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Discuss WKDU

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1. Posted on Friday, November 6, 2009 by bryon henry:
Back in the early to mid 70's, WKDU was outstanding listening. Especially mid morning to early evening on Sunday's. What a privilege and a joy. I am now in church during those hours.., what a privilege, what a joy!

2. Posted on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 by Lamont CJ:
I remember the 70's with Bro. Nacir and his "Black Experience in Music" programming which featured avante garde artists of the time like Ornette Coleman, Gary Bartz, Maxanne and many others. What a time for musical expression.

3. Posted on Friday, March 26, 2010 by Joey K.:
I listened back in the 70's and I remember Saturday afternoon and all the greatest hip-hop you could cram into 4 hours. Mixin', scratchin, ...oh man!!!!

4. Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2010 by Bruce Scott:
Don't forget the station that shared time with WKDU, WPWT (debuted 1950; surrendered license c. late 1980s). I am an alumnus of both stations. For more info, google "History of Philly FM" by Pirate Jim. WPWT was also the first non-commercial Disco-formatted station in the country (Google "RJ," who called it one of the ten best disco stations in history), switching to Top 40 in early 1980. I did Top 40, Classic Rock (I believe I pioneered the format in 1978!) and an ethnic program on WKDU, overl

5. Posted on Sunday, January 2, 2011 by Michelle Gunn:
I no longer live in Philly. I have very fond memories of WKDU from the 70's. The Black Experience in Music programming that ran on the weekends. Listened each and every weekend. Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis and more. Brother Lloyd Dickerson and more..Is he still in the Phila area.

6. Posted on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 by Dan Edwards:
I remember listening to WKDU (Drexel Univ. Radio) in 1977 and hearing some good produced liners and jingles and Top 40 music with DJ's such as Ed Cain, Todd Doren, etc. It was great because there wasn't a lot of interuptions and you heard some more obscure Top 40.

7. Posted on Monday, December 12, 2011 by Stacy Turner:
I remember listening to WKDU-FM from my home in Upper Darby when I was in High School in 72 and 73. Loved Saturday's with Top Jock Jay Meyers, I remember he actually made a personal appearance and emceed a fundraising marathon at our school. He played all the latest top 40 hits and was very fun to listen to. I think the station did Top 40 all day on Saturday in the early seventies

8. Posted on Monday, May 7, 2012 by Shelly daughter of Sheri Hart:
I spent many days on the campus of Drexel with my mother (Sheri Hart) who worked at WKDU. Although she passed away at the age of 43, being exposed to the quality of music that was played in the yearly 70's is the reason why my daughter has such a love for music herself. I've passed down those roots to my children that were exposed to me.

9. Posted on Sunday, September 9, 2012 by Russell Jones:
I remember Shari and Shelly Hart. Most of us (the Black Experience of Music of WKDU 1970's through 1980). The B. E. ran 10 pm Friday night through 02:15pm Monday. Shari did news and poetry. Shelly did promos and ids. They were apart of a respected well produced weekend Jazz music, news, interviews and community service set of programs that most of the Philadelphia Black Community and music professionals listened to. Russell Jones

10. Posted on Thursday, March 7, 2013 by Melanie:
I had the wonderfully rich experience DJ-ing for the 'Black Experience' 1977-79. I wholly enjoyed the entire team, our musical and community guest and charter and I am a richer, more enlightend person for the experience. Each year we had an amazing community celebration on Penn Relay weekend- great food, music and fun. My most meomrable interview was with the late Gil Scot-Heron.

11. Posted on Thursday, September 26, 2013 by Charles michael lane:
This is charles Michael lane phase 3 of the black experience in music. Oh what a joy it was to be connected with a great group of talented folks who were not only smart but very nice. Oh how I miss those days. It was a joy to have shared my spirt with yours.and always may peace' be with you.

12. Posted on Friday, November 1, 2013 by Nadim Sulaiman Ali:
Peace to everyone. I was a small part of the B.E. through the Western Islamic Broadcasting Network with Bro. Nasir. I use to listen to some of the old timers like Tuffy and others when I was in High school. The real sound of Philadelphia was heard at stations like WKDU and WRTI. It set the stage for other musical genres, spoken word and neo soul.

13. Posted on Sunday, February 16, 2014 by norman thomas:
What wonderful memories of all the music and air personalities I remember from KDU during the mid to late 70's. As I am typing, Love from the Sun by Roy Ayers, which played during station ID breaks, is playing in my head.

