May 3 Radio History

In 1910...writer/radio director Norman Corwin was born in Boston.

His biggest successes were in the writing and directing of radio drama during the Golden Age of Radio in the 1930s and 1940s.  Corwin was among the first producers to regularly use entertainment to tackle serious social issues. In this area he was a peer of Orson Welles and William N. Robson, and an inspiration to later radio/TV writers such as Rod Serling, Gene Roddenberry, and Norman Lear.  He was the writer and creator of such CBS radio series such as The Columbia Workshop, 13 By Corwin, 26 By Corwin, etc.  His most famous work is On a Note of Triumph, a celebration of the Allied victory in Europe, first broadcast on VE Day, May 8, 1945.

He died at age 101 on Oct. 18 2011.


In 1958...Alan Freed was fired from 1010WINS-AM, New York City, after a riot occurred at a Boston Rock 'n' Roll show that he was promoting and hosting.


In 1965...DJ The Real Don Steele started at 93KHJ-AM, Los Angeles in what would be a career that lasted decades at the station.  Here's some audio...

Steele became nationally-known as a DJ on radio station KHJ in Los Angeles, where he helped to promote the "ultrahip" Top40 Boss Radio format which began at 3pm on April 27, 1965.

He also appeared on TV as host Boss City and The Real Don Steele TV Show, a show which ran from 1965 to 1975 on KHJ-TV channel 9 in Los Angeles.

When the popularity of AM radio gave way to FM stereo in the 1970s, Steele continued to remain a popular personality at the station. Following the years at 93/KHJ, The Real Don Steele continued to be heard on Los Angeles radio stations, including KIQQ (K-100), KRLA, KCBS-FM and KRTH-FM (K-Earth 101), until his death in August 1997.


In 1971...National Public Radio began with 112 NPR station affiliates, mostly at colleges and universities. 'All Things Considered' debuted.


In 1982...the "All Talk Network" debuted from ABC.


In 1982...President Reagan began his five-minute weekly Saturday radio messages.


In 1982...Beautiful music WTFM changes to Album WAPP in NYC


In 1986...Robert Alda, WEVD NYC  (Father of Alan Alda) died




In 1992...Elizabeth Lennox died at age 98. She was an early radio singer. She made some of the earliest recordings known. She recorded cylinders for Thomas Edison.  In addition to her recordings Elizabeth appeared on NBC Radio until she retired from performing.

In 2006...Bob Dylan hosted his first show on XM Satellite Radio, playing favorite tracks by Prince, Wilco, Blur, Billy Bragg, Blur, and LL Cool J, among others.