Rosko

William Roscoe Mercer, known for decades to New York radio listeners simply as Rosko, was the first black news announcer on WINS in New York and, as Rosko, the first black disc jockey on KBLA in Los Angeles.

He went on to become a pioneer of free-form FM radio in New York City. On WOR-FM in 1966 and on WNEW-FM from 1967 to 1970, his calm, husky voice with its hint of Southern drawl and his wide-ranging programming made him an authoritative companion amid the musical ferment of the late 1960's.

He delved into rock, soul, folk and jazz; he read poetry and conversed with his unseen listeners in almost fatherly monologues. In one set during the late 1960's, he recited antiwar poetry by Yevgeny Yevtushenko to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing the Lord's Prayer, then played Richie Havens's antiwar song ''Handsome Johnny'' as a lead-in to a news report about bombing in Vietnam.

Mr. Mercer was born on May 25, 1927, in New York City and attended a Catholic boarding school in Pennsylvania as a charity student. His first jobs were as a government clerk and then a men's-room attendant at the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, N.J. He began his radio career as a jazz disc jockey at WHAT in Chester, Pennsylvania, moved to WDAS in Philadelphia, and then to WBLS in New York, playing jazz in live broadcasts from Palm Cafe in Manhattan. He played R&B on WNJR in Secaucus, N.J., in the late 1950's, but after refusing to cross a picket line at the station during an effort to create a union for disc jockeys, he was blacklisted for six months.

Rosko relaxes with his wife Lillemor and their daughter Melissa. New York Times, January 5, 1969.

He became the first black announcer for WINS, and was then hired as a disc jockey by KDIA in Oakland, California. Radio station KGFJ in Los Angeles sought to hire him away, leading to a precedent-setting lawsuit that changed the way disc-jockey contracts were written. For a time in the early 1960's, Rosko was heard live on KGFJ and on tape in Oakland six nights a week; he spent the seventh in Oakland, live on KDIA. Then he was hired by KBLA, playing rock and rhythm-and-blues at a formerly all-white station.

He returned to New York to work at WBLS. In 1966, the Federal Communications Commission required radio stations to broadcast separate content on AM and FM stations, and rock music beyond the Top 40 rushed to fill the new air time. The disc jockeys Murray the K and Scott Muni, along with Rosko, moved to WOR-FM to introduce a new style, with disc jockeys freely choosing the music and speaking conversationally to listeners.

But in October 1967, WOR-FM decided to change to a restrictive format.

ROSKO MAKES HIS OWN WAVES...

On his last show, without warning the station's management, Rosko spoke for five minutes about why he was resigning. [ LISTEN ] (5:10)

Several days later he was interviewed by Pete Fornatale on WFUV October 7, 1967. [ LISTEN ] (14:40)

He stated, "When are we going to learn that controlling something does not take it out of the minds of people?" and declaring, "In no way can I feel that I can continue my radio career by being dishonest with you." He added that he would rather return to being a men's-room attendant.

But within the month, he was hired for an evening shift by WNEW-FM, which also picked up WOR-FM's format.

November 27/28, 1967. Judging by the newscast, this aircheck representing about an hour of air time about a month after Rosko joined WNEW-FM. The music is quite diverse with tracks from Captain Beefheart, the Cyrkle, Melanie, Richie Havens, Jefferson Airplane, The Sandpipers, the Bee Gees, Miriam Makeba, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and others.

Part 1 | 2 | 3. Rosko again interviewing John Lennon c. July, 1969. Yoko and Timothy Leary also join the call, recorded over a phone line. [ LISTEN ].

The Murder At Kent State University LP was narrated by Rosco in 1970.

Rosko stayed at WNEW until 1970, then moved to France for five years; there, he worked for the Voice of America. He returned to the United States and was heard during the 1980's on the dance-music station WKTU in New York; he also did voice-over work for commercials. Most recently, his voice was heard in announcements for CBS Sports.

When he learned he had cancer in 1992, he refused chemotherapy, turning instead to alternative medicine.

He was survived by his wife Joanna, five children from three previous marriages, a sister, and two grandchildren.

WHERE DID ROSKO WORK? Here is the list: WHAT, WDAS, WBLS, WNJR, WINS, KDIA, KGFJ, KBLA, WBLS, WOR-FM, WNEW-FM, KMET, WKTU, WCBS and the Voice of CBS Sports.

Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: Musc Radio 77, The Woodstock Whisperer, New York Radio Archive, New York Times.

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Bobby Rich

Bobby R. Rich is a radio broadcaster, programmer and manager best known for his role as Program Director and Morning Show Host on KFMB-FM San Diego, CA "B-100" (1975–79 and 1984–89) and KMXZ-FM Tucson, AZ "MIX fm" (1993–2017).

He began his radio career at age 14 in Ephrata, WA as a DJ. While attending Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA he worked as a radio DJ in Spokane, WA. His first Program Director position was at KSTT Davenport, IA. In the 70s, he was also morning host at WMYQ Miami, FL "The Q"; Asst. program director/afternoon DJ at WAVZ New Haven, CT "The New Waves"; DJ at KHJ Los Angeles "93 KHJ".

Bobby at B-100 with Gene Knight, Boomer Anderson, Shotgun Tom Kelly, Cherie Stock, Danny Wilde, Jr Rogers, and Glen Martin.

In the 80s, he was Program Director of WXLO New York, NY "99X"; KHTZ Los Angeles "K-HITS 97"; and WWSH Philadelphia, PA "FM 106". He was a DJ on KFI Los Angeles and Director of Programming Consultation at Drake-Chenault in Canoga Park, CA.

In 1985 he returned to KFMB-FM where he developed the "Hot AC" format by melding top hits from the Adult Contemporary and the CHR/Top 40 music charts. He created a San Diego version of a "Zoo" show as "The Rich Brothers B Morning Zoo."

In the 90s, Rich was VP/GM and morning show host for KMGI/KIXI Seattle, WA "I-107.7" before moving to Tucson in 1992.

1977

In 2011, he created BobbysB-100, an Internet Radio Station saluting the legendary B-100 in San Diego.

[ LISTEN ] to a nice montage of Bobby at work.

This recording was played as part of the induction ceremony to AZ Broadcasters Hall Of Fame, October 2013.

On February 1, 2017, Rich was released by KMXZ after he made unknown comments during his program that station management saw as offensive but didn't specify, for which Rich apologized on his Facebook page.

Bobby is also heard mornings on 105.3 KHJJ-LP in Albany Oregon. This LPFM is recreating the sound of Boss Radio as it was heard on 93/KHJ Los Angeles. Calling itself KHJ FM, the station broadcasts a mix of 60's & 70's hits. KHJ FM also features the voice talents of other KHJ alumni, Bob Anthony, Dave Sebastian, Mike O'Neil and Scotty Brink.

Rich, inducted into Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame 2013, is a multiple winner of Billboard Magazine's, The Gavin Report's and Radio&Records' "Program Director of the Year" and "Personality of the Year" on seven occasions. Radio & Records Industry Achievement Awards twice nominated KMXZ as Station of the Year and named him Adult Contemporary Program Director of the Year in 2007.

Tucson Lifestyle and Tucson Weekly honored him and his station as "Best of Tucson," "Best Morning Show," and "2014 Best Radio Personality." Bobby was awarded the "Golden Mic" for community service by Tucson's Advertising Federation. Greater Tucson Leadership presented him their Community Leadership Award.

It's 2019, and Bobby is still slaving over a hot microphone on KDRI "The Drive" in Tucson.

Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: Facebook, Airchexx.

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Arnie Ginsburg

Arnold William Ginsburg was born on August 5, 1926. He was raised in Chestnut Hills, Brookline, Massachusetts, the son of Paul Ginsburg, who ran a millinery company and Sophia (Charak) Ginsburg, who had a career as a singer prior to marriage.

Arnie's boyhood Radio Shack

Ginsburg's interest in radio began at an early age, stemming from his love of electronics. At about age 7, his father took him downtown to the original Radio Shack - founded and owned by Toby Deutschmann - to buy a do-it-yourself radio kit.

The years that followed saw young Arnie fashion his electronic skills on many a project brought home from the Radio Shack.

While still in high school, Arnie was hanging around the store one day, when he heard someone mention that radio station WMEX was looking for an engineer. He immediately went in, and he got the job.

