REMEMBERING...
Topic: RE: BOSTON
Boston Broadcast Memories
1960 Boston Memories
Topic: RE: BOSTON
During the years 1960, 61, & 62 I was a "Spinner" at WNAC-WRKO-FM and WNAC-TV. I was attending the old Leland Powers School of Radio, TV and Theater at the time. I left when I graduated, but it was during those years that I worked with Jim Dixon and Gus Saunders among others at the stations at the time.
Jim was a good natured young man who was a talented DJ on WCOP and later on WNAC. What became of him or any of the folks I knew and worked with at WNAC after I left I don't know. During the time I was there, however, Jim was one of the DJ's I worked with, spinnning records and commercials (on acetate records made right in the studio). Tape had not begun to be used much at that time, although there was a bit of it. I remember asking Jim Dixon one time why he had changed his name from his family name Brokaw to Dixon. I remember him saying that Brokaw was much too ethnic. I guess he never told that to Tom Brokaw of NBC. I think Jim did well after I left the station, though I did not follow his career. Jim Dixon was a fine fellow who I will always remember as a good man.
Gus Saunders was the kind of man you'd like to have as a close friend. He was a very moral fellow and distained the antics of fellow announcer, Bill Marlowe. Bill was somewhat of a hero to the young spinners at the station mostly because of his stories about his love life. He was married at the time, so I suspect his stories might have all been remembered, rather than new. Anyway, back to Gus Saunders. Gus was the darling of the Greater Boston housewife in those days and did some shows targeted at that audience. I heard he became a food critic at the Boston Herald later on. Gus was a fine fellow, well met.
I remember announcers Bill Hawn (Hahn?), Fred Peach and Dave Rodman too. All fine gentlemen who were especially kind to a young aspiring broadcaster.
Al Griffin
Tifton, Georgia
