From the Editor’s Desk… WBEN

Through the 50s and 60s, WBEN AM-FM-TV was thought of as a single unit, The Buffalo Evening News Stations. Talent and technicians often moved between the stations to where they were needed, and the product in each place was reflective of each other. In 1968, when Phil “Bucky” Buchanan and John Eaton (left) would arrive at WBEN … Continue reading From the Editor’s Desk… WBEN

One of America’s Two Great Radio Stations: WKBW

Riding a wave started with a change to a personality driven Top-40 format in 1958, KB dominated Buffalo radio for most of the next two decades. Sold by station founder Doc Churchill to national broadcasting powerhouse Capital Cities, the wealthy corporate backing of KB’s monstrous 50,000-watt signal helped lead to the evolution of one of … Continue reading One of America’s Two Great Radio Stations: WKBW

Beginnings of a Teenage Revolution: The Hound, Lucky Pierre, & Hernando

The Hound Dog made a permanent mark on the pop culture history of America with his nightly show on WKBW from 1954-58. Starting in the late 40s, George Lorenz was known as “the Ol’man,” “Ol’Dad Lorenz,” and “Daddy Dog” before “The Hound Dog” stuck as a nickname. Known for his hep records and jive talk, he refused … Continue reading Beginnings of a Teenage Revolution: The Hound, Lucky Pierre, & Hernando

Opening days of Coronavirus prep feels like a bad movie

Just living life has felt like a movie, hasn’t it? From crazy discussions at our faculty lunch table, to crazy discussions with students in class, to trying to come up with constantly changing coordinated plans for the school and the coffee shop as the ground continues to shift. On Thursday, I went to visit my … Continue reading Opening days of Coronavirus prep feels like a bad movie

We’re all to blame for the horrific tragedy of Larry’s death

If you knew Larry at all, then just like me, this is probably how you knew him– the guy with the long dreadlocks sitting just inside the door at the Tim Horton’s on Main Street in Williamsville. I took this photo last January, after asking him if he needed anything on a cold night. In … Continue reading We’re all to blame for the horrific tragedy of Larry’s death

Clint Buehlman sings about winter’s slick roads on classic Buffalo radio

In 1973, Clint Buehlman was celebrating 30 years of hosting the morning show on WBEN. His program had more listeners than the next three stations’ morning shows combined. More than 300,000 people tuned in to “your AM-MC” during the course of the week. “Dependability,” explained Buehly, was the reason for his 40 years of success … Continue reading Clint Buehlman sings about winter’s slick roads on classic Buffalo radio

From Jimmy Lyons to Sheela Allen, remembering Buffalo’s African-American broadcasting trailblazers

Starting in 1948, Buffalo television for its first 18 years was a de facto — and in some cases, policy-driven — segregated medium. During World War II and the years immediately following the war, Buffalo’s black population grew quickly both in real numbers and as a percentage of the overall population. Eventually, there were a … Continue reading From Jimmy Lyons to Sheela Allen, remembering Buffalo’s African-American broadcasting trailblazers

Torn-Down Tuesday: Statler’s Hotel Buffalo made way for Pilot Field

Jimmy Griffin’s dream-turned-reality for a downtown ballpark helped spur the rebirth of a Buffalo neighborhood and nearly brought a major league baseball team to Buffalo. It was doing what might have seemed impossible for Buffalo on the face of it. A new, $56 million baseball stadium right in the middle of city that, over the … Continue reading Torn-Down Tuesday: Statler’s Hotel Buffalo made way for Pilot Field

Buffalo’s best remembered commercial jingles

Knowing these five jingles is a bit like a Buffalo Baby-Boomer secret handshake.  “Talking Proud” was Buffalo’s anthem at a time when many of us didn’t feel so great about Buffalo. When the song and campaign were released 1980, Bethlehem Steel, where more than 20-thousand men once worked, was winding down and the furnaces would … Continue reading Buffalo’s best remembered commercial jingles

Why Talking Proud was more than just a (cheesy) jingle…

“Talking Proud” was Buffalo’s anthem at a time when many of us didn’t feel so great about Buffalo. When the song and campaign were released 1980, Bethlehem Steel, where more than 20-thousand men once worked, was winding down and the furnaces would soon go cold. There was a billboard behind City Hall asking the last … Continue reading Why Talking Proud was more than just a (cheesy) jingle…