This Site Primarily Contains a Collection of Airchecks of Numerous Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) Radio Stations, Some Recorded Off The Air by Rick Burnett and Many Others Recorded or Provided by Other Contributors to This Site (see footnote at bottom). The Contribution of Recordings and Materials are Greatly Appreciated and Have Made this Site a Bookmark for Those Interested in Radio From this Era. Explore the many recordings on this site by using the menu at the left side of the screen. Should you have material to contribute, Please Email: Rick1031(at)HotMail.com Note: Substitute @ for the "(at)" when typing email address
Windows Media Player, along with a host of other MP3 file players, will alow you to play the radio airchecks on this site. If you already have Windows Media Player, is will start streaming the Aircheck once you click the file, or, depending on your internet settings, it will first down load the file and then start plying it. Some files are large. If you down load Window Media Player, it should be set as the default MP3 file player to automatically open the files and start playing them. If you need to download the player, click on the link to the left.
WCCO - Al Malmberg Over Night Show with Guest Rick Burnett - September 21st, 2007
It was a fun time for me. I think Al also enjoyed himself and he held me over for a 2nd hour. We talked old Twin Cities radio and Al allowed me to play an assortment of airchecks from other stations from the 50's, 60's and 70's. There was a rare Scott Burton clip on WDGY (I have not found any others from collectors), a clip with a good sample of Charlie Bush's news style with Chuck Knapp loosing it at the end, Rob Sherwood's last farewell on KDWB, and more.
The recordings to the right have the commercials edited out so they are less than one hour each.
Rick Burnett, creator of Twin Cities Radio Airchecks, at the mic during his interveiw with Al Malamberg on WCCO on September 21st, 2007
The History of Radio in 10 Minutes Unknown Date
It was recorded before 1965 because you can hear comments by Todd Storz about 10 minutes into this 11:30 long recording. You will also hear Chuck Blore comment about Color Radio. This takes you back to the beginning and bring you up to Top 40 radio. This tape was found at WDGY's basement at the old studio at the Blooming transmitter site (long gone and replaced by housing).
Contributed by Judy Dibble, formerly of WDGY
A Tale of the Twin Cities - Compilation of the Twin Cities Radio Stations in March 1977
You will hear all the stations on this two part recording.
Acquired from Aircheck collector and contributor Matt Seinberg of Big Apple Airchecks www.BigAppleAirchecks.comJay Philpott originally recorded "A Tale of the Twin Cities" composite. Jay currently (9-9-07) works in St. Louis at 106.5 "The Arch" doing weekends and has work for a number of Twin Cities radio stations. See His comments in the box that has the KDWB-KQRS-KSTP October 1978 compilation.
The Twin Cities At Night Approximately Spring/Summer 1980
This compilation offers KDWB, KSTP-FM, WCCO-FM and KRSI.
Acquired from Aircheck collector and contributor Matt Seinberg of Big Apple Airchecks www.BigAppleAirchecks.com Jay Philpott originally recorded "A Tale of the Twin Cities" composite. Jay currently (9-9-07) works in St. Louis at 106.5 "The Arch" doing weekends and has work for a number of Twin Cities radio stations. See His comments in the box that has the KDWB-KQRS-KSTP October 1978 compilation.
KDWB-AM - True Don Blue - April 16, 1971 - Music Scoped Out This istypical Hall of Famer True Don. You will here him do a couple of live spots and use voices. The commercials are left in on this recording.
