Connecticut Radio Memories - Episodes 5 & 6

Summary:

EPISODE 5 – Insurance City Radio – More stories of Hartford radio including the histories of WCCC, WTHT, WNBC/WHTD/WONS and WGTH.

EPISODE 6 – Pop Goes Your Radio – the story of Hartford’s first top 40 station – WPOP.

Details:

EPISODE 5 – Insurance City Radio – More Stories of Hartford Radio

In this episode, we look at several Hartford radio stations, past and present. We start with a look at WCCC, which was started in 1947 by Hartford jewelry store owner Bill Savitt. Bill Savitt used radio to boost downtown Hartford, and in turn benefit commerce downtown, including his own store. We’ll hear about early programming on WCCC, its popular children’s show that featured Ivor Hugh playing Leroy the Duck, and then we’ll look at its transition in the late 1960s into Hartford’s only all-request radio station under the direction of Rusty Potz. In later years, WCCC became home to Dick Booth (who later used the name “Sebastian”) and was the first major market station home of shock-jock Howard Stern. Then we look at a radio station that’s often forgotten – WTHT - the radio station of Hartford’s one-time afternoon newspaper, The Hartford Times. WTHT broadcast a man-on-the-street interview show called Hartford Speaks hosted by Una King, and had other personalities like Joe Girand and Ben Hawthorne (who became WTHT’s morning man after he left WTIC). We also look at the 1410 spot on the AM dial which started as WNBC (New Britain, Connecticut) and then became WHTD, later WONS, and after a merger with WTHT in 1954, WGTH. WONS had popular personalities like Jack Downey, and CP Patterson. Includes commentary by: Bill Hennessey, Ivor Hugh, Rusty Potz, Don Blair, Jerry Bishop, Ken Devoe, Ed Brouder, Barbara Davitt, Jack Lenhoff, Jack Borden, Jack Downey, Bill Davies, Jack Broitman, Debbie Savitt First, Sam Pasco, Bob Paine, Lani Jurev, John Ellinger, John Flemming, Fred Swanson, Bill Glynn, Dan Blume, Alexander Cohen, Charlie Norwood, Norm Hausman, Joan Cowie, Dick Bertel, Bob Ellsworth, and Steve Gilmartin. Includes archival audio of: Bill Savitt, Ivor Hugh, Jack Brooks, Betty Hugh, Morgan St. Germain, Rusty Potz, Dick Booth, Boston Bill, Dan Walker, Brooklyn Joe, Howard Stern, Una King, Bob Marr, Doug Maine, Bob Harrington, Joe Girand, Ben Hawthorne, Hal Harshbarger, Dick Richards and Dottie.

EPISODE 6 – Pop Goes Your Radio – the story of Hartford’s First Top 40 Station

When WGTH radio was sold, its format changed to Hartford’s first Top 40 station – WPOP. Popular DJs hosted record hops and did weird stunts to attract listeners. WPOP had many well-known air personalities like Doug the Bug, Bobby Scott, Don Blair, Joey Reynolds, and Ken Griffin. Morton Downey Jr. who would become a controversial TV talk show host was WPOP’s morning man early in his career. WPOP entered into a fierce rivalry with WDRC to compete for Hartford’s top 40 listeners. WPOP eventually adopted the “More Music” format, de-emphasizing personality in favor of the music. By 1975, WPOP’s top 40 format was dropped, and WPOP became Hartford’s first all-news radio station, a distinction it would hold well into the 1980s. Includes commentary from: Joey Reynolds, Rusty Potz, Ken Griffin, Ray Dunaway, Del Raycee, Richard Ward Fatherly, Doug Wardwell, Bob Scott, Don Blair, Jack Broitman, Fred Swanson, Bob Paiva, Dan Clayton, Bill Bland, Ed Brouder, Kevin McKeown, Chuck Crouse, TJ Lambert, Bob Craig, Lee Gordon, Steve O’Brien, Dude Walker, Ron Lake, Gerry Brooks, and Neal Steele. Includes archival audio of: Ken Griffin, Bill Bland, Jack Armstrong, Lee Baby Sims, Dan Clayton, The Greaseman, Bob Craig, Lou Terri, Woody Roberts, Jack Brooks, Mike Lawless, Lee Gordon, John Berky, Gerry Brooks, and TJ Lambert.