105-413: WKDN may refer to: WKDN (AM) , a radio station (950 AM) licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States WCOB (FM) , a radio station (88.3 FM) licensed to State College, Pennsylvania, United States, which used the call signs WKDN and WKDN-FM from 2012 to 2021 WKVP , a radio station (106.9 FM) licensed to Camden, New Jersey, United States, which used
210-449: A Frank Sinatra imitator, but chose to keep his own style. While Como was negotiating for a store lease to reopen a barber shop, he received a call from Tommy Rockwell at General Artists Corporation, who also represented Weems. Como fielded many other calls that also brought offers, but he liked and trusted Rockwell, who was offering him his own sustaining (unsponsored) Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) radio show and promising to get him
315-757: A Peabody Award with good friend Jackie Gleason in 1956. He received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1987 and was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 1990. Posthumously, Como received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 and was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006. He has the distinction of having three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in radio, television, and music. Como
420-414: A tuxedo , saying, "It shows respect for the audience." The return to live appearances also provided Como with an opportunity to have a little fun with his "Mister Nice Guy" image in a song Ray Charles and Nick Perito , his closest collaborator since 1963, wrote and composed for him: It doesn't take a guy equipped with ESP To see what's cookin' with your curiosity! Is "Mister Nice Guy" just
525-418: A 12-year "unbreakable" contract with NBC. On his last CBS show, June 24, 1955, Como was in high spirits, bringing all those who worked off camera on the air for introductions. Como tried his hand at camera work, getting a picture on the air but one that was upside-down. In appreciation for the 11-year association, his sponsor, Chesterfield, presented him with all the musical arrangements used during this time as
630-409: A 1989 interview, "I got a kick out of live television. The spontaneity was the fun of it." Spontaneity and the ability to be himself came in handy for swimmer/actress Esther Williams 's guest appearance of March 16, 1957. A wardrobe malfunction meant that viewers were seeing more of Esther than 1950s television considered to be in good taste; more live show mishaps followed. At the show's end, Williams
735-592: A Hollywood columnist, publicly stated that he believed Como the barber was just a publicity gimmick. Como gave him a shave and haircut at the Fox Studios barber shop to prove him wrong. In 1985, Como related the story of his first film role experience in Something for the Boys . He sat ready to work in his dressing room for two weeks without being called. Como spent the next two weeks playing golf, still not missed by
840-649: A barber shop in the Hotel Conneaut . About 80 miles from Cleveland, it was a popular stop on the itinerary for dance bands who worked up and down the Ohio Valley. Como, his girlfriend Roselle, and their friends had gone to nearby Cleveland; their good times took them to the Silver Slipper Ballroom, where Freddy Carlone and his orchestra were playing. Carlone invited anyone who thought he might have talent to come up and sing with his band. Como
945-470: A blogger reported the possibility that the station could change their slogan to "Sports Radio 950", after discovering the registrations of the domains mysportsradio950.com and sportsradio950online.com. On March 12, 2007, WPEN started calling itself "Sports Radio 950" or "Philly's Sports Radio 950". On April 1, 2008, WPEN dropped Fox Sports and became the new home of ESPN Radio in Philadelphia, replacing
1050-539: A complete radio show being presented from an airplane. Como, Jo Stafford , the Lloyd Shaffer Orchestra, and the entire "Supper Club" crew made the flights for the shows. Two "Supper Club" broadcast flights were made that evening: at 6 pm and again at 10 pm for the West Coast broadcast of the show. Three flights were made; an earlier rehearsal flight was made for reception purposes. In addition to
1155-419: A new version of the original "950 Club" on weekday afternoons. Ed Hurst would later revive the "Steel Pier Show" weekend afternoons. The station's "Adult Standards/Nostalgia" format was an original concept of Julian Breen, and later programmed by Joe Taylor, Paul Mitchell, Dean Tyler, Stan Martin, Charlie Mills and Bob Craig. Ed Klein, known as "The Doctor" of music was WPEN's music director during WPEN's heyday as
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#17328025731381260-499: A parting gift. He moved back to NBC with The Perry Como Show , a weekly hour-long variety show featuring additional musical and production numbers, comedy sketches and guest stars premiering September 17, 1955. This version of his show was also so popular that, in the 1956–1957 television season, it reached ninth in the Nielsen ratings : the only show on NBC that season to land in the top ten. Como's "Dream Along With Me" became
1365-520: A press agent's pitch? His dearest friends say he's a ... You never thought you'd see me in Las Vegas "live" I haven't played a "club" since 1885! It's spelled out in dollar signs (you better believe it!) I can almost read your minds! Como credited Bing Crosby for influencing his voice and style. Como's voice is known for its good-natured vocal acrobatics as portrayed in his novelty songs such as " Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) ", but there
1470-465: A recording contract. The offers were also appealing because it meant staying put in New York with no more road tours. As Como pondered the job offer, Roselle told him, "You can always get another barber shop if it doesn't work out!" Until the radio show and recording contract offers, he did not view singing as his true career, believing the years with Carlone and Weems had been enjoyable but now it
