Welcome to RadioTapes.com
For more than 20 years, RadioTapes has been dedicated to preserving and showcasing historic airchecks from Minneapolis-St. Paul (MN)-area radio stations, with recordings dating back to 1924. Operated by radio historian Tom Gavaras, the site features content contributed by a network of over 100 collaborators. With more than 2,500 audio recordings, RadioTapes covers a wide variety of formats and significant event—including major news broadcasts.
FEATURED STATIONS: KDWB, KLBB, KQRS, KSTP, WCCO, WDGY, WLOL, WWTC, WYOO (U100), and Unlicensed.
MORE AIRCHECKS: Additional stations and airchecks.
SPORTS AIRCHECKS: Highlights and interviews from Gopher, Twins, Vikings, North Stars, MN Lakers broadcasts and more.
HISTORIC AIRCHECKS: Major local and national news events as heard locally.
VIDEOS: 200+ videos of Twin Cities radio station.
MUSIC SURVEYS: Nearly 1,500 surveys from 1957 to 1988.
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NEW SECTION: The host of this website, Tom Gavaras, was an active shortwave listener primarily from the 1970s through the 1990s. Radio stations such as the BBC, Radio Moscow, and many others. View the QSL verification cards and letters Tom received from stations in more than 210 broadcast countries.
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STEVE CANNON LIVE BROADCAST FROM FREDDIE'S CAFE ON KSTP-AM IN 1959
The legendary Sir George Albert Shearing, the celebrated British jazz pianist, led one of the most popular jazz groups of his era. Shearing composed more than 300 songs and placed multiple albums on the Billboard charts from the 1950s through the 1990s. A true giant of modern jazz, his unmistakable sound helped define an entire generation of cool.
GOPHERS VS INDIANA HOOSIERS FOOTBALL GAME FROM 1972 AS HEARD ON KSTP-AM
KSTP-AM (1500): Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Indiana Hoosiers football game with Dick Enroth and Murray Warmath broadcast on September 16, 1972. This recording consists of the second half.
Warmath was the Gopher Football coach from 1954-1971. Enroth was a former WCCO announcer who left the station in 1970 to run for congress. After he lost, he moved to AZ as an executive at a real estate firm and commuted to broadcast Gopher games.
FYI ... Three radio stations broadcast Gopher Football games this year including KSTP, WCCO (Ray Christensen and Don Grammer) and WLOL (Roger Buxton and George Svendsen).
JOHN HINES AND CHUCK KNAPP ON WCCO RADIO IN 2008
WCCO RADIO BOONE & ERICKSON HUMEROUS SKIT IMAGINING A LIVE BASEBALL BROADCAST FROM CUBA
WCCO-AM (830): With the start of baseball Spring Training, enjoy a hilarious mid-1960s WCCO Radio comedy skit featuring Charlie Boone and Roger Erickson — now posted on RadioTapes.
The bit imagines a “live” broadcast from Cuba, with Ramos Scott, Jose Hall, and Herbe Carneal calling the action as the Havana Bananas (featuring pitcher Fidel Castro) take on the Bay of Pigs Sweat Backs. It’s classic Twin Cities radio humor at its finest.
KWTN-FM (K-TWIN) AIRCHECK FROM 1979
WLOL-FM AIRCHECK WITH GREG THUNDER FROM 1990
WLOL-FM (99.5): Greg Thunder from October 9, 1990. Includes commercials for Gold’n Plump Chicken, KMSP Channel 9, Filberts Nightclub in Bandana Square, and Kid Fest at St. Paul Center (provided by Todd Fairbanks).
FYI ... Greg Thunder can currently be heard in the Twin Cities weekday mornings on 102.9 The Wolf.
"TABLE FOR TWO" SHOWS THAT AIRED ON KSTP IN 1944
GOPHERS VS WISCONSIN BADGERS FOOTBALL GAME FROM 1964 AS HEARD ON WCCO-AM
WCCO-AM (830): University of Minnesota Golden Gophers vs University of Wisconsin Badgers football game with Ray Scott and Halsey Hall along with Sid Hartman and Paul Giel broadcast on November 21, 1964. Includes commercials.
