Steve Cichon writes about Buffalo’s pop culture history. His stories of Buffalo's past have appeared more than 1600 times in The Buffalo News.
He's a proud Buffalonian helping the world experience the city he loves. Since the earliest days of the internet, Cichon's been creating content celebrating the people, places, and ideas that make Buffalo unique and special. The 25-year veteran of Buffalo radio and television has written five books and curates The Buffalo Stories Archives-- hundreds of thousands of books, images, and audio/visual media which tell the stories of who we are in Western New York.
Buffalo, NY – He was so understated, you didn’t miss him until he was gone.
But there’s no doubt I’m not the only one who can’t help myself when I’m in an echoey room– I have to break loose with a Milt Ellis tribute.
1st Buffalo Goal, his second of the season, scored by number 20 Brent Peterson. assists to number number 7 Dale McCourt, and number 23 Hannu Virta. Peterson, from McCourt and Virta. Time of the Goal, 13:22.
Every Buffalo hockey fan past a certain age has a Milt Ellis impression, whether they know it or not. Milt is a Buffalo institution– although he’d be the last one to say so. He’s the most humble, sincere, honest man you’ll ever meet.
Milt’s Memorial Auditorium public address career started with the AHL Hockey Bisons in the mid-60s. His friend Stan Barron was the PR man for the Bisons, and they needed a new PA announcer. Stan called Milt and Milt continued to be the voice of goals, penalties, and New York State Smoking Regulations until 1997 (yes, he worked for two years in the then-Marine Midland Arena.)
A hockey fan long before the Sabres skated into Buffalo, Milt has always held a place in his heart for the Leafs. When he was growing up, he could get the Leafs games on the radio and TV. Though he’ll tell you he really doesn’t consider himself having a “style,” has has said that he’s always admired the work of longtime Leafs PA Announcer Paul Morris.
The Milt Ellis Jukebox is filled with Milt’s Public Address announcements, as well as other ephemeral sound from a night at The Aud.
Many will remember Milt introducing “The National Anthem, with Tenor Joe Byron and organist Norm Wullen.”
Selections from both men are programmed into the jukebox… Also included are a full length interview Mike Schopp conducted with Milt at WNSA Radio in 2001, and a portion of a show from WDCX– The Christian Station that was Milt’s “Day Job” the entire time he was the Sabres PA announcer.
Also a brief clip from one of the men Milt looked up to as a PA Announcer… The Voice of Maple Gardens, longtime Toronto PA man Paul Morris.
It was one of the great events in radio history. As WKBW Radio was sold off by Capital Cities and was sliding into the abyss, the station threw one hell of a party to celebrate Dan Neaverth’s 25th anniversary at the station.
In many ways, it was the last hurrah for KB, which would soon spend most of the next two decades mired in satellite “formats of the day” and little or no direction.
But for one winter weekend in 1986, the old KB was back.
The weekend started with reception at Shea’s Buffalo on Friday, an oldies Saturday morning on KB, and then Saturday evening– a Free-For-All Round table discussion with many of the jocks, newsmen, and KB alums who were in town.
Then-KB News Director John Zach was instrumental in putting the reunion together. He shared a four-hour video that was shot at the reunion– the images on this page are from that video.
Believe it or not, a job in broadcasting is not too much different that any other job. We all punch a clock, putting in our 8 or 9 hours a day… and hope we’ve accomplished something at the end of it all. Most of us talk into a camera or microphone without much recognition or many accolades; many never fully comprehending the impact that we’ve had on so many. That’s where the Buffalo Broadcasters come in.
The Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame event is not only a chance to mark for history the great achievements and pop cultural impact of some the Queen City’s favorite Radio and TV contributors… It’s also a chance to let the best of the best know how much they are appreciated by both their industry and the public.
I was once in the home of the late Jack Mahl, who spent 50 years on Buffalo Radio and Television. The only sign of that incredible run as a broadcaster was his proudly displayed Hall of Fame Award, an award the 6-foot-eight Mahl nearly broke down in tears accepting. One of this year’s honorees wrote, “Buffalo Bob Smith, Irv Weinstein, Joey Reynolds, and now me. Pinch me, I must be dreaming.” Not dreaming, only taking your rightful place among Buffalo’s Greatest.
After nearly a decade honoring nearly 60 people with induction into our Hall of Fame, we relish that we’re able to celebrate the history of Radio and Television, and at the same time, say Job Well Done to those who richly deserve it… Those who have told us the news that has impacted our lives, told us what the score was, told us whether to grab an umbrella, and even played a little music to make that long car trip to Auntie’s house a little more enjoyable.
