Charlie Greer

He was one of the original “Swingin’ Seven At 77” in December 1960 when WABC became a music radio station, and he stayed longer than any of the air personalities on that initial roster, continuing with the overnight show until September, 1965 – and again from May, 1966 to August, 1969.

He is best known for doing the overnight show, which due to the bounce in WABC’s signal during those hours was heard in 39 states and some foreign countries.

Charlie & Queen Kong

Before WABC, Greer was at WAKR Akron, Ohio. After WABC, he was at WIP Philadelphia, WRKL New York and WHAM Rochester, N.Y.

While he also worked mid-days at WABC for several years, Greer is best identified with the all-night show at the legendary New York station. Greer was the first midday voice when WABC debuted as a Top 40 station on December 7, 1960. He moved to midnights in 1963 and back to mid-days in 1965 before returning to the all-night show in 1966. He stayed there until he left the station in August, 1969.

If you like 1950s radio, you'll enjoy this aircheck of Charlie spinning wax at WAKR Akron, on June 5, 1959. Lots of classic '50s commercials (Tetley Tea, RC Cola, Sunoco, Pall Mall, Firestone, Rayco, Camel, Goodyear, Vaseline Hair Tonic) together with the personality and fun that is sadly lacking in today's radio. [ LISTEN ] (32:42)

Greer's easy-going friendly style was perfect for WABC, a station that emphasized personality within a tight format. His live reads of the famous Dennison's commercials are part of New York radio lore. And while several others did the all-night show at WABC, he's probably the best remembered.

Greer jocked at WAKR in Akron, Ohio, before moving to WABC in 1960. After leaving WABC, he moved to WIP Philadelphia in 1969 and in the 1970s returned to New York at WCBS-FM (he also participated in that station's radio reunions in the '80s and '90s.) Greer also worked at WRKL New York and WHAM Rochester, NY.

WABC New York December 30, 1964 (25:42) [ LISTEN ]

Any discussion of the great all-night jocks in Top 40 radio history should certainly include Charlie Greer, one of the greatest of them all.

Charlie is behind the WABC mic once again on October 5, 1965. [ LISTEN ] (31:27)

Many commercials are offered in this scoped aircheck, including a classic Winston cigareetes jingle. There are also two news segments in this recording. The first is headlines and then right back to Charlie. The second is a full ABC Network newscast at the top of the hour, anchored by none other than Peter Jennings.

[ LISTEN ] to another WABC aircheck with Charlie still rockin' at the turntable, this time on August 2, 1969. (23:50)

Charle passed away in 1996, at the age of 73.

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