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Rockin In The Cradle Of Liberty!!
The Home Of WFIL Radio, In The 60s & 70s.
Over 265,000 Visitors To This Site. Thank You!!!
(Updated May 17, 2013)
Paul Drew Passes Away
Legendary DJ/ Program Director Paul Drew has passed away from natural causes. He was 78. He along with Bill Drake created the "Boss Radio" format at many stations around the country. He was also PD at WIBG, KFRC & KHJ. He also was the force behind CKLW! Funeral arrangements are private.
New Website and Stream - 56WFIL.Com
It was bound to happen. Another website has surfaced for WFIL. It's run by Rene Tetro, who is the chief engineer for WFIL and WNTP. The site was started about 3 months ago as a way of preserving the sound of WFIL. They are using the original PAMS jingles too!
Best of luck to Rene and everyone involved with the new site!!
You can visit the site by Clicking Here.
They also feature a live stream! Click Here To Listen!!
Dr. Don Rose Aircheck - January 2, 1969
Special thanks to Bill Langill for donating this rare aircheck to us!!
This is a mp3.
To download simply right click on the link below and select "Save Target As" and you're all set. Enjoy!
Rare Jim Nettleton Recording
Here is a rare recording of the late Jim Nettleton narrating a special on the anniversary of the first man on the moon. This originally aired on WFIL. The exact date is unknown.
Special thanks to Frank Hogan and Mel Klawansky for sharing this piece of history with us.
More recently, this special aired on WGLS, Rowan University Radio, where Frank is the General Manager. You'll hear a promo for the WGLS airing at the beginning of this aircheck.
To download simply right click on the link below and select "Save Target As" and you're all set. Enjoy!
Moonlanding.mp3
1972 WFIL Festival Of Furs
This picture was from the October 4th, 1972 Evening Bulletin. (Sorry for the poor quality) It features the WFIL Boss Chicks in the balcony area of the Philadelphia Academy Of Music.
This photo also features on the far left, WFIL's first African-American Boss Chick. Her name is Valerie Jane Owens, and is the on the far left on the photo.
If you were a "Boss Chick" in 1972, and are also in this picture, please send me an e-mail so I can add your name to the picture.
Photo Courtesy of Valerie Jane Owens, who has also written a book on her travels to Africa. Check it out by clicking here!
Frankie Valli At WFIL 1984 - Courtesy of Jay Meyers
Jay Meyers, Frankie Valli, Bruce Holberg & Bill Neal
New Picture Courtesy of Gene Vassall
The Boss Chicks At Garden State Park - 1974
New Aircheck MP3's!!
**Added 9/17 - Chuck Knapp's First Night 1978
Joey Reynolds and Wayne Cabot having fun with Frank Hogan over Joey's "Best Of" shows.
An outtake with who we think is Marie Krips trying to do a voiceover for the "Best Of Joey Reynolds"
To download simply right click on the above links and select "Save Target As" and you're all set. Enjoy!
Please keep in mind that only some content with be available due to bandwidth limits. If I offered everything as mp3's I'd have to charge like other sites do!
Famous56.com Is Now On Facebook.
Website Audio Greeting
( ©1986 TM Century Productions, Dallas, Texas. Used By permission)
Photos From The New WPVI Building
Mel Klawansky just sent us a few updated shots. It looks a bit like the old building. See Below.
Vintage WFIL Video
WPVI has just posted a video of the early days of the former WFIL/WPVI Building at 4100 City Avenue. The video, which runs over 20 minutes also includes a small segment on WFIL radio. It reminds me of an old science film from my younger days, complete with "classic" background music. Here is the link to view the film:
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/video?id=7301016
Thanks to Joe Gallagher and Mel Klawansky for the info!
The "Pop Implosion" - Updated
The "Concrete Bagel" is no more. The WPVI building is in the process of being demolished. Built in 1963, this was the home of WFIL Radio from 1963 until 1980, and the home of WFIL/WPVI TV from 1963 until 2009. It was also the home of WFIL-FM 102 until it was sold and became WIOQ. This is where the WFIL "Pop Explosion" was born. The building may be gone, but the memories will stay with everyone who was lucky enough to be part of this historic era in Philadelphia Radio & TV history.
Then.....1963
Now.....2011
January 2010
March 2010
The New WPVI Building - View 1
The New WPVI Building - View 2
August 2010
August 2010
August 2010
(Photos & "Pop Implosion" phrase courtesy of Mel Klawansky)
K.C. Hill With A Great Story...
Mitchell (K.C.) Hill sent me a very touching story that I'm sure many of the former WFIL staff can relate to. Please visit my "WFIL Memories" Page to read it. It's well worth the trip.