WLOL-FM AIRCHECK WITH DENNY SCHAFFER FROM 1988
WCCO RADIO SPORTS TRIVIA BOWL WITH DAVE MONA FROM 1987
WCCO-AM (830) - Relive the excitement of the Fourth Annual WCCO Radio Sports Trivia Bowl Championship Round, broadcast live from the Hyatt Regency Hotel on March 19, 1987. Quizmaster Dave Mona and moderator Jim Rogers present the final matchup as the Lakeville Four face off against the Yankee Clippers. The tournament began with 100 four-person teams, all competing for the ultimate bragging rights.
RAY CHRISTENSEN'S LIFE STORY IN HIS OWN WORDS
This recording features Ray Christensen telling his life story in his own words. Released in 1995, it’s the audio version of his Golden Memories autobiography.
In this engaging first-person account, Ray reflects on his remarkable life—from his childhood, to his military service in World War II, including landing on Omaha Beach just four days after D-Day. He also discusses his education at the University of Minnesota and his work as music director at KUOM. Highlights include calling his first Gopher football broadcast in 1951, becoming the iconic voice of Gopher Sports, and much more.
This recording offers a rare and personal glimpse into the life and career of one of Minnesota broadcasting’s most respected voices. With permission from co-author Stu Thornley, RadioTapes is pleased to make this copyrighted 60-minute recording available.
Ray Christensen interview on Gopher Sports Update produced by the MN Broadcasters Association that aired on May 28, 2008. (provided by Matt Nelson)
KQRS RADIO'S FREEFORM ROCK FORMAT FROM 54 YEARS AGO
KQRS-AM/FM (1440 / 92.5) – With Alan Stone and John Fine from 1972 with commercials and news including Earth News.
Commercials: It’s a Beautiful Day at Mankato State College, Sunshine World at the Bronco Bar, Soundtrack Studio at Dayton’s, Schaak Electronics, Lancer, Schell’s Beer, Guthrie Theater, Wax Museum, Down in the Valley, Ear Piercings at Donaldson’s, Marsh Productions, and Cat Stevens’ “Catch a Bull at Four” LP at Target.
Music played (scoped): Quicksilver Girl by Steve Miller Band, Stairway to Heaven and Whole Lotta Love (medley) by Led Zeppelin at the Paris Theatre, Walkin’ Blues by Muddy Waters, Cryin’ Won’t Help You Now and You’re Mean by B.B. King, Time Lonesome by Zephyr, Only You Know and I Know by Dave Mason, Move with Me by Tim Buckley, Roller Derby by Leon Russell, Hey Mama by Climax Blues Band, Mellow Down Easy by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Under the Falling Sky by Bonnie Raitt, Down in the Flood by Chris Smither, and A Song for Jeffrey by Jethro Tull.
WLOL-FM HOT HITS COUNTDOWN FROM 1983 WITH JAY PHILPOTT
REMEMBERING THE CHALLENGER SPACE SHUTTLE DISASTER
It has been 40 years since the Challenger space shuttle disaster on January 28, 1986—a moment that stunned the nation and the world. Listen to the dramatic breaking news coverage from CBS Radio’s Christopher Glenn on WCCO Radio and ABC Radio on KSTP-AM. LINK
EIGHT WCCO-AM YEAR END SPECIALS FROM 1953-1962
Show summaries provided by Todd Kosovich.
1953 Highlights: Cedric Adams narrates a review of the year’s news, featuring many actualities. Russian Premier Joseph Stalin dies. Queen Elizabeth II is crowned. The Korean War Armistice is signed, with coverage and commentary from President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Veterans return home as families react. President Eisenhower visits Minnesota and promotes a stronger U.S. Air Force. Farm parity controversies plague farmers. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson addresses farmers, as does former Governor Harold Stassen. Senator Hubert H. Humphrey weighs in on parity, saying “no tinkering or tampering” is needed. Stillwater Prison narrowly avoids a riot. A fire destroys St. Olaf’s Catholic Church, a community landmark. Halsey Hall calls a Paul Giel first down, and Giel is later named an All-American. University of Minnesota football coach Wes Fesler resigns.
