Philadelphia Radio Archives

History of Philadelphia radio station 990 WNTP

Religious origins

WIBG was founded in 1924 as a 50 watt religious station on 1350 AM for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Elkins Park. Legend has it that the call letters stood for “I Believe In God” but recent research by the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia dispute that fact. The church sold the station to a for-profit company in 1931, and moved to Glenside the following year. In 1939 the station was sold again, this time to Seaboard Broadcasting with Paul F. Harron as president.

In 1941, the FCC approved the station’s request to move to Philadelphia, and new studios at 1425 Walnut Street in Center City were constructed. Plate glass windows at street level allowed passersby to view the newsroom and celebrity interviews. In 1943, the station’s power was increased from 1,000 watts to 10,000 watts. In 1957, WIBG was sold to Storer Communications along with sister station WPFH TV channel 12 which at the time was licensed to Philadelphia.

Top 40

WIBG was best known for its wildly popular top 40 format that began in the mid 1950s when DJ Joe Niagara began slipping rock and roll songs into the station’s pop standards format. By 1958, the station was playing rock and roll 24 hours a day, the only station in Philly to do so well into the 1960s. WIBG, known as “Wibbage,” ruled Philadelphia radio, especially among teenagers. The station hosted local “record hops” and was the first to publish weekly “Top 99” surveys of the most popular music that could be found at local record stores. The jocks were known as the WIBG “Good Guys” and included Dean Tyler, Jerry Stevens, Frank X. Feller, George Gilbert, Jack Star, Don L. Brink, Bill Wright and Hy Lit. WIBG included songs with a “Philly” edge (such as R&B) that were not heard on similarly formatted stations in other cities. Some hits, such as Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” and Martha and the Vandellas’ “Heat Wave” actually got their early airplay in Philadelphia and then became hits nationwide.

In September, 1966, WFIL flipped to a top 40 format with the intention of dethroning WIBG. WFIL had a similar playlist but played 3-4 more songs per hour. WFIL soon passed WIBG in the ratings with their tighter, slicker presentation of the hits. WFIL also had a superior signal, especially in the suburbs where many young listeners were flocking.

1970s

WIBG spent most of the 1970s trying to regain their former ratings success but was hobbled by their “staid” image and the gradual shift of music listeners from the AM to the FM band.

In 1969 Buckley Broadcasting bought WIBG from Storer, brought in all new airstaff, and tried a newer, lighter take on top 40. Eventually, they experimented with “progressive rock” in the evenings. A brief and disasterous foray into AOR (album oriented rock) was attempted in 1972. Several other approaches on top 40 were tried as the station evolved into an adult contemporary format in 1975. More sports and sports talk was added into the mix, and WIBG was even the flagship station for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1975 and 1976. On April, 1, 1976, Fairbanks Broadcasting purchased the station and switched to a “Hot AC” format. In the spring of 1977, the station was back to top 40. In September 1977, it was decided that the WIBG name was no longer an asset, so the station held a week-long “Wibbage Wake,” with guest jocks from the past and old jingles. The final hour of WIBG was hosted by Hy Lit and Joe Niagara on September 10, 1977.

Some of the many personalities heard on the station in the 1970s included Long John Wade, Don Cannon, Tom Rivers, Gary Brooks, Cat Martin, Doug James, Sean Casey, “Giant Gene” Arnold with his “Giant Gene’s Electric Scene” program, Dick Clayton, Dennis John Cahill, Steve Hatley, Crazy Bob, Bill Gardner, Chuck Knapp, and J.J. Kennedy.

As WZZD

The station was renamed “Wizzard 100” - this was a rounding up of the 99, which was shorthand for the actual frequency of 990. (Many analog radios eliminated the last zero from their dials to save space.) The calls were changed to WZZD and a heavily researched adult top 40 format was adopted. Listeners did not respond, and the format evolved into disco and R&B, briefly competing with WCAU-FM’s “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” format.

In November, 1979, the station was purchased by Communicom Corporation for $4.5 million. By the spring of 1980, the format was switched to a religious format described as “Information, Inspiration and education” retaining the WZZD calls. About half of the programming consisted of music.

in 1986, the WZZD antenna array was redesigned which improved coverage to the north and west.

