RadioTapes.com / Historic Minneapolis St. Paul Radio Airchecks
   
  advanced

Welcome to RadioTapes.com, the home of more than 2,000 recordings of Minneapolis/St. Paul radio stations from 1924 to the present.

RADIOTAPES AT A GLANCE:

FEATURED STATIONS: Airchecks from KDWB, KQRS, KSTP, WCCO, WDGY, WLOL, WYOO (U100) & Unlicensed Stations.

AIRCHECKS +: More stations and airchecks to enjoy.

SPECIAL POSTINGS: Major news events as heard locally including tornado and severe weather, JFK and RFK assassinations, 35W bridge collapse, Apollo flights, Watergate, Twins World Series celebrations and more.

VIDEOS: Almost 200 videos of Twin Cities radio station.

MUSIC SURVEYS: 1,200 surveys from 1957 to 1988.

If you have Twin Cities recordings/airchecks you can share, please contact us. Thank you to more than 100 contributors who have provided airchecks and materials to this website.

-

-

-

 

Some web browsers will start playing audio files when you click on them. Others won't start playing until the file loads (which can take a while with large files). If you are using a PC, and the audio files don't start playing when you click on them, we suggest that you use another browser (like Chrome or Firefox) or right click on the file and save to your PC.

DATE POSTED

3/22/2019

 

 

IN MEMORY OF PETER TORK - THE MONKEES ON KDWB-AM IN 1967

The Monkees were in the Twin Cities for a concert and broadcast from KDWB's "Secret City" with a remote from the hotel where the band was staying. Featuring Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones.

 

The recordings feature candid, silly and serious moments from The Monkees - a wonderful collection of recordings during the two days The Monkees took over the radio station.

 

August 3, 1967 to 4 am on August 4, 1967: Starting with coverage of the Monkees' airplane arrival at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport followed by Michael, Peter, Micky and Davy broadcasting from "Secret City" playing records, performing a skit, and some candid comments by Micky about criticism concerning the group not playing all instruments in their songs, thoughts about The Beatles, and more. Includes KDWB personalities Charlie Brown, Earl Trout, Tac Hammer, Bobby Davis and newscast by Robert Davis. #1 30 MB - #2 21 MB (provided by Curt Lundgren)

 

August 4, 1967 (3:00-6:00 pm): Mostly featuring Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork spinning records with Michael having fun insulting KDWB advertisers including Dayton's and J A Gerber Jewelers and Peter playing the banjo. Includes newscast by Don Miller.    #1 16 MB - #2 23 MB - #3 19 MB - #4 8 MB    (provided by Phil Kitchen and Jeanne Anderson)

Includes commercials for J A Gerber Jewelers, Durkee Seasoned Spices, Ray Conniff "This is My Song" album, Pedwin Shoes, Baskin-Robbins, Preparation H, Heileman Old Style Beer, Minnesota Dragways, NCC Drive-In Theaters, "The Big Mouth" with Jerry Lewis (movie), Dad's Root Beer, Mobile, Wrigley's Spearmint Gum, Schlitz Beer, Coca Cola (sung by Ray Charles), STP, Summer Blonde Hair Spray, Honda and Hamm's Beer.

3/10/2019

KQRS-FM (92.5) - Alan Stone's final day broadcast on January 11, 1980 - 6 MB (provided by David Carlson)

1/13/2019 + 1/16/2019

Coverage of the Disappearance and Location of Jayme Closs

KQRS-FM (92.5) - Coverage of the disappearance of Jayne Closs and the murder of her parents (Oct. 16, 2018) - 3 MB

(provided by Jacob Hammond)

-

WCCO-AM (830) - Coverage on Jayme Closs including breaking news that she had been located including an interview with

Patty Wetterling (Jan. 10, 2019) and two news conferences (Jan. 11, 2019). - 27 MB

-

KNOW-FM (91.1) - Coverage on Jayme Closs being located (Jan. 11, 2019) - 2 PM

KQRS-FM (92.5) - Coverage on Jayme Closs being located (Jan. 11, 2019) - 9 MB (provided by Jacob Hammond)

1/1/2019

 

 

WCCO-AM (830) AQUATENNIAL AND WINTER CARNIVAL SHOW BROADCASTS FROM 1949 to 1956

These shows brought in national stars and were attended by thousands of listeners and fans. The Aquatennial shows

originated from the Minneapolis Auditorium and the Winter Carnival show originated from the St. Paul Auditorium.