Later he moved on to WBOS in Boston where he also worked as an engineer. At that time WBOS programmed numerous foreign language shows, and in 1956 the station manager approached Ginsburg, informed him that many of those programs were being cut, the station would begin playing rock n' roll, and he wanted Ginsburg to program it. He also wanted him to host his own DJ show during the morning slot. Ginsburg, (not being a morning-person), talked the manager into working the evening hours, when teenagers would be in their rooms and doing their homework. He soon developed his own on-air style, on his own Top 40 show. This prepared him for his move back to full-time Boston Top 40 radio station WMEX, this time as a DJ, in 1958.

Hear a rather subdued Arnie Ginsburg with the Older Records Hour in his last year at WBOS in 1958. No sound effects here. They would soon be a major part of his act at WMEX. [ LISTEN ] (5:55)

WMEX publicity shot

While he developed a following during his time with WBOS, it was at WMEX that Ginsburg's popularity as a disc jockey expanded. He was unusual, and not just because of his high-pitched voice, he jokingly referred to himself as "Old Leather Lungs" or "Old Aching Adenoids", but he was best known as "Woo Woo" Ginsburg, for his use of sound effects. His show was called the Night Train, and he utilized a train horn. In an era where top-40 DJs were given non-descript and non-ethnic radio names, Ginsburg kept his birth name and did not change it.

He also refused a salary from station owner Max Richmond, instead making a deal for a 25% cut of all the commercial revenue Ginsburg would generate for his show. This, he claimed, made him "the highest-paid jock on the station." According to Billboard magazine, by 1959, he was making an annual salary of $10,000, an amount higher than the median American income at that time.

Ginsburg frequently did on-air testimonials for his advertisers, and perhaps the best-known was his work for Adventure Car Hop, a drive-in fast-food restaurant on Route 1 in Saugus, which promoted the "Ginsburger." According to the car-hop's owners, Ginsburg's radio commercials brought as many as 2000 teenagers to his restaurant on a typical summer night.

Ginsburg was also known for his ability to create hits by giving them radio exposure on his show. One good example was a novelty song by British vocalist Lonnie Donegan, "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight." It had been a hit in England, but when released in the United States for the first time in 1959, it was not successful. Then, in 1961, Ginsburg received a copy from a listener and began to play it, and after several days of heavy airplay, the song took off and became a hit in America.

CRUISIN' AT WMEX

1961
[ LISTEN ] (41:11)

During the payola scandal, Ginsburg was among a number of high-profile Boston disc jockeys (including Norm Prescott, Bob Clayton, and Joe Smith) called upon to testify before a congressional hearing in Washington DC in early 1960. Several of the announcers, Ginsburg among them, acknowledged receiving monetary "gifts" from record promoters over the past several years.

In Ginsburg's case, he told the committee that the gifts totaled $4,400 over a three-year period. But Ginsburg was never implicated in any wrongdoing, nor was it proved that he played certain records because he had been paid to do so.

Reporters covering the hearings were divided in their opinions of whether payola had occurred, or whether the hearings were much ado about nothing. As for Ginsburg's role, some journalists seemed willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, referring to him as "scholarly" and "soft-spoken", and quoting his assertion that he was never influenced to play songs he did not personally believe in. But others were more skeptical, accused him of being evasive and giving "excuses" for why record promoters had given him gifts.

Throughout his top-40 career, Ginsburg was regarded as a credible voice for reaching the teen audience. It was said of him that airplay on his show could make a record a hit. Record companies which asked him to do commercials often saw increased sales. This was the case for such records as "Roses are Red" by Bobby Vinton and "The Monster Mash" by Bobby (Boris) Pickett. Ginsburg also reported his weekly "picks" (songs he believed would become hits) to trade publications such as Billboard magazine.

Arnie doing his thing at WMEX Boston, on December 12th 1965 [ PLAY ] (27:28)

As was the custom in top-40 radio, record companies would bring up-and-coming singers to do guest appearances, which further helped sales. Among the local stars Ginsburg promoted were The Rockin' Ramrods and Freddie Cannon. Cannon subsequently recorded a promotional song for Ginsburg, "Arnie Ginsburg, the guy with the swinging show." Ginsburg was also known for his record hops, dances that were held at local venues; he often hosted them at the Surf Ballroom in Nantasket Beach.

