The Original Superjock

Larry Lujack SuperJock The Original Superjock Larry Lujack In American radio, few personalities have left as indelible a mark as Larry Lujack. With his sardonic wit, distinctive voice, and groundbreaking segments, Lujack redefined the role of the disc jockey, transforming the airwaves into a platform for both entertainment and authenticity. His journey from a small-town boy in Iowa to the revered “Superjock” of Chicago’s radio scene is a testament to talent, resilience, and an unyielding passion for broadcasting. Early Life […]

January 1, 2023 72 4 3

Radio Legends

China Smith… Wow!

China Smith: The Voice That Defined an Era in Radio China Smith, born Wayne Thomas Rorabacher in 1943 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was a radio personality whose voice and style left an indelible mark on the broadcasting industry. With a career spanning over three decades and multiple major markets, Smith's journey from the Midwest to the bright lights of Los Angeles is a story of reinvention, innovation, and enduring connection with listeners. Smith’s radio career began in 1970 at WGRD in […]

August 11, 2022 30

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Radio Legends

Alison Steele

The Nightbird Who Gave New York a Midnight Soul "The flutter of wings, the shadow across the moon, the sounds of the night… as the Nightbird spreads her wings and soars." If you ever tuned into the FM dial late at night in New York City during the late ‘60s and ‘70s, you know exactly who that was. Alison Steele, "The Nightbird," was more than a radio DJ—she was a storyteller, a poet, and the voice of the city after […]

March 27, 2020 140 6 8

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Radio Legends

Kid Leo

The Voice That Made Cleveland Rock "Cleveland, it’s time to rock and roll!" If you grew up in Cleveland during the 1970s and 1980s and had WMMS on your radio dial, chances are you remember Kid Leo. More than just a DJ, he was the gatekeeper of rock ‘n’ roll in the Midwest—the guy who made sure the next big band got its shot, the guy who had the pulse of the streets, the clubs, and the records that would […]

March 26, 2020 126 3

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Radio Eras

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 128 1 3

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 245

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 86

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 109

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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 63 15 2