1955 Highlights: Cedric Adams narrates. DFL Governor Orville Freeman is sworn in and delivers his inaugural address. A budget deadlock grips the Minnesota Legislature. Harold Stassen considers a run for president if Eisenhower does not seek reelection. The Willard Hotel burns. A Thief River Falls banker is kidnapped. Korean War POWs are returned to Minnesota families. Farm prices again become controversial. Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz addresses farmers (he would later serve as Secretary of Agriculture under Presidents Nixon and Ford). Agriculture Secretary Ezra Taft Benson speaks in Minneapolis. Confidence in the Salk polio vaccine is shaken. On February 5, a new Soviet leader is announced, reported by Alan Jackson, with comments from Eisenhower. The Atoms for Peace conference is covered. Eisenhower returns to Washington following his heart attack, with CBS reports and comments from the president.
1956 Highlights: Cedric Adams narrates. A Northwest Airlines airliner crashes into Puget Sound, with all aboard saved; a stewardess gives WCCO a riveting first-hand account of the rescue. Thief River Falls banker Kenneth Lindbergh is kidnapped and killed, followed by WCCO bulletins and reports on the kidnapper’s court case. On June 9, a jet crash kills two people in a car near an airport. Four days later, a caller to Big Bill Cash reports another plane crash near the airport, setting six houses on fire. Six air crashes in Minnesota during 1956 claim 21 lives. Frank Lloyd Wright visits Minnesota. Senator Estes Kefauver defeats Adlai Stevenson in the Minnesota DFL presidential primary. Former Governor Harold Stassen opposes a second term for Vice President Richard Nixon. Jim Borman recounts how vice-presidential candidate Kefauver mispronounced Minnesota city names during a campaign visit. Nominees Stevenson and Eisenhower both campaign in Minnesota. A national columnist claims Eisenhower suffered a heart-attack relapse while in Minnesota and is confronted by loyal supporters. Minnesota’s first taconite plant opens.
1957 Highlights: Cedric Adams narrates. Baltimore bank robbers arrested in Minnesota. One of the robbers tried to hijack plane back to Baltimore, a Northwest Airline Hostess describes the incident. Blizzard report from Hibbing: six-foot drifts. Mahnomen car hits power pole, killing five. DFL Governor Freeman leads trade delegation to Asia. GOP State Treasurer Val Bjornson cleverly comments. Juvenile crime on rise, includes two youths killing their father, one talks to WCCO. Dr. Gould from Northfield flies over South Pole. Two military jets collide after Memorial Day fly over. Surviving pilot and commanding officer talk to WCCO. WCCO's Hugh Smith reports on legislative session. Marshall Flood of 1957, Jim Borman describes city from helicopter. Fargo Tornado kills nine, Hakan Torgerson reports. Shootout near Wyoming, Minnesota kills 2 of 3 brothers whose crime spree included shooting two police officers. Ed Gein's house of horrors discovered. Portions of 11 bodies discovered at Wisconsin farm; sheriff talks to WCCO who confirms human bones were found.
1958 Highlights: Cedric Adams narrates.. Minnesota Centennial Year celebrated. Forest Firefighters discuss fire North of Brainerd. Colfax, Wisconsin destroyed by tornado. Storm sinks ship in Lake Superior. Centennial Baby Proclamation read by Governor Orville Freeman. NATO Commander General Lauris Norstad (from Minnesota) Grand Marshall of parade. Prince Bertold of Sweden praises Minnesota and Princess Astrid of Norway reads message from the King of Norway. Northwestern Airliner crashes on takeoff from Wold-Chamberlain Airport in Twin Cities, hits house in Bloomington, no fatalities. B-52 Bomber explodes in the air over South St. Paul, 7 killed. Surviving airman and 15 year old witness on ground interviewed. 1958 elections pit GOP's George MacKinnon against DFL incumbent Governor Orville Freeman; and DFL's US Senate nominee Eugene McCarthy challenges two-term US Senator Ed Thye. Rep. Koya Knutson (DFL) defeated for reelection. Senator Hubert Humphrey visits Moscow, comments on return to US. Latest US satellite broadcasts Eisenhower Christmas Message on tape from satellite.
