RadioTapes.com / Historic Minneapolis St. Paul Radio Airchecks


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Thank you for visiting RadioTapes.com featuring nearly 2,000 recordings of Minneapolis/St. Paul radio stations dating back to 1924 with many from the 1950s to 1980s including WCCO, KSTP, WDGY, KDWB, KQRS and others.

Recent postings are listed below. Popular news related airchecks can be found on the SPECIAL POSTINGS page including coverage of major events as heard locally including tornado and severe weather, JFK and RFK assassinations, 35W bridge collapse, Apollo 11, 12 & 13 flights, Watergate, Twins World Series celebrations and more!

View 175+ videos of Twin Cities radio station (local television news coverage) on the VIDEOS page.

We are always looking for good quality historic recordings (audio and video) of Twin Cities radio stations. We accept CDs, cassettes, reel-to-reels, transcription records, etc. Original tapes are carefully digitized and promptly returned with a CD copy. If you have recordings you can share, please CONTACT US. Thank you to more than 100 contributors who have provided airchecks and materials to this website

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DATE POSTED

12/8/13

COVERAGE OF THE DEATH OF JOHN LENNON (12/8/1980 to 12/14/1980)

#1 28 MB - #2 25 MB - Part 1 opens with an announcement by Howard Cosell on ABC Television's Monday Night

Football that John Lennon had been shot and killed, a bulletin on NBC Television interrupting The Tonight Show, followed by airchecks from KQRS-FM, NBC Radio's The Source, WCCO-AM/CBS Radio, WWTC-AM, Mutual News, WCCO-FM, KDWB-FM, KSTP-FM, WLOL-FM and KCLD-FM.

(Thanks to Stuart Held for many of the above airchecks plus Todd Kosovich for the WCCO-AM/CBS Radio aircheck and NBC-TV bulletin audio).

WCCO-AM (830) - Breaking news coverage on the shooting and death of John Lennon from CBS Radio and

WCCO Radio with Bill Diehl and Franklin Hobbs. (December 8, 1980) - 3 MB

KDWB-FM (101.3) - Tribute to John Lennon (scoped) - (January 14, 1980) #1 19 MB - #2 10 MB

(provided by Arne Shulstad)

12/7/13

WCCO-AM (830) - News of the attack on Pearl Harbor as heard on 'CCO Radio on December 7, 1941 - 17 MB

11/26/13

COVERAGE OF THE 1982 MINNEAPOLIS THANKSGIVING DAY FIRE

WCCO-AM (830) Breaking and continuous news coverage of the Minneapolis Thanksgiving Day fire on November 25, 1982

that destroyed the 16-story headquarters of Northwestern National Bank (now Wells Fargo) and the vacant, partially demolished location formerly occupied by Donaldson's department store. Includes Steve Cannon, Rich Holter, Dan Hertsgaard, Jim Rogers and Joe McFarlin. #1 7 MB - #2 7 MB - #3 7 MB - #4 9 MB.

11/18/13

COVERAGE OF THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY

Six hours of coverage the shooting and death of President John F. Kennedy as covered on WCCO-AM and CBS Radio on

November 22, 1963. (mp3 files range from 20-34 MB) (provided by Bill Lund, Digital on Location, Woodbury, MN)

12:40-1:45 PM - #1   #2

1:45-3:00 PM - #1   #2

3:00-4:00 PM -   #1   #2

4:08-4:52 PM -   #1   #2

5:45-7:20 PM -   #1   #2    #3

CBS Radio: Allan Jackson and Dallas Townsend (New York), Nelson Benton (Dallas Parkland Memorial Hospital), Dan Rather (Dallas), Robert Pierpoint (Dallas), Wells Church (Washington DC), Roger Mudd (Washington DC), George Herman (Washington DC), Alexander Kendrick (London), Charles Von Fremd (Washington DC), Stuart Novins (Moscow), Bernard Eismann (New York), Paul Niven (White House), Daniel Schorr (Bonn), Vin Maloney (Boston), Nelson Benton (Dallas), Peter Stursberg (Ottawa), Winston Burdett (Rome), Peter Kalischer (Tokyo), Richard Hottelet (New York), and Marvin Kalb (Washington DC).