14. Posted on Thursday, May 1, 2014 by jeffrey green:
what a glorious time. "kdu" and "das" in the 70's and into the 80's were undeniably trailblazers of progressive radio. I would stack them against any other programming coming out new York, la, or anywhere else in between.

15. Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2014 by mlk:
The Black Experience in music on WKDU was the most inventive programming ever in black radio...I was in high school when it was on and the music and the stations program was wonderful it introduced me to speaches of Malcolm X, poetry , MaxAnn, Doug Carne,Mandre,and other great artist who are not well known...i would kill for any old tape of WKDU

16. Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 by Frank R:
Sheri was my heart,she turned me on to wkdu and the black experience. She enhanced my music repertoire. I will always love her. Shelly please contact me

17. Posted on Sunday, January 7, 2018 by Kenny R.:
I used to listen to WKDU back in the early 80's while I was in Jr. high. 'Lady B' was one of the few black female DJs in philly, who used to play a lot of the new hip-hop and rap music that was emerging at that time. She later went on to WUSL ('Power' 99fm) which had been a country music station in Philly. But, then it switched to an urban music format in 82-83. I actually had the opportunity to fill-in as a guest DJ at WPWT, when it was known as 'Dance' 91.7fm, in the fall-winter of 1989, right after I left the army, and before it went off the air. At which time WKDU took over the entire programing for the day. I used to fill in for the afternoon drive time DJ Frankie Lembo, whenever he was out. It was a great experience for me, as I was an aspiring radio DJ, who had also worked at Community College of Phila.'s radio station WCCP (formally known as WIDS), and had also produced and hosted shows on NBS Radio's 'Kaleidascope' network. Several of WPWT's DJs also worked in commercial radio on other FM stations in Philly at the time. One of whom I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to was Rick Green, who worked as a DJ at WDAS FM, Philly's top Soul/R&B radio station. He was very supportive and generous with his advice on breaking into the broadcasting business. Unfortunately, I didn't go on to become a radio DJ, which was my first career choice But, instead, I ended up having a thirty year career in law enforcement, from which I recently retired.

18. Posted on Sunday, June 10, 2018 by dirty Al:
After a hitch in the US Army, I used the GI Bill to further my education. I thought radio engineering sounded like a interesting field. I enrolled at Phila Wireless Institute in October of 63'. They had station WPWT 91.7. The students operated the station and were graduating, and I showed interest and was given the opertunity to "run" the station. We would sign on after class, I think it was 3 or 3.30PM and go off at 9PM. This was before WKDU came on board. Starting at six, we played Folk Music, like Bob Dylon, Arlo Guthrie, Judy Collins Buffy St. Marie, and such. I wasn't a very good dj, but I sure had a great time. Several months later a new class started and we had a larger staff. We were located on Pine Street between 15th and 16th. with our antenna on the roof. I think the transmitter we rated about 250 watts, and was heard in South and West Philly. North Philly was blocked by the center city big buildings. It was amazing how many people would phone in requests. Great memories. That started a forty year career in engineering at several Phila radio stations.

19. Posted on Monday, August 20, 2018 by ronald f:
I worked at wpwt too while going to Philly wireless between 1968 and 1970. dirty Al. Does your last name begin with an "E"? If so I worked with you when I first started and you were ready to retire. If you see this please reply

20. Posted on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 by Anthony Wilson:
I remember WKDU The Black Experience in music. That station started me listening to jazz and cultural music. Does anyone know of another station like that ,even in another city. I’m a truck driver and I have sirus Xmas with water colors. Just not the same. Thanks

21. Posted on Saturday, April 11, 2020 by Frank Richardson:
Where can I get a list of the musical artist that used to be played in wkdu?

22. Posted on Friday, May 22, 2020 by Montere Lee:
I remember a dj on Friday nights on the way to the go go!! Best mix of music to get you hyped , amp, and ready

23. Posted on Sunday, January 17, 2021 by Mary Beth Bower:
I graduated from phila wireless technical institute in the early 80's and worked at WPWT as the engineer and hosted Tues and Thursday night's. Hot fun in Philly Town - Beth Ryder. I worked with Chuck B, Renee Kane, Frankie L, and others. Great experience!

