"Cousin Brucie"
My Life in Rock ‘N’ Roll Radio
By Cousin Bruce Morrow and Laura Baudo
Beech Tree Books, 1987
I have a first edition of this book and after some checking, it seems Harpercollins Childrens Books is now the publisher. Maybe Beech Tree got swallowed up by them. I actually grew up listening to Cousin Brucie on WABC-AM out of New York City so for me, reading his story in his own words about his prominent days as a DJ during the heyday of Top 40 Radio was fascinating. What I most appreciate about Bruce Morrow is his constant realization that being on Radio was a gift and the only reason to be there is a love of providing entertainment to listeners. The man is a pro and can still be heard today on SIRIUS XM Radio.
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"The Pied Pipers of Rock ‘n’ Roll"
Radio Deejays of the 50s and 60s
By Wes Smith
Longstreet Press, 1989
Wes Smith’s account of the growth of AM radio during the early days of Rock ‘n’ Roll will give you a completely new perspective on how the perfect storm of Radio, high profile personalities, and Rock ‘n’ Roll actually changed the culture in America during the 1950s and 1960s. Maybe you’ve heard of Wolfman Jack and Alan Freed but you don’t know the whole story unless you also know about Hunter Hancock, Zenas Sears, and Jocko Henderson.
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"Did You Whittinghill This Morning?"
The Madcap Adventures of a Hollywood Disc Jockey
By Dick Whittinghill with Don Page
Henry Regnery Company, 1976
Dick Whittinghill was the morning man on KMPC-AM, Hollywood, California for decades. When this book came out he had already been on-the-air there for 25 years. Some say Whittinghill paved the way for DJs to become Radio Personalities. Being in Hollywood allowed Whittinghill to have access to many stars and his radio show – and personal life - sometimes seemed like a Radio version of the “Rat Pack”. This is a fascinating book which provides a balance to Wes Smith’s book mentioned above.
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"Have Mercy!"
Confessions of the Original Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal
By Wolfman Jack with Byron Laursen
Warner Books, 1995
Wolfman Jack (real name Bob Smith) grew up in Brooklyn, New York but made his mark by blasting his wolf-cry across the United States from a Mexican border station called XERF. The Wolfman was part hustler, part huckster, part DJ, but fulltime personality. He made millions of dollars and blew much of it on drugs and partying. During his peak years, he knew everyone in music and stayed up all night with the best – and worst – of them. When you talk about a DJ with a unique style, Wolfman Jack has got to be the role model.
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"The Rush Limbaugh Story"
(Talent on Loan from God An Unauthorized Biography)
By Paul D. Colford
St. Martins Press, 1993 – 1994
Love him or hate him, if you are attracted to stories of success built out of initial failure, then this is for you. Limbaugh rose to fame on the heels of the F.C.C’s repeal of “The Fairness Doctrine” and when this book was published during the early part of President Clinton’s first term, Limbaugh’s success was being galvanized by AM radio station affiliate growth and listenership.
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"Empire of the Air"
The men Who Made Radio
By Tom Lewis
Harpercollins, 1991
Lewis’ detailed book traces the lives of the three men who’s vision, ego, and persistence created the backbone which made Radio as we know it possible: Lee de Forest, Edwin H. Armstrong, and David Sarnoff. As with any new technology, there is experimentation, success and failure and in developing Radio, the sweat and genius of these men came together in a synergy which benefited the world, but not necessarily themselves as fairly. This is a studious book which no Radio lover can avoid.