For 31 years (and ticking), Rich Kellman has maintained the bar for not only journalistic excellence, but also for humanity, sensitivity, and empathy in reporting.
Kellman’s long list of professional awards includes Emmys, the Edward R. Murrow Award, and Associated Press Awards in Individual, Investigative, and Feature Reporting. He’s also met Popes and Presidents. While those professional milestones alone would likely make Rich a candidate worthy of the Hall of Fame, it’s his knack to connect with people, and his sheer joy in telling their stories that makes him that much more special.
Since 1974, Rich has been the constant Channel 2, and no matter the cast around him, has always left viewers with the feeling “Someone in that little box really cares for me.” And the best part about Rich Kellman is… That he really does.
The Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers was founded in 1995, and we still have a lot of catching up to do. The Golden Age Award is reserved for the pioneers in the truest sense of the word: Those who did it first, the people who had no pattern to follow, no lead blocker. These folks blazed the trail, and set an example for future generations to follow.
Like many of radio’s pioneers, Billy Keaton‘s foray into the medium came in the pre-war days when he adapted his Vaudeville routine into the highly popular “Stuff and Nonsense” program on WGR Radio. His success turned a temporary Buffalo assignment permanent. After the war, Billy’s wife Reggie joined the act, and the two hosted the “Mr. and Mrs. Show” for a decade.
While the Keatons’ voices were familiar throughout the ’40s and ’50s, their faces were soon popular as well. As a long time WGR Radio fan favorite, Billy was the natural choice to welcome the first viewers to WGR-TV in 1954. Billy and Reggie also hosted several Cable TV talk shows through the years, leaving a legacy of 55 years of entertaining Western New York. Billy Keaton passed away in 1976, Reggie 19 years later in 1995.
It takes more than just a pretty face or golden voice to put on a radio or television program, and with the Behind the Scenes Award, the BBP celebrates the folks who are the guts of any broadcast: The directors, producers, photographers, writers, engineers… All the often nameless, faceless people on “the other side of the glass.”
Several generations of Buffalonians grew up with the rock’n roll music and fun of WKBW Radio. From 1958 to 1988, one man had his hand on the rudder of the production sound that allowed KB to stand head and shoulders above the rest.
Al Lafler‘s interest in radio began when he served in World War II as a Navy sonar man. After a few years around the dial, Al knocked on the door at KB and was hired on the spot. He spent then next thirty years as an engineer and production man at the station.
It was partially his credo, “Good enough isn’t good enough,” that gave KB such a great sound over the years… But it was also his warmth and kindness that allowed him to enforce that credo without ruffling the sometimes delicate sensibilities of some of Buffalo’s biggest radio stars. It all made for a backbone that allowed the stations personalities shine even brighter.
The Goodyear Award is named in honor of George Goodyear, the Buffalo philanthropist who co-founded WGR-TV, and is awarded each year to those in Broadcasting’s front office who have made a career of advancing the ideals of the BBP.
Bill McKibben spent a career as a trailblazer. As General Manager at WGR Radio in the mid 60’s, he helped develop the city’s first news/talk format, a quarter century before talk would revolutionize AM Radio. When he and some investors purchased WEBR Radio in the 70s, they put Buffalo’s First Oldies Format on the air… Again a decade before a full-time Oldies became widely accepted.
Between assignments at WGR and WEBR, McKibben modernized the WBEN properties… Both Radio and Channel 4. While the Buffalo Evening News had been a pioneer in putting the stations on the air, they hadn’t done much by the mid-60’s to compete in the market. McKibben brought in viewer and listener research, and helped turn around a franchise that was on the precipice of abyss. It was Bill’s idea, for example, to move Chuck Healy to the news desk from sports, which helped ratings soar.
Known as a tough management negotiator despite having grown up in a union home, most who worked with Bill agree that he always made every attempt to hire the best, and then let them do their job unfettered.
Buffalo Bob Smith began his broadcasting career in his hometown of Buffalo, but of course gained worldwide fame as the human friend of America’s favorite puppet, Howdy Doody. Despite his international celebrity, Bob never forgot his hometown, and even adopted it as a part of his name. Each year The Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers honor a broadcaster who has made his or her mark away from the Niagara Frontier, but is a Buffalonian at heart.
