Hoyt Locke

Locke was born in Chattanoga, Tennessee, March 11, 1912 and his family moved to Barthman Avenue on Columbus’ Southside. He attended Reeb Avenue Elementary School.

According to the book Life is a Jukebox, by former WCOL announcer Rick Minerd, Dr. Bop popularized rock and roll/rhythm and blues among Whites and created an identity for WCOL that made it the number one station for the next several years.

Hoyt Locke was not the first deejay playing rhythm and blues/rock and roll on Columbus airwaves. That distinction comes to WVKO’s Eddie Saunders, who in 1955 was Jumpin’ Jive at Five-O-Five. But Dr. Bop was the first to create a rock and roll culture in Central Ohio.

Dr. Bop Hoyt Locke on WAWA-FM some time in 1966. [ LISTEN ] (6:23)

In 1966 there was no such format as urban, so it’s a mainly R&B oriented Top 40.

Locke and his brother, Edgar, came to WCOL-AM in 1956, as clients for Bop Records, located at 474 E. Main Street. They were at the studios creating fifteen minute infomercials, when the announcer got up an left, leaving the the station without a voice. The studio engineer asked Hoyt to take over and the fifteen minutes became a six hour, all night broadcast.

The station's format was Big Band music but Doc started playing R&B and Rock & Roll, thus becoming the first jock to play Rock music in Columbus. He generated so much excitement that night that the station not only kept him on, but changed their format to Top-40.

Promo for The Delmonts vs The Veltones, Battle of the Bands, May 29, 1964.

The first paid advertising for Dr. Bop was City Service Gasoline, at Garfield and Mt. Vernon Avenues, purchasing three months worth of air time. Soon it was followed by City Gas, Certified Oil, the Beverly Drive-Ins, Buckeye Potato Chips and other locally owned business.

"The New WCOL" became the top station in Columbus and remained #1 for the next 20 years. Doc left WCOL and went to WAWA in 1960. WAWA was a small local station that was aimed at the black community but became a “cult favorite” of mainstream suburban white kids who enjoyed the soul music sound.

Dr. Bop on WAWA one more time! [ LISTEN ] (15:52)

This aircheck is Bop launching into one of his famous poetic monologues- and includes him interviewing a soul group called “The Mark IV” who were appearing at a local black lounge. Bop was famous for his “talking-over” songs while they played.

Dr. Bop was flamboyant, controversial and his race wasn’t hidden. He refered to his “silver foxes”, young White women who followed his show. He stayed with WCOL until 1959 and in 1960, he went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to star in radio there.

"This is Doctor Bop on the scene, with a stack of shellac and my record machine."

Hoyt Locke passed away on February, 24, 1976, at 63.

Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: Columbus Music History, Airchexx, Mayor Arnett.