WMEX 1959-1967

It was common practice in the top-40 era for disc jockeys to do their show six days (or nights) a week. Ginsburg, however, was heard all seven nights. This was accomplished through audiotape: He recorded one of his weekly night shows for playback on Saturday night, and also recorded a new show for Sunday playback during the week. This practice was highly unusual at the time and only became more prevalent in the radio business in the 1980s, when radio networks began to do the same.

While Arnie Ginsburg is best known from his days at WMEX, he also spent some time at other stations in Boston. In early 1967, when WRKO changed format to top-40, the station's new management wanted to build the new radio station around a well-known local radio figure, and Ginsburg was their first choice. However, the plans were interrupted.

Ginsburg was on the air for less than a month when his former boss, WMEX owner Maxwell (Mac) Richmond, served the station with a court injunction, enforcing a non-compete clause which stated that if Ginsburg left WMEX, he could not work on air at any other station for 18 months.

The case made its way through the courts and finally, Ginsburg was ordered off the air. But although he could not be heard on the airwaves for a while, he was able to stay in the business with WRKO, which moved him into sales. Ginsburg also sold all the time slots for WRKO-FM. Later, in 1970, he went on to become the general manager of WBCN. This proved a very controversial move, as the staff was opposed to the idea of a former top-40 personality serving as the manager of an album rock station—at that time, FM album rock prided itself on being the antithesis of AM top 40.

By 1972, Ginsburg was working on the AM side again, as the General Manager of WWEL. In 1973 he joined Boston's largest station, WBZ, producing and hosting a Saturday-night oldies show with all his familiar gimmicks: noisemakers, silly puns, and kidding with the newscasters and weathermen. In 1975, Ginsburg was hired by WMEX to do a similar, Saturday-night series of four-hour shows.

Ginsburg also syndicated a customized weekly oldies show to New England radio stations. By 1979 he advanced to become partner of WXKS-FM "Kiss 108," and managed WXKS-AM when it changed format to "Music of Your Life." He also became co-owner, along with Boston radio personality John Garabedian, of V-66, Boston's video music channel, WVJV-TV, in 1985.

Arnie is interviewed 2008
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Horns and whistles 2017

The station not only featured hit music videos; it also featured local announcers talking about the music, and also talking about the music scene in greater Boston. As Ginsburg told a reporter, it was envisioned as "the equivalent of a radio station on television." The venture proved very costly, however, and the station was put up for sale in 1986. From that point, Ginsburg devoted most of his time to enjoying life, keeping up with long-time friends, and travel.

He sold his properties in Boston and moved full-time to his beloved Ogunquit, Maine. Ogunquit residents came to recognize Ginsburg when he rode his moped into town during the warmer months, and in time he became a fixture in the community.

Arnie Ginsburg passed away on June 27, 2020 at the age of 93.

WHERE DID ARNIE WORK? Here is the list: WBOS, WMEX, WRKO, and WBCN.

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Dennis Elsas

Dennis Elsas grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens with a transistor radio under his pillow, listening to the great New York AM rock ‘n’ roll stations. As FM began to emerge, so did his broadcast career with the founding of campus radio station WQMC at Queens College in the mid-sixties. His first paid on-air job was at WVOX, a suburban radio station in New Rochelle, New York, where he created a free-form progressive rock show called Something Else Again. And, then – just after midnight on July 11, 1971 – he launched what would be a 25 plus-year career at WNEW- FM (102.7) in New York City.

Dennis was hired at WNEW-FM by the station’s program director, Scott Muni, one of the legendary DJs he had grown up listening to. He quickly ascended to the position of Music Director, and received the rock ‘n’ roll music industry education of a lifetime. The station was emerging as one of the premiere rock radio stations and Dennis was integral to creating its sound. He was also meeting and interviewing a stream of rock ‘n’ roll heroes, including Elton John, Mick Jagger, Pete Townshend, Paul McCartney and John Lennon.

Dennis in the studio with John Lennon.

John Lennon was his in-studio guest on Saturday afternoon, September 28, 1974. They had met previously at the Record Plant Recording Studio as Lennon was finishing his latest album Walls and Bridges. During the conversation, Elsas casually invited him to visit WNEW-FM.