Since 1964, when he was traded to the Bills, Paul Maguire has been a Buffalonian. Since his retirement from football in 1970, Maguire has used his suburban Buffalo home as the home base for a sports broadcasting career that is incredible if only based on its 35 year longevity.
The fact that he never softens the edges, added to his feistiness and humor have always meant that his Color Commentary has certainly offers more “color” than any other Analyst in football. A “lunch bucket” player and a “lunch bucket” broadcaster has made “lunch bucket” Buffalo proud to call him “One of us” for over 40 years.
A smart, interesting friend on the radio. In that regard, Jim Santella is like many other great disc jockeys over the years… He’s someone who has transcended the microphone and speaker to make the listener feel like they were having a real conversation.
What continues to set Jim apart is his soft-spoken approach mixed with a strong, yet somehow universally appealing, sense of social awareness. As the voice and leader of Progressive radio in Buffalo for parts of three decades at stations like WYSL-FM, WPHD-FM, WGRQ-FM, WZIR-FM, and WUWU-FM, Santella lead the rebellion against playlist conformity and management meddling. It more than once forced him up or down the dial, but people followed.
Agree with him or not; like the music or not, a certain magnetism draws you in to a Santella broadcast. It was a style that helped shape, and continues to shape, the sound of FM radio in Buffalo.
We always welcome new members to the Buffalo Broadcasters. It’s our mission to preserve and promote Western New York’s rich TV and radio history, and to salute and bring attention to quality broadcasting of today. Membership is $30, and anyone with a passion for broadcasting can join as a member. It’s just as easy to join us in celebrating this year’s honorees.
Tickets to our Hall of Fame event are available to general public at $50 per person, and $40 for members. Send your ticket order or membership request with payment to:
The Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers
5672 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
Steve Cichon is a Past President of the Buffalo Broadcasters, and currently serves on the group’s Board of Directors. He’s also a news anchor and reporter for WBEN Radio, and is webmaster at staffannouncer.com, a website celebrating broadcasting history.
BUFFALO, NY- Christmas in 1954 Buffalo… As seen in the Pages of the Courier-Express!
As Buffalonians opened up the pages of the Courier-Express and The Evening News, they saw plenty of choices for Christmas shopping around WNY back in 1954.
Included on these pages are a cross-section of the places Buffalonians would have shopped for clothing, toys, food, cars, and appliances in December, 1954.
I’ve also included this page detailing what folks would have been watching on TV (if they had one!) and listening to on radio during that month.
Okay, this is cool…. but WHY?!?!
A few years ago, I was junk shopping at the Salvation Army store on Seneca Street in South Buffalo.
My love for weird records always takes me to that part of the store,
and that’s where I found the mother-lode– boxes and boxes of old 78rpm records, sitting just as they were packed in in 1955.
But it wasn’t the records that caught my eye…– It was the NEWSPAPER the records were wrapped in!
Dozens of sheets of Buffalo Evening News and Courier-Express, all from December 1954. Well, I took the papers, left the records, and this is the result.
Adam, Meldrum & Anderson
Otherwise known as AM&A’s
Three locations for these beautiful gifts…Your Christmas Store since 1867!
Bergers
Mom… Petticoats are on sale at Bergers! Shop til 8 on Main Street.
Bergers
Try LL Bergers Downtown and Thruway Mall locations!
Flint & Kent
Since 1832. Mens’ Ware in Downtown Buffalo
Grants
Shop Grants at Main and Huron
Hengerers
Open Til 9 four nights this week… Look for the sweaters in “Luscious Orlon.” Hengerers
One of many things no longer in Downtown Buffalo.
Hens & Kelly
I like the guy with the pipe! JN Adam’s..
Not to be confused with Adam, Meldrum & Anderson.
J.N. Adam was Buffalo Mayor 1906-1909.
Kleinhans
Take until May, 1955 to pay at Kleinhans Mens Store!
Kleinhans
Kleinhans Thrift Basement is the place for ties!
Kobackers
Downtown, Broadway, Riverside
Kolipinski’s
A Fire sale at the East Side Store… Just in time for Christmas!
Kresges
Kresges is included here….not because it was a local Buffalo store, but because it was soon to become K-Mart!
Sattler’s
Buy a Crosley TV… only $1.07 a week!
Sattlers
Shop 998 Broadway for Men’s Suits!
Sattlers
Sattlers Toyland… Across the Street from 998! Check out the toy train for sale.
Sears
All Three Locations open late!
Sears… and Wurlitzer!
This Sears Appliance ad lists three Locations:
Main at Jefferson, Broadway at Fillmore, and Seneca at Cazenovia.