1959 Highlights: Minneapolis alarmed as 1959 murders total 17 - usually only 6 or 7 per year. A shootout at grocery store kills offer, Court clerk reads killer's statement to court at sentencing. St. Paul officer dies as fleeing felon crashes into squad car. 1959 Legislature fights Gov. Freeman's state tax withholding plan. House compromised, but state senate conservatives would not budge. Gov. Freeman comments, then reads call for Special Session. Liberal Peter Popovich & Conservative Leader Lloyd Duxbury comment. Forrest fires threaten White Bear Lake, Brainerd and Deadwood SD. Cedric Adams & Jim Borman report on Soviet Leader Nikita Khruschev's visit to an Iowa Farm. "Smiling Mike" Menshikov, USSR Ambassador to USA, fends off heckler. Private plane crashes on Leach Lake in snowstorm. Apartment fire: children reunited with mom during Jim Borman report. Fire at Seven Corners kills 3. Jim Borman talks with fire chief and survivors. Minneapolis Symphony Conductor Antal Dorati says farewell. St. Lawrence Seaway opens: Canadian Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent salutes the cooperation between US and Canada that made this possible. Dick Chapman reports from the bridge of the US Cruiser as it enters the Duluth Seaport, the 1st ocean going ship to do so. 59 miles of I-94 dedicated in Wisconsin, bypassed towns suffer. Steelworkers' strikers in Eveleth talk to WCCO. Albert Lea strike against food plant gets violent. Gov. Freeman sends in the National Guard, angering political opponents and food plant management.
1960 Highlights: Walter Mondale is appointed Minnesota Attorney General and comments on a charity-contribution fraud case. Dick Chapman covers the 1960 Wisconsin primary battle between Senators Hubert H. Humphrey and John F. Kennedy, including excerpts from both candidates and primary-night results. DFL Governor Orville Freeman and Humphrey appear at the 1960 Democratic National Convention. Minnesota GOP Congressman Dr. Walter Judd keynotes the Republican National Convention and is discussed as a vice-presidential hopeful. Republican Elmer L. Andersen is elected governor, defeating Freeman. The Washington Senators announce their move to Minnesota, becoming the Minnesota Twins. The NFL grants Minnesota an expansion franchise, later named the Vikings. University of Minnesota students celebrate as the Golden Gophers are selected for the 1961 Rose Bowl.
1962 Highlights: Arv Johnson narrates. At the time of the broadcast, votes in the Minnesota governor’s race are still being counted. The GOP nominates incumbent Governor Elmer L. Andersen, while the DFL nominates Lieutenant Governor Karl Rolvaag. The campaign is bitter, with the quality of concrete used on Interstate 35 becoming a major issue. (Rolvaag was later declared the winner by 91 votes and took office on March 25, 1963.) President John F. Kennedy and former President Dwight D. Eisenhower campaign in Minnesota. A Communist speaker invited to the University of Minnesota sparks a free-speech debate. A tense football game pits the Wisconsin Badgers against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
KSTP-AM AIRCHECK FROM 1966 WITH CHARLIE BUSH AND STAN TURNER
KSTP-AM (1500) - Charlie Bush and Stan Turner from November 13, 1966 including a newscast with local and international news. (Stan Turner Archives courtesy of TCMediaNow)
WCCO RADIO COVERAGE OF RECORD COLD & SCHOOL CLOSINGS IN 1996
Thirty years ago in 1996, Minnesota experienced persistent winter conditions, highlighted by heavy snow, major blizzards, and one of the state’s most extreme cold outbreaks. Here is some of the coverage as heard on WCCO Radio:
January 18, 1996: Roger Erickson, the longtime radio king of school closings, announcing school delays and closures with Dave Lee.
February 2, 1996: Mike Lynch reporting live from Tower, MN as the town hits Minnesota’s all-time record low temperature of −60°F, a landmark event in state history. It remains the coldest temperature ever recorded east of the Mississippi River.