1949: WCCO Aquatennial Show with Cedric Adams, Bob Hope, Arthur Godfrey and Monica Lewis - 14 MB

1950: WCCO Aquatennial Show with Cedric Adams, Garry Moore, Eddie Cantor, Janette Davis, Tony Grise and more - 14 MB

1951: WCCO Aquatennial Show with Cedric Adams, Ken Murray and more - 7 MB

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 28 MB  -  #2 35 MB

-

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 29 MB - #2 38 MB

-

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 22 MB - #2 22 MB

-

1956: WCCO Winter Carnival Show with Cedric Adams, Bob DeHaven, Johnny Carson, Steve Lawrence, Warren Hull

(host of the CBS television show "Strike it Rich") Richard Hayman, Mindy Carson, The Red River Band, Burt Hanson and others.   #1 24 MB  -  #2 30 MB (audio is a bit rough at times due to the poor condition of the transcription records)

12/3/2018

KNMB-FM (102.9) - Buz'n 102.9 rebranded as 102.9 The Wolf on December 3, 2018 featuring country music hits from then and now. Here is an aircheck of the start of the new format. - 7 MB

Just recently, iHeart Media introduced "The Wolf" on KEEY 102.1 HD-2. Here is an aircheck of a legal ID. - 1 MB

10/16/2018

REMEMBERING DAVE DWORKIN

We have learned that Dave Dworkin, who did afternoons on KQRS in the late 70s and early 80s, has passed away. 

1978

Dave Dworkin - First Show on KQRS - 6 MB (provided by Jay Philpott) 

1980

Dave Dworkin and Hal Hoover - 11 MB (provided by Jeff R. Lonto)  

1984

Dave Dworkin and Heidi Kramer with a music montage for "Election '84" - 5 MB (provided by Jim Schrader)

10/15/2018

Tributes to Dave Dworkin on KQRS-FM:  Tom Barnard & John Lassman - 14 MB      Tom Barnard & Wally Walker - 11 MB

9/3/2018

JOHN HINES FINAL REGULAR SHOW ON WCCO-AM

WCCO-AM (830) - John Hines broadcasts his final regular show (from the WCCO Radio Broadcast Center at the Minnesota State Fair) on

September 3, 2018 and is joined by many special guests including Bob Berglund, Tom Barnard and others.  9-10 AM (14 MB) - 10-11 AM  (28 MB) - 11 AM-12 PM (29 MB).

8/28/2018

WCCO-FM (1982) - Video

Tim Russell Carl Lensgraf

PM Magazine

WCCO-FM  (1981) - Photo

The Rude Awakening

Tim Russell, Carl Lensgraf

(Provided by Curt Lundgren)

REMEMBERING CARL LENSGRAF

We have learned that Carl Lensgraf, who previously worked at WCCO-FM, WCCO-AM and KSTP-FM (KS95), has passed away.

1974

WYOO-AM: Bill Lake (aka Carl Lensgraf) - 14 MB (provided by Curt Lundgren)

9/18/1976

WCCO-FM: Carl Lensgraf - 23 MB - (provided by Curt Lundgren)

1977

WCCO-FM: Carl Lensgraf with Captain Buzz Studley 5MB - (provided by Curt Lundgren)

 

4/22/1982

WCCO-FM: "The Rude Awakening" with Tim Russell and Carl Lensgraf - 23 MB (provided by Tom Oszman)

1987

KSTP-FM: Carl Lensgraf and Michael J. Douglas. Plus weather with Karen Filloon and traffic with Art Reeder - #1 17 MB - #2 15 MB

3/31/2018

SAYING GOODBYE TO KLBB-AM (1220 AM STILLWATER, MN)

KLBB ceased broadcasting on March 31 as the 3.6 acres of land in Stillwater, which has been the location of the station's radio tower, has been sold.

