News

IT WAS MAY 8th … when V-E Day was celebrated, marking the end of WWII in Europe, and radio carried the news … When the BBC banned the song “Such a Night” by Johnnie Ray after listeners complained about its “suggestiveness” …. When radio station CKGO AM 1490 Hope BC went on the air with 250 watts… ..and when Edmonton’s CHQT was heard in its last live day as Cool 8-80, before switching twelve days later to All News as iNews880.com. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

In 1980, Kenyon was the city’s second sports talk show host -- after KIRO’s Wayne Cody -- on 570 KVI.

IT WAS MAY 7th …. when one of the great dramatic showcases of early LIVE TV “Kraft Television Theater” began an 11-year run on NBC… When the instrumental group The Champs appeared on ABC-TV’s American Bandstand to perform “Tequila” and “El Rancho Rock”… When the CBC banned all tobacco advertising on their national radio and TV networks… When Vancouver's AM 1040 CKST turned all-sports and became Team 1040... and when Shelley Long, as Diane Chambers, made her last appearance as a regular on NBC TV’s hit sitcom “Cheers”. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

IT WAS MAY 6th … when Fishers Blend radio stations KJR & KOMO in Seattle swapped frequencies. KOMO was moved to 1000 kc where its power could be increased, while KJR, now at 950, was sold two years later to the department store Marshall Field … When the final broadcast of “I Love Lucy” aired for the first time on CBS-TV… When Johnny Carson signed a new deal with NBC which had his Tonight Show cut from 90 minutes to one hour, and his work week reduced to just 4 nights, while his pay was boosted to about $5 million a year… ..and when the 100th episode of “The Golden Girls” aired on NBC-TV. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

IT WAS CINCO DE MAYO (May 5th) WHEN…. ‘Rhythm at Eight’ starring 24-year old Ethel Merman debuted on NBC radio …. When the 300th episode of syndicated TV’s ‘Soul Train’ was broadcast … When NBC-TV’s ‘Quantum Leap’ starring Scott Bakula aired for the last time.. When the same network ran the 100th episode of 'Night Court'... When CBS-TV aired the 200th episode of 'Walker, Texas Ranger'... ..and when the sitcom ‘Married With Children’ aired its final episode on Fox TV. ALL the milestones for Cinco de Mayo INSIDE.

Ocean 98.5's Mel Z will be wrapping up her midday show this month.

“For 51 consecutive books, THE MEN’S ROOM has been #1,” WESTWOOD ONE said. “Our partnership will extend this impressive performance coast to coast."

IT WAS MAY 4th …. when radio station KNX Los Angeles, the longtime West Coast flagship of the Columbia Broadcasting System, signed on for the first time… When ABC-TV debuted the weekly “Alan Freed’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Revue,” which was cancelled after 4 episodes… When Canada’s Johnny Wayne and Frank Shuster (pictured) made their first of a record 67 appearances on CBS TV’s Ed Sullivan Show… When the 100th episode of the syndicated TV musicfest 'Soul Train' aired ... ..and when two long-running daytime TV dramas debuted on the same day. “Another World” on NBC, “As the World Turns” on CBS. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

Stations need to seriously rethink their on-air imaging. They are so forgettable. Everyone and his brother have big lasers and ballsy voices. As Nielsen diary keepers go across the dial, you think they’re going to remember the bells and whistles?

IT WAS MAY 3rd… when National Public Radio began operations in the US with 112 affiliates …. When President Ronald Reagan began a series of 5-minute Saturday morning radio broadcasts, which successive presidents have continued. They are now streamed worldwide on the internet… When the final episode of the original prime time TV soap opera “Dallas” aired on CBS… and when the British group Gerry & the Pacemakers made their US TV debut, performing “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying” on CBS-TV’s Ed Sullivan Show. ALL the milestones for May 3rd INSIDE.