KDWB-AM AIRCHECK FROM 1961 WITH PAUL JAY
KDWB-AM (630) - Paul Jay (Jacobson) from January 1, 1961 featuring jingles, news, weather, and sports, plus Jimmie Fidler from Hollywood, and more. (Stan Turner Archives courtesy of TCMediaNow)
MORE WLOL-FM AIRCHECKS WITH HINES & BERGLUND
GOPHERS VS WISCONSIN BADGERS FOOTBALL GAME FROM 1962 AS HEARD ON WCCO-AM
WCCO-AM (830): University of Minnesota Golden Gophers vs University of Wisconsin Badgers football game with Ray Scott and Halsey Hall broadcast on November 24, 1962. (provided by Dale Reed)
Extended audio from the controversal final minutes plus post game interviews with Murray Warmath and Bobby Bell.
The recording features game coverage from the beginning including commercials but ends 11 minutes before the conclusion. However, there is a clip of audio from the controversal final minutes that is included above. Halftime includes Sid Hartman interviewing Kenneth ‘Tug’ Wilson, former Big Ten commissioner; George Daniel Lanphear, Badgers PR director and former player; and Halsey Hall talking with Bernie Bierman, former Gophers head coach.
This was a memorable game in the Paul Bunyan’s Axe rivalry, No. 3 Wisconsin edged No. 5 Minnesota 14–9 at Camp Randall Stadium. The Gophers took an early lead and still led 9-7 late in the fourth quarter, but a controversial 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty against Minnesota’s Bobby Bell kept alive a Badger drive; Wisconsin scored on a short touchdown with about 1:37 left to clinch the Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl berth.
KSTP-AM 1940 ST. PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL BROADCAST
BREAKING NEWS COVERAGE OF D. B. COOPER'S AIRPLANE HIJACKING IN 1971
WCCO-AM (830): News coverage of D.B. Cooper’s hijacking of a Northwest Orient flight on November 24, 1971.
D. B. Cooper was the alias used by an unidentified man who, while in flight, opened the aircraft’s aft door, deployed the airstair, and parachuted to an uncertain fate over a remote, heavily wooded area of southwest Washington with $200,000 (equivalent to approximately $1.6 million today). Cooper was never found.
Listen to extensive breaking news coverage that aired throughout the night and into the following morning from CBS Radio and WCCO Radio staff, including Steve Edstrom, Franklin Hobbs, Joe McFarlin, Dick Chapman, Bob Thornberg, Roger Erickson, Maynard Speece, and others. Also included are an interview with the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport control center, on-the-scene reports from Reno–Tahoe International Airport, and analysis and speculation.
This recording was digitized from a slow-moving WCCO Radio “logger” tape, so the audio is not studio quality.
WLOL-FM AIRCHECK WITH HINES & BERGLUND FROM 1986
INVITATION TO VISIT RADIO AIRCHECK WEBSITES OPERATED BY CURT LUNDGREN
If you are not already aware, we would like to introduce you to two outstanding aircheck websites operated by Curt Lundgren.
Curt Lundgren says, “I was a compulsive listener to KDWB-AM from its start and taped quite a bit in the 1960s and ’70s. If you cut me, I bled 630 kHz! After graduating from Washburn High School in Minneapolis, I went directly to Brown Institute of Broadcasting in 1966 and then into my career. I consider myself fortunate to have rubbed shoulders with giants such as Howard Viken, Boone & Erickson, Steve Cannon, Joyce Lamont, and other WCCO legends.”
Curt worked at KUXL-AM (Minneapolis) from 1966–1968; WMIN-AM (St. Paul) in 1968; WHEW-FM/WMYR-AM (Fort Myers) from 1970–1972; KYMN-AM (Northfield) from 1972–1975; WCCO-FM (Minneapolis) from 1975–1983; and WCCO-AM (Minneapolis) from 1983–1996. During his career, he also used the on-air names Paul Evans, Evan Curfew (name used when starting out at KUXL), and Curt Lundgren.