1575-557: A release from the remainder of his MGM contract later the same year. Quoting Como, "I was wasting their time and they were wasting mine." Como's comments during a 1949 interview were prophetic, as far as his success was concerned. At the time he was doing the Chesterfield Supper Club on radio and TV, "Television is going to do me a lot more personal good than the movies ever have ... The reason should be obvious. On television, I'm allowed to be myself; in pictures, I
1680-489: A second-hand organ his father had bought for $ 3; as soon as Como was able to toddle, he would head to the instrument, pump the bellows , and play music he had heard. Pietro, a mill hand and an amateur baritone , had all his children take music lessons even if he could barely afford them. In a rare 1957 interview, Como's mother, Lucia, described how her young son also took on other jobs to pay for more music lessons; Como learned to play many different instruments, but never had
1785-617: A serviceman with a Castro-like beard and the enthusiastic participation when Perry asked for volunteers to come on stage to do the Twist with the lovely ladies who were part of the visiting dance troupe. Filming for the Kraft Music Hall Christmas show that was aired on December 17, 1964, began at the Vatican November 7. By special permission of Pope Paul VI , Como and his crew were able to shoot segments in
1890-581: A seven-year contract with 20th Century-Fox in 1943. He made four films for Fox, Something for the Boys (1944), March of Time (1945), Doll Face (1945), and If I'm Lucky (1946). He also appeared in a single film for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer , Words and Music (1948). Como never appeared to be truly comfortable in films, feeling the roles assigned him did not match his personality. A Hollywood press agent sought to alter Como's life story by changing his previous occupation from barber to coal miner, claiming it would make for better press. Fred Othman,
1995-405: A show called the "950 Club" began as well. In the early 1950s, WPEN became one of the pioneers of late night live audience talk radio. Steve Allison, formerly of Boston, was host of a five or six nights a week radio show from 11:30 pm–2:00 am. This show was broadcast from the "Ranch Room" restaurant on the station's ground floor building on Walnut Street between 22nd and 23rd streets. WPEN
2100-486: A special edition of the vocal group for Como's Vegas opening. Como had last appeared at New York's Copacabana in 1944. Como continued to do periodic engagements in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe , limiting his nightclub appearances to Nevada. Performing live again brought Como a new sense of enjoyment. In May 1974, he embarked on his first concert appearance outside the U.S., a show at the London Palladium for
2205-424: A standards station and he often filled-in on the air for vacationing full-time talent. The station also had an emphasis on news and information. The format was adjusted at various times. In the 1980s, WPEN played more soft rock during the day and more big bands in the evening hours. But adult standards was always the focus of the station. WPEN, for many years, was the top rated radio station of its type anywhere. In
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#17328025731382310-608: A voice lesson. He showed more musical talent in his teenaged years as a trombone player in the town's brass band , playing guitar, singing at weddings, and as an organist at church. Como was a member of the Canonsburg Italian Band along with bandleader Stan Vinton, father of singer Bobby Vinton and often a customer at Como's barber shop. Como started helping his family at age 10, working before and after school in Steve Fragapane's barber shop for 50¢
2415-482: A week. By age 13, he had graduated to having his own chair in the Fragapane barber shop, although he stood on a box to tend to his customers. Also around this time, Como lost his week's wages in a dice game. Filled with shame, he locked himself in his room and did not come out until hunger got the better of him. He managed to tell his father what had happened to the money his family depended on. His father told him he
2520-596: A weekly syndicated radio show with John Knox called Weekend With Perry . Como had not made a nightclub appearance in 26 years when he accepted an engagement at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in June 1970, which also resulted in his first "live" album, Perry Como in Person at the International Hotel, Las Vegas . Ray Charles , whose Ray Charles Singers were heard with Como for over 35 years, formed
2625-400: Is known to be meticulous about rehearsal of the material for an album. He tries things out in different keys, gives the song thought, makes suggestions, tries it again, and again, until he is satisfied. The hidden work makes him look like Mr. Casual, and too many people are taken in by it—but happily so. —Gene Lees, sleeve note, Look To Your Heart Como's Hollywood-type good looks earned him
2730-450: Is that he makes so little fuss about them. That celebrated ease of his has been too little understood. Ease in any art is the result of mastery over the details of the craft. You get them together to the point where you can forget about how you do things and concentrate on what you are doing. Como got them together so completely that the muscles don't even show. It seems effortless, but a good deal of effort has gone into making it seem so. Como
2835-676: Is what you get." While still in its experimental phase, Como and the television show survived an on location broadcast in Durham, North Carolina, on April 15, 1949. On September 8, 1949, it became a weekly half-hour offering on Sunday nights, directly opposite Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town . In 1950, Como moved to CBS and the show's title was changed to The Perry Como Chesterfield Show , again sponsored by Liggett & Myers' Chesterfield cigarettes. Como hosted this informal 15-minute musical variety series on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, following
