in broadcasting. He started at WMID in 1948 at the shore spinning records from the old Hotel Chelsea and airing live from 12 midnight to 4 am.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES:

Dan Lerner, Part One!

Broadcast Pioneers member Dan Lerner
at Dan's office in Narberth showing some of his car license plates
2010
(Photo originally donated by the photographer, Alan Boris)

Alan Boris is a member of Broadcast Pioneers and author of the Arcadia book “Philadelphia Radio” plus The Philadelphia Radio Archives website. In 2010, he interviewed Broadcast Pioneers member Daniel Lerner about his accomplishments in Philadelphia radio broadcasting. Written by Alan, here are excerpts of that interview along with other material provided by Dan:

Among the many accomplishments of Dan Lerner in the field of communications was the fact that he managed to create a popular, new radio station in Philadelphia from scratch. Starting with zero listeners on November 8, 1982, WKSZ “Kiss 100” was ranked seventh by Arbitron in 1987 with 589,000 listeners, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The 100.3 FM frequency (now home to R&B station WRNB) went dark in 1973 after the FCC revoked its license because the owner at the time (fundamentalist radio preacher Rev. Carl McIntire) allegedly violated the Fairness Doctrine. (Repealed in 1987, the main agenda of that policy required broadcasters to devote some of their airtime to discussing controversial matters of public interest, and to air contrasting views regarding those matters.)

With the 100.3 frequency available, Dan saw an opportunity that few others recognized. This was in an era when FM stations were far less popular and profitable than AM stations, especially “standalone” operations that had no AM counterpart. By his estimate, the distribution of listeners was about 70% AM and 30% FM. With his prior experience running 92.5 FM WIFI (now WXTU) in the early 1970s, Dan believed it was only a matter of time before FM gained substantial ground.

According to Dan, there were only three other applicants for 100.3 FM in 1973, “and it was amazing that there were only three because a couple of years later it probably would have been hundreds.” This was the last major frequency in a major market that went through the hearing process, and that took seven years, 1974 - 1981. “What surprised me was how long it took. It took twice as long as we all had thought it would.”

Kiss 100 Studios
1001 Baltimore Pike, Media, Pennsylvania
circa about 1988
(photo originally donated by members Dan Lerner & Alan Boris)

In 1981, Dan’s application, under the name “Greater Media Radio Company” (not to be confused with Greater Media, the company that formerly owned WMGK, WMMR, WBEN-FM and WPEN) was selected as best qualified by the FCC to obtain the license for 100.3 FM.

Dan explains what criteria the FCC considered: “They were looking for, first of all, experience in the industry. I happen to have a master's degree from Penn, in communications. I had the educational and experiential background to make a success out of the frequency. Another major factor in the decision-making process of the FCC was concentration of media control, which back then was a big deal... Today there's very few companies that have all of the control. But back then, there were limitations on the number of stations [one company could own], I think it was still the 7-7-7 rule, seven each of AM, FM and TV.”

“The theory was that the public was better served if there were more voices by more different people, and I think that is still true. And I think we're the poorer today for the lack of different voices. But back then it was FCC policy, and that was a major factor in the decision. One of the other applicants was the wife of the chairman of the board of Comcast, and that was considered, and that was held against that applicant. My application also had minority ownership. I had a minority owner which was also considered desirable, and was desirable, and still is today. There was very little minority ownership representation back then, and that has changed for the better. I would say that those were the three major factors in the [FCC’s] decision.”

In securing the license to build a new Philadelphia radio station, Dan became one of a vanishing breed: an individual entrepreneur running a major-market radio station. By 1981, only large corporations like Westinghouse or CBS had the money to do so.

Dan Lerner, Part Two

Ad for KISS 100 coming on air
November 1982
(Ad originally donated by members Dan Lerner & Alan Boris)

Once new studios for Kiss 100 were constructed at 1001 Baltimore Pike in Media, they still had the daunting task of building an audience on a frequency that had been vacant for almost a decade.

“I felt it was important to put the station on the map by going on to television immediately, even when the revenue of the station wouldn't warrant it. So we went on [the air] November 8, 1982, and we were on television that January, or at the latest that spring. Of course, the spring is an important time to advertise on television. Our ratings just took off immediately."

"I had heard second or third hand that a professor of marketing at the University of Pennsylvania did a lesson on Kiss 100, on how to effectively market a new product. I never found out who it was. I would attribute that to the immediate awareness we created of a new product by heavy television advertising. And it was expensive, but hey, the big time. Within a year we were a significant ratings factor among a lot of women, particularly 25 - 54. And within 3 or 4 years, we were number one in the market, from zero.”