KDWB - KQRS - KSTP Composite Recorded October 1978 (left below photo)
You will hear the unknown person who recorded this tune up and down the dial and not stop long in one place. You will here: Ed O'Brian - on KD Tac Hammer - on KQ Bob Lange - on KD Doug Silver - on KSTP Michael Christian - on KD Smokin Joe Hagger - on KD Jeff Pigeion - on KSTP Mike Beech - on KD
Mixed in you will also hear various KQ DJ that I do not recognize and they never say there name. Let me know if you recognize any Rick1031@hotmail.com
On 9-8-07 I heard from Jay Philpott by email within hours of posting this new material. He stated:
"I taped all of the airchecks on the KD-KQ-KS Composite, The "Tale of Twin Cities composite and the Twin Cities at Night feature. I may have done the CCO morning show from '80 and the WWTC recording, but I can't be certain as I can't correlate those airchecks to anything in my collection. But it probably WAS me, since I was at my peak in taping the market from 1976 to about 1982 or so. I was an aircheck taping nut as a teenager. I went to high school at Armstrong ('78), and worked in the promo department at KSTP 1977-78, then at KTWN-AM Anoka in 1979, and KFMX/KRSI 1979-80 before landing at WLOL for 4 incredible years 1980-84. Some of these airchecks were taped on my good home stereo, and some were taped with a portable rig I put together so I could record at work.
It was a kick hearing these things after they've spent many years traveling the collector circuit -- I remember trading with Matt Seinberg almost 30 years ago, which is how he got them in the first place!!
Here's some fill-in info on the KD-KQ-KS composite
After Tac Hammer, there is a brief Hines & Bush segment you didn't credit
After Bob Lange, the jock is Alan Stone of KQRS
After Michael Christian is Mike McNeal of KSTP
Then, Hal Hoover of KQRS
For some reason I edited in that brief thing where Larry Lujack says "turn this sucker over". That was from his narration of an American Air Chexx issue, where he told listeners that side one was ending and there was more on side two. It makes no sense being on the Twin Cities tape, really...but I always thought it was funny.
Later on the tape, there are more KQRS segments featuring: Nancy Rosen, Benjie McHie and then Greg Austin (Ausham) of KSTP, Marc Elliott of KDWB and back to KSTP for Jim Summers.
OK, now about the "Tale Of Twin Cities" production. I was the Minneapolis/St. Paul contributor and editor for the Aircheck Factory from 1977 to 1980. I wrote a monthly column about the market in his newsletter, and I taped all of those stations, and gave Tom Konard at ACF all the background he needed to write the narration which was done by Michael Black of KONO/San Antonio. While you did in fact acquire the recordings from Matt at BAAC, you should probably credit the original source and note it was produced by "Tom Konard's Aircheck Factory".
I LOVE what you do with this site, and I've also been in touch with radiotapes.com to compliment him on his work."
I appreciate the help Jay has provided to fill in some of hte blanks, provide corecctions and porovde some behind the scenes information on the recordings. I am sure we are all grateful to Jay Philpott for saving our Twin Cities radio history by recording all the airchecks he did in the 70's. Acquired from Aircheck collector and contributor Matt Seinberg of Big Apple Airchecks www.BigAppleAirchecks.com Jay Philpott originally recorded this KDWB-KQRS-KSTP composite. Jay currently (9-9-07) works in St. Louis at 106.5 "The Arch" doing weekends and has work for a number of Twin Cities radio stations.
JAY PHILPOTT is a 25 year broadcast veteran. Jay's radio work has spanned many formats and eras in the world of contemporary music. He is a fan of all types of music and an expert at pop and rock music. Jay is a published author and recently released "Ain't Misbehavin', Just Conclavin" - a 30 year history of the Conclave Learning Conference, a major American music industry seminar held each year in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jay's Twin Cities radio experience includes WLOL and KFMX.