2940-506: The CBS Television News . The Faye Emerson Show was initially broadcast in the same time slot on Tuesday and Thursday. By 1952, it was evident that television would replace radio as the major entertainment medium. Gary Giddins , the biographer of Bing Crosby, said in 2001, "He (Como) came from this whole generation of crooners—Crosby and Sinatra, but he was the only one of them who figured out TV." Como's 15-minute TV show
3045-759: The Variety Club of Great Britain to aid children's charities. It was here where he discovered what he had been missing when the audience cheered for ten minutes after he walked onstage. At the show's end, Como sat in a chair, delightedly chatting back and forth with his equally delighted fans. Perry returned to the United Kingdom in November for a Royal Variety Performance to benefit the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund with Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in attendance. Como
3150-647: The " bobby soxer " and "swooner" teenaged girls who were wild about Sinatra added Como to their list. A "swooners" club voted Perry "Crooner of the Year" in 1943. The line for a Perry Como Paramount performance was three deep and wound around the city block. Como's popularity also extended to a more mature audience when he played the Versailles and returned to the Copacabana, where the management placed "SRO-Swooning Ruled Out" cards on their tables. Doug Storer, who
3255-432: The "Supper Club" radio studio, they found Como and his guests sitting on stools behind music stands. The show's closing theme was, "You Are Never Far Away From Me". Perry's announcer on the broadcasts, Frank Gallop , became a foil for Como's jokes. When the television show began, there was not enough room for Gallop to appear on stage; he was an invisible "voice from the clouds" until the show's 1958–1959 season. There
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3360-471: The 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, along with some big bands of the 1930s and 1940s. The station also mixed in some softer rock hits of the 1950s through the 1970s known as "baby boomer pop" by some. Over the years, many radio legends joined "The 950 Family," like Ken Garland, Joe Niagara, Bill "Wee Willie" Webber , Dick Clayton, Jerry Stevens, Joe Harnett, Bill Wright, Sr, Tom Moran, Andy Hopkins, Andy Kortman and Kim Martin. Joe Grady and Ed Hurst also returned to host
3465-507: The Morning (simulcast with ESPN2). On October 9, 2009, WPEN's sports format began to be simulcasted on WPEN-FM (formerly WNUW) under the identity of "97.5 The Fanatic." Most, if not all, of their programming was simulcast, with few programming from ESPN. The on-air lineup included Mike & Mike in the Morning (from ESPN Radio), Brian Baldinger, Harry Mayes, Tony Bruno, Mike Missanelli, Jon Marks and Tom Byrne. 97.5 The Fanatic also became
3570-491: The Philadelphia market. WKDN is owned and operated by Family Radio . WKDN was first licensed, as WLBA, to the Philadelphia School of Wireless Telegraphy (J. C. Van Horn) on December 17, 1926, originally as a 50-watt station on 1270 kHz. These call letters were randomly assigned from a sequential roster of available call signs, moreover, in early 1927 the call letters were changed to WPSW. In early 1929 WPSW
3675-608: The UK in the spring of 1975. In 1982, Como and Frank Sinatra were invited to entertain Italian President Sandro Pertini at a White House state dinner when he made an official visit. President Pertini enjoyed their performance enough to join them in singing "Santa Lucia". The pair reprised this routine the next year in California as part of the entertainment for Queen Elizabeth 's Royal visit. Perry
3780-634: The Vatican gardens and other areas where cameras had never been permitted previously. The show featured the first television appearance of the Sistine Chapel Choir , and also the first time a non-choir member (Como) sang with them. The choir performed a Christmas hymn in Latin written by their director, Domenico Bartolucci , called "Christ Is Born", as part of their presentation. Como asked his associate, Ray Charles, to write English lyrics for
3885-598: The Weems organization to start his own band. Weems was in need of a vocalist; Como got a raise. Weems paid him $ 50 per week, his first chance for nationwide exposure. Weems and his orchestra were based in Chicago and were regulars on The Jack Benny Program and Fibber McGee and Molly . The Weems band also had its own weekly radio program on the Mutual Broadcasting System during 1936–1937. From
3990-496: The band instruments, the plane also carried a small piano. Because the stand-held microphones were not very useful on the plane, hand-held mikes were used, but they became extremely heavy to hold after a few minutes. This mid-air performance caused the American Federation of Musicians to consider this a new type of engagement and issue a special set of rates for it. From 1989 until his death in 2001, Como co-hosted
4095-613: The barber shop owned a Greek coffeehouse that included a barber shop area, and asked Como whether he would like to take over that portion of his shop. Como had so much work after moving to the coffeehouse, he had to hire two barbers to help. His customers worked mainly at the nearby steel mills. They were well-paid, did not mind spending money on themselves, and enjoyed Como's song renditions. He did especially well when one of his customers would marry. The groom and his men would avail themselves of every treatment Como and his assistants had to offer. Como sang romantic songs while busying himself with
4200-424: The call signs WKDN-FM and WKDN from 1959 to 2012 WTMR , a radio station (800 AM) licensed to Camden, New Jersey, United States, which used the call sign WKDN from 1948 to 1968 [REDACTED] Topics referred to by the same term This disambiguation page lists articles about radio and/or television stations with the same/similar call signs or branding. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change