In 1994 Communicom sold WZZD to Salem Media. Initially, Salem retained the Christian music and teaching format. By the late 1990s, music was cut back to a couple hours a day. By 2002 WZZD ran nearly all teaching and almost no music at all. Since Salem already owned former rival WFIL, the two stations were eventually co-located at the former WIBG complex on Ridge Pike in Whitemarsh Township.

As WNTP

In 2004 WZZD and WFIL’s programming was merged onto WFIL and WZZD dropped the Christian format in favor of conservative news-talk, changing its call letters to WNTP. WNTP sports coverage includes Saint Joseph’s University Hawks college basketball, as well as college sports of Penn State University, Drexel University, and the University of Pennsylvania. In 2019, WNTP rebranded as “The Answer” still programming conservative talk.

Discuss WNTP

Comments? Corrections? Worked there? Please let us know!

1. Posted on Sunday, October 4, 2009 by Edward Adelman:
Why was the Penn State game on Oct 3 not broadcast?

2. Posted on Saturday, February 27, 2010 by Christopher Savoy:
Hello. I am sad to hear the the christian music station that grew up on in the 1980's is no longer around.

3. Posted on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 by Delores P:
I hope I can only have an archive version of WZZD 990 the way I remember the christian radio. You Don't hear music like that anymore. Maybe there is a CD out based on that music that was played back then.

4. Posted on Monday, July 18, 2011 by Bill Cain:
It needs to be added that WIBG was co-owned with WIBG-FM (on tower #3 of 5) at 94.1 Mc, later to change to WPNR, then sold off as unprofitable and changed to WYSP. Storer also operated WIBG-TV 12 Wilmington, now WHYY.

5. Posted on Sunday, July 31, 2011 by Richard Franklin:
I was a young intern at WVUE TV 12 when it was owned by Storer Broadcasting. They had a TV studio and WIBG/WVUE-TV sales offices on the top floor of the Suburban Station Building (Pennsylvania Railroad terminal). I was on "Bingo at Home", Grady and Hurst dance shows, and others which originated from their Philadelphia TV studio. Fond memories.

6. Posted on Monday, April 23, 2012 by Roberto R:
When St. Paul´s sold WIBG one of the clauses in the contract was to continue broadcasting the 11:00A.M. Sunday Services, Holy Communion or Morning Prayer. That continued well into the 60´s. When I was a teen I remember it was always DAWN on WIBG, Douglas, Arthur, Wright, and Niagra. Sweet memories.

7. Posted on Thursday, June 21, 2012 by Roy:
My best memories of WIBG were the mid-60's when they were the most popular station in Philadelphia. I'm writing a book about Philly radio and WIBG is where it starts, because rock and roll started in Philly on WIBG. They should have never given up those call letters. 99 AM to me will always be "WIBBAGE". It was rock and roll and that's how I remember it.

8. Posted on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 by Art Robinson:
there is no mention here of Paul Harron Sr who owned it during it's heyday. (before Storer) at that time the ratings were off the charts: no other station before or since had those shares. Secondly, during WIBG's final week as WIBG, Hy Lit(and Sam) and Joe Niagara had 6 hour airshifts from 6am to 6pm, the Geator was on at night (live) and Bob Charger did the overnights, then the station handed in the old call letters and became WZZD

9. Posted on Thursday, August 9, 2012 by denise biondi:
Can you look in the WIBG archives from the mid 60's and early 70's for a DJ named Jumpin J Peters. I have been looking for him and can't find him anywhere. what was his real name?

10. Posted on Monday, September 24, 2012 by Dan Mahoney:
my father, Jack Mahoney was GM of WIBG when it started playing rock n roll. mid 50s

11. Posted on Thursday, October 4, 2012 by Bruce Scott:
From what I've read, Paul Harron's transfer of WIBG to Storer was a "throw-in" deal when he was desperate to unload his failing TV station, WPFH, Channel 12, in Wilmington. (He had bought the TV station from the Steinman Family who also owned WGAL-TV, Channel 8, in Lancaster. [The Steinmans sold Channel 12 after WPTZ got the FCC to rule that Wilmington was part of the Philadelphia market and the station could no longer be an NBC affiliate.]) Storer renamed the TV station, WVUE, but surrendered the license c. 1958. Storer, as I think I recall, also owned Wilmington's Top 40 AM Station, WAMS, 1380. WIBG became WZZD in 1977, shortly after the station was sold to Fairbanks Broadcasting.

12. Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 by chris:
My dad, John Mahan, was PD at WIBG late 50s early 60s. Jocks at that time were Bill Wright, Bill Jones, Jerry Stevens, Harvey Miller (Humble Harve)and Dean Tyler. Humble Harve went on to LA fame and fortune (KHJ, KKDJ, KIIS and other stations)Greatest jock ever.

13. Posted on Saturday, April 13, 2013 by Gene Pierce:
I remember "Happy, Heavy, Hefty Harveee Miller on Radio 99."

14. Posted on Monday, July 1, 2013 by RonC:
Also known as 'Humble Harv', Miller was the first jock I ever really listened to. He got on the wrong side of a union dispute and got bounced to a 250 Watt daytime station, WAAT 1300 in Trenton. One weekend, a buddy of mine took me there and I saw Harvey 'workin' hardy for the party' and I knew that's what I wanted to do for the rest of my life! I went on spend 37 years as a jock, including a stint in morning drive at the #1 FM in San Francisco, and now am part owner of 14 stations. Just a few years ago, I had the pleasure of talking to Harvey and I related the story about my visit to WAAT that day! BTW...I don't think WAMS was ever owned by Storer. When I worked there, it was owned by Rollins Broadcasting from Atlanta. The Rollins brothers were in the building maintenance business and also owned Timex watch company and Orkin Exterminating.

15. Posted on Sunday, November 24, 2013 by Bob Knox:
Also, in the 50's my dad, Bob Knox, who was known as the Gray Ghost because of his hair color was a dj who worked along with Joe Niagra and Tom Donahue. When the next group of dj's came in, Hy Lit, Jerry Stevens, Dean Tyler.....he went into the news dept at WIBG. He stayed with the station until the late 60's.

16. Posted on Sunday, December 8, 2013 by Gene F:
Does anyone remember anything about two djs who worked early evenings at WIBG in the early 70's--Dylan and Jay Gregory McKay?

17. Posted on Thursday, December 19, 2013 by Kevin Wasser:
Could anyone describe the original signal pattern for WIBG? Being that 990khz is a Canadian clear channel and WIBG was not allowed to place any signal over the border, why was it's nighttime signal so poor, even for 10,000 watts nighttime power? Why couldn't WIBG place a signal that covered all of PA and NJ?

18. Posted on Monday, March 3, 2014 by Mae West:
DJ Harvey Miller is referred to as 'Humble Harv' and 'Happy, Heavy, Hefty Harveee Miller' but I remember him as 'Heppy-Peppy Har-VEEE Miller'--am I the only one to remember this?

19. Posted on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 by George Baylie:
I was on WIBG Radio doing Traffic and News for about seven years in the 60's. They were wonderful times. It was a pleasure working with all the greats of that era. Don't forget those Newsmen like Bruce David and Jerry Grove. Bruce Davis and his wife, Miss Tilly use to go to many of the Beef and Beer suppers that we advertised on the Community Bulletin Board. They would just show up with their kids and Miss Tilly would always bring extra containers to take food home.

20. Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2015 by giant gene arnold:
I enjoyed being on both stations with two different formats on WIBG in the 70s I had giant teens electric scene with progressive rock in another eraI was doing a syndicated version of gene Arnold's superstar concerts which featured one artist a week two years later I created the history of disco series that ran on wiz and is still available on many stations and sites worldwide fun times to be on the air I still do our sounds of philly shows worldwide currently great memories on both stations

21. Posted on Saturday, February 13, 2016 by Terry Arnold:
My husband, (Giant Gene Arnold) brought both progressive rock to daytime radio on WIBG with his :"Electric Scene" shows, but also presented his Gene Arnold's Superstar Concerts series on WZZD, That show was syndicated nationally at the time. Both stations were a VITAL part of Philly Radio History. His selection as a member of The Philly Radio and TV Hall Of Fame, The DJ Hall Of Fame, The Legends Of Vinyl Hall Of Fame, and the Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame Archives is much APPRECIATED. His History Of Disco series as heard on WZZD is still highly rated and qwell listened to around the world on various internet stations, and can also be heard with some of his Sounds Of Philly Shows at www.giantgene.com Thanks for the good info.

22. Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 by TU FIDELIDAD TV:
I am a Pastor now, I can remember the great impact that WZZD, had on me as a young man. It was in the 1980, Christian programing and music, I am still on the "Bible Bus" that THOUGHT THE BIBLE Ministries stop for me to get on and I never got off it. Those great teachings from Dr. J Vernon McGey are para of what got me trought some difficult times as a young man. I wounder, if we could travel back in time and hear it now as it really was. Would it sound the same as we remember it? I missed its absence on the radio. It was right for me.

23. Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 by Gary Philips:
I was on WIBG in 1970 while also working at WIFI under the name Paul Troy. I did news with Paul Howard...about 3 stories a morning for The Paul Howard Report, part of the Ed Richards Show. I am voiceover artist today and a member of The Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneers.

24. Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 by Rick Lesley:
Some things were not mentioned # 1. Joe Niagara ( 2-6 ) was also a WIBBAGE GOOD GUY along with Allen Dean 2-6 am Also Sean Casey was Ray Gilmore Phil Gardner was also a jock on The All New WIBG 1974

25. Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 by Bob Knox:
#7 Roy - you indicated you were writing a book about radio broadcasting in Philly starting with WIBG. Did you finish the book and if so, what is the name of the book. I would be interested in reading it. How far back does it go?

26. Posted on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 by Jack Star:
Joe Niagra, George Gilbert, Jerry Stevens, Hy Lit and Don "Scotty" Brink. What a great station WIBG was and will always be one of my favorite gigs. Currently creating live concerts, once in show biz always in showbiz!

27. Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2017 by John o'connor:
I remember when WIBG changed to WZZD!, and was named Wizzard 100.To me, they we're the perfect station at the start, unti L the change to all disco.I then started to listen to WIFI 92. Then they. Hanged to a format that I didn't care for, then it was WYSP, and they got better with time especially when they became all. Classic rock around 1985? then ten years later they changed to heavy metal, and since, I have been flipping between the current oldies and classic rock stations.

28. Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2017 by Doc Rock:
Interesting but it should be noted that WIBG (94.3) is still alive and well down the shore from AC to Cape May and beyond...playing oldies with the WIBBAGE Good Guys...My brother Rick Rock is a WIBBAGE Good Guy and DJ...doing mid-days 10-3. Keeping the Philadelphia’s original rock and roll radio station (WIBBAGE 99) tradition going. Cool Philly radio history.

29. Posted on Saturday, September 16, 2017 by johnny jones:
did you know that sometime in hy lits early years, on wibg, he would talk about drag racing his corvette on roosevelt blvd u.s1, but was told that he countnt do that on the radio.

30. Posted on Friday, November 24, 2017 by Paul bunting:
"In 1969....all new airstaff..." Not true. The only new DJ was Joey Reynolds. Joe Niagara, Gary Mitchell, Ed Richards, John Landecker remained. "Buckley...newer, lighter take on Top 40." Yes, it was a refreshing change after 18 months of the Drake format under PD Paul Drew. Changing the call letters to WZZD was a horrible mistake. Wizzard 100? How did that work out?

31. Posted on Thursday, January 4, 2018 by Larry Morin:
Oh for the good old days laying on the beach in Stone Harbor N.J. or cruising Landis Ave in Vineland and listening to the Rockin Bird Joe or catching Hy Lit's Submarine races .... Glory Days

32. Posted on Friday, February 23, 2018 by David Nederostek:
Did survey work there in 1975. Between Cat Martin and Doug James shows. Volunteer work. I'd walk right in, into the back room where 10000 45 rpm records were stacked and answer the ringing phones. And they always rang. Met Don Cannon in the office too.

