I have all the books you mentioned in my library RA and there are several others which are in my essential radio reads.

This Business of Radio Programming by Barbara and Claude Hall. From former Billboard radio columnist and his wife, this book features interviews with legendary radio programmers such as Chuck Blore (KFWB, KISS0, Ron Jacobs (KHJ, KGB) Bill Drake and on air giants such as Don Imus, Robert W. Morgan and Gary Owens.

The Hits Just Keep On Comin': The History of Top 40 Radio by Ben Fong-Torres. Best book on the history of U.S. Top 40 written by Rolling Stone writer. Nothing on Canada here, but a great romp through the crazy DJs and stunts of the 1950's, '60s and '70s. The soft cover version comes with a CD of audio excerpts from famous DJs. Hardcover version does not have this.

Both are still available from Amazon.

Last edited by Doug Thompson (December 9, 2024 6:57 pm)

Doug Thompson wrote:

I have all the books you mentioned in my library RA and there are several others which are in my essential radio reads.

This Business of Radio Programming by Barbara and Claude Hall. From former Billboard radio columnist and his wife, this book features interviews with legendary radio programmers such as Chuck Blore (KFWB, KISS0, Ron Jacobs (KHJ, KGB) Bill Drake and on air giants such as Don Imus, Robert W. Morgan and Gary Owens.

The Hits Just Keep On Comin': The History of Top 40 Radio by Ben Fong-Torres. Best book on the history of U.S. Top 40 written by Rolling Stone writer. Nothing on Canada here, but a great romp through the crazy DJs and stunts of the 1950's, '60s and '70s. The soft cover version comes with a CD of audio excerpts from famous DJs. Hardcover version does not have this.

Both are still available from Amazon.

I'd completely forgotten about "The Hits Just Keep On Comin'" which I read many years ago in hardcover when it first came out. (Also had the CD, too!) A great book about a wonderful time that radio will never see again. 

Howard Sterns " Private Parts " is a good read also. 

RadioActive wrote:

It is kind of the opposite of radio, where everything is brought to you. But books about the medium can be fascinating and something you can read while listening to the radio! Some are out of print, but can still be found if you hunt around used book stores on the Internet. I'm using Amazon as a base, but there are others.

Here are a few of my favourites and I'd love to hear suggestions from others.

The CHUM Story - From the Charts to your Hearts, The Story of CHUM 1050 Radio Toronto
If you grew up in Toronto, this is a must read. Former honcho Allen Farrell goes through the history of the city's most famous Top 40 station recounting the beginnings, the stories and the people who worked there. A must read if you grew up with your dial set at 1050.

Rocking America - How The All-Hit Radio Stations Took Over
Written by the only guy with the chops to stake the masterful claim as being king of Top 40 radio - Rick Sklar. If you don't know the name, he was the P.D. who took WABC to the most listened to radio station in North America during the reign of AM rock in the 60s. A lot of great stories, including how a tape once played backward during afternoon drive on 770 AM and the bizarre circumstances that led to nobody at the station noticing. May be hard to find now, but worth it if you can find it for a good price. 

Cousin Brucie: My Life In Rock and Roll Radio
The story of radio legend Bruce Morrow's storied career from a start in Bermuda to landing the evening shift at one of the most listened to stations in the world - WABC. And how he got the "Cousin" nickname that made him famous. 

Have Mercy
Wolfman Jack tells the story of his life, from his early start in Mexico peddling baby chicks, to a shoot-out outside the station. A terrific story of the way radio used to be in the wild old days.

Turn It Up! American Radio Tales 1946-1996
A great book about various famous disc jockeys in the Top 40 era, some names you know, some you don't, but very entertaining. The late Bob Shannon was a jock himself on stations like WCBS-FM, and knew a lot of those he profiled. I remember reading this on the subway going down for cancer radiation treatments, and it kept my mind off a lot of other things. One those books that I was sorry when I got to the end. 

Border Radio: Quacks, Yodelers, Pitchmen, Psychics, and Other Amazing Broadcasters of the American Airwaves
Not a terrible book about those border blasters in Mexico, but not one I'd put at the top of my reading list. But if you're interested in that era, it will give you an idea of what it was like in those days. 

My problem with the CHUM Story- a terrific read otherwise -  is that it ends in 1967-68t. I'd love to see a book on the entire CHUM story going at least to the end of the Top 40 years in 1986.
 

A heavy subject:

https://www.amazon.ca/Talked-Death-Life-Murder-Alan/dp/0688061540/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ONGK5GQW5UAF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hWdgxZpxSBk3H-R8kD91ZsawQEDczyWFxToGUyEmocQ.DTl-iAxKrRHhee2eI8wu4RKdBvDIjHH3fs2mK2a79f0&dib_tag=se&keywords=talked+to+death%3A+alan+berg&qid=1733885574&sprefix=talked+to+death+alan+berg%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1