4305-597: The commission that it should remain licensed.) WPEN and WRAX were merged in 1938, with WPEN the surviving station. In March 1941, WPEN moved to 950 kHz, as part of the frequency shifts due to the implementation of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement . During the mid-1940s, WPEN was owned by the Philadelphia Bulletin newspaper; in 1948, the newspaper bought the more powerful WCAU and sold
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4410-432: The company, "Goodbye, Sue". It was the beginning of a professional relationship that lasted for 44 years. He became a very successful performer in theater and nightclub engagements; Como's initial two weeks at the Copacabana in June stretched into August. Sinatra would sometimes call Como and ask him to fill in for him at his Paramount Theater performances. The crooning craze was at its height during this time, and
4515-486: The concept of their ideal husband: it was Perry Como. A 1958 nationwide poll of U.S. teenagers found Como to be the most popular male singer, beating Elvis Presley , who was the winner of the previous year's poll. At one point, his television show was broadcast in at least 12 other countries. Another way to judge the value of the Como show to the network can be found in the following: during sound checks at rehearsals, it
4620-540: The day on Saturdays and Sundays. There were plans to end these infomercials and specialty talk shows once advertising grew, but this never happened. By November 2004, WPEN began to add more late 1960s music by the Beatles , Four Tops , The 5th Dimension , Young Rascals , The Hollies , along with many one hit wonders. The station also added a lot of '60s Philadelphia-based soul. The station's long-awaited signal upgrade partially became reality in 2005, as its nighttime power
4725-439: The early 1970s, artists like The Carpenters , Barbra Streisand , Neil Diamond , James Taylor , and others became core artists. Still all along, artists like Sinatra and Cole, as well as Big Bands, were heard on WPEN. The station was a news-intensive MOR format. Also, during the 1960s, an evening interview show hosted by Frank Ford was broadcast on weekdays. It was held in a converted night club near 22nd and Walnut Streets, so
4830-402: The flagship station of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers in 2012. Greater Media announced on September 21, 2012, that it would sell 950 WPEN to Family Radio , which began airing its Christian radio programming on the station on December 21, 2012, at 6:00 p.m., ending the simulcast of WPEN-FM. At that time, after 83 years of broadcasting in Philadelphia, WPEN signed off for
4935-439: The flu during the show, which took four hours to record. At the show's conclusion, Como apologized to his Dublin audience for a performance he felt was not up to his usual standards. During his visit to Dublin, Como visited a barber shop called "The Como" on Thomas Street . The owners, lifelong fans who named their business in his honor, had sent photographs of the shop and letters to Como inviting him to visit. Photos of Como with
5040-797: The former WPHY (now WCHR 920 AM in Trenton, New Jersey which dropped the ESPN Radio format January 7 of that year), with the new tagline being "950 ESPN Philadelphia" and carries ESPN Radio programming including Major League Baseball with the State Farm Home Run Derby , the All-Star Game and World Series (the latter two coming over from WPHT ), the NBA, the Bowl Championship Series and Mike and Mike in
5145-577: The founder's death, the station shed all connection with him and reworked the station to reflect a reformed Christian teaching and conservative hymns and music format. The station's format contains music by artists such as Fernando Ortega , Keith & Kristyn Getty , CityAlight , Steven Curtis Chapman , Sovereign Grace Music , and Don Moen as well as teaching by religious leaders & pastors such as R.C. Sproul , John MacArthur , and John Piper . Perry Como Pierino Ronald " Perry " Como ( / ˈ k oʊ m oʊ / ; May 18, 1912 – May 12, 2001)
5250-564: The groom as the other two barbers worked with the rest of the groom's party. During the wedding preparation, the groom's friends and relatives would come into the shop with gifts of money for Como. He became so popular as a "wedding barber" in the Greek community that he was asked to provide his services in Pittsburgh and throughout Ohio. In 1932, Como left Canonsburg, moving about 100 miles away to Meadville, Pennsylvania , where his uncle had
5355-619: The holiday. Como filled the yearly gap for his fans with live Christmas concerts in various locations. Como's final Christmas special was filmed in January 1994 in Dublin's Point Theatre before an audience of 4,500, including Irish President Mary Robinson and Como's friend, the actress Maureen O'Hara . Perry Como's Irish Christmas was a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) production, made by an Irish independent production company in association with RTÉ . Como, appearing aged and unwell, had
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#17328025731385460-412: The last time, and the station then returned to the air under the call letters WKDN, a call sign previously used in the market on 800 AM (now WTMR ) and 106.9 FM (now WKVP ). 106.9 was Family Radio's previous Philadelphia station, which they had been forced to sell earlier in the year, after spending $ 100 million and taking out large loans to promote the late founder's discredited rapture prediction. After
5565-483: The late 1950s, rock and roll began to dominate the chart. WPEN opted, though, to remain a non-rock station but played some of the softer songs by artists like The Platters , Elvis Presley , Everly Brothers , Brenda Lee , and others. By the mid-1960s, WPEN was also playing softer songs by The Beatles , The Association , The 5th Dimension , Tom Jones , The Mamas & the Papas , The Righteous Brothers , and others. In