33. Posted on Friday, March 23, 2018 by Gordon Knight:
I had the distinct honor and privilege to befriend Doug Arthur through close mutual friends J.B. and Sheila Barber. During the '80s Doug enjoyed many visits to their summer home in the Pocono Mountains where he was a daily bicyclist on long rural trips. We all shared frequent stories of the earlier WIBG Broadcasting days; Since I was a regular on-aire personality at the time for WLSP 94.3FM in Carbondale,Pa. Doug came to visit and was thoroughly fascinated by the fact that the entire process was manned by one person. The first thing he said was "What are you doing in here? Where is your engineer?" Doug's legendary experience and memories reflected a powerful many discussions of the glorious field of Broadcast Radio. I will always miss those times.

34. Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 by John o'connor:
I also remember when WIBG became WZZD(Wizzard 100), me and some friends thought it would be the perfect radio station, but I also heard that most of their listeners became offended when they went all disco.

35. Posted on Friday, March 30, 2018 by Paul Bunting:
In 1969, there was a DJ named "Robbie Dee." He was on 9-midnight and was there only 6 months I understand he died in 1974, but could never verify that. Anybody know or remember him? Oh, buy the way, it will be 50 years on April 19 that PD Paul Drew arrived, "installed" the Drake format and changed Wibbage to "The Big 99."

36. Posted on Monday, April 2, 2018 by Ed and Lou:
Regarding: WIBG’S FREE SUMMER ROCK & ROLL MYSTERY CONCERT “Monday, August 9th, 1971 - - LEON RUSSELL and The Shelter People Keep Listening To WIBG For Clues……….And Guess The Location!”. I am trying to find a photo of this event that appeared in a news print the day after this concert. We were in front of the stage and are seen alongside of Leon Russell. I can't believe i didn't keep it. it would mean so much to see it again.. My husband and I just celebrated our golden anniversary (not relevant in any way). Ed and Louise Dowling

37. Posted on Friday, May 4, 2018 by Ronert Reynolds:
Where did Ed Richards go, after WIBG? Is he still alive? Are Scott Walker and John Records Landdecker one and the same?

38. Posted on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 by Roy:
For Box Knox---First of all, thank you for asking about my book on Philly radio history. It is finished but I decided to make a few changes. It starts with WIBG in the early 60's and ends in the late '90s. I HAD tp pick a cut-off point or it would never end. It is in the process of being edited down somewhat since I tend to get too wordy, but I find it to be a very enjoyable experience and was very happy an thrilled to meet some of these Philly radio stars. I started this book in 2002 and then changed it completely and now FINALLY I am happy with it's contents. I hate to give a date because I have been wrong about every single one. It is my wish to have this done by late 2018. My problem was that I kept updating every change on the Philly radio dial. So, reluctantly I ended it in the late 90's. The book explains why I chose to end it there. Sorry it took me so long to respond. I have to check these links more often.

39. Posted on Sunday, August 12, 2018 by Bruce Scott:
My favorite jocks during the brief disco era were Steve Hatley and Don Michael Gerard. They even came to pay us a visit when we were spinning disco at WPWT. ...Landecker and Williams were both brought in from Chicago where they were big names - on WLS and WCFL, respectively. ...In my opinion, Drake single-handedly RUINED Top 40 radio and AM and drove everybody to FM. His theory of cutting playlists to 30 songs, eliminating jock personality and giving stations a homogeneous sound was a disaster. He took all the fun out of radio. The only thing I have to give him credit for was creating some good jingles.

40. Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 by Len Messinger:
Does anyone know what happened to the Classic Philadelphia Radio website, Philaradio.com? It contained an incredible set of WIBBAGE air checks going back to 1961.

41. Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 by Paul Bunting:
Reply To Robert Reynolds - Sad to report that Ed Richards( Ralph Wright ) died in 2004 at age 58. After WIBG he went to WKLO Louisville and then Dallas. Richards was under-rated and sadly unappreciated by Buckley. Yes, Scott Walker and Landecker are/were the same person. "Records truly is my middle name."