Recorded 10/23/74 between 11:30 AM and 12 Noon. Adam started doing weekends and relief and I think he eventually had his own daily stint. Adam North promotes a Beatles weekend. Adam does a live Minneapolis Floral spot. You can hear small portions of commercials of this era, such as the Furniture Barn. I seem to recall you buy a house full of furniture for under $1,000, or something like that. This also reminds me of watching Mel Jazz do these commercials on his afternoon movie matinee show on Channel 11. You will also hear about KDWB's Halloween Haunted House and one of the "solid Rock" jingles. Michael J. Douglas reads the news in this clip. Lead story is a possible cease fire in Vietnam. there was also news on the Nixon and McGovern presidential campaign
(The above KDWB Adam North aircheck is from the Rick Burnett collection)
This Bob Lange segment was recorded 1/28/74 around 12:13 PM. Bob also started as a weekend and relief guy and later has his own daily show. You will hear two different contestants attempt to guess what the secret sound is for $1,000, but no luck on Bob's show. Bob talks up True Don Blues appearance at a ski jump contest in Battle Creek Park. There is a bit of Dick Austin (one time reporter at WCCO-TV, channel 4) doing the news (most scoped out).
(The above KDWB Bob Lange aircheck is from the Rick Burnett collection)
this clip of Bob Shannon was recorded on 6/18/74 between 6:10-7:55 AM. This was Bob's 6 month anniversary with KDWB. He states in celebration he had lunch with Doctor Stillman (of the famous Stillman Water Diet), and they had steam.for lunch. bob does his impersonation of W. C Fields and does a bit with Truman Coyote (Capote). You will hear him promote the KDWB raft race and you will hear a full newscast by Dick Austin. In this case the news sounds very familiar. Terrorist attack London's Parliament building. This time the terrorist are member of the Irish Republican Army. An Israel was also in the news as it still is today. There was a story on George Bush (senior), as the Republican party chairman, commenting on Nixon's troubles.
(The above KDWB Bob Shannon aircheck is from the Rick Burnett collection)
Bob Savage covered the 12 Noon to 3 PM shift. this was recorded between 1:30-2:40 PM on June 17,1974. In this clip you will hear him attempt to sing "I'm Henry The VII" and will hear him try to give away $1,007 in the KDWB cash call. However, there was no answer. Now days, there would have at least been an answering machine.
(The above KDWB Bob Savage aircheck is from the Rick Burnett collection)
This segment of Charlie Fox was recorded between 9:50 -10:55 AM in the summer of '74. Charlie promotes the 90% music format used to compete with KSTP-AM's low commercial count. You will hear a Red Owl commercial. I remember shopping there with my folks as a kid. You may remember around 1972-73 when Red Owl stayed open all night and had to tag their spots with "Meat sales in St. Paul prohibited after 9 PM." This was due to a strong meat cutters union. I was always afraid of being pulled over on a traffic stop and getting caught with a half pound of hamburger in my grocery bag.
(The above KDWB Charlie Fox aircheck is from the Rick Burnett collection)
Charlie Brown was recorded on 10/23/72 between 7:10-740 AM. You will hear him do a live Jerry Leonard's Big and Tall spot. Also, you will hear an edited George McGovern presidential spot and Beneficial Finance. Charlie discusses the news of B.J, Thomas' car accident and the fight he had with the police with Michael J. Douglas. Michael has just a little hint of the "Fargo" accent. Charlie plays the "Rock Rolls On" station ID and the KDWB Haunted House promo. There is also a live Foreman and Clark spot. This is the mens suit seller whose motto was "Shop Upstairs and Save," and "Upstairs & Downtown." There stores were located on second floor locations (and that was before skyways). Forman and Clark went the way of Robert Hall.
(The above KDWB Charlie Brown aircheck is from the Rick Burnett collection)
Don Beecher had a tough act to follow. His shift is just after Rob Sherwood's. Even more difficult tonight because Rob Sherwood just signed-off his show for the last time before turning the control board over to Don. Rob's Last show on KDWB was April 6th, 1974.
(The above KDWB Don Beecher aircheck is from the Rick Burnett collection)
This was recorded the afternoon of 1/28/74. Starts off with the secret sound contest and yet another contestant that cannot guess the sound. True Don Bleu does his Norwegian accent. This is St. Paul Winter Carnival Days. This is also "KDWB, the New Music Explosion." True Don is being attacked on the air by the Winter Carnival Vulcan and is painted black. This causes him to interupt the playing of Elton John "Daniel." TDB does a live spot for a book "Dust On The Sea." News is done by Gary Johnson and is mostly edited out. As always, there is the trademark "Hi Twin Cities, How're You." The is a promo spot on the KDWB super shooters, with a John Wayne impersonation.