KLBB-AM (1220) - Stan Turner's final Wolf Brewing All Request Show

broadcast on March 30, 2018  #1   #2  #3  #4  (25-28 MB files)

KSTP-TV Coverage KARE-TV Coverage

KLBB-AM - Final minutes before the station signed-off including an announcement by the owner, Dan Smith -  March 31, 2018 - 5 MB

1/16/2018

MINNESOTA VIKINGS - "MIRACLE AT THE MET" - 1980

WCCO-AM (830) - Ray Scott and Grady Alderman Minnesota Vikings play-by-play call of Tommy Kramer's "Hail Mary" pass to Ahmad Rashād resulting in a dramatic win over Cleveland on December 14, 1980 - 1 MB (provided by Steve Aggergaard).

Steve Aggergaard writes:: "As I recall the story, Grady jumped out of his chair and dropped his headset on the press box's floor. The thumping sound you hear is Grady fishing around for his headset while trying to watch the field."

--

MORE AIRCHECKS

The Following Airchecks are Featured on the Special Postings Page. Check them out!

  • WCCO-AM Severe Weather Coverage (1939 to 1991)
  • Hubert H. Humphrey Recordings/Airchecks (1946-1978)
  • WCCO Radio Civil Defense Announcements (1961)
  • Coverage of the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy (1963)
  • Coverage of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King (1968)
  • Coverage of the Assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy (1968)
  • Coverage of the Apollo 1 Tragedy (1967)
  • Coverage of the Flights of Apollo 11, 12 & 13 (1969-1970)
  • Coverage of Watergate and the Fall of President Nixon (1973-1974)
  • Coverage of the Vietnam War (1964-(1975)
  • Coverage of the Death of John Lennon (1980)
  • Coverage of the Shooting of President Ronald Reagan (1981)
  • Coverage of the Falklands War (1982)
  • Coverage of the Challenger Shuttle Disaster (1986)
  • Coverage of the Twins World Series Celebrations and Victory Parades (1987 & 1991)
  • Coverage of the Start of Operation Desert Storm (1991)
  • Coverage of 9/11 Attacks (2001) and Death of Osama bin Laden (2011)
  • Coverage of 35W Bridge Collapse (2007)
  • Coverage of the Death of Michael Jackson (2009)
  • Coverage of the Tucson Shootings (2011)
  • Coverage of the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (2011)
  • Coverage of the Shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School (2012)
  • Boston Marathon Bombings (2013)
  • Coverage of the Death of Prince (2016)
  • Election Coverage (2016)
  • Minnehaha Academy Explosion (2017)

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

We are pleased to have the opportunity to highlight so many great Twin Cities radio stations and personalities, past and present. We are occasionally contacted about donations to this website. As mentioned above, we are always looking for more airchecks. As for monetary donations, we prefer that they be given to the the Pavek Museum. Located in St. Louis Park, MN, the Pavek Museum preserves and presents the history of electronic communication and provides a learning environment for those interested in the science of electromagnetism and sound. The Pavek Museum also houses one of the world's finest collections of antique radio, television, and broadcast equipment. We encourage you to visit their website, or better yet, stop by and tour this wonderful museum. This website is not operated by the Pavek Museum – we are just fans of the museum.

Ownership/copyright of airchecks, videos and printed materials posted on this website remain with the radio and television stations that produced them. The purpose of RadioTapes.com is educational and is intended only for private, non-commercial use.

RadioTapes.com is a part of RadioTapes Inc., a non-profit company registered with the State of Minnesota.