™

Rockin In The Cradle Of Liberty!!

The Home Of WFIL Radio, In The 60s & 70s.

Now Celebrating Our 25th Year!

Over 397,000 Visitors To This Site. Thank You!!!

(Updated November 1st, 2024)

Website Audio Greeting

Click Here To Listen  - Now In MP3 Format!

( ©1986 TM Century Productions, Dallas, Texas. Used By permission)

Featured Aircheck - Jim O'Brien 1972

 

 

Click Here To Download and Listen (MP3)

 

Max Myers Pictures - 1972

Here are a group of photos taken at a WFIL Softball event, held at Max Myers In NE Phila.

Click On Any Image For Full Size Pic! Thanks To Robert Arden For Sharing!

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From Left To Right - Dave Parks, Jim O'Brien, Jim O'Brien, Brother Love, Joe Pellegrino, WFIL Mobile Bandstand, Full WFIL Team (Newsman Matt (Glenn) Brenner wearing "Gross" shirt on far right) 

**Quick Note**

Going Forward, All Features Will Be Posted In The MP3 Format!

You'll Be Able To Listen Anywhere!!

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Also..

Famous56.com Is On Facebook. 

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A Brief History,

Rockin In the Cradle Of Liberty, WFIL,Philadelphia, Non-Stop Music, The Pop Explosion, The Helping Hand Marathon. These are just a few examples of what made WFIL, so famous in the late 1960s, and in the 1970s. Hello, I'm Ron Turner, and welcome to my small piece of cyberspace. WFIL was such a large part of my life , that I found it appropriate to dedicate some web space to it. If you grew up in the Delaware Valley Area, I'm sure you remember " Famous 56". Who could ever forget George Michael welcoming us to a Friday night? The morning antics of Dr. Don Rose, and LU-LU Belle? Not to mention, the Unforgettable voice of "Allen Stone, WFIL, News". And of course, Who could ever forget Jim O'Brien.

The "Pop Explosion" was born on September 18,1966. WFIL, was up until then, a "middle of the road" station, playing standards, with a little rock and roll mixed in. But on that fateful morning in September, WFIL began its' journey to become one of the greatest stations in the nation. With a tight format, great personalities, and fantastic jingles, WFIL took over the number 1 spot in Philadelphia radio, a spot formally occupied by WIBG. The list of greats that graced the microphones of WFIL is much to long to list. The ones' listed here, had a lot to do with the success of the station. Unfortunately, sooner or later, all good things must come to an end. In 1977, WFIL changed formats, to reflect what management felt was the needs, and desires of the Philadelphia listening audience. Disco, and FM stereo, were taking over at the time. WFIL switched to an early type of A/C station. This , however, didn't work either. Next, it was time to try a country format. "Philly 56 Country" was born, and lasted for a year. Then came various other formats, until one night, on September 2, 1983. At 6pm, The "Boss was Back"! Famous 56 had been reborn. It seemed like a great idea at the time. The radio market in Philadelphia was boring, to say the least. Why not bring back "Famous 56"? It was a gallant attempt, but just wasn't the same. The glory days of WFIL could not be recreated. Now in 2022, WFIL is now broadcasting a religious format, and is now owned by Salem Communications in Lafayette Hills, Pennsylvania.

Behind The Scenes

In addition to the air talent, there were many folks behind the scenes that helped make WFIL the success that it was. One of the most important was a man by the name of Jerry Donahue. Jerry was Production Director at WFIL for over 30 Years.  It seems that everyone who worked with Jerry over the years has a story or two to tell. All of which end with a warm smile and a fond memory. Even though Jerry is no longer with us, his contribution to the history of WFIL is one that will live on forever.

 

The Boss Chicks At Garden State Park - 1974 

 

 

What Happened To The WFIL Double - Decker Bus??

Then....

1993

This was taken in 1993 by Vince, of WAMS/WRJE. The bus was located in a field on Route 50, in Easton, MD.

What Happened To The "Other Boss Bus"?

Here is a great story sent to me recently by Gary Bowker.....

In 1984 I worked for Borkon Truckarama on Route 73 in Maple Shade N.J. In the back right hand corner was a big red Double Decker bus. As I walked up to the bus I could clearly see the "WFIL" logo  and as I entered I saw a small sign with "boss bus #2  I remember seeing boss bus #1 and #2 and the mustang on the old albums. One day I asked the manager about the bus. Whoever owned it after WFIL, owed Jerry Borkon owner of  Borkon Truckarama some money. He did not have the money and Mr.Borkon took the bus He just put the bus in the back and forgot about it.

                   One day the manager asked me to go out back and cut it up into pieces with the torch. I really did not want to do this. It's a part of Philly history. But I got to do what they tell me to do so I spent 2 days cutting it up into pieces. It was in real bad shape...no glass, the steps were rotted out (found this out the hard way) I wish I took some pics back then. I remember looking into that bus thinking of all the fun people had in it.

