POWER OF RADIO
POWER OF RADIO
DAN INGRAM
One of the best-known and best-loved deejays, Dan was everyone’s Kemosabe. Known for his sharp intellect and quick wit, he entertained listeners on 50,000-watt powerhouse WABC for more than two decades. Dan and Ron Lundy were the last voices heard on WABC before the station changed formats on May 10, 1982. It was the end of an era.
cousin brucie MORROW
Bruce Morrow has spent over 50 years as everyone’s favorite cousin. His stage shows at Palisades Park (co-hosted by his poodle, Muffin) are legendary. Baby Boomer teens all over the country listened to him on transistors tucked under their pillows. He’s still taking requests while streaming on WABC.
RUFUS THOMAS
Rufus Thomas was a disc jockey on WDIA, the country’s first African-American programmed radio station. Besides his Black audience, Rufus’ R&B show. Hoot and Holler, also attracted white teens, who were discovering the music that was banned on mainstream media stations. Beginning his show business career as a frog in a school play he’s perhaps best known as a singer entertainer. with hits like “Walking The Dog” and “Do The Funky Chicken”.
SCOOP NISKER
Wes “Scoop” Nisker brought a unique perspective to radio news at KSAN. Combining interviews, political speeches, sound effects and character voice and setting it all to music, his newscast was called “the news you can dance to”. He’s best known for his catchphrase, “If you don’t like the news, go out and make some of your own.” His latest book is “Crazy Wisdom Saves The World Again.”
MARTHA JEAN "The queen" STEINBERG
Martha Jean was ahead of her time.Starting out as a deejay at the legendary WDIA in the male-dominated world of 50’s radio, she went on to be a community activist, a station owner and an ordained minister during her 46 year career. She loved her listeners. Sometimes, as in this clip, it was tough love.
BILL TANNER
Bill became a consultant and owner of Bill Tanner and Associates after being a deejay. As a morning deejay on Miami’s Y-100, he made a decision that saved a listener’s life. Bill passed away in 2021.
VIN SCELSA
No one tells Vin Scelsa what to do. At least not when he’s on the the radio. During his almost half-century on the air, the free-form pioneer has chosen his own music. That journey has taken him around the dial, from his college station in East Orange, New Jersey, to powerhouses including WPLJ and WNEW – always staying one step ahead of the format change – to Fordham University’s WFUV and Sirius/XM. But it’s the end of an era. Vin has decided to retire. His show, “Idiot’s Delight”, was heard for the last time on May 2, 2015. In the following clip, Vin shares his story of being on the radio the night John Lennon was gunned down.