When Lennon actually showed up, Dennis was more than a little surprised. What began as a discussion of the new album quickly turned into two hours of rare Beatles’ memories, speculation on a reunion, and candor about his immigration fight. Lennon even took over as DJ, playing some favorite, obscure 45s he’d brought with him, reading live commercials, and giving the weather reports.

Ian Anderson & Scott Muni

Flo and Eddie
[ LISTEN ] (1:22)

Years later, excerpts of that historic afternoon were used in the Beatles Anthology, numerous books, and various documentaries. The entire show has become part of the permanent collection of the Paley Center For Media (formally the Museum of Television and Radio). It is also a pivotal part of the recent award winning PBS American Masters film LENNONYC.

The interview also inspired Elsas to produce, co-write and host the radio documentary It Was Forty Years Ago Today: The Beatles Invade America, which won a number of prestigious awards (e.g. New York State Broadcasters Association Best Documentary, New York Festivals World Medal.) It aired on WFUV in February, 2004. Revised for the fiftieth anniversary in 2014, it is now featured in the Grammy Museum’s traveling exhibit Ladies and Gentleman…The Beatles!

In May 1976, Dennis took over the prime 6 – 10 p.m. slot on WNEW-FM, bringing his creative programming of the station’s vast rock ‘n’ roll record library to the nighttime audience. Rock ‘n’ roll history was being made at 102.7, and whether he was in the studio with Meatloaf, backstage with Bob Seger or onstage with John Mellencamp, Dennis was sharing the experience with his listeners.

Brooks

Here's a three part aircheck with Dennis hanging out with Mel Brooks at WNEW-FM on March 27, 1978. [ Part 1 ] (22:24), [ 2 ] (22:01), [ 3 ] (23:41)

In the 1980’s he created the popular Beach Party program. The station became known as the place “Where Rock Lives” and Elsas remained there through 1998.

WNEW-FM promotes Dennis Elsas' nightly show which will play "Beatles A to Z" for a week and promotes a simulcast of the audio for Ringo Starr's NBC special of April 26, 1978.

While still at WNEW-FM, Dennis expanded his broadcasting activities to include two years as the music correspondent for television’s PM Magazine, and to host such syndicated radio shows as Rock Today, Rock ‘n Roll Never Forgets and Billboard Entertainment News.

Here's a two part aircheck featuring Santana, live from the Bottom Line, with introductions from Dennis, Scott Muni and others, on October 16, 1978. [ Part 1 ] (54:30), [ Part 2 ] (38:54)

Dennis’ voiceover career also grew with numerous projects for HBO, Cinemax, Showtime and The Movie Channel. Corporate and commercial clients included American Express, Time, Lancôme, Procter and Gamble, and Kraft Foods. He was featured as the “Voice of Rock History” at the Museum at Bethel Woods – the story of the Sixties and Woodstock and has been the announcer for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame broadcasts and VH1’s Concert of the Century at the White House. Dennis was the narrator of Discovery Magazine on the Discover Network and the “voice” of the Smithsonian Channel.

Dennis with Joan Jett.

But his abiding passion is to be on-the-air; programming music that blends old favorites with new discoveries, interviewing artists and interacting with his listeners. Today he’s happily doing that seven days a week.

Since the summer of 2000 he’s been hosting weekday afternoons (2-6PM) on New York’s WFUV (90.7 FM, and streaming at WFUV.org). With an eclectic mix of rock, folk, jazz and blues and, studio guests that included Elvis Costello, Ben Folds, Patti Smith, Edie Brickell and Ringo Starr, Dennis continues the tradition of progressive radio he helped to create.

Dennis appeared on the 1979 WNEW-FM station calendar (February).

In May 2004 he joined Sirius/XM’s Classic Vinyl and can be heard every Saturday and Sunday sharing his Classic Rock knowledge and memories with a worldwide audience.

In 2010 Dennis created Rock ‘N’ Roll Never Forgets – a live multi-media show featuring highlights from his history making interviews with John Lennon, Elton John, Jerry Garcia and more. As one of the pioneers of the progressive FM radio revolution at WNEW-FM and continuing today with new opportunities at WFUV and Sirius/XM, Dennis shares his favorite stories and unique perspective on rock and radio in person with enthusiastic audiences.

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