I worked in radio during the late 60's and early 70's at several stations in town; WNPS, WWOM, and WRNO. No big shacks but at the time FM radio was just starting to happen and it was a blast doing the late night shifts and turning the city, at least the seven hippies in the French Quarter, on to a whole new kind of music.
Even got in touch with C.C. Courtney because of your site. He and I spent time together in the booth at OM.
Anyway, nice to be pulled back across the years. Take care.
BOB:
A N'Awlins boy made good! From "Judas" on WWOM "Mother Radio"
to Dan Fielding on "Night Court," to several Emmy's, to hit movies
and TV series to this day. But ain't nothing like N'Awlins. Hey John, keep
those good times coming ... we're proud of you!
DOUG GOODLIFE:
Bob, John Larroquette just sent me the link to your site. We talked about
"Jingle Jangle Jingle", You and Ben Bourgeois and Exposition Blvd..
John and I both have our stuffed Mr. Bingles which we add to our Christmas
displays each year. Great site, lotsa memories. Whatever happened to the
"Blue Army"and "The Nudeles?
BOB:
Ah, the Blue Army ... our 13-week-wonder band in 1968. Born in hype on WTIX
and in a great concert on the Audubon Park bandstand. The group arrived
to much fanfare in a stretch limo, and they wore wool pea coats on stage
(to copy the Inion Gap) in the dead of the 1968 summer. From there they
recorded a hit song that never got played, and appeared on the stage at
Pontchartrain Beach and had a road tour to Galliano before vanishing into
history. But you should remember that, Doug. You were the guitar player!
:-)
BETSY McFARLAND CALLAND:
As I do occasionally, I did a Google search this evening for my dad, Spanky
McFarland. I just want to say thank you for having those photos of him STILL
on your site. I remember he had a "grand" time as Marshal of the
parade. My pleasure. And thank you for the kind words about Daddy. I don't
think people know how it made him feel when he was asked to appear at events
such as that parade or county fairs or even suburban mall events. He was
a very charismatic man, but he was also a very emotional one. His humility
in the face of recognition was a very real thing. It never ceased to amaze
-- and honor -- him when, as he put it, people "remembered" him.
He was just my dad, but he was a truly incredible role model for me. I do miss him so very much.
BOB:What an honor it was to meet your dad during the line-up of the
January 1993 Krewe of Little Rascals parade, in which he rode as Grand Marshal.
When I shook his hand I was immediately back in the dark and cool Poplar
Theater at the Saturday matinee, watching Spanky and the Little Rascals
on the silver screen. Sadly, he passed away not long afterwards that same
year, on June 30, 1993. He was such a gracious person and such a
gentleman. I treasure those pictures
he let me take of him and they will remain on my site in his honor and memory.
And I still have a wooden nickel throw that he gave me, with his name on
it commemorating his ride and reign.
MATT RUBY, Northfield, MN:
My name is Matt Ruby, Bob Ruby's son. I came across your website and it
was so nice to see how fondly people remember my father's radio program.
The book "Ruby in the Rough" is, in fact, his autobiography ...
penned when he was still in New Orleans. Bob and Eunice now live up north
in Minnesota enjoying their children and grandchildren.
BOB:
Thanks for the update, Matt. Your dad is still quite fondly remembered here
as one of the last "greats" before the corporate no-talents took
over the microphones.