5670-512: The late 1990s, WPEN began airing some paid programming during the day on weekends. Ratings were still decent, but demographics were making it difficult to sell advertising. The weekend paid programming would be used to raise revenue for the station to be able to be profitable. While the station did not ever strictly play standards and featured some soft rock mixed in during much of the day, they changed focus in 2001. At that point, WPEN cut back on big bands and added more 50's and 60's rock and roll to
5775-671: The late evening talk show from the restaurant studio. Jim Reeves could be seen doing newscasts from a second floor studio. Before the Steve Allison show, radio personality Art Raymond ("The Man in the Black Sombrero") hosted a live Latin music dance program from the Ranch Room. Years later Raymond hosted Jewish music programs featuring Klezmer music on radio stations in New York City, Philadelphia and Florida. In
5880-482: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WKDN&oldid=1047435584 " Category : Broadcast call sign disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages WKDN (AM) WKDN (950 kHz ) is an American AM radio station licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , and serving
5985-676: The mid-1990s. In late 2001, WPEN agreed to become the flagship radio station of the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2002 through 2004 seasons. This led to increased attention for the station, but not all of it was favorable. Many listeners in outlying suburbs complained that they could not pick up the games, which had previously been on the stronger signal of WPHT (the weak signal also was a favorite of pundits and jokesters, one of which quipped that WPEN stands for "We Practically Emit Nothing"). Although Greater Media had plans to improve WPEN's signal, they could not be implemented during
6090-528: The next four years. Over the next four seasons, from 1963 to 1967, the series was presented as monthly specials alternating with Kraft Suspense Theatre , The Andy Williams Show , and finally The Road West . Como became the highest-paid performer in the history of television to that date, earning mention in the Guinness Book of World Records . Como himself took part in none of this; his production company, Roncom, named for son Ronald Como, handled
6195-634: The opportunity, he might never know whether or not he could be a professional singer. The decision was also made with an eye on finances; at this time, Como was earning around $ 125 per week from his barber shop, while the job with Carlone paid $ 28 per week. Roselle was willing to travel with her fiancé and the band, but the salary was not enough to support two people on the road. Perry and Roselle were married in Meadville on July 31, 1933; four days later, Como joined Carlone's band and began working with them. Roselle returned home to Canonsburg; Como would be on
6300-549: The playlist. While there was no hard rock, there were a decent amount of pop/rock oldies one would not expect to find on an adult standards station. In 2003, WPEN became the radio home of Jerry Blavat. He would host a 50's and 60's rock and roll oldies show playing a lot of rock and roll cuts WPEN still normally did not play at that point. Still, even in 2003, WPEN was still focused on the standards vocalists. WPEN had been also mixing in contemporary standards artists like Michael Bublé , Norah Jones , Harry Connick Jr. , and others since
6405-537: The public was allowed to sit in on all broadcasts. Around 1967, WPEN became an affiliate of the NBC Radio Network . Around 1969, the station left NBC, and management decided to seriously challenge WIP , Philadelphia's dominant MOR music station. Some WIP personalities were lured to WPEN, including Tom Brown, and an extensive promotional campaign was launched with the station billing itself as "The New 95." However, listeners did not respond in large numbers and
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#17328025731386510-530: The road for the next 18 months. Three years after joining Carlone, Como moved to Ted Weems 's Orchestra and his first recording dates. Como and Weems met in 1936 while the Carlone orchestra was playing in Warren, Ohio . Como initially did not take the offer to join Weems's orchestra. Apparently realizing it was the best move for Como, Carlone selflessly urged him to sign with Weems. Art Jarrett had just left
6615-481: The season premiere of The Perry Como Show was broadcast from NBC's new color television studio at the New York Ziegfeld Theatre , making it one of the first weekly color TV shows. In addition to this season premiere as a color television show, there was also a royal visit from Prince Rainier of Monaco and his bride of six months, Grace Kelly . Como competed with Jackie Gleason in what
6720-410: The show's opening theme song, "Mr. C." received the first of many "stacks and stacks of letters" requesting him to sing a specific song. It was also here where he began wearing his trademark cardigan sweaters. The "Sing to me, Mr. C." segment with Como seated on a stool singing viewer requested songs had its roots in the first television broadcasts of Chesterfield Supper Club . When cameras entered
6825-428: The show, Como acquired polish and his own style with Weems's help. Mutual's Chicago affiliate, WGN radio, threatened to stop carrying the Weems broadcasts from Chicago's Palmer House if his new singer did not improve. Weems had recordings of some of his previous radio programs; one evening he and Como listened to them, and Como was shocked to realize no one could understand the lyrics when he sang. Weems told Como there
6930-567: The song, using it many times on both television shows and his Christmas albums. The Carpenters also recorded the song on their first Christmas album, Christmas Portrait . Beginning in 1967, Como began reducing his TV appearances, gradually becoming limited to seasonal and holiday specials with the emphasis being on Christmas. A large part of Como's public persona was the idea that he personally knew Santa Claus. Como had numerous Christmas television specials, beginning on Christmas Eve 1948, and continuing to 1994, when his final Christmas special
