NOTHING-- About Flying

[Lawreston]

Our local(Portland) NBC station has a Monday through Friday locally produced ½-hour show on which there is normally a guest of considerable fame. The show is sandwiched between NBC News/Brian Williams and Deal or NO Deal.

Earlier in the week Rob and Kathleen's guest was Arnie the Woo. Those of you outside New England would probably not know that Arnie "Woo Woo" Ginsberg was one of America's original "Top Forty" Rock 'n Roll disc jockeys(WMEX - Boston). He's lived in Southern Maine for over 50 years.

I was glued right to the television, and remembered. Tonight Rob and Kathleen indicated that they had so much response about Arnie's appearance(and I know he keeps a low profile) that he'll be back for another visit. That did it! I had to go back to one of my college photo albums and copy some images to send to R. and K.

During radio, television, and theatre school days I was frequently seen on Boston/Brookline streets with my unicycle. One day I was riding down the street near Fenway Park and an Associated Press photographer nailed me. Then a guy came running up behind me with the biggest Zippo cigarette lighter I'd ever seen. Arnie Woo Woo Ginsberg! After several photos he asked me to ride in the WMEX contingent of the famous South Boston St. Patrick's Day parade. I did -- 2 years in a row. The 1962 AP photos are below.

Those of you in the mid-West may remember JJ Jeffrey(#1 at WLS for several years running). JJ came from/now lives near here in Brunswick. He and Arnie were at WMEX at the same time. Arnie still looks great but the hair is white.

HR

 

[Richard]

Wow o WOW! The good old days! Thanks, Harley.

 

[Lawreston]

Ah, Richard. Even in California you might have heard of JJ Jeffrey. Though they may have sold them off by now, at one time the Fuller-Jeffrey Group(Bob Fuller/Joe Jeffrey) owned the largest chain of [privately-owned] radio stations in California. They'd buy a station that was waning, JJ would go on the air to bring up the ratings, then they'd sell. At one time they had 11 stations in the chain. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._Jeffrey

 

[etsisk]

Ok, this has been up for a whole day and NO-ONE'S pointed out that HR is in the pictures riding a unicycle and wearing a cowboy hat!!

 

[Richard]

Ok, this has been up for a whole day and NO-ONE'S pointed out that HR is in the pictures riding a unicycle and wearing a cowboy hat!!

Hence my post. When a guy could ride a uni wearing a cowboy hat being chased by a local celeb, those were the good ol days.

Harley's posts always connote a warmth. He always so eloquently captures the essence of America. His are like cards in the spokes, a remembrance of simpler times. Yet, as often, I learn of the history of such things which are always interesting; Harley's post have a back drop of the true history, of people and of things which affected them. I always enjoy his posts.

I dare say, the Harley of today is as iconic as that of yesteryear. And we, okay me, are the richer for it.

 

[etsisk]

Not just you, Richard, not just you.

 

[Lawreston]

Ok, this has been up for a whole day and NO-ONE'S pointed out that HR is in the pictures riding a unicycle and wearing a cowboy hat!!

. . .. . . . . and 46 years ago. Or if one wonders why Arnie signed one of the photos to "Larry," that was the nickname for Lawreston in those days. But when I later signed on with a radio station, intending to be "Larry Leyman," there was already a Larry on-the-air, so I quickly became "Jerry."

Incidentally, that Western hat came from a shop on Boylston Street(Boston) where there were pictures of Richard Boone(TV's Paladin) buying Western gear.

The particular era for us ol' timers can be identified by these two(of many) albums I have which were signed by the WMEX stars.
"Melvin" X Melvin was actually JJ Jeffrey in an earlier life. Melvin was the morning drive-time; Mel Miller was on after Melvin; then "New England's Original Dan Donovan;" and evening time was Arnie Woo Woo Ginsberg, after the outspoken talk show host Jerry Williams kept listeners on their toes during late afternoon drive time.

HR

HR

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Harley's posts always connote a warmth. He always so eloquently captures the essence of America. His are like cards in the spokes, a remembrance of simpler times. Yet, as often, I learn of the history of such things which are always interesting; Harley's post have a back drop of the true history, of people and of things which affected them. I always enjoy his posts.

Me too! They give me a sense of the small world we all live in - Always so many connections. HR, your life has certainly been an interesting one and I do love the stories and pictures!