WCCO-AM: Jergan Nash, Maynard Speece, Dick Chapman (interviewing people outside the WCCO building as the news of JFK’s death broke and news reports) and Arv Johnson. Plus, Charlie Boone, Jergen Nash and Ray Christensen with notices of event cancellations/postponements, special church services, etc.

In addition, comments from MN Governor Karl Rolvaag, former MN Governor Elmer Anderson, WI Governor John Reynolds, former President Dwight Eisenhower and UN Ambassador Adlai Stevenson, Plus, a portion of President Kennedy’s breakfast speech to the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce the morning of his death.

NEW AIRCHECKS JUST ADDED!

ABC Radio - Thanks to broadcast historian Todd Kosovich, RadioTapes is able to present more than five hours of

ABC Radio coverage of the shooting/death of President Kennedy including extended coverage following the announcement that President Kennedy had died. The recordings start with "Music in the Afternoon" program interrupted by breaking news of the shooting of President Kennedy. #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 #12 #13 #14 #15 #16 (mp3 recordings 13 and 24 MB)

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Don Gardiner (anchor) with reports from Bob Clark (Dallas), Pete Clapper (Capitol Hill), Stuart Klein, John Rolfson (Washington DC), Quincy Howe (commentary), John Scali (Hawaii), John Casserly (Rome), Irv Chapman (Washington DC), Ted Koppel (United Nations), Sam Jaffe (Moscow), Walter Forges (national editor), Bernard Kaplan (Paris), Bob Lindley (Buenos Aires), Paul Harvey commentary (also on aircheck #13), Bill Downs (Andrews Air Force Base), Bill Sheehan (London), Bruce Morton (London), Alex Dreier (Chicago), and others. Plus, interviews with various senators, congressmen and religious leaders including Minnesota’s Senator Hubert Humphrey plus former President Eisenhower, speech from President Johnson, a tribute from the BBC, and much more.

NBC Radio - Coverage of the shooting/assassination of President John F. Kennedy - Bulletin #1 #2 #3 (1 MB each)

Continuous Coverage #1 25 MB - #2 24 MB (provided by Todd Kosovich)

Voice of America shortwave broadcast as they struggle with CBS saying JFK is dead and NBC saying JFK is still alive.

7 MB (provided by Todd Kosovich)

NBC-TV - Don Pardo bulletin JFK shooting (provided by Todd Kosovich)

NBC-TV - News on JFK shooting (provided by Todd Kosovich)

NBC - Bulletin on shooting of JFK (provided by Todd Kosovich)

NBC Radio - Edwin Newman bulletin on JFK shooting (provided by Todd Kosovich)

11/3/13

WDGY-AM (1130) - Sam Babcock with a portion of the "Tall Tiger Top 50 Survey" from 1964 - 11 MB

(provided by Curt Lundgren)

Includes a partial newscast and commercials for Firestone, Greater Minneapolis Safety Council and Danceland in Excelsior

11/3/13

WLOL-FM (99.5) - David Christian with a portion of the "Hot Hits Countdown" from February 1987 - 6 MB (provided by Dave Olson)

10/26/13

James St. James and Steve Cannon

WCCO-AM (830) Steve Cannon with James St. James "Alive in Hollywood," traffic with Jerry Peterson,

Dan Hertsgarrd with the "CCO Radio Fitness Factor," Wall Street Journal Report, Ginger Sisco with a public service message, Ray Christensen with the news including Paul Wellstone's comments on the Soviet Coup. (August 1991) - 24 MB (provided by Dave Olson)

Includes commercials for Discover Card, "The Body Shop" at Methodist Hospital, Extra Strength Rolaids, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Sears Siding, "Lies of the Twins" movie on USA Network, and the BizMart MegaCenter

10/26/13

WYOO-AM/FM - U100 (980/101.3) - Newspaper ad of U100 responding to reports that the station has been sold

appearing in the April 30, 1976 issue of the Entertainer, the paper that eventually became Twin Cities Reader - JPEG File (provided by Jeff R. Lonto)

10/26/13

KSTP-FM - KS95 (94.5) Music survey from April 12, 1983 - JPEG File

10/12/13

Roger Erickson Ray Christensen

KUOM-AM (770) - "Tales of Minnesota: The Crusaders" - one of 13 documentaries produced in 1948 celebrating