7035-425: The star, asking Storer to obtain the release of the singer they preferred, so he would be free for their new program. Storer decided to do nothing about getting the singer released from his contract. When he was contacted by the agency some weeks later, saying they were ready to put the program on the air on NBC, Storer bluntly told them the man for their show was the man they had heard on the demo recording. The program
7140-404: The station to the local Sun Ray Drug Store chain. As entertainment programming moved from radio to television, WPEN evolved into a popular music format in the early 1950s. The music at that time consisted of artists such Perry Como , Frank Sinatra , Doris Day , Mills Brothers , Tommy Dorsey , Bing Crosby , Peggy Lee , Nat King Cole , Pat Boone , Tony Bennett , and many others. At this time,
7245-404: The station went into a gradual decline. By about 1973, the station's financial condition was so poor that it began signing off at midnight to save money, and ownership began to actively market the operation to potential buyers. At the end of 1974, WPEN was sold to Greater Media , along with co-owned WPEN-FM (now known as WMGK ). When the deal closed in January 1975, Greater Media immediately took
7350-524: The stations off the air for some badly needed engineering upgrades. In the spring, WPEN returned to the air as "95PEN" with an oldies format under program director Julian Breen and later, Peter Mokover. Mike St. John made his Philly debut at this time along with Geoff Fox , Paul Cassidy, Loren Owens, Mike Landry, Rick Harris and Bobby "Dashboard" Dark. Joe Niagara soon joined the station with an afternoon drive show. The revived station originally played rock and roll hits from about 1955 to 1963, but newer music
7455-433: The studio. It was five weeks before he was actually called to the set, despite the studio's initial urgent report for work notice. When Como finally appeared, the director had no idea who he was. At the time Como was signed, musical films were on the wane and he became a studio contract player, where the actors or actresses worked only when the studio needed to fill out a schedule. Though his last film, Words and Music ,
7560-825: The term of the contract. The Phillies returned to WPHT for the 2005 season. On September 1, 2004, due to declining advertising, WPEN dropped Adult Standards abruptly in favor of returning to oldies , playing only music from 1954 to 1965. Some of the airstaff remained. Jim Nettleton and Christy Springfield came over from WOGL later that year. WOGL had moved away from pre-1964 oldies, and Greater Media sought to win away listeners who preferred music of that era. Artists featured on WPEN included Sam Cooke , Elvis Presley , Billy Stewart , Bill Haley , Fats Domino , Ricky Nelson , Marvelettes , Everly Brothers , Jerry Butler , Beach Boys , The Four Seasons , Jackie Wilson , Bobby Vee , and others. Unfortunately, ratings declined even more. The station also continued its paid programming during
7665-578: The transaction along with all other Como business matters. Como also had control of the show which would replace his during the summer television hiatus. While "Mr. C." was having a holiday, viewers would see Perry Presents , beginning in 1959. In late 1962, after the Cuban Missile Crisis had settled well enough to permit the evacuated servicemen's families to return to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara
7770-423: The world. He recorded primarily vocal pop and was renowned for recordings in the intimate, easy-listening genre pioneered by multimedia star Bing Crosby . In the official RCA Records Billboard magazine memorial, his life was summed up in these few words: "50 years of music and a life well lived. An example to all." Como received five Emmys from 1955 to 1959, and a Christopher Award in 1956. He also shared
7875-565: Was Percy Crawford who spoke consistently to the crowd of homeless men. In 1934, WPEN moved to 920 kHz, now sharing time with another Philadelphia station, WRAX. (On May 25, 1928, the Federal Radio Commission 's General Order 32 had notified 164 stations, including WRAX, that "From an examination of your application for future license it does not find that public interest, convenience, or necessity would be served by granting it." However, WRAX had successfully convinced
7980-506: Was simulcast on radio via the Mutual Broadcasting System beginning August 24, 1953; while the Chesterfield Supper Club broadcasts were simulcast on radio and television, this was the first instance of a simulcast between two networks. Como's CBS contract was to expire on July 1, 1955. The year before, he had been asked to be the master of ceremonies and narrator of the NBC Radio 35th anniversary special. That April, Perry Como signed
8085-579: Was Como's eight-year-old son, Ronnie, as part of a boys' choir singing "Silent Night" with his father. The show was the usual Friday night Chesterfield Supper Club with an important exception—it was also being broadcast on television. The experimental simulcast was to continue for three Friday "Supper Club" shows, but had gone so well, NBC decided to extend the televised version through August 1949. Years later, Como admitted to being scared and feeling awkward initially but somehow managed to just be himself. Said Como, "You can't act on TV. With me, what you see
8190-507: Was able to increase its daytime power from 5,000 to 25,000 watts. Previously nondirectional during daylight hours, it switched to directional operation, using the three towers it had previously used for nighttime broadcasting at its longtime transmitter site in the Overbrook Park section of Philadelphia. In June 2008, WPEN was granted a construction permit for a second daytime power increase, this time to 43,000 watts. On March 2, 2007,