There were a few bumps in the road initially for Kiss 100 particularly from other stations that did not welcome a new startup. Dan recounts:

1. When I got the license from the FCC, I filed for the call letters WKZS (for Kiss.) Channel 48 (WKBS) filed a petition to stop me because of potential confusion. It wasn’t worth fighting over, so I changed to WKSZ.
2. One month before going on the air, WUSL (Power 99) started calling themselves KISS-99. Sued them in federal court – made them stop.
3. For 20 years, WJBR (99.5) Wilmington had called themselves FM 100. They threatened to sue to make me stop. I told them to go ahead. They never did.
4. Our slogan was “Soft Hits.” 106 [FM] which was called WWSH and had used Soft Hits before they changed to Eagle 106 (Top 40) claimed they owned the slogan and threatened to sue. I told them to go ahead. They never did.”

Kiss Billboard located at
the Vine Street Expressway Entrance to the Schuylkill Expressway
February 6, 1986
(photo originally donated by members Dan Lerner & Alan Boris)

According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1986, industry appraisal firm Broadcast Investment Analysts, Inc. estimated that with Dan’s initial $1 million investment into building the radio station, it was worth $15 million within 3 ½ years of going on the air.

After many years of ratings success with the adult contemporary format, Kiss 100 was losing ground to three other local stations competing with the same format. Again, Dan sensed an opportunity when another local station, WEGX 106.1 dropped its Top 40 format on March 12, 1993. Within days, Kiss 100 became Top 40 Z-100.

Once again, though, Dan found himself in a spat with another radio station. New York City’s Z-100 also on the same frequency, objected to the use of the name and sued over it. “It wasn’t worth fighting about – after a month [we] changed the name to Y100.” Dan’s General Manager at the time, Lloyd Roach told the Philadelphia Inquirer, “We decided last week to take the money we would have used to line the pockets of some law firm and [put it] into promotion instead.”

By 1995, Y100 evolved into a modern rock station, initially in competition with WDRE (103.9 FM) but in 1997 it had the format all to its own after WDRE dropped the format.

Jim McGuinn, program manager of Y100 from 1997 – 2005 relates a story about the station and its leadership under an entrepreneur as opposed to a group owner that must answer to its board: “Before the station was bought by Radio One in 2000, longtime owner Dan Lerner made and fulfilled a promise he had made. He told us that if we had two consecutive sales months of $1 million, he’d fly the entire radio station to Cancun for a weekend. And he did it. About 30 people, from hosts to receptionists. It was the greatest thing an owner could ever do to bond a staff together… And so still today, …there is a reunion at a local pub – and everyone from DJs like Matt, Bret, and Preston, to traffic managers, salespeople, ex-interns, etc., gather up to toss a few back. It was a great radio family.”

In 2000, Dan sold the station for $80 million. His original $1 million investment increased in value by 7,900% (The S&P 500 Index increased a “mere” 485% over the same period.) Dan Lerner is indeed a Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneer.

A LITTLE BIT OF BROADCAST HISTORY!

Julie Andrews with Broadcast Pioneers member Ed Harvey
WCAU Radio Studios
Wednesday, October 19, 1964

OUR HATS OFF TO YOU FOR GIVING:

We would like to thank all those people who made an extra contribution when they attended our June luncheon. They included: Eric Address, Mike Bove, Paul Big Bear, Damon Castle, Johnny B. Hall, Mel Klawansky, Dorie Lenz, Mike Melnyk, T. Morgan, Mike Nozilo, Steve Sacks, Mary Anne Smith, Lori St. Maur, Steve Tatz and Gerry Wilkinson.

We would also like to thank all the members who sent in an extra contribution this month when they renewed their dues. They are: Michael Muderick, Richard Troyan, Priscilla Fox, Joanne Calabria, Tommy McCarthy, Chuck Gagliardi, Herb Scott, Dave Roberts, Richard Kellman, Jerry Klein, Rob Jennings, Ray Fiedler, John "Lefty" Rajca, Bruce Greenberg, John Weber, Bob Craig, Fred Woskoff, Ron Corbin, Dick Standish, Al Primo, Tony Williams, Rick Fox, Sid Mark, Stephen Selber (Stevie Doo Wop), John Johnson, Art Moore, David McCrork, Frank Goldstein, Ken Selinger, Mike Bove, Len Stevens, Dave Michaels, David Rimmer, Gerry Wilkinson, Bill Gellhaus, T. Morgan, Robert Burke, Karen Scioli, Peter Thompson, Debbie Elias, Joe'l Ludovich, Steve Nikazy, Tracy Davidson, Samuel Cerrato, Phil Shuman, Pat Ciarrocchi, Don L. Blink, Kenny Jeremiah, Rob Vaughn, Robert McCone, Ed Hurst, Donna-Lee Conte, Jim Loftus and Allen Murphy.

It takes several days to process incoming mail. So, if we didn't thank you for your extra contribution this month, it probably arrived too late to make this issue. We'll thank you next month. We appreciate all contributions. Thank you!