Trud Don Bleu was inducted into the Pavek Radio Hall of Fame. You can see his story on the Pavek web site at: http://www.pavekmuseum.org/bleu.htm
(The above KDWB True Don Bleu aircheck is from collector Randy Randall, Rochester MN.)
I fondly remember working with Pat DeVaney. He loved his Corvette. This recording was done in January 1974, as you will note when he announced the date and as he described the weather. The temp is 17 below zero, or at 26 below when factoring in the wind. This may be one of the reason I now Live in Palm Springs. The radio slogans included "Good Time Country 24 Hours a Day With 50,000 Watts of Power." We actually had only about 18,000 Watts, but our antenna gain gave us an effective radiated power of 50,000. Pat refers to his show as the "DeVaney Disaster." You will hear Pat do a live spot for the annual "Dayton Days." I guess they must now be called Target Days now because I did not see any Dayton stores on my last trip to the Twin Cities. Pat also does a live spot for Montgomery Wards, pushing garage door openers. Pat also does the news in this aircheck. The top story is the attempt of politicians to restore passenger train service from MPLS/St. Paul to Duluth.
(The above KTCR-FM Pat DeVaney aircheck is from the Rick Burnett collection)
Mike Cunningham was the program director for KTCR's FM side. Mike started about one month after me. I started in the summer of 1973 due to an immediate need created by the walkout of the KTCR AM and FM DJ's (they actually turned-off both transmitters one afternoon due to a labor dispute). Mike was a good guy to work for. He started his professional career at KUXL-AM in Golden Valley. Yes he was playing soul music. It is a little known fact that Wolfman Jack once worked at KUXL. Mike later worked as the program director of WLCX-AM in LaCrosse, Wisc. This was about 1978 and he hired me to do a weekend shift at this top 40 rock station. I was selling real estate weekdays at that time. I did enjoy October fest in LaCrosse.
At KTCR-FM, Mike did the 12 Noon to 4 PM shift weekdays. This aircheck is typical. I also came across an aircheck of him at a LaCrosse country FM station (Big River Country) and have included it here as well. Last I heard, he owned and operates a furniture store he owned in the LaCrosse area.
The above two Mike Cunningham airchecks are from the Rick Burnett collection
This recording was submitted by Alan Kabel and was recorded just before Minnesota Public Radio purchased WLOL. It was owned by Emmis at the time of this recording.
Contributed by Alan Kabel. (10-1-07)
The airchecks on this not for profit web site were recorded off the air. The recordings on this site provide historical examples of Twin Cities radio and are intended for purposes of archival preservation and for research. Additionally, the recordings can be used by vision impaired visitors to get an audio perspective of radio history. These recordings are not intended to by used by others for commercial purposes.
Some of the airchecks are off reel to reel tapes that were recorded off the air by the web site creator. In May 2006 the recordings started to be converted to MP3 and shared here. In addition to this web site creator's recorded aircheck collection, there are also many airchecks that were recorded and submitted by friends and acquaintances, or contributed by other collectors. Sources are cited, if known. The contributed recordings from friends and contributors of both airchecks and other material are greatly appreciated. Without their help, the site would have many less pages of radio history. The recordings of the contributors to this web site who recorded them off the air may show up on other sites. This site does not charge any fees to listen to the posted recordings. The purpose of this site is to provide radio history and intended for purposes of archival preservation and research.
Windows Media Player works well to play these MP3 files, and depending on your internet settings, will start streaming the file once the link is clicked, Some files are large and may take time to open. Should you have any aircheck of Twin Cities radio stations, let me know and I may be able to include them at this site. Contact me at Rick(at)HotMail.com --- NOTE Replace "(at)" with @ when typing email address