8295-712: Was acquired by the William Penn Broadcasting Company, which changed WPSW's call sign to WPEN. The William Penn company also acquired its time-sharing partner on 1500 kHz, WALK in Willow Grove , which was shut down. In its early years, WPEN was known for Italian-language programming, and was co-owned with another major Italian-oriented station, WOV in New York City. Beginning in November 1929, Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission broadcast their Sunday morning services from their 800-person homeless shelter and soup kitchen. The most notable speaker
8400-467: Was added to the playlist over time; by the late '70s, the music mix was really closer to Adult Contemporary than oldies. Ratings were never spectacular, and WPEN opted to change formats in 1979. In 1979, WPEN dumped the Oldies format and became Nostalgia , featuring big bands hits and adult standards. The station became known as "950 WPEN, The Station Of The Stars". The station featured adult standards of
8505-474: Was always some other guy. I come over like just another bum in a tuxedo." After he began appearing regularly on television, Como was offered some film roles that interested him, but there was never enough time to pursue any film work. Como made the move to television when NBC initially televised the Chesterfield Supper Club radio program on December 24, 1948. A guest on that first show
8610-406: Was an American singer, actor, and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century, he recorded exclusively for RCA Victor for 44 years, from 1943 until 1987. "Mr. C.", as he was nicknamed, reportedly sold over 100 million records worldwide and pioneered a weekly musical variety television show. His weekly television shows and seasonal specials were broadcast throughout
8715-647: Was an advertising manager with the Blackman Company at the time, became convinced of Como's abilities after hearing him on his unsponsored CBS Radio show. Storer produced a demonstration radio program recording with Como and the Mitchell Ayres Orchestra, which he brought to the advertising agency that handled the Chesterfield Cigarettes account. Initially, the agency liked the format of the show, but wanted someone else as
8820-400: Was another side to Como. Music critic Gene Lees describes it in his sleeve note to Como's 1968 album Look To Your Heart : Despite his immense popularity, Como is rarely given credit for what, once you stop and think of it, he so clearly is: one of the great singers and one of the great artists of our time. Perhaps the reason people rarely talk about his formidable attributes as a singer
8925-620: Was as much fun at rehearsals as on the show itself. Como's relaxed and fun-loving manner at rehearsals put many nervous guests at ease. It was common for Como to leave the Saturday-afternoon rehearsal for about a half-hour to go to confession . He managed to save some time by asking his music publisher, Mickey Glass, to wait in line for him at the confessional. Glass, who was Jewish, was most agreeable to this but wondered what to do if his turn came before Como arrived. Como thoroughly enjoyed his years working in television, saying in
9030-524: Was billed as the "Battle of the Giants" and won. This is rarely mentioned, in part because Como commonly downplayed his achievements and because the two men were friends. The weekly ratings winner would phone the loser for some mock gloating. At the height of this television competition, Como asked Gleason a favor: to visit his home when his mother-in-law, a big Gleason fan, was there. Though Mrs. Belline spoke no English and Gleason no Italian, Roselle's mother
9135-640: Was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania , about 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Pittsburgh. He was the seventh of 13 children and the first American-born child of Pietro Como (1877–1945) and Lucia Travaglini (1883–1961), who both emigrated to the US in 1910 from the Abruzzese town of Palena, Italy . He did not begin speaking English until he entered school, since the Comos spoke Italian at home. The family had
9240-486: Was born in 1940, while the Weems band was working in Chicago. Como left to be at his wife's side, though he was threatened with dismissal if he did so. Though Como was now making $ 250 a week and travel expenses for the family were no problem, Ronnie could not become used to a normal routine when they were unable to stay in one place for a period of time. The radio program Beat the Band did not always originate from Chicago, but
9345-463: Was eager to do more for morale there. He asked Como to bring his television show to the Naval base. Como and his cast and crew were at Guantanamo when the families of the armed forces began their return. The first entertainers to visit the base since the crisis, the Como show filmed there for eight days. Some highlights of the program, which was seen in the US on December 12, 1962, included Como's shaving
9450-537: Was entitled to make a mistake and that he hoped his son would never do anything worse than this. When Como was 14, his father became unable to work because of a severe heart condition. Como and his brothers became the support of the household. Despite his musical ability, Como's primary ambition was to become the best barber in Canonsburg. Practicing on his father, he mastered the skills well enough to have his own shop at age 14. One of Como's regular customers at
9555-495: Was increased from 5,000 to 21,000 watts and the Montgomery County towers of daytimer WWDB became WPEN's new nighttime transmitter site. The station began to gain some ratings, but the growth was not fast enough. In August 2005, WPEN announced that they would be ending the oldies format in favor of sports talk. The change became effective on October 3, 2005. WPEN affiliated with Fox Sports Radio . In early 2007, WPEN
9660-463: Was invited to visit Buckingham Palace the day after the show. At first, the invitation did not extend to his associates traveling and working with him, and Como politely declined. When word reached the Palace regarding the reason for Perry's turning down the invitation, it was then extended to include the entire Como party and Como accepted. Soon after, he announced his first concert tour that began in