Curt adds, “I didn’t want to lose the audio history contained on hundreds of cassettes, many more than fifty years old. Archive.org offered a free and simple online space for preservation. It’s important to perpetuate our radio history here in Minnesota and elsewhere. Others should make the effort and consider contributing to Radio Tapes." MINNESOTA AIRCHECKS
Curt's SECONDARY AIRCHECKS GROUPS on Archive consists of recordings of radio from other markets, television audio of historical interest, and commercials from the era.
RELIVING RADIO PLAY-BY-PLAY OF GOPHER FOOTBALL WINS AGAINST THE MICHIGAN WOLVERINES IN 1934, 1977 AND 1986
WCCO-AM (830): University of Minnesota Gopher football upsets the University of Michigan Wolverines, featuring play-by-play in 1934, 1977, and 1986.
November 3, 1934: The undefeated Minnesota Golden Gophers beat the Michigan Wolverines 34-0 in their Homecoming game at Memorial Stadium in Minneapolis, continuing their dominant season where they won every game, including a major victory against the Wolverines. Play-by-play with Halsey Hall.
October 22, 1977: The Minnesota Gophers upset the No. 1-ranked Michigan Wolverines, 16–0, in Minneapolis, reclaiming the Little Brown Jug. The victory marked Michigan’s first shutout in 112 games and stands as one of the biggest upsets in college football history. Play-by-play by Ray Christensen with Murray Warmath.
November 15, 1986: The Minnesota Gophers defeated the No. 2-ranked, undefeated Michigan Wolverines, 20–17, in Ann Arbor, reclaiming the Little Brown Jug on a last-second field goal by Chip Lohmiller. The win ended Michigan’s national title hopes and marked Minnesota’s first victory over Michigan since 1977. Play-by-play by Ray Christensen with Paul Flatley.
STEVE CANNON TORO MARKETING VIDEO FROM 1961
A 1961 marketing/promotional video for Toro featuring Steve Cannon—who plays a hardware store employee. Click HERE to view the video. Cannon was one of Minnesota radio’s most enduring personalities, with a career spanning more than four decades.
Steve Cannon began his broadcasting career in the early 1950s at smaller Midwest stations before working at Twin Cities outlets including WMIN and WLOL. Cannon gained major prominence at KSTP-AM, where he hosted a successful morning show from the late 1950s through 1971. That year he moved to WCCO-AM, where he became a household name as the host of the late-afternoon talk program The Cannon Mess. Cannon remained on WCCO for 26 years, retiring in 1997, and left behind a legacy of humor, characters, and conversation that made him one of the most recognizable voices in Minnesota broadcasting history. Listen to Steve Cannon airchecks HERE.
WCCO RADIO FULL DAY AIRCHECK FROM 1972
WCCO-AM (830): Here is a rare opportunity to enjoy 24 hours of programming as heard on WCCO-AM on February 24, 1972. CLICK HERE. Listen to WCCO Radio broadcasting legends including Charlie Boone, Roger Erickson, Steve Cannon, Howard Viken, Maynard Speece, Franklin Hobbs, Joyce Lamont, Jergen Nash, and others. Also included is a Minnesota North Stars game with Al Shaver and Steve Cannon, along with reports throughout the day on President Richard Nixon’s historic trip to China.
These recordings were digitized from a very slow-moving “logger” reel-to-reel tape maintained by WCCO. As a result, the audio is not studio quality, but rather resembles what it may have sounded like on a small AM transistor radio. We hope you enjoy this remarkable audio journey back in time. Music has been scoped.
REMEMBERING JOHN LENNON
John Lennon died 45 years ago, on December 8, 1980. Listen to breaking news reports and tributes that aired on WCCO-AM/CBS Radio, KQRS-FM/NBC Radio The Source, WWTC-AM/Mutual Radio, WCCO-FM, KDWB-FM, KSTP-FM, WLOL-FM, and KCLD-FM. Also included is audio of how the news was announced on ABC Television’s Monday Night Football and during NBC Television’s The Tonight Show. CLICK HERE.
REMEMBERING PEARL HARBOR ATTACKS AS HEARD ON WCCO RADIO IN 1941
Pearl Harbor National Memorial: LINK.