Jim O'Brien Blooper
Here's Jim trying to record a spot for a restaurant. Thanks to Wayne Cabot for providing this clip.
Click Here To Listen - **WARNING** - Contains "Harsh" Language!
Remember you can find all your favorite WFIL airchecks by clicking here!
WIBBAGE Radio Is Back!
At 94.3 WIBG lives again down at the Jersey Shore. Check It Out!!
Visit their website by clicking here.
**Important E-mail Information**
All E-mail should now be addressed to famous56@live.com.
WFIL TV Spot
Check out the following WFIL TV Spot from the mid 1980's!
(Clip Courtesy Of TechnerVideo)
Double - Click Middle Arrow To Watch!
( You Must Have "Flash" In Order To View. Visit Adobe To Get Free Download)
More Rare Material
Thanks to the kindness of former WFIL PD Kevin Fennessy!
Here's a Montage of the WFIL Jingle Package "You" which was recorded in 1975 by TM Century Dallas, Texas.
Special Thanks To Harry Smith Of Daytona, Florida For This Contribution
Banana Joe Comes Through With Rare John Lennon Airchecks
Banana Joe Montione was kind enough to donate some John Lennon airchecks from the 1975 Helping Hand Marathon.
Here is a sample.
Remember This??
This was taken by Jim Macino, of Columbia City, Indiana, from a bus in 1967. Jim was on his way to serve in Vietnam.
WFIL Coverage Maps
Thanks to Dave Shayer and Art Wilson for sending these for the website. WFIL was only 5000 Watts!
What Happened To The WFIL Double - Decker Bus??
Then....
Now....
This was taken in 1993 by Vince, of WAMS/WRJE. The bus was located in a field on Route 50, in Easton, MD.
What Happened To The "Other Boss Bus"?
Here is a great story sent to me recently by Gary Bowker.....
In 1984 I worked for Borkon Truckarama on Route 73 in Maple Shade N.J. In the back right hand corner was a big red Double Decker bus. As I walked up to the bus I could clearly see the "WFIL" logo and as I entered I saw a small sign with "boss bus #2 I remember seeing boss bus #1 and #2 and the mustang on the old albums. One day I asked the manager about the bus. Whoever owned it after WFIL, owed Jerry Borkon owner of Borkon Truckarama some money. He did not have the money and Mr.Borkon took the bus He just put the bus in the back and forgot about it.
One day the manager asked me to go out back and cut it up into pieces with the torch. I really did not want to do this. It's a part of Philly history. But I got to do what they tell me to do so I spent 2 days cutting it up into pieces. It was in real bad shape...no glass, the steps were rotted out (found this out the hard way) I wish I took some pics back then. I remember looking into that bus thinking of all the fun people had in it.
Thanks to Charlie Mills for this great photo, from the 1968 Philadelphia Inquirer.
Randy Roberts WFIL Production Is Back.
I've decided to put this special presentation back on my home page. It really captures the feeling of Famous 56. Produced by former WFIL/WUSL Jock, Randy Roberts. A must to listen to!!
Capturing The True Sound Of Famous 56! Click Here To Listen.
Site Contributors
A Special "Thank You" to all who have contributed to my site, especially Chuck Gagliardi, Bruce Northwood, Marc Howard, Randy Roberts, John Pizzi, Mel Klawansky, Frank Hogan, Ralph Michaels, Robert Arden, Joe Flaska, Diane (John) Heiler, John Flack, Bruce Rubin, Dave DeCaro, Paul Kovacs, Bob Hickerson, Eddie Coyle, Steve Ross, Roy Akins, Charlie Mills, Gary Hendler, Bill Langill. Ted Winkler, Jake Schwartz, Tony Davis, Les Waas, Bob Hamilton, Bill Cain, Rich Franklin, Carmen Malizia, Tracy Carman, Gene Vassall. Cindy Brumm, Bob Kravitz, Dave Shayer, Joyce (Haverdink)Klawansky, Banana Joe Montione, Joe Gallagher, Jim Macino, Wayne Cabot, Harry Smith, Kevin Fennessy, Roger Hendler, Hank Bashjian and Doug Neatrour.
Also, special thanks to Paul Venuto, who spent countless days "breaking" me into the world of computers. If it wasn't for him, this site would have never been created.
Thanks, Paul!
To listen to any audio on my site, you will need the "Realplayer", which is available as a free download below.
