WFPG

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[edit] WFPG's history

WFPG began broadcasting on 96.9 in September 1962, after being on 98.5 FM in the 1950's. Some recollections from Charles "Kent" Frodsham: "WFPG-FM, 96.9, was a premier beautiful music station." "I worked there from 1965 to 1968 as a salesman-announcer. I was hired by General Manager Johnny Struckell." "In those days, the station was located on the world-famous Steel Pier on the Atlantic City boardwalk." "The Summer 1966 Pulse Radio Audience Survey, Atlantic City was the first time an FM station was number one in a daypart - in this case from 9am to noon for WFPG-FM." "That was before the days of FM beautiful music syndicators. Programming was local, live, with announcers playing uninterrrupted 15-minute segments of easy-listening music from vinyl albums 6am to midnight." "Overnights were simulcast with WFPG-AM. That show was called 'The Beachcomber Show.' Music was MOR." "Announcer in 1965 was Dan Bradley, then Dave Lord took over in 1966, and was still there when I left in 1968." "On the AM side, morning man was Bob Richter. Mid-days were still Ed Davis, afternoon drive was Jack Lawyer, News Director was Howard Berger, and news reporter was Alex Stern. Chief engineer was Al Roche." "As I recall Dan Bradley became Traffic and Production coordinator, other announcers were Alan Segal, Dave Hickman, and Larry Carl. Bill Rosenfelt was Sales Manager. Cathy Clark was Johhny Struckell's secretary and became manager upon his death." "I sold advertising during the week, and did the overnight Beachcomber Show on weekends." The easy listening format continued into the 1970's and 1980's, as "FM 97," which eventually evolved into Soft AC. The first indication of this was in August 1989 when they started calling themselves "Lite 96.9" In October 1995, they started using their current slogan of "Lite Rock 96.9". The WFPG calls stand for "Worlds Famous PlayGround", a tourism slogan for Atlantic City.

Stu Sacks did the Budwieser Beachcomber Show during the mid 70's and gradually introducing more currrent soft rock into the format. Also featured were interviews with some of the greats that performed on Steel Pier such as, Boots Randolph, Ray Charles, Morey Amsterdam, Al Martino, Morgana King, Ed Ames, Joey Bishop, many others, and last but not least Ed McMahon who recorded an intro for Stu which was used each night at sign on. Therrrrrrrrre's Stu! Instead of Herrrrrrres Johnny. There was also a very popular Trivia Call in portion around 5 to 6am. And the Fishing Report with Ralph Stork of Capt. Andy's Marina in Margate. The show reached Philadelphia, New York, and most of New Jersey. Among it's nightly audience was Skinny Domato (former owner of the old 500 Club), a big fan of the show. He was an insomniac and the Beachcomber Show kept him "company" every night. Kathy Clark was the Manager, Maggie Christopher and Eileen Erdman kept the office running. Bill Rosenfeldt managed the sales force, Bill Bohack had the Long Beach Island area, Dave Hickman, Ed Davis, Alan Segal manned the microphones, Howard Berger was the news director. and Marvin Pincus was the hard working engineer. It was quite a family, and it made many memories. This is Stu Sacks saying, Have a nice....

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