Post by John Quincy on Feb 1, 2009 12:12:57 GMT -5
This came in today from Patrick Lopeman:
Top 40 Radio Pioneer Jack Daniels died today of cancer. He was 69.
Mr. Daniels was born Floyd Thackrey on December 23, 1939 to Les and Irene Thackrey in Bartow, Florida. He graduated from Las Vegas (NV) High School in 1957 and attended UNLV.
Mr. Daniels received his pseudonym at WAKY in Louisville, Kentucky in 1963. Daniels had said that he and a station official were driving on the freeway. After passing several outdoor whiskey signs, they both agreed that the name would be easier to remember. He assumed the moniker for next 45 years.
Mr. Daniels began his career at KRBO, Las Vegas in 1956. Later he worked for the Tracy Broadcasting Company stations in Salinas, California; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Los Angeles.
His career also took him to KRUX, Phoenix; KXYZ, Houston; and KDWN, Las Vegas.
It was at KSTN, Stockton, California that he worked with Top 40 programmer Bill Drake and General Manager Jane Swain. The so-called "Drake" format was developed at KSTN which was popular on many AM radio stations in the 1960s and '70s.
Most recently, Daniels was the publisher of the daily TV Business Confidential headquartered in Milwaukee.
Top 40 Radio Pioneer Jack Daniels died today of cancer. He was 69.
Mr. Daniels was born Floyd Thackrey on December 23, 1939 to Les and Irene Thackrey in Bartow, Florida. He graduated from Las Vegas (NV) High School in 1957 and attended UNLV.
Mr. Daniels received his pseudonym at WAKY in Louisville, Kentucky in 1963. Daniels had said that he and a station official were driving on the freeway. After passing several outdoor whiskey signs, they both agreed that the name would be easier to remember. He assumed the moniker for next 45 years.
Mr. Daniels began his career at KRBO, Las Vegas in 1956. Later he worked for the Tracy Broadcasting Company stations in Salinas, California; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Los Angeles.
His career also took him to KRUX, Phoenix; KXYZ, Houston; and KDWN, Las Vegas.
It was at KSTN, Stockton, California that he worked with Top 40 programmer Bill Drake and General Manager Jane Swain. The so-called "Drake" format was developed at KSTN which was popular on many AM radio stations in the 1960s and '70s.
Most recently, Daniels was the publisher of the daily TV Business Confidential headquartered in Milwaukee.