 

Pictures From Former WFIL Engineer Terry Sklelton

Click Any Thumbnail for full size version.

Moore & Skelton-p186snq5v31glmtal147n19k9l0q.jpg (1450572 bytes)opening Day At The shore.jpg (4208662 bytes)opening Day At The shore2.jpg (4858591 bytes)WFIL Book Cover Skelton.jpg (3265452 bytes)WFIL Bumper sticker Skelton.jpg (1111695 bytes)WFIL JOCKS POSTCARD.jpg (5394059 bytes)WFIL PARTY INVITE 45-CORRECTED-P1040828.jpg (4049563 bytes)WFIL PARTY INVITE-CORRECTED-.JPG (2987434 bytes)WFIL PRIZE RADIO.JPG (2104811 bytes)

 

From Left To Right....

WFIL Engineers Fred Moore & Terry Skelton

WFIL Opening Day At The Shore

WFIL Opening Day Part 2

WFIL Book Cover

Music Power Bumper Sticker

WFIL Postcard, also photo used on Pop Explosion LP

WFIL Party 45

WFIL Party 45 with Invite

WFIL am Transistor radio

 

**Important E-mail Information**

All E-mail should now be addressed to ronturner5@verizon.net.

 

 

 Site Contributors

A Special "Thank You" to all who have contributed to my site, especially Chuck Gagliardi, Bruce Northwood, Marc Howard, Randy Roberts, John Pizzi, Mel Klawansky, Frank Hogan, Ralph Michaels, Robert Arden, Joe Flaska, Diane (John) Heiler, John Flack, Bruce Rubin, Dave DeCaro, Paul Kovacs, Bob Hickerson, Eddie Coyle, Steve Ross, Roy Akins, Charlie Mills, Gary Hendler, Bill Langill. Ted Winkler, Jake Schwartz, Tony Davis, Les Waas, Bob Hamilton, Bill Cain, Rich Franklin, Carmen Malizia, Tracy Carman, Gene Vassall. Cindy Brumm, Bob Kravitz, Dave Shayer, Joyce (Haverdink)Klawansky, Banana Joe Montione, Joe Gallagher, Jim Macino, Wayne Cabot, Harry Smith, Kevin Fennessy, Roger Hendler, Hank Bashjian, Doug Neatrour, Ken Heffner and Jim Glogowski.

Also, special thanks to Paul Venuto, who spent countless days "breaking" me into the world of computers. If  it wasn't for him, this site would have never been created.

Thanks, Paul!

To listen to any audio on my site, you will need the "Realplayer", which is available as a free download below.

 

Site Navigation

WFIL Aircheck Index (Here's Where You Can Listen To Your Favorite Boss Jock!)
WFIL Record Album Covers
The WFIL Boss Chicks
WFIL Boss Jocks
WFIL Memories
Where Are They Now?
The 1975 Helping Hand Marathon Featuring, John Lennon
 Jim O'Brien Tribute
George Michael Tribute
WFIL Engineers
WFIL News Team
Here Comes The Prize Patrol
WFIL Scrapbook Page 1
WFIL Scrapbook Page 2
WFIL Scrapbook Page 3
WFIL Scrapbook Page 4
WFIL Scrapbook Page 5 - The Mel Klawansky Collection
WFIL Scrapbook Page 6 - The Randy Roberts Collection
WFIL Scrapbook Page 7 - The Gene Vassall Collection
WFIL Scrapbook Page 8- The Bruce Northwood Collection
WFIL Scrapbook Page 9
 WFIL 2002 Family Reunion
WFIL 2006 Family Reunion 
WFIL 2011 Family Reunion
WFIL 2014 Family Reunion
WFIL 2016 Family Reunion
WFIL Surveys
The Boss Is Back?
WFIL Jingles (The Song Between The Songs!!)
Sounds Of Philadelphia
My Favorite Radio-Related Websites

 If you have a special memory of WFIL, or if you would like to contribute something, such as pictures, airchecks, surveys, etc., please send me an e-mail at ronturner5@verizon.net.Thanks!

 

Please note; This site is in no way affiliated with WFIL, owned by Salem Communications, and broadcasting a religious format on 560 AM, in Philadelphia.

Famous 56.Com Protected By Federal Copyright

Please keep in mind that this, and all pages on my site are ©1999-2024 Famous56.com. The jingles, and airchecks are used by permission, from their various copyright holders, if known, and may not be used without the consent of the webmaster. No claim is made for material that has been donated to me, for use on my site.  For more information, or to report an offender, please contact;

Library of Congress
Copyright Office
Register of Copyright
101 Independence Ave., S.E.
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This material is presented as an historical tribute, and complies with current copyright laws, regarding "Fair Use", and "Incidental Use" of copyrighted material. Information presented at this site is for research and enjoyment. If you are a copyright holder to any material on my site, and wish to have it removed, please send me an e-mail to ronturner5@verizon.net.

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