WCKR 1962Shaw segued to Top 40 WQAM in 1963, where Tiger Radio’s air talent also included local legends like Charlie Murdock (afternoon guy after school), Jim Dunlap (daytimes and program director during much of the ’60s heyday) and a couple years later Roby Yonge (“The Big Kahuna,” who went on to even greater fame in New York City).
Rick and his wife Gigi 1964
Shaw's job was brutal !In 1964 Shaw had listeners tuning in to what he’d often call “The Ricky-Ticky Show” on WQAM from 7-11 each night, and a few years later from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., where he recorded a record-shattering 54 share — more than all the other local stations combined.
It wasn’t just because Shaw played the most popular hits. What endeared Shaw to young Miami audiences were the hits PLUS his one-liners, wacky soundbites - like the Lone Ranger and Tonto from the TV series: “Could mean trouble, Tonto!” “That right, Kimosabe!” - and his riffs on obnoxious spots, all delivered at a blistering pace, pumped up by tons of reverb and echo, and broadcast to listeners through WQAM’s “framistan” at 5,000 watts.
Later inn 1964, at WQAM, Shaw was the first radio disc jockey in South Florida to play Beatles songs. He met them later that year in Jacksonville.
Shaw was just in his mid-to-late 20s then – old enough to be a heroic figure to junior high school and high school kids.
Shaw’s show-opening jingle ended with the singers chirping, in ascending tones: “Wonderful…W-Q-A-M!” And as that rang out he would yell “SWINGS!” from inside his “echo chamber,” then launch into introducing the evening’s first record. Over time, “SWINGS!” morphed into “Suuuu-WOP!”
All genders, even some parents, dug the music. Shaw and his entourage were a constant presence at high school events like pep rallies and football games.
Shaw had a bunch of high school kids, (mostly girls), from all over Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, interning with him at WQAM. They’d answer phones for the nightly Top 10 survey, and screen callers with special requests from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
During the last hour, Shaw would count down the Top 10 requests, which usually reflected the Fabulous 56, but at times leaned heavily toward Beatles and Stones.
“Boys”
There was one stretch where The Beatles’ version of “Boys” with Ringo singing lead was the No. 1 song for months, because all the girls taking the calls were Beatlemaniacs and stuffed the ballots, no doubt. At that point, you could tune in about 10:45 and always hear “Boys.”
“Goodnight My Love”
Whatever the night’s fave, it segued into Shaw’s signature sign-off song, teen idol crooner Ray Peterson’s 1959 single version of “Good Night, My Love” which got all the high school girls squishy!
Shaw’s brand soon extended beyond radio to print; he wrote columns in local teen-targeted music papers and hawked Stridex acne cream in print and on the radio.
Rick is on WQAM and rocking the holiday season on December 20, 1967. [ LISTEN ] (24:07)
WQAM has a jingle for nearly everything. Since this is just days away from Christmas, there are numerous WQAM Christmas jingles. Much of the holiday music heard on WQAM is of the classical/church choir style.
The Rick Shaw Show
Young guys had their eyes glued on the “Rick Shaw Dancers”. The girls watching picked up on the latest gear fashions and dance moves while wishing they could be on the show. Shaw’s TV show was must viewing for Miami kids while getting ready for school. It predated Clark’s similarly formatted “Where the Action Is,” which started airing in 1965.
The WQAM Tiger Team during the summer of 1968. Here's Rick on the left, Dan Chandler, Jan Kantor, Jim Dunlap in back, Ronnie Grant in front row, Johnny Knox, John Paul Roberts, and the overnight DJ Clark Moore.In early 1968, Shaw and a few partners opened The World, a teen nightclub hidden away in a light industrial area of North Miami.
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, The World was the place to be for high school kids to see the hottest local bands and visiting acts.
In late 1967 or early ’68, Shaw introduced a segment of his radio show called “Ug,” short for “underground,” where he stepped away from the frenzy and played heavier, psychedelic stuff that Top 40 radio wouldn’t play.
Rick doing the Morning Show with co-host Donna Davis.
After 50 years in radio, Rick Shaw hangs up his headphones at WMXJ.
He almost single-handedly broke the group Spirit in Miami in the spring 1968. The band from L.A.’s Topanga Canyon hippie musician enclave had just released their first album. Shaw played tracks like “Fresh Garbage” and “Mechanical World” and created a huge demand for the band to come to Miami to play live. He booked Spirit for a weekend at The World, and they sold out all four shows. So he kept the group in town for six more sold-out shows through the next weekend.
When FM stations began to overtake AM stations, WAXY-FM 106, later known as WAXY 105.9 and WBGG 105.9, hired him as program director. His last on-air job before retiring in 2007 was at WMXJ-FM "Majic 102.7." He remained involved with the Majic Children's Fund.
On May 11, 2007, Shaw surprised listeners by announcing his retirement midway through a broadcast. Shaw spent his retirement doing charity work and hosting events. He video-recorded weddings. He loved ocean cruises and cars, buying a 1957 Thunderbird convertible after he retired.
In a 1996 interview with the Sun Sentinel, Shaw was modest about his successes. "I'm fortunate that the radio stations I've been associated with have been a success," he said. "I've had stability in an industry not known for stability. I've been in the right place at the right time doing the right thing."
Rick Shaw died on September 22, 2017, at his home in Cooper City, Florida.
WHERE DID RICK WORK? Here is the list: KICN, WIOD, WCKR, WQAM, WAXY, and WMXJ.
Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: Miami Herald, Neil Rogers, YouTube, Rick Shaw Tribute, Stephen K. Peeples.
