Miami-Fort Lauderdale

Miami-Fort Lauderdale

Miami-Fort Lauderdale: A Radio Battleground Like No Other (1960s-1980s) "Radio wasn’t just background noise in South Florida—it was a way of life. The jocks were our rockstars, the stations our best friends, and the competition? Cutthroat." Miami and Fort Lauderdale have always been hot markets—not just for tourists and nightlife, but for radio. From the 1960s through the 1980s, South Florida’s airwaves were some of the most competitive in the country. Whether it was the legendary Top 40 wars on […]

March 22, 2020 23 1 2

Radio Legends

Max Kinkel

Max Kinkel from CKLW to New York Radio Stardom Max Kinkel, affectionately known as “Super Max,” is a name that resonates with radio enthusiasts across North America. With a career that spanned iconic stations like CKLW in Windsor and WCBS-FM in New York, Max’s dynamic voice and magnetic personality made him a beloved figure on the airwaves. But his journey to becoming a radio legend started far from the bustling cities he would later call home. Born and raised in […]

March 21, 2020 17

Radio Legends

Mike Adams, Always A DJ

The Remarkable Journey of Mike Adams In the annals of radio history, few figures embody the spirit of the medium quite like Mike Adams. From his early days spinning records at WCOL in Columbus, Ohio, to his later career as a respected academic and radio historian, Adams’ life story is a testament to the enduring power and allure of radio. Mike Adams personal appearance at WCOL AM event Mike Adams’ journey in radio began in the early 1960s, but not […]

March 15, 2020 32

Radio Legends

Ted “The Bear” Richards

Ted "The Bear" Richards: A Legendary Radio Career Origins and Early Career (Carolinas and Florida) Ted "The Bear" Richards, born Robert Theodore Richards, began his radio journey in 1965 at WBLR in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina. He further honed his skills at WDXY in Sumter, South Carolina, and with the Armed Forces Radio network. By the early 1970s, Richards had advanced to WAPE 690 AM in Jacksonville, Florida—a dynamic Top 40 station known as "The Big Ape." There, he adopted the […]

March 10, 2020 14

Radio Legends

Lee Baby Sims

Lee Baby Simms: The Radio Poet Who Defined an Era Lee Baby Simms wasn’t just a DJ—he was a mood, a moment, and a master of radio’s most intimate art form. His voice, hypnotic and warm, had a way of drawing listeners in, making them feel like they weren’t just part of an audience but part of a secret, late-night conversation. For three decades, from the 1960s through the 1980s, Simms was a restless presence on the airwaves, never staying […]

March 5, 2020 20

Radio Legends

Lynn Tolliver Jr.: Cleveland’s Legendary Broadcaster

Lynn Tolliver Jr.: Cleveland’s Legendary Broadcaster Early Career and Entry into Radio Orrin “Lynn” Tolliver Jr. grew up in Cleveland and developed an early passion for radio. He got his start on the air in the 1970s, gaining experience at local stations in both R&B and Top 40 formats. In particular, Tolliver worked at Cleveland’s R&B outlet WJMO and at the Top 40 station WGCL, immersing himself in both sides of the musical spectrum (Cleveland Radio Legend Lynn Tolliver […]

March 3, 2018 11