1949, Listen to Lacy, 1010 WINS radio theme for Jack Lacy, Blue Barron Orch. Hi Def, radio jingle

Anyone who lived in the New York tri-state area in the 1950s and early 60s will remember the great Jack Lacy. His breezy, casual disc jockey style kept listeners locked down to 1010 WINS Radio for hours on end. He would sell laundry soap with the same smooth flair as he announced the latest hit record. Lacys eighteen year gig with WINS began in 1947 playing out the end of the swing era and transitioning to 50s pop. As the evolving sound of radio turned to rock & roll, his fish out of water personality really gave permission for a maturing audience to enjoy the new beat.

WINS began life in 1924, originally named WGBS Radio owned by Gimbels Dept Store. William Randolph Hearst bought the station in 1932, and the name was changed to WINS in 1934 (named after Hearsts International News Service). The frequency was changed to 1010 in 1941. The station was sold in 1946 to Crosley Broadcasting, and sold again in 1953 to Gotham Broadcasting where it became one of the first stations to feature rock & roll. In 1962, Westinghouse Electric purchased WINS in the middle of fierce ratings competition, and as WMCA climbed to the top spot as a top 40s station, this was the beginning of the end for WINS in music broadcasting. On April 19, 1965, WINS became one of the first 24-7 all news stations in the country.

1010 deejay stars like Murray the K, Alan Freed and Jack Lacy are part of that dim memory of an era of innocence in broadcasting; the two post-war decades when music was actually fun to hear. Very few air checks survive of the personalities that set the mood for the shellac and vinyl music fantasy. This 1949 original composition theme song of Listen to Lacy performed by Blue Barrons Band with that so swingin-cool vocal by The Blue Notes is proof that radio was as wonderful as we remember.

Recorded on January 8, 1949, 2:00 to 5:00PM in studio B, WMGM Studios, New York City. mx# 49-S-253, take 3. Fifteen musicians.

(Note: be sure to click on the watch in "HD" option for better sound and picture.) ....and then click the full frame button. Audio courtesy of Richard Lorenzo, and Dave Plotkin of WINS Radio.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jack Lacy
• Listen to Lacy
• Blue Barron
• disc jockey
• 1010 WINS
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• Rock and Roll
• Stan z Burns
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• Milkman's Matinee
• Alan Freed
• Bob and Ray
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• 1950s
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• deejay
• Make Believe Ballroom
• Scott Muni
• Dick Clark

[certrix1459]

I've been looking for this recording for over 15 years. I am disappointed to inform you that the second verse has been edited out of the song. Not that most people would notice. Any chance you can post the complete version?

[Prozoot]

@certrix1459, How could you possibly know about the missing lyrics?? The edited version that I have posted was the one most people remember. The long version was probably used only briefly in the early days of his WINS gig. I have the complete version, but the transfer is in very poor condition -- sound quality is terrible. I am searching for a clean copy to post.

[Harlan346]

There's also another song about a Make Believe Ballroom. Not the Glen Miller version. This other one goes waaay back before that. Lyrics go "It's your make believe ballroom. Though only a small room..." Can't recall the ork and chorus though. Does anyone know?

[Prozoot]

@Harlan346, You're thinking of "Make Believe Ball Room" (by Andy Razaf & Paul Denniker), recorded by Ruby Newman Orch. with vocal by Barry McKinley, Victor 25401-B. Recorded in NY on Aug. 31, 1936. The lyrics go: "Let's dance, in a mansion or hall room.....though it's only a small room -- in our make believe ball room -- let's dance."

[Nana1007]

This was resurrected on June 11, 1989 when Jack Lacy was part of CBS-FM's "Rock and Roll Radio Greats Weekend". Cousin Brucie was in the studio with him that day. I was lucky enough to have recorded about 70% of that weekend's broadcast.

[is1531]

Great stuff

[caravancollectors]

I could play this over and over again. Memories of my 1010 WINS New York. Jack Lacy was still playing this as his theme in 1964 on WINS, despite it becoming the Beatles station we all listened to by then...it seemed incongruous to have this 1940's theme song inserted between Stones and Beatles disks being spun on WINS in '64, but somehow it made you love this song even more..that is when I first heard it. Lacy was on WINS per the trade mags in 1947 or earlier, and had a long run on there.

[MillBelater]

The female lead sounds like Cher's mom.

[certrix1459]

@Prozoot

I now have a complete version for your inspection it includes the missing verse, how can I get it to you?

[certrix1459]

Listen to the last 3 minutes of this aircheck.

I keep trying to send you the URL but the site won't allow me to do so. My email is certrix at yahoo, send me your email address so I can share the aircheck with you.

chuck

[certrix1459]

@certrix1459

[certrix1459]

I grew up in New York in the 50's and 60's and was in the city when Lacy died in 1996, CBS played the complete Lacy theme, don't know where they got it but now no one there has any recollection of it. Yours is wonderful, if I can find the missing verse I'll edit it in and send it to you. I am also a DJ and my sense of music is acute. Thank you for responding and for posting the edited version!