24. Posted on Saturday, May 29, 2021 by Dr.. Maverene Wellington Anderson Johnson:
WKDU, How is it going with Covid 19 am away so i cant hear nothing from the station. So many people pass away please stay safe wear your mask used sanitizer also lysol keep the air clean. Let New Testament know i call. Knowing god Bro Rusty Bro Javah Emanuel, Bro L. Cumminmgs. A lot of hurt going on careful.

25. Posted on Sunday, December 26, 2021 by Bruce Scott:
Our WPWT lineups, mid 1978-early 1980: ORIGINAL JOCK LINEUP: BILL BARTHE (Program Director and engineer, as well as jock) SAB MICHAEL (started c. May, 1978; also Music Director) BRUCE SCOTT (started c. June, 1978; also Public Service Director) KEN NELSON (started c. June, 1978, one week after me) DEMITRIUS (holdover from previous administration, did a funk jazz show on Monday nights) ? (a student, did a show one afternoon a week) “JAMES” (BRIEFLY, 1978, DID A SOUL MUSIC SHOW) NEXT LINEUP: BILL BARTHE SAB MICHAEL BRUCE SCOTT KEN NELSON DISCO MINDY DEMITRIUS NEXT LINEUP: BILL BARTHE SAB MICHAEL BRUCE SCOTT KEN NELSON DISCO MINDY VERNON DAVIS (:MICKEY”) NEXT LINEUP: BILL BARTHE SAB MICHAEL BRUCE SCOTT KEN NELSON JIM CHAMBERS ULTIMATE LINEUP: BILL BARTHE SAB MICHAEL BRUCE SCOTT KEN NELSON CARL LEE (Most of us also had been previously on WKDU!)

26. Posted on Sunday, December 26, 2021 by Bruce Scott:
Kenny R. mentioned NBS Radio's 'Kaleidascope' network. I also worked there part-time, as one of their program directors. -Bruce Scott

27. Posted on Sunday, December 26, 2021 by Bruce Scott:
Dan Edwards mentions the Top 40 jingles and zingers employed by WKDU. Sam Lit and I produced them in early 1978. -Bruce Scott

28. Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2022 by Kevin Brown:
The Black Experience In Music is back! We re-started during the last quarter of 2021. We are on from midnight Saturday until 2pm Sunday. Bro Tuffy, Bro Byrd, Bill Gunther, Joe Ruffin, Irv Farmer, Sheri Pennington, Don Hinson, Hopeton Brown, James King, Al Knight, E. Mitchell Swann, myself and others rotate through time slots. Check us out. Tell a friend!

29. Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2022 by Bruce Scott:
Responding to Dirty Al, WPWT was on the 5th floor at 1533 Pine St. Though the transmitter was 250 watts, there was a negative gain antenna so the ERP was only 180 watts. The antenna was next to the 5th floor window and looked like a basketball hoop, without the net. I was on the station from c. June, 1978 to Feb., 1980. Bill Barthe, whom I understand passed away last year, may he rest in peace, was the Program Director. - Bruce Scott [the original]

30. Posted on Monday, December 12, 2022 by Bruce Scott:
I'm thrilled that people still remember our glorious days at WPWT and WKDU. I was on the air at both, 1978-80- and I was also a part-time program director at NBS radio (also mentioned). I did Top 40 on WKDU with SuperSab Michael as my partner (as well as other formats)[thanks to program director, Santo Cannone] and had a popular oldies show Friday nights on WPWT, as well as playing disco there during the week [which became Top 40 at the beginning of 1980 as disco's popularity was abruptly fading]. I had the pleasure of working at WPWT with program director Bill Barthe (who, I discovered, sadly passed away a couple of years ago, the afore-mentioned SuperSab Michael, Ken Nelson, Disco Mindy, Demitrius, Vernon ("Mickey" Davis), Jim Chambers, Carl Lee [also a WKDU alumnus] and anyone else who, apologetically, I may have forgotten. Those were great days and I'm proud to have been a part and grateful to our listeners. -[The Original] Bruce Scott [a d.j. on the West Coast is now using my name]

31. Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2022 by Bruce Scott [the original[:
WPWT's transmitter was 250 watts, but the negative-gain antenna brought the ERP down to 180 watts. The antenna looked like a basketball hoop without the net. You could see it readily from the station's 5th floor window. The poster above was correct about the tall Center City buildings blocking out the signal to the North. All of the calls I got on the air (1978-80) were from Center City, South Philly, Delaware County and adjacent South Jersey.

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