For many radio listeners, May 10, 1982 was the day the music died. WABC “Musicradio 77” was considered by many to be the greatest, most influential Top 40 radio station of all time. On that fateful day, WABC stopped playing music. After Ron Lundy and Dan Ingram said their goodbyes, there was a moment of silence. Immediately thereafter, WABC “Talk Radio 77” debuted on the frequency.
This aircheck was recorded approximately 5 months later. It’s their opening sweeper for “The Best of the Michael Jackson Show.” That’s talk show host Michael Jackson, not the moonwalker! I received it from Apple Valley, Minnesota using a Pioneer SX-3900 and long wire antenna. As I’ve mentioned in previous postings, this Pioneer was an amazingly sensitive receiver. Notice how there is very little adjacent channel splash from WJR-AM 760 Detroit or WBBM-AM 780 Chicago. By selecting from several long wires, I could hear either WABC or KOB/Albuquerque, New Mexico. Each station was completely clear and free from interference from the other.
As with many other exhibits on this site, a Technics stereo cassette deck and Scotch Dynarange tape were used to make the recording.
WABC_AM_Michael_Jackson_Show_Open_October_1982