We are a federally recognized, state chartered charity with a 501(c)(3) status. Contact us at (856) 365-5600 or e-mail pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com for more details. Your gift to Broadcast Pioneers will help us and may lower your federal income tax. That's win-win, isn't it?

Special Thanks for the gift of Appreciated Stock: (a federal tax advantage for the giver)

Member Sylvia Kauders - $5,159.45 (used for the scholarships listed below)

Special Thanks (in alphabetical order) for contribution of $1,000 or more to our DAP, Digital Archival Project:

Member Jerry Del Colliano - $1,500
The Shunfenthal Family (in memory of Sherri Shunfenthal's father, Les Waas) - $2,000
Member Marlin Taylor - $2,000
A member who prefers not to be identified publicly - $1,000

Special Thanks (in alphabetical order) for contribution of $1,000 or more into our General Fund to be used where needed:

Member Brad Seecof and Metramedia Broadcasting & Studios - $1,000
The Sylvia Kauders Foundation - $10,000
A Member who wishes to remain anonymous - $1,000
Member Priscilla Fox - $1,000

Special Thanks (in alphabetical order) for April 2020 Scholarships:

The Harry Hurley - Hurley in the Morning Charity - 2 scholarships (for a Stockton University student)
Member Sylvia Kauders - 1 scholarship (from a bequest for 5 yearly scholarships running until 2024)
Member Kal Rudman - 5 scholarships (for Temple University students)
Member Marlin Taylor - 2 scholarships

Special Thanks (in alphabetical order) for a contribution of $500 or more to our DAP, Digital Archival Project:

Member Elliot Abrams - $500
Members Robin and Ira Adelman - $500
Member Priscilla Fox - $500 plus another $500 for our scholarship fund
Member Bill Kelley - $750
Member Art Moore - $500
Armitage Shanks (not their real name) - $500

Bequests in their Will:

Member Sylvia Kauders passed away recently. In her will, she bequest to the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, the amount of $5,000. This funding is to be used to underwrite one scholarship per year until gone. These scholarships will start in the year 2020 and continue until 2024. From a previous gift, Sylvia has underwritten one scholarship a year starting in 2015 and continuing until 2019.

Member Dave Shayer passed away last year. In his will, he bequest to the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, the amount of $5,000. This funding is to be used to underwrite our archival project which was dear to Dave's heart and soul.

If someone underwrites a complete scholarship and we'll give them credit in the electronic newsletter until the scholarship is awarded. The gift of appreciated stock of $2,000 or more) will be thanked in our "Thank You" column for two years. If someone donates $1,000 or more and we'll list them in our "Thank You" column for a year. If someone gives a donation of $500 or more and we'll list them in our "Thank You" column for six months. They can select how we use the money: for our archival project, for scholarships or for our general fund to be used as needed.

More Thanks:

A growing portion of the revenues that fund the different activities of the Broadcast Pioneers comes from donations.  This includes our archival project and our scholarship program. Now we are making it even more beneficial for our donors. Broadcast Pioneers is now able to accept gifts of appreciated stock, which provides a significant tax benefit to you. By giving appreciated stock (stock which is worth more now than what it cost when it was purchased), the giver can get a charitable contribution tax deduction based on the current market value of your stock. At the same time, they avoid the capital gains tax that would arise if they simply sold the stock. So if someone would like to support our educational mission or our archival project and save money on taxes too, they could consider making a gift of appreciated stock. We are a federally recognized, state chartered charity with a 501(c)(3) status. Contact us at (856) 365-5600 or e-mail pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com for more details.

Many of us are over 70 and a half years old. If someone is, they can donate directly to Broadcast Pioneers from their IRA Account. If they take a distribution and then donate to us, they would have to pay federal tax on the distribution. By donating directly to us, they pay no tax and we get the full amount. Remember, this donation must go directly to us in order for the giver to avoid paying income tax. This direct donation may also prevent the donor from going into a higher tax bracket. That's always good. The donor should always contact tax advisor about this and get complete details.

Thanks so much for everyone's support.Our address is Broadcast Pioneers, PO Box 2886, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, (856) 365-5600. Our e-mail is: pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com

A FINAL THOUGHT....

"Every moment we are together, I am learning something and that becomes a permanent part of me.... I do not worry about our future together since we have affected each other's lives on so many levels.... A part of me will always be you and a part of you will always be me, that much is certain no matter what else happens."

Stella Alberts
in a letter to her husband Al Alberts
on their first wedding anniversary
1955

Please contact us by e-mail at pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com or by mail to: Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, PO Box 2886, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. Your stories are important, to you, to us, and your colleagues. Contact us today and we’ll include your story in the next newsletter!

© 2019, Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
All Rights Reserved


Newsletter Editor is Gerry Wilkinson
Newsletter proofreader this month is Michele Wilkinson

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com
For luncheon reservations call (856) 365-5600 or e-mail us at: rsvp@broadcastpioneers.com