Minnesota's territorial centennial. This production includes former WCCO Radio personalities including Roger Erickson as one of the performers and Ray Christensen as an announcer. Part 1 13 MB - Part 2 14 MB (provided by Todd Kosovich)

10/12/13

Recordings provided by Ernie Martz including:

Donnybrooke Radio Network - Donnybrooke USAC Championship coverage from Brainerd in 1969. Also joining Ernie was Tom Ambrose -

Part 1 24 MB - Part 2 22 MB

Commercials (undated): County Kitchen Super America KMSP-TV-Minnesota Twins

9/11/13

REMEMBERING TIMOTHY D. KEHR

We have received notice that Timothy D. Kehr has passed away. In the mid 1960s, Kehr produced “Liar, Liar,” by the Castaways (Billboard #12). He also arranged and produced “Nowhere to Run” By the More-Tishans, secured recording contracts for Crow (“Evil Woman Don’t Play Your Games With Me”), Northern Light (“Minnesota”) and others. Kehr managed two music publications: the Music Scene and the Insider. In 1967 and '68, Kehr wrote the column "Musically Yours" for the local TV Digest. From 1968-1980, Kehr worked for Columbia and Epic Records, Motown, 20th Century, and Polydor. During this time, Billboard Magazine named him executive of the year 1972 Through 1978. In 1980, Kehr left the record business to open his own advertising agency in the Twin Cities. Kehr also developed himself as a local television personality as a host of late night television from 1976-1986. In 2010, Kehr broadcast the True Oldies Christmas Show on WDGY-AM.

WCCO-AM (830) - Timothy D. Kehr on the Denny Long Show in 1993 - 8 MB (provided by Dave Olson)

Read more about Timothy D. Kehr here

9/2/13

KDWB-AM/FM (630/101.3) - Dave Kirby - April 17, 1978 - 12 MB (provided by Curt Lundgren)

Includes commercials for St. Paul Citizens for Human Rights, Bootsy's Rubber Band at the St. Paul Civic Center, Montgomery Wards, Jackson Brown and Karla Bonoff at the St. Paul Civic Center, Jordan Ford, Marco Cellar Disco, and Waterbed World.

8/19/13

WYOO-AM/FM (980/101.3) U100 Billboard and bus sign images from

approximately 1975 (provided by Danny Sigelman)

Be sure to check out the U100 page for an extensive collection of airchecks and photos.

8/11/13

WCCO-AM (830) - Breaking News coverage of the deaths of the Israeli Olympic team hostages during the 1972 Summer

Olympics in Munich, West Germany on September 6, 1972 with CBS Radio news and WCCO Radio's Steve Edstrom - 13 MB

8/10/13

WCCO-AM (830) - "Point of Law" skit with Al Franken and Tom Davis on the Boone & Erickson Show from the late 1970s. - 3 MB

(provided by Charlie Boone)

7/25/13

The following are airchecks of the Twin Cities top two country music radio stations from October 1984:

KEEY-FM (102.1 - K102) - Wynn Garrett - October 20, 1984 - 6 MB (provided by Curt Lundgren)

Includes commercials for Cub Foods, Group Health Inc., NBC-TV/WTCN-TV, Brownberry Natural Wheat Bread, and Litton Microwaves

WDGY-AM (1130) - Paul Johnson - October 20, 1984 - 10 MB (provided by Curt Lundgren)

Includes an NBC Radio newscast plus commercials for Rapid Sports Center, Anheuser Busch LA Beer, Sanka Brand Decaf Coffee, and Mita Copiers

7/20/13

KDWB-AM (630) - Ron Block - November 10, 1968 - 4 MB (provided by Curt Lundgren)

7/19/13

Smokin' Joe Hager

KDWB-AM/FM (630/101.3) - Smokin' Joe Hager - April 17, 1978 - 7 MB (provided by Curt Lundgren)

Includes commercials for St. Paul Citizens for Human Rights, Bootsy's Rubber Band at the St. Paul Civic Center, United Stores, La Casa Coronado restaurant, Bonnie Bell cosmetics at Dayton's, and 7UP

7/18/13

Bob Lange

KDWB-AM/FM (630/101.3) - Bob Lange - November 17, 1976 - 7 MB (provided by Curt Lundgren)

Includes commercials for Venus Waterbeds, George's Sports City, Fox and Hounds Restaurant, Orange Blossom Diamond Center, and Blitz Bar