A Brief History,Rockin In the Cradle Of Liberty, WFIL,Philadelphia, Non-Stop Music, The Pop Explosion, The Helping Hand Marathon. These are just a few examples of what made WFIL, so famous in the late 1960s, and in the 1970s. Hello, I'm Ron Turner, and welcome to my small piece of cyberspace. WFIL was such a large part of my life , that I found it appropriate to dedicate some web space to it. If you grew up in the Delaware Valley Area, I'm sure you remember " Famous 56". Who could ever forget George Michael welcoming us to a Friday night? The morning antics of Dr. Don Rose, and LU-LU Belle? Not to mention, the Unforgettable voice of "Allen Stone, WFIL, News". And of course, Who could ever forget Jim O'Brien.
The "Pop Explosion" was born on September 18,1966. WFIL, was up until then, a "middle of the road" station, playing standards, with a little rock and roll mixed in. But on that fateful morning in September, WFIL began its' journey to become one of the greatest stations in the nation. With a tight format, great personalities, and fantastic jingles, WFIL took over the number 1 spot in Philadelphia radio, a spot formally occupied by WIBG. The list of greats that graced the microphones of WFIL is much to long to list. The ones' listed here, had a lot to do with the success of the station. Unfortunately, sooner or later, all good things must come to an end. In 1977, WFIL changed formats, to reflect what management felt was the needs, and desires of the Philadelphia listening audience. Disco, and FM stereo, were taking over at the time. WFIL switched to an early type of A/C station. This , however, didn't work either. Next, it was time to try a country format. "Philly 56 Country" was born, and lasted for a year. Then came various other formats, until one night, on September 3, 1983. At 6pm, The "Boss was Back"! Famous 56 had been reborn. It seemed like a great idea at the time. The radio market in Philadelphia was boring, to say the least. Why not bring back "Famous 56"? It was a gallant attempt, but just wasn't the same. The glory days of WFIL could not be recreated. Now in 2007, WFIL is now broadcasting a religious format, and is now owned by Salem Communications in Lafayette Hills, Pennsylvania.
Behind The Scenes
In addition to the air talent, there were many folks behind the scenes that helped make WFIL the success that it was. One of the most important was a man by the name of Jerry Donahue. Jerry was Production Director at WFIL for over 30 Years. It seems that everyone who worked with Jerry over the years has a story or two to tell. All of which end with a warm smile and a fond memory. Even though Jerry is no longer with us, his contribution to the history of WFIL is one that will live on forever.
Site Navigation
WFIL Record Album Covers
WFIL Boss Jocks
The WFIL Boss Chicks
WFIL Memories
Where Are They Now?
The 1975 Helping Hand Marathon Featuring, John Lennon
Jim O'Brien Tribute
George Michael Tribute
WFIL Engineers
WFIL News Team
Here Comes The Prize Patrol
WFIL Scrapbook Page 1
WFIL Scrapbook Page 2
WFIL Scrapbook Page 3
WFIL Scrapbook Page 4
WFIL Scrapbook Page 5 - The Mel Klawansky Collection
WFIL Scrapbook Page 6 - The Randy Roberts Collection
WFIL Scrapbook Page 7 - The Gene Vassall Collection
WFIL Scrapbook Page 8- The Bruce Northwood Collection
WFIL Scrapbook Page 9
WFIL 2002 Family Reunion
WFIL 2006 Family Reunion
WFIL 2011 Family Reunion
WFIL Surveys
The Boss Is Back?
WFIL Aircheck Index (Listen To Your Favorite Boss Jock!!)
WFIL Jingles (The Song Between The Songs!!)
Sounds Of Philadelphia
My Favorite Radio-Related Websites
If you have a special memory of WFIL, or if you would like to contribute something, such as pictures, airchecks, surveys, etc., please send me an e-mail. Thanks!
Don't Forget To Check Out The Classic Philadelphia Radio Website, For More Info On WFIL, WIBG, Etc. Just Click The Banner Below.
Please note; This site is in no way affiliated with WFIL, owned by Salem Communications, and broadcasting a religious format on 560 AM, in Philadelphia.Famous 56.Com Protected By Federal Copyright
Please keep in mind that this, and all pages on my site are ©1999-20
13 Famous56.com. The jingles, and airchecks are used by permission, from their various copyright holders, if known, and may not be used without the consent of the webmaster. No claim is made for material that has been donated to me, for use on my site. For more information, or to report an offender, please contact;Library of Congress
Copyright Office
Register of Copyright
101 Independence Ave., S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20559-6000
This material is presented as an historical tribute, and complies with current copyright laws, regarding "Fair Use", and "Incidental Use" of copyrighted material. Information presented at this site is for research and enjoyment.
If you are a copyright holder to any material on my site, and wish to have it removed, please send me an e-mail.You Are Visitor 