Wurlizter lists 674 Main as its store location.
The Sample Shop
Hertel Avenues Department store is now the site of an old folks home..
Victors
Look at the 20 inch doll with “vinyl face” and “magic skin.”
BUFFALO, NY- Christmas in 1954 Buffalo… As seen in the Pages of the Courier-Express!
As Buffalonians opened up the pages of the Courier-Express and The Evening News, they saw plenty of choices for Christmas shopping around WNY back in 1954.
Included on these pages are a cross-section of the places Buffalonians would have shopped for clothing, toys, food, cars, and appliances in December, 1954.
I’ve also included this page detailing what folks would have been watching on TV (if they had one!) and listening to on radio during that month.
Okay, this is cool…. but WHY?!?!
A few years ago, I was junk shopping at the Salvation Army store on Seneca Street in South Buffalo.
My love for weird records always takes me to that part of the store,
and that’s where I found the mother-lode– boxes and boxes of old 78rpm records, sitting just as they were packed in in 1955.
But it wasn’t the records that caught my eye…– It was the NEWSPAPER the records were wrapped in!
Dozens of sheets of Buffalo Evening News and Courier-Express, all from December 1954. Well, I took the papers, left the records, and this is the result.
Allegheny Airlines
Who flies to West Virginia? M&T and Anchor Bar
Note the small ad for the Anchor Bar… A decade before they’d usurp the Beef on Weck as The Queen City’s Signature Dish!
T.A. Bowman
The place on Genesee Street to buy TVs!
Brown Motors
Buy Used Hudsons, Nashes, and Packards… They were located in the just recently condemned Gary Pontiac Building
Burnham’s
They’re selling off 1955 TVs
Burnham’s
Great prices on a color set
Century Clothes
The Fonz Jacket is only 18.95…… AAAAIIIIyyeeee!
The Courier-Express
The Paper itself….
Delgato’s
Another Big TV Sale
Erie County Savings Bank
Nice pic of Shelton Square office and clock
Glen Campbell Chevrolet
Nice pic of Store….
Great Arrow Rink
Could that have been the Bells/Jubillee (now an office building?)
Hal Casey
Filling South Buffalo with Used Cars
H-O Oats
Pan Toasted Oatmeal
H-O Oats
My favorite Grain Elevator, just off the 190…. Now in jeopardy with the building of a Seneca Casino…
H. Seeburgs
The factory still stands at Oak & Genesee… As you get on the 33.
Howards
Beautiful Radios for sale…
Iroqouis Gas
Thems some handsome appliances.
KleinWeil
Main Corner of Barker
Labatts
The Finest beer in the British Empire
Lackwanna Railroad
Travel in the modern, streamlined Lackwanna cars.
Langs Milk
Available at Hop-in-Shop locations.
Laube Cafeteria
Big Chicken Pot Pie 78 cents
Laube Cafeteria
Frankfurter and Potato Salad 45 cents
Laube Cafeteria
Generous Portion of Lobster Newburg 89 cents.
One More Laube ad
Irish Stew
Lee’s Drug Stores
All four plazas still stand 50 years later!
Liberty Shoes
Cheap shoes for a generation
Maisels
Suggests a Philco Radio for Christmas… Buy from his Broadway store.
Morrisons
Two Locations
Newmans
Gifts on Jefferson
NFT
Great 50’s traffic jam art.
NFT
Take the bus to the Aud for the Little Three Hoops…
NFT
Don’t forget your charge plate when you head Downtown for Shopping!
Polish Traditions of Christmas
an interesting read
Park Lane
Xmas Dinner at the Park Lane. Dinner starts at $3… Soft Drinks now start at $4.
Paul’s Pies
Baked fresh hourly
Phoenix Beer
Ask for it.
From the Picture Page
Turning out new 1955 car parts at the old Pierce Arrow Factory.
Goldins & Pies Goldins TWO BIG STORES… Pies for Fine Furniture… Delaware at Sheridan.
Sciandras
The Toyland at Bailey near Genesee.
Slades
Another Buffalo Product.
The South Park Bridge opens!
Republic Steel was torn down 25 years ago…. National Analine was Allied Chemical, now its Honeywell. The bridge is now closed for repairs.
Stranksky’s
Selling Appliances on Broadway for 60 Years.
Stephens Ford
Buy used from $395.
Sterling-Amherst Milk
Sam the Milkman is dressed for the season.