WDGY-AM "STREAMLINE" NEWSCAST FROM 1940
WDGY-AM (1140 *) "Streamline News" with Benedict Hardman from December 6, 1940. Newscast consisted of European war news (Italian base in Albania taken over by Greek army, German airplanes flying over Great Britain, etc.) and local news and weather. WDGY mention and morse code sounder at the end. (Stan Turner Archives courtesy of TCMediaNow).
Note: In 1940, WDGY broadcast on 1140 kHz. The station moved to its longtime home frequency of 1130 kHz in 1941.
WLOL-FM AIRCHECK FROM 1986 WITH PHIL HUSTON INCLUDING GREATEST ROCK-AND-ROLL HITS MONTAGE
MORE ABOUT MONTAGE MANIA FROM JAY PHILPOTT:
WLS started this "art form" in the 70s by airing a recap of the past year's hits every New Year's Eve at midnight, adding another minute or so each year to represent each "old year." I caught onto this trend and was inspired by it in 1975. Here are a couple of versions of the WLS Montage. The first is an actual aircheck of fairly good quality...but so what if there are imperfections in the signal or the recording - that's the way we heard it! WLS MONTAGE (air 1955-1984)
This version is a complete and absolutely faithful stereo rebuild of the original montage, produced by Scott Childers (www.scottchilders.com): WLS STEREO REBUILD
This final version is my production. I began it in 1979 while I was working at KFMX-FM, as a way to commemorate the passing of the 70s decade. For New Year's Eve 1980 leading into 1981, I added the new 1980 segment and retro-expanded the montage to 1964...the beginning of contemporary music with the Beatles Era. When I started at WLOL-FM in the summer of '80, I brought it with me, and we played it every New Year's Eve at midnight, following each year's "Hot Hits Countdown." I also added 1981, 1982 and 1983. Following my late 1984 departure from WLOL-FM, Gregg Swedberg and his staff continued the tradition of adding to and airing the montage through 1990. From that point, I informally kept up with the montage here and there, even though it didn't have a home for a New Year's Eve airing. The last few years of this piece contain montage elements produced by Scott Childers. PHILPOTT'S MONTAGE Large 50 MB file.
MN NORTH STARS KSTP-AM GAME RECAPS WITH AL SHAVER
KSTP-AM (1500) – Three Minnesota North Stars game recaps with Al Shaver and Dan Stoneking. (provided by David Valento)
11/11/1981 - vs. Winnigeg Jets (won 15-2)
11/18/1981 - vs Quebec Nordiques (tied 5-5)
12/12/1981 - vs Chicago Black Hawks (won 6-3)
KDWB-AM AIRCHECK FROM 1965 WITH CHARLEE BROWN
WCCO RADIO BLOOPERS SHOW THAT AIRED IN 1987
WCCO-AM (830) – Paul Stagg and Brad Johnson from August 21, 1987 featuring bloopers previously aired on WCCO Radio, along with additional highlights. (provided by Keith Schad)
Paul Stagg’s career began at KWLM-AM in Willmar, followed by WDAY-AM in Fargo, and then WWTC-AM, WCCO-FM/WLTE-FM, WCCO-AM, and KLBB-AM in the Twin Cities before returning to KWLM to conclude his career.
Brad Johnson’s career included work at WMIN-AM, WTCN-AM, WTCN-AM, KRSI-AM, and WLOL-AM, where he helped pioneer the talk-radio format. He later joined the WCCO Radio sales staff and became one of the station’s top account executives.
Both Paul and Brad were inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
KDWB-AM AIRCHECK FROM 1961 WITH HAL MURRAY
WCCO RADIO LIVE BROADCAST FROM THE PAVEK MUSEUM IN 1988 WITH MINNESOTA BROADCASTING LEGENDS
The program, hosted by Jim Rogers, features interviews with Minnesota broadcasting legends from WCCO Radio, WDGY Radio, KSTP Radio, and more.