42. Posted on Friday, August 30, 2019 by Abby Purser:
I USED TO GO TO FRANK X FELLERS DANCE AT SAINT HILLARIES IN RYDAL,PA. WE LIVED ABOUT 2 BLOCKS FROM THE SCHOOL AND HAD A GREAT TIME THERE, ITWAS THERE THAT MY BOYFRIEND AND I FIRST*INTRODUCED THE GERMANTOWN WALK, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE GTOWN WALK TO COUNTER THAT OTHER GUY IN OLNEY ;-) THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN 1964, JUST BEFORE THE BEATLES BROKE HERE. WE ALSO DID THE DANCE ON THE VHF CHANNEL , THAT HAD A DANCE SHOW ON IN THE AFTERNOONSIN PHILLY. YEARS LATER , AROUND 1989I WENT ON THE DINNER CRUISE ON TH EDELEWARE W SOME FRIENDS & HEAR ..THE ELECTRIC SLIDE! & THERE WERE A BUNCH OF GALS DOING MY** DANCE TO THIS MUSIC, I JUMPED RT IN FRONT OF THE LINE TO LEAD & THEN DECLARED THAT THIS WAS A DANCE I CHORIOGRAPHED IN 1964! IF WE HAD ONLY KNOWN ABUT COPY RITES THEN!! MOVE ON TO 1994 , 30 YEARS LATER... MY HUSBAND & I MOVE DOWN TO GEORGIA W RETIREMENT LIVING IN MIND. THE KIDS WERE GROWING UP AND WE DECIDED TO GO TO ONE OF THE LOCAL FESTIVALS TO EAT GOOD FOOD & LISTEN TO SOME MUSIC..I FORGOT WE ARE IN COUNTRY MUSIC/BIBLE BELT TERRITORY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I EE IT AGAIN...THEY WERE DOING MY GTWON WALK TO SLOW COUNTRY MUSIC..OMG! I ALSO JUMPED IN THEN ASKED THE BAND TO PLAY SOME HEATWAVE /MARTHA &THE VANDELLAS AND SHOW THEM ALL HOW IT'S DONE! ..OK I KNOW YOU ARE GOING OT EDIT THIS , I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOWIF FRANK X FELLER IS STILL ALIVE, I LOOKED HIM UP O FACE BOOK, BUT NOT SURE IF THAT'S REALLY HIM...INFO PLEASE! THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

43. Posted on Monday, September 9, 2019 by Bruce:
I believe it would have to have been late 1969 that WIBG went to a later sound. I know they had the Drake format until at least August 1969.

44. Posted on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 by Frank Iacona:
I was at WZZD in '78 and '79 as an advertising sales rep. Survived the transition from Top 40 to Disco. Moved to WFIL after they were sold and the format was changing again. An experience to say the least.

45. Posted on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 by Bill Cain:
Reply to Kevin Wasser in Post #17 above: WIBG 990's move to 117 Ridge Pike in 1958 was an engineering nightmare. That 50kw power increase was for day, but night was 10kw. Now follow me. At the time. The FCC only allowed 5kw power increments for that Class of stations. WIBG not only had to protect Canada, but Providence RI, Knoxville TN as well! That eliminated (or put a null in the signal) Montco, Chester, Mercer, Berks, Bucks, DE at night, leaving Center City and NJ. Also, 10 was too much true power at night, but the license forced then to TRANSMIT that much, So in the basement of the building, there was a bank if resistors that the night transmitter was fed through before the antennas, leaving ACTUAL effective transmitted power at 7,500 watts at night.

46. Posted on Sunday, January 19, 2020 by Kelly Wright:
To Abby, Post 42, re Frank X. To begin, I had to laugh - your ALL CAPS looked like you were screaming!! I am the daughter of Bill Wright, Sr. Dad and Frank remained quite close - both even parishioners at St. Monica in Berwyn. Sadly, Frank passed away about two years ago (?) - Dad was having some major health issues as well, so it’s a bit muddled. Dad, 91 now, is still “kickin”, with sense of humor still sharp. The last of the Core Good-guys, Jerry Stevens, actually passed last week. I told Dad last night. Anyway, you take care. Keep your Beatles playing loud!!!

