REMEMBERING WKNR KEENER 13's BOB GREEN
SUMMIT MEETING: It was a gathering that was nothing short of answered prayer. It brought together some of the absolute giants of the broadcast industry for one final reunion in Novi, Michigan in November 2019. Pictured above at the Great Radio Reunion are WKNR Keener 13's Music Director Paul Cannon, station visionary and mastermind Bob Green and Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People's Editor/Publisher Michael McDowell. We salute the great Bob Green, who succumbed to a lengthy illness on 02 January (Click on above image to enlarge).
REMEMBERING
WKNR KEENER 13
VISIONARY BOB GREEN
By Michael McDowell
It would be well within reason to assert that WKNR's Bob Green was to radio what Brian Wilson was to music.
On 31 October 1963, Dearborn, Michigan's WKNR Keener 13 succeeded Detroit Tigers flagship station WKMH at the 1310 position on the AM dial. The station's Frank Maruca took the unprecedented step of bringing on board only those with a strong and proven on air vision. As such, its first two years on air featured some of the most formidable talent in radio history, including Robin Seymour, Mort Crowley, Jim Sanders, Frank "Swingin' " Sweeney, Bill Phillips, Jerry Goodwin, Paul Cannon, Gary Stevens, Ted Clark, J. Michael Wilson, Scott Regen, Jim Jeffries, Dick Purtan and Bob Green.
A veteran of Miami's WQAM (along with Goodwin), the beloved visionary born Bob Greenstone was the mastermind behind the groundbreaking "intelligent flexibility" format. In part, intelligent flexibility meant thinking outside of the box within the prescribed format, enabling the on air talent (also known as the Keener Key Men Of Music) to draw from within to sustain a level of entertainment that was on par with the music itself.
To that effect, in mid-1966, while on holiday in Europe with his wife Sandi, Green procured a selection of current hit 45s not released in the U.S. Upon his return, he hosted a Sunday evening special at Keener, giving an American radio audience possibly its only exposure to such enduring classics as I Giganti's La Bomba Atomica.
Green sustained his momentum with unwavering brilliance not only on air, but in various production capacities. Keener boasted some of the most entertaining promo spots in all of radio, many of which were Green's brainchild. In the process, WKNR Keener 13 enjoyed the fastest climb to #1 in its market in radio history. It earned that vaunted distinction in early 1964, a mere three months after signing on the air.
When WKNR was sold in 1968, Green left briefly, only to return for a season in 1970. The station changed formats and call letters (to WNIC) in the Spring of 1972.
Green's last public appearance in that capacity was at the Great Radio Reunion, which was emceed by the late Lee Alan and held in Novi, Michigan in 2019. In attendance were such beloved WKNR alumni as Green, Seymour, Cannon, Goodwin, Dick Purtan and award winning news anchor Erik Smith.
Sadly, Green (who relocated to Austin, Texas some years ago, where he headed Bob Green Productions) had been in declining health in recent months. The recent passing of his wife Sandi also took its toll, and Green tragically succumbed to his illnesses during the evening of 02 January.
"My heart is broken", said Goodwin.
"Bob and I worked together for years. Rest peacefully my dear, dear friend".
Green and his beloved WKNR colleagues were of course also one of the three major inspirations in the development of the mission statement of Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People. Survivors include a son, daughter-in-law and several grandchildren. Memorial services are pending.
posted by BlitzMagazine at 3:06 PM
