Radio Boston Explores Boston Radio

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As seen in “Boston Radio 1920-2010” (Click an image to start a slideshow)

In her new book, “Boston Radio: 1920-2010,” media historian and author Donna L. Halper explores Boston’s rich history of radio.

Do you remember the Arnie Ginsburg, Dick Summer, Dale Dorman or David Brudnoy? Halper touches on all of Boston’s radio giants.

Guest:

  • Jinxnolan

    I am curious why Danny Schechter (Your News Dissector) was not mentioned regarding WBCN. The lack of his being mentioned was glaring He was very articulate, up beat, ver ypolitical and was with WBCN when it started in the basement of a private house. I tried phoning in and was put on hold then disconnected abruptly. Strange.

    • Aragusea

      We tried to touch as many bases on as many stations as possible, but when you’re talking about 90 years of radio in 20 minutes, you’re just not going to get to everyone. Sorry we didn’t get to your call, but def try us again next time.

    • Donna Halper

      I love Danny and we e-mail every now and then. I second Adam’s comment– there were so many people to mention and so little time. But hey, at least we did mention Charles!

  • It_is_I

    To answer the question, is radio better or worse today? I think the answer is clear, it’s worse. There is no innovation, because nearly all radio stations embrace a canned “tried and true format”, and fear experimenting.

    When the FM spectrum was filling out, and simulcasting (AM/FM) was phased out, stations tried new formats. Some worked, some didn’t. Now everything — including the “NPR” stations at the low end of the dial, are happy to have an audience like them a little bit — just enough to allow them to get by.

    And let’s not get into small-market radio.

  • June

    You were great Donna!

  • Bobwal

    Many many nights listening to Arnie and Dick Summer. No one comparable exists in any form of radio today.  Also “Juicy Bruce Bradley” WBZ ? mid sixties. Dick Summer had the calm”intellectual” manner,took calls and read letters from fans. It was an awesome fun time to listen to radio,long before the thousands of distractions available today. Thanks for the memories.

  • dave in cambridge

    The books’ real contribution is in visually documenting the very early station locations.  Impossible task to compress the info, but Norm Nathan and Alan Darey needed to get in there.  Listener surveys indicated that listeners didn’t want to hear women, it wasn’t a discrimination issue.  Simply sound business practice.

  • dave in cambridge

    sorry, meant norm PRESCOTT, who was a big figure in WWII Boston Radio

  • Kassandrasduplex

    Donna Halper covered for David Sarnoff in her propaganda piece from 1998 about Edwin Armstrong. David Sarnoff drove Armstrong to suicide (stole his FM and denied Armstrong any royalties).  People like Sarnoff are why others harbor the stereotype of the ruthless greedy Jew. Ms. Halper covering for Sarnoff by ignoring his contribution in the destruction of Armstrong compounds that stereotype. Sorry to get ugly in perhaps the wrong venue but this needs saying. David Sarnoff drove Edwin Armstrong to suicide. Ms. Halper tried to downpay that apparently to make Sarnoff less monstrous. One wonders why…

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