Thurway Plaza
Penney’s is Open at the Thruway Plaza…
Tinney
’53 Cadillacs from $2995
Tunmore Olds
They were an Olds dealer until the line ceased prodcution a few years back.
Western Savings Bank
Free Parking!
Winiewicz
Nice Gifts on Broadway
Wurlitzer
Not only Organs, but radios on Main Street.
BUFFALO, NY- Christmas in 1954 Buffalo… As seen in the Pages of the Courier-Express!
As Buffalonians opened up the pages of the Courier-Express and The Evening News, they saw plenty of choices for Christmas shopping around WNY back in 1954.
Included on these pages are a cross-section of the places Buffalonians would have shopped for clothing, toys, food, cars, and appliances in December, 1954.
I’ve also included this page detailing what folks would have been watching on TV (if they had one!) and listening to on radio during that month.
Okay, this is cool…. but WHY?!?!
A few years ago, I was junk shopping at the Salvation Army store on Seneca Street in South Buffalo.
My love for weird records always takes me to that part of the store,
and that’s where I found the mother-lode– boxes and boxes of old 78rpm records, sitting just as they were packed in in 1955.
But it wasn’t the records that caught my eye…– It was the NEWSPAPER the records were wrapped in!
Dozens of sheets of Buffalo Evening News and Courier-Express, all from December 1954. Well, I took the papers, left the records, and this is the result.
BUFFALO, NY- Christmas in 1954 Buffalo… As seen in the Pages of the Courier-Express!
As Buffalonians opened up the pages of the Courier-Express and The Evening News, they saw plenty of choices for Christmas shopping around WNY back in 1954.
Included on these pages are a cross-section of the places Buffalonians would have shopped for clothing, toys, food, cars, and appliances in December, 1954.
I’ve also included this page detailing what folks would have been watching on TV (if they had one!) and listening to on radio during that month.
Okay, this is cool…. but WHY?!?!
A few years ago, I was junk shopping at the Salvation Army store on Seneca Street in South Buffalo.
My love for weird records always takes me to that part of the store,
and that’s where I found the mother-lode– boxes and boxes of old 78rpm records, sitting just as they were packed in in 1955.
But it wasn’t the records that caught my eye…– It was the NEWSPAPER the records were wrapped in!
Dozens of sheets of Buffalo Evening News and Courier-Express, all from December 1954. Well, I took the papers, left the records, and this is the result.
This is an update to a page that was one of the first to appear on staffannouncer.com in 2005. I’ve added about 12 hours of Norm Nathan audio for the world to enjoy… It’s a great way to spend a night when you can’t fall asleep.
Thanks Norm!
“Just trying to leave the world a little sillier than I found it… thank you, jusssdarn much.”
That was Norm’s motto, and his show certainly helped make that come true. Known as a jazz lover with a corn-ball sense of humor on Boston Radio from the 1940’s through the 1990’s, Norm’s largest stage came in the mid-1980’s when he joined Boston’s WBZ– a station that reaches over 68 states, 81 provinces, and 4 planets with it’s 50,000 watt signal.
Always trying to “keep it light,” his weekend all-night talkshow on WBZ never had a real driving topic and never touched on the hot button issues that were the thrust behind other shows.
With no politics or real social issues talked about, every call was taken with a smile on his face, and some of the best times were when he’d come on to octogenarian women or when a gullible listener would be escorted down the road of Norm’s imagination.
He once convinced a listener, complaining about what kids are taught in school these days, that kids were being taught that a man named Sydney Goldfarb discovered America after rowing here from Europe in a kayak made out of paper mache. (Hear the call below!)
He was also gracious. As someone who grew up in awe of him and his show, I once called the station, and asked if I could stop by. Not only did he say yes, but he put me on the air (on BZ?!?!!?) for a half hour. As a 16 year old kid, I was in heaven.
Hear Norm!
The Ultimate NORM NATHAN Collection!
More than 12 hours of Norm Nathan radio goodness from the mid-60s through the mid-90s… From stations WHDH, WRKO, and WBZ.
Originally available as an mp3 CD, now hours and hours of Norm are here on demand!
Thanks to all those who have sent in pictures…
The latest submissions are at the top. We still need YOUR pictures!
Do you have a photo or two? E-mail it to me… or get me the picture
and I’ll scan it and get the original back to you… and I’ll post it here to share with everyone!
Thanks to those who’ve shared their photos so far:
Tom Langmyer, Tony Caligiuri, Candy Acierno, Tim Wenger, Pete Weber, Tom Kelly