Links below are to profile pages/materials of those who appeared in the broadcast: Johnny Canton, Bob DeHaven, Paul Hedberg, Rolf Hertsgaard, Leigh Kamman, Rodger Kent, Joyce Lamont, Jergen Nash, Stanley Mack, Jim Ramsburg, Jimmy Valentine, and the museum’s namesake, Joe Pavek. (provided by Keith Schad)
Learn more about the Pavek Museum of Electronic Communication at PavekMuseum.org
KDWB-AM AIRCHECK FROM 1960 WITH PAUL JAY
BREAKING NEWS COVERAGE OF THE 1989 SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND AREA EARTHQUAKE
WCCO-AM (830): WCCO and CBS Radio breaking-news coverage of the San Francisco–Oakland (Loma Prieta) earthquake on October 17, 1989, which occurred just before the start of Game 3 of the World Series at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The shock was responsible for 63 deaths and 3,757 injuries. The coverage includes WCCO’s Jim Rogers, Steve Cannon, John Gordon, Ted Robinson, and Dean Spratt, along with phone calls and reports from CBS Radio newscasters and reporters. #1 #2 #3 #4. (provided by Keith Schad)
KDWB-AM AIRCHECK FROM 1965 WITH DON DUCHENE AND STAN TURNER
RAY CHRISTENSEN INTERVIEW ON WCCO RADIO IN 1993
WCCO-AM (830): Ray Christensen interviewed about his Golden Memories book by Dave Lee and Ruth Koscielak on November 7, 1993. Ray's co-writer, Stew Thornley, was also in the studio. Ray served as the play-by-play announcer for the Minnesota Golden Gophers sports teams from 1951 to 2001 and worked for WCCO-AM beginning in 1963. The recording includes a news update with Telly Mamayek and listener calls. - (Provided by Keith Schad)
WCCO-AM (830) - AUGUST 26, 1966 - 5:00 AM-11:00 PM
RadioTapes is winding back the aircheck time machine. Here is a rare opportunity to enjoy approximately 17 hours of continuous programming as heard on WCCO-AM on August 26, 1966, from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm. You will hear Roger Erickson and Maynard Speece in the morning, Howard Viken filling in on the national Arthur Godfrey Show, Boone and Erickson, MN Vikings vs. the Washington Redskins with Ray Christensen and Paul Giel, MN Twins vs. the Chicago White Sox with Herb Carneal, Ray Scott, Halsey Hall and Sid Hartman. Plus many commercials (including lots of cigarette ads), Jergen Nash Show, an address by President Johnson and much more!
These recordings were digitized off of a very slow moving "logger" reel-to-reel tape kept by 'CCO. As a result, the audio is not studio quality but more like what it would have sounded like listening with a 1960s small pocket AM transistor radio. We hope you enjoy this wonderful audio journey back in time. Music has been scoped.
Here is a LINK to the page with all the hourly airchecks and detailed descriptions.
THE SEARCH FOR THE LOST RADIO PLAY-BY-PLAY TAPE OF MINNESOTA TWIN CESAR TOVAR'S GRAND SUNDAY IN 1968
Star Tribune article written by sports columnist Patrick Reusse about the search for the lost radio play-by-play tape of Minnesota Twin Cesar Tovar's Grand Sunday when he played all nine positions on September 22, 1968. Tom Gavaras, who is featured in the article, is the operator of RadioTapes.
LINK to the Star Tribune article published on August 16, 2022
JPEG of the article (in the event you are unable to access the Star Tribune website)
Edited aircheck - Herb Carneal and Halsey Hall, with play-by-play of Tovar playing all nine position on September 22, 1968 (mp3)
We are always looking for historic airchecks of Twin Cities radio stations. If you enjoy this website, a financial donation would be appreciated (though not required). Donations will be used to help cover website-related expenses, including making more than 2,500 audio files available, maintaining equipment used to digitize airchecks (with more than 1,000 tapes waiting to be digitized), and more. In addition, discussions are ongoing to eventually provide copies of RadioTapes’ extensive archives to local and national broadcast museums and the Library of Congress.
The Following Airchecks Are Featured on the Historic Airchecks 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 the Assassination Attempt on George Wallace (1972)
- 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 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)
- Coverage of Disappearance and Location of Jayme Closs (2019)
- Election Coverage (2020)
- Storming of the US Capitol (2021)
- Coverage of Minneapolis Annunciation Catholic Church Shooting (2025)