KDWB-AM/FM (630/101.3) - Bob Lange - April 12, 1978 - 13 MB (provided by Curt Lundgren)

Includes commercials for Pannekoeken Huis, Crown Auto, HFC Household Finance, 10,000 Auto Parts, Northwestern Bell Yellow Pages, Dayton's Hi-Fi Show, Coach (movie), A&B Sporting Goods, and Williams Uptown Bar

7/17/13

KDWB-AM/FM (630/101.3) - Dave Kirby - March 31, 1978 - 15 MB (provided by Curt Lundgren)

Includes commercials for Seewald Jewelers, Kentucky Fried Movie, Musicland, White Castle, 22nd annual GSTA Rod and Custom Show, Park Music, Becklund Jewelers, Jim Christie Pontiac GMC Trucks, Osman Temple Shrine Circus, The Limited, and Jackson Brown and Karla Bonoff at the St. Paul Civic Center.

7/17/13

WCCO-AM (830) - Oversized Marketing piece from 1988 with detailed programming listing (measuring 28"x 21").

PDF file. Note: You will need to zoom in to read the copy.

7/16/13

REMEMBERING GLEN OLSON

Glen Olson passed awayon July 15. Glen's Twin Cities radio career included WCCO-AM, WWTC-AM, WLOL-AM & FM,

WRRD-AM, WDGY-AM, KTWN-FM, KMGK-FM and WLTE-FM

KARE-TV story on KMGK-FM (107.9 FM) from 1987 featuring Glen Olson

WWTC-AM (1280) - Glen Olson (1975) Glen's final show (final day of music format before switching to All News Radio

format) - 9 MB

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WCCO-AM (830) - Glen Olson (April 17, 1978) - 5 MB

7/15/13

COVERAGE OF THE DEATH OF JOHN LENNON

NEW POSTING: WCCO-AM (830) - Breaking news coverage on the shooting and death of John Lennon from CBS Radio and WCCO Radio with Bill Diehl and Franklin Hobbs. (December 8, 1980) - 3 MB

Previously Posted: (12/8/1980 to 12/14/1980) #1 28 MB - #2 25 MB

Part 1 opens with an announcement by Howard Cosell on ABC Television's Monday Night Football that John Lennon had been shot and killed, a bulletin on NBC Television interrupting The Tonight Show, followed by airchecks from KQRS-FM, NBC Radio's The Source, WCCO-AM/CBS Radio, WWTC-AM, Mutual News, WCCO-FM, KDWB-FM, KSTP-FM, WLOL-FM and KCLD-FM. (Thanks to Stuart Held for many of the airchecks and Todd Kosovich for additional recordings).

7/14/13

Minneapolis Auditorium WCCO Broadcast

Art Linkletter, Cedric Adams and a women who ends up sewing a patch on Cedric's pants blindfolded. Cut #4 in the July 1954 broadcast.

WCCO RADIO MINNEAPOLIS AQUATENNTAL BROADCASTS FROM 1953-1955

In the 1950s, a major attraction at the Minneapolis Aquatennial were WCCO Radio Aquatennial Shows broadcast from the Minneapolis Auditorium (where the Minneapolis Convention Center is located today). The station would bring in national stars and feature station personalities. Below are three broadcasts:

July 1953

WCCO Aquatennial Show broadcast with Cedric Adams, Bob DeHaven, Clellan Card, Victor Borge,

George Jessel, The McGuire Sisters, Jeanne Arland, Tony Grise, Joan Iden, Minneapolis Choraliers, Wally Olson and more. #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 (files from 8 to 13 MB)

July 1954

WCCO Aquatennial Show broadcast with Cedric Adams, Bob DeHaven, Art Linkletter, Jack Carson,

Helen O'Connell, Ramona Gerhardt, Minneapolis Choraliers, Wally Olson and more.

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 (files from 9 to 15 MB)

July 1955

WCCO Aquatennial Show broadcast with Cedric Adams, Bob DeHaven, Bob Crosby (brother of

Bing Crosby), Jan Murray (who was host of the television game show "Dollar A Second"), Guy Mitchell and much more. #1 #2 #3 #4 (files range from 14 to 17 MB)

MORE AIRCHECKS

File sizes listed next to the airchecks are approximate and have been rounded.