47. Posted on Thursday, November 12, 2020 by big lou:
Lets not forget another WIBG DJ who would late be the father of AOR radio that began in San Francisco. The name Tom Donahue. He was morning DJ at WIBG and other time slots till about 1960.

48. Posted on Sunday, December 27, 2020 by Steven Kunes:
I just read all of these posts and am very moved by my trip down memory lane. Thank you! My question: Do any of you know what became of Doug James? Is he still alive?

49. Posted on Monday, December 28, 2020 by Dave :
Wow, a lot of good stuff here. To answer a couple of questions. Ed Richards passed away a few years ago, Ed came to WIBG from CKLW where he was Mike Rivers. Also Gary Mitchell and Duke Roberts came to WIBG via CKLW. Yes, Scott Walker came to WIBG near the end of the Drake's format and afterwards used his real name John Records Landecker. He even wrote a column for The Wibbage Beat in 1971-1972.

50. Posted on Sunday, March 7, 2021 by Jane:
Roy - funny tidbit: for a while WIBG broadcast out of the second floor of a building at Easton and Mt.Carmel in Glenside. There was a skylight and, every time a train went by, they had to stop because of the noise. On another note, for a while before Lafayette hill, their transmitter was a little building on Cheltenham Avenue at Vernon road. My Dad was engineer for over 40 years.

51. Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2021 by Bruce P:
To the Page Editor: Spring 1968 was when the first big program shift occurred. They subscribed to the Bill Drake syndicated KHJ/Boss Radio format, tailored to specific markets. Everyone except Joe Niagara (and I think Ray Gilmore) left. To Paul Bunting: I do remember Rockin' Robbie Dee. Was cool, sounded local. To Kevin Wasser: WCFL in Chicago was at 1000 AM and had a clear channel. I used to listen at night sometimes. Might have something to do with Wibbage lowering its power at night.

52. Posted on Friday, July 23, 2021 by Tom Sayen:
Growing up in the 1950s/1960s I have nothing but fond memories of WIBG. I can remember July 3, 1958, where I changed the dials of all three of my parent's radios to 990 while my dad still called rock and roll "hillbilly music". In catholic school we were told not to listen to WIBG because it was "the devil's music". We snuck earphones under pillows and up our sleeves to listen. Summer vacations were spent in Cape May or Ocean City NJ, we would pack extra batteries for the "portable radio" later the "transistor radio" and get a strong signal from the beaches. Sept. 10, 1977 was a sad day, "the end of WIBBAGE". I'll always remember Hy Lit playing "LaLa means I love you" and while he was talking during the chorus, the old 45 rpm record slowed down a bit and Hyski ad-libbed" "the old girl is dying, dying, dying (echo)". I also remember after Upper Merion HS senior prom(1970), my girlfriend at the time had a huge crush on Ed Richards, we drove to the station at about 5am and hung out with Ed while he was on the air, me dressed in a tuxedo and my GF in a cocktail dress. He let her answer the old "super hitline" phones 263-8811, 964-8553 from NJ. Those memories will never fade away.

53. Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2021 by Ed Zimmerman Jr.:
I was born and raised in Philly Former member of the 28th INF and Ben Franklin's 111th INF 108 FA and Field Combat Support Hospital. Founder of Commodore John Barry and Stephen Decatur's Flagship USS UNITED STATES.Grad GWHS '66. Bok Tech

54. Posted on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 by Walt Ballard:
Doug James went to WPST in Trenton to do afternoon drive. Dont know what happened to him after that.If anyone knows I would like to know since I worked at PST with him doing weekends.

55. Posted on Friday, April 15, 2022 by Carmen Malizia:
Just found this but finally verification that WIBG had broadcast from Cheltenham Ave and Vernon rd. I remember there were 2 towers that were torn town when the Ceaderbrook mall was built or possibly the retail store at that intersection. I used to ride my bike there when I was 8 years old in the shadow of the rickety stick that was ch 3 soon to become channel 17s broadcast site.

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