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Radio Legends

Howie the Hitman

Howie the Hitman: From LG73’s Vancouver Airwaves to a Distinctive Voiceover Legacy By Morgan Rugby In the pulsating heart of Vancouver’s fashion district, where DJs jested that “the heels were high and the skirts were short,” CKLG AM 730—known as LG73—stood as a Top 40 titan from the 1960s to the 1990s. At its forefront was Howard Cogan, “Howie the Hitman,” whose bold voice and irreverent humor made him a radio icon in Vancouver. For enthusiasts like me, who revel […]

todayMay 26, 2025 12

Radio History

The Big Ape’s Roar

By Kelly Parker, Aircheck Radio Enthusiast In the heart of Jacksonville, Florida, a radio station once roared with a sound so powerful it echoed from Cape Canaveral to Cape Hatteras, captivating generations of listeners. WAPE, known as “The Big Ape,” was more than a radio station—it was a cultural cornerstone, a soundtrack to adolescence, and a beacon of community connection from its inception in 1958 through its AM heyday and into its modern FM era. For those of us who […]

todayMay 26, 2025 23

Radio Legends

Remembering Jed the Fish

Jed The Fish: A Voice That Defined Los Angeles Radio April 14, 2025By Aircheck Radio We are deeply saddened to share the news that legendary Los Angeles radio personality Jed The Fish—born Edwin Jed Gould III—passed away this morning at the age of 69, following a brief battle with small-cell lung cancer. For generations of listeners in Southern California, Jed The Fish was more than a DJ—he was a defining voice of KROQ-FM and a pioneer of alternative radio in […]

todayApril 14, 2025 56

Radio History

Radio Tribute Websites

Radio Tribute Websites: Preserving the Legacy of Classic StationsBefore the rise of digital streaming, AM and FM radio stations were the pulse of music, news, and community engagement. Many iconic stations from the 1960s through the 1990s have since evolved or ceased operations. However, passionate enthusiasts and historians have created radio tribute websites to ensure their legacies endure.These online archives offer airchecks, jingles, photographs, and stories, capturing the essence of tuning in during radio’s golden eras. Below, we highlight some […]

todayMarch 18, 2025 79

WNOE LOGO

Radio Eras

WNOE AM and FM New Orleans

For decades, WNOE was a defining voice in New Orleans radio, shaping the musical tastes of an entire generation. From its early days in the 1950s through the golden years of the 1960s and 1970s, WNOE-AM and later WNOE-FM played a critical role in broadcasting the latest hits, elevating local DJs to celebrity status, and keeping the Crescent City dancing to the beat of pop, rock, and country music. The Birth of a Giant WNOE’s history dates back to 1939 […]

todayMarch 18, 2025 89 1

Radio Legends

Bob Rivers Passes Away at 68

​Bob Rivers, born on July 7, 1956, in Branford, Connecticut, was a multifaceted individual whose influence spanned radio broadcasting, music, aviation, and community service. His journey from a passionate young broadcaster to a beloved Seattle radio personality is a testament to his versatility and dedication.​ Early Life and Introduction to Radio Rivers' fascination with radio began in his youth. At 14, he launched a high school radio station, demonstrating an early passion for broadcasting. By 16, he secured his first […]

todayMarch 11, 2025 30

Paul Freeman

Radio Legends

Paul Freeman

Paul Freeman: A Voice That Shaped Los Angeles Radio Paul Freeman’s journey through the world of broadcasting epitomizes what it means to thrive as a radio personality. From his humble beginnings in Spokane, Washington, to his celebrated career that spanned four decades on Los Angeles airwaves, Freeman mastered the art of connection. He wasn’t just a DJ. He was a storyteller, a sound architect, and a voice that became inseparable from the rhythms of the city he served. His career, […]

todayMarch 10, 2025 60

am radio towers

Radio News

AM Radio’s Quiet Fade

  AM Radio’s Quiet Fade: Local Stations Fall Silent Across America By Boris McClendon, Staff Writer Late one October morning in San Francisco, a familiar voice on KGO 810 AM was suddenly replaced by the R&B hit “For the Love of Money.” Soon another cash-themed song followed, then another. Listeners were puzzled – was this a prank or a technical glitch? It wasn’t. It was a requiem. After 80 years on the air, the Bay Area’s iconic news-talk station had […]

todayMarch 6, 2025 73

SKIP-ESSICK

Radio Legends

Skip Essick: A Life on the Airwaves

Skip Essick: A Life on the Airwaves – From WGRD to Radio Leadership "Radio is the most intimate and socially personal medium in the world." — Harry von Zell For decades, Skip Essick was a familiar voice and a guiding hand behind the scenes in radio. Whether he was on-air, programming a station’s format, or leading an entire operation, his influence helped shape the way radio sounded in multiple markets. From his early days spinning records at WGRD in Grand […]

todayMarch 4, 2025 20