Pontchartrain Beach: - No gates, just walk in - Swimming at the pool - WTIX Appreciation Night - Laughing Clown at the Laugh in the Dark Ride - Screaming on the Zephyr - Walking along the Midway - Ferris Wheel - That scarey sharp right turn on the Wild Maus - The Wizzer and the Bug - The Penny Arcade - Flying Horses (Carousel)
Picnic Places: - Old Beach - Audubon Park - City Park
Favorite Restaurants: - Clarence's on Airline Hwy - Gennaro's on Metairie Road - Fitzgerald's at West End - Jim's Fried Chicken (one on Airline Hwy & one on Carrollton)
Neighborhood Theatres in Metairie: - The Aereon on Metairie Road - The Grand on Metairie Road - The Patio on Airline Hwy
Drive-In's in Jefferson Parish: - Airline Drive-In on Airline Hwy. - Do Drive-In on Metairie Rd. - Jefferson Drive-In on Jefferson Hwy. - Westgate Drive-In on Veterans Hwy. - Algiers Drive-In in Algiers
Going to the Show in Town: - Joy Theater - Saenger Theater - Orpheum Theater - Loews State Theater
Dances: - Metairie Lodge - Germania Hall - Arrow Room - CYO Dances - VFW Dances
Hang-Outs: - Hoppers (Carhops, Cheeseburgers, Cherry Cokes) - Rockery Inn on Canal Blvd. - Lenfant's on Canal Blvd. - The Sands - The Beaconette - Frost Top (Love those Lot-O-Burgers and Birch Beer) - Ye Ole College Inn on Carrollton (Great Roast Beefs) - JC's on Veterans - Papa Joe's on Bourbon - The Point (Lakefront)
Some Old Memories: - Shopping on Canal St. (there were no malls) - Maison Blanche & Mr. Bingle - Cruising the Lake Front and Marconi Drive on Sundays - The Roman Candy Man (horse & wagon) - Banana Splits at Borden's on Airline Hwy. - Walking the Nine Churches on Good Friday - Nickel cokes & nickle candy bars - Lawrence's Bakery "Mr. Wedding Cake" on Elysian Fields - Mardi Gras Fountain at the Lakefront - Fulco's Grocery & Bar in Metairie (we charged cold cuts, bread and drinks during the weeks and parents paid bill on Fridays) - Eating watermelon at Lakefront (25 cents a slice) - Eating at the cafeteria above Waterbury's Drug Store on Canal Street - Vegetable-Man driving in pick-up trucks through neighborhoods yelling "I've got tomatoes, potatoes and watermellon, red to the rind!"
Westbank Hangouts: - Da Wabbit - Dairy Queen on General Meyer - Nelson's
BOB: I think that about sums it up!
SOFT JAZZ:
Hi there......name is Joe..live in Indianapolis but finally found your site.............what
a great time I'm having sitting here looking at all the e-mails you recieve
from people who listened to WTIX in the late 50's and 60's.was the best
yrs of my life...........so many memories........I graduated from Fortier
High School in 68.........hope someone from that yr would read this and
contact me in some way...
but anyway..............TIX at that time was one of the best radio stations in the country.....I traveled around alot but never could find another statione that could compare do the DJ's on TIX,,,,,,,,thanks for all the good times I had with my friends listening to your great station...................without it......my teenage yrs would have been very dull....and I'm sure thousands of other people feel the same way........thank you guys!!!
BOB:
Thank yew, thank yew, thank yew backatcha. Our pleasure!
I have the unique distinction of knowing the Stevens family since 1954. I used to see Elaine often. Ironically Ronnie Harrison was one of my very best friends. We used to pal around together and play music, mainly Beatles stuff. He was a real character, the sort of person who never met a stranger, everybody liked him. He was probably the first "larger than life" person I ever spent time with and I learned a great deal from him. Not much has been written about him, but I have many fond rememberences. We shared many experiences together.
I really like you website. As a younster growing up on the Gulf Coast my connections to New Orleans run deep. Our primary source for radio and TV were New Orleans stations in those days. I remember when WTIX was "Boss." What weekend would be complete without watching "Morgus The Magnificient?"
BOB:
Hi Ronnie! Thanks for the added info. Now that you mention it I remember
those other names that Gus Stevens used to present frequently. I still think
of the Gus Stevens club when I pass that intersection in Biloxi. The original
building stood vacant and dilapidated until around 2000, then it was demolished
and replaced with (yet another) Biloxi souvenir shop. I always thought of
the spirits and memories of good times in years gone by that still lived
inside those crumbling walls...
BOB:
Hi Ray, Thanks for visiting the site. I've got my WNOE list updated now
with you and Jim Cassidy. I was here somewhere during your stay...probably
on the air at WTIX late mornings or early afternoons during that period.
I assume most of the names are still alive, although it's a miracle those
late nights in bars having our egos stroked by adoring fans didn't kill
us all!