I think it's important to keep in mind there were still more than a million AM-only vehicles on the roads of WFIL's footprint at the time of this aircheck (particularly trucks, company cars, and autos from the '60s). There were still plenty of AM-only receivers in homes, mounted in kitchen walls and under cabinets. Transistor sets were still plentiful as well. Stations that took the full-service AC approach were hoping to pick up a share of these listeners. I agree with the other caller who said this was too close to what WIP was doing- with 610 having the longevity, more-established top-tier talent, and overall much better presentation. At this time the Philadelphia AM band was pretty much WIP and KYW, with the others fighting for the scraps. 'FIL's heyday and legacy jocks were long gone, WPEN was just starting its "Station of the Stars" format (which would become hugely successful), WZZD was struggling with disco (and about to be sold and go religious), WCAU was trying to recover from the All-News disaster, and enough suburban expansion had taken place to leave the smaller city signals of WHAT and WDAS at a competitive disadvantage. Nonetheless, it's still nice to hear this. Tony sounds like a fine, boss-jock-type talent screaming to rip free from the shackles of this format!
Many of the AM Top for stations were trying to figure out to compete with the growing popularity of the laid back FM stations. One of the routes, which WFIL took, was to get a more laid back adult sound.
Chasing WIP, which had a wider music mix along with warmer, more chatty DJs such as Tom Moran, Tom Lamaine, Bill Neil (Coleman) and the incomparable Ken Garland.
Typical over reaction to FM. They even changed the audio chain (ugh). WiFi was one of the worst major market FM Top 40s ever, but it was FM. Poor Tony was hired by Bill Drake for KGB, he gets there and 3 weeks later KGB goes laid back album rock. I believe Mann made it to KHJ at some point. The PD or Consultant did a hideous job, managed to take all the fun and life out of one of the greatest Top 40 stations, all for not.
I think it's important to keep in mind there were still more than a million AM-only vehicles on the roads of WFIL's footprint at the time of this aircheck (particularly trucks, company cars, and autos from the '60s). There were still plenty of AM-only receivers in homes, mounted in kitchen walls and under cabinets. Transistor sets were still plentiful as well. Stations that took the full-service AC approach were hoping to pick up a share of these listeners. I agree with the other caller who said this was too close to what WIP was doing- with 610 having the longevity, more-established top-tier talent, and overall much better presentation. At this time the Philadelphia AM band was pretty much WIP and KYW, with the others fighting for the scraps. 'FIL's heyday and legacy jocks were long gone, WPEN was just starting its "Station of the Stars" format (which would become hugely successful), WZZD was struggling with disco (and about to be sold and go religious), WCAU was trying to recover from the All-News disaster, and enough suburban expansion had taken place to leave the smaller city signals of WHAT and WDAS at a competitive disadvantage. Nonetheless, it's still nice to hear this. Tony sounds like a fine, boss-jock-type talent screaming to rip free from the shackles of this format!
I think it's important to keep in mind there were still more than a million AM-only vehicles on the roads of WFIL's footprint at the time of this aircheck (particularly trucks, company cars, and autos from the '60s). There were still plenty of AM-only receivers in homes, mounted in kitchen walls and under cabinets. Transistor sets were still plentiful as well. Stations that took the full-service AC approach were hoping to pick up a share of these listeners. I agree with the other caller who said this was too close to what WIP was doing- with 610 having the longevity, more-established top-tier talent, and overall much better presentation.
At this time the Philadelphia AM band was pretty much WIP and KYW, with the others fighting for the scraps. 'FIL's heyday and legacy jocks were long gone, WPEN was just starting its "Station of the Stars" format (which would become hugely successful), WZZD was struggling with disco (and about to be sold and go religious), WCAU was trying to recover from the All-News disaster, and enough suburban expansion had taken place to leave the smaller city signals of WHAT and WDAS at a competitive disadvantage.
Nonetheless, it's still nice to hear this. Tony sounds like a fine, boss-jock-type talent screaming to rip free from the shackles of this format!
Many of the AM Top for stations were trying to figure out to compete with the growing popularity of the laid back FM stations. One of the routes, which WFIL took, was to get a more laid back adult sound.
Wish I knew if he was still actively on the radio? Great memories!
I’ve tried to find him with no luck
Well into adult contemporary by that time.
Chasing WIP, which had a wider music mix along with warmer, more chatty DJs such as Tom Moran, Tom Lamaine, Bill Neil (Coleman) and the incomparable Ken Garland.
This aircheck is from September 19, 1979.
@TechnerVideo You should be on the TV show, History Detectives!
Boy...Ellis where do you begin to comment on this aircheck.
joewhlm FIL was a different station by 79. I found this tape in a trash can at WFIL in 1983. For some reason, that seem appropriate!
joewhlm BTW, when did WHLM get so many signals??? When do you get your Philly translator?
We got two AM signals, 3 Signals, with another FM signal going on in the next month or so.
joewhlm Wow! Sounds like you plan on covering ALL of Central PA soon!
When King George Michael left WFIL for WABC, they were finished.I quit listening to them after that.
Typical over reaction to FM. They even changed the audio chain (ugh). WiFi was one of the worst major market FM Top 40s ever, but it was FM. Poor Tony was hired by Bill Drake for KGB, he gets there and 3 weeks later KGB goes laid back album rock. I believe Mann made it to KHJ at some point. The PD or Consultant did a hideous job, managed to take all the fun and life out of one of the greatest Top 40 stations, all for not.
I first heard Tony at WRKO Boston in the winter of '73.
@@MikeMc442 I remember listening to Tony Mann when he made a stop in Phoenix, AZ at KOPA FM 100.7 when it was Top 40.
I think it's important to keep in mind there were still more than a million AM-only vehicles on the roads of WFIL's footprint at the time of this aircheck (particularly trucks, company cars, and autos from the '60s). There were still plenty of AM-only receivers in homes, mounted in kitchen walls and under cabinets. Transistor sets were still plentiful as well. Stations that took the full-service AC approach were hoping to pick up a share of these listeners. I agree with the other caller who said this was too close to what WIP was doing- with 610 having the longevity, more-established top-tier talent, and overall much better presentation.
At this time the Philadelphia AM band was pretty much WIP and KYW, with the others fighting for the scraps. 'FIL's heyday and legacy jocks were long gone, WPEN was just starting its "Station of the Stars" format (which would become hugely successful), WZZD was struggling with disco (and about to be sold and go religious), WCAU was trying to recover from the All-News disaster, and enough suburban expansion had taken place to leave the smaller city signals of WHAT and WDAS at a competitive disadvantage.
Nonetheless, it's still nice to hear this. Tony sounds like a fine, boss-jock-type talent screaming to rip free from the shackles of this format!