Dave Shafer

Dave Shafer was a mainstay at CKLW, working at the station on-and-off for some 30 years. He also had the rare privilege of deejaying on 'CK in both the pre-Big 8 and Big 8 days.

The date is October 29, 1962, and Dave Shafer is on-the-air at WJBK. [ LISTEN ] (38:18)

Shafer arrived in Detroit radio in 1961 after previous stops in Dover, Del., and Tucson, Ariz. His first Motown gig was record librarian at WJBK. But by the fall of '61, Shafer was the nighttime jock at WJBK as Jack the Bellboy. His mixture of comedy, drop-ins, voices and on-air friendliness helped make his show a smash hit. He also became known for his fabulous record hops, which featured future superstars Stevie Wonder, theSupremes and Martha and The Vandellas.

Circa November 13, 1972.

Here is Dave on CKLW from February 2, 1965. [ LISTEN ] (57:44)

By 1964, Shafer was doing afternoon drive at CKLW, part of a lineup that included Bud Davies, Joe Van, Ron Knowles, Tom Shannon and Don Zee. Shafer was gone from CKLW by late 1967-early '68. He returned to the Big 8 as a jock in 1971, eventually taking over mornings before leaving again by 1974.

June 7, 1967

Shafer later served as program director at WCAR, WOMC, WCZY, as well as CKLW. He moved to Florida in his later years, and passed away on May 7, 2006 of complications from out-patient surgery. He was 73.

Dave Shafer, 1964 [ LISTEN ]. (10:31)

Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: Rock Radio Scrapbook.

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