9765-408: Was made for prestigious Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer , Como fared no better. Less than two weeks before the film's release, Walter Winchell wrote in his syndicated column, "Someone at MGM must have been dozing when they wrote the script for Words and Music . In most of the film Perry Como is called Eddie Anders and toward the end (for no reason) they start calling him Perry Como." Como asked for and received
9870-690: Was no need for him to resort to vocal tricks; what was necessary was to sing from the heart. Como's first recording with the Weems band was a novelty tune called "You Can't Pull the Wool Over My Eyes", recorded for the Decca Records label in May 1936. During one of Como's early Decca recording sessions with the Weems orchestra, Weems was told to get rid of "that kid" (Como) because he sounded too much like Bing Crosby, who also recorded for Decca. Before Como could reply, Weems spoke up, saying Como
9975-510: Was often broadcast from other cities such as Milwaukee, Denver, and St. Louis. The band continued to play road engagements while part of the program was broadcast. Como decided life on the road was no place to raise a child, and Roselle and the baby went back to Canonsburg. In late 1942, Como decided to quit the Weems band, even if it meant giving up singing. Weary of life on the road and missing his wife and son, he returned to Canonsburg, his family, and his trade. Como received an offer to become
10080-514: Was often difficult to hear Como's soft voice without having a large microphone ruin a camera shot. NBC had RCA design a microphone for the show—the RCA Type BK-10A—which was known as the "Como mic"; it was able to pick up Como's voice properly and was small enough not to interfere with camera shots. In 1959, Como signed a $ 25 million deal with Kraft Foods and moved to Wednesday nights, hosting Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall weekly for
10185-544: Was on the program by special request of the Queen. In 1984, Como traveled the US with his 50th Anniversary tour. Having spent most of his professional life in radio or recording studios and on television soundstages, he was enjoying doing live performances. Even after his 80th birthday, Como continued the concert tours. Gone, however, were the cardigan sweaters which had been a staple of his weekly television shows, and which he had actually hated wearing. Como now performed in
10290-403: Was one of the first broadcasters in the country to use a live seven-second delay tape system. In addition to live guests, Steve Allison took telephone calls from listeners. Teddy Reinhart was the producer. Allison had guests such as Eddie Fisher, Billy Eckstein and numerous local politicians at the Ranch Room. Many evenings Allison showed up for work in a tuxedo. In the late 1950s, Frank Ford hosted
10395-451: Was part of the session or it was over. By the time Como had been with Weems about a year, he was mentioned in a 1937 Life magazine NBC Radio ad for Fibber McGee and Molly as "causing cardiac flutters with his crooning". The weekly radio show, Beat the Band , which ran on NBC from 1940 to 1944, was a "stump the band"-type musical quiz show on which Weems and his orchestra were featured from 1940 to 1941. The Comos' first child, Ronnie,
10500-682: Was recorded in Ireland. They were recorded in many countries, including Israel, Mexico, and Canada, as well as many locations throughout the United States, including a Colonial America Christmas in Williamsburg, Virginia. The 1987 Christmas special was cancelled at the behest of an angry Como; the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) was willing to offer him only a Saturday 10 PM time slot for it three weeks before
10605-401: Was scheduled to make its debut in a week; the only option was to hire Como for the show. Storer then arranged for Como's release from his CBS contract. On December 11, 1944, he moved from CBS to NBC for a new radio program, Chesterfield Supper Club . The April 5, 1946, broadcasts of the Chesterfield Supper Club took place 20,000 feet in the air; these were the first known instances of
10710-593: Was swimming in a pool specially constructed on the set for her appearance. Como simply said, "Goodnight, folks," and leaped, fully clothed, into the swimming pool. On December 17, 1955, viewers were able to see first-hand what Como did for a living before he was a professional singer. Actor Kirk Douglas was one of Como's television guests; Douglas had grown a beard for his Vincent van Gogh role in Lust for Life , which finished filming that week. Como shaved Douglas's beard live on national television. On September 15, 1956,
10815-418: Was terrified, but his friends urged him and pushed him onto the stage. Carlone was so impressed with Como's performance that he immediately offered him a job. Como was not certain if he should accept Carlone's offer, so he returned to Canonsburg to talk the matter over with his father. Como expected his father would tell him to stay in the barber business, but to his surprise, his father said if he did not take
10920-460: Was thrilled. Como's words to Gleason after the visit, "Anything you want, you got it. In fact, I'll even do one of your shows so the ratings will be better." Como was among those who filled in for Gleason on The Jackie Gleason Show in 1954 when the entertainer suffered a broken ankle and leg in an on-air fall. An example of Como's popularity came in 1956, when Life conducted a poll of young women, asking them which man in public life most fit
11025-509: Was time to get back to work. Como said in a 1983 interview, "I thought I'd have my fun and I'd go home to work." Perry made his debut radio broadcast for CBS on March 12, 1943. Rockwell's next move was to book Como into the renowned Copacabana nightclub for two weeks beginning on June 10, 1943. At this same time, RCA Victor was looking for a crooner to compete with Sinatra and Crosby; Como signed his first recording contract with RCA Victor and three days after that, cut his first record for
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