Ken Michaels’ radio career began in the communications program at the New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, Long Island. From 1981-1983, he hosted programs at the campus station WNYT, including Album Rock on weekdays and Top 40 on weekends. The program director, noting the many Beatles and solo-songs that Ken played, and his tendency towards wearing Beatles T-shirts, suggested he do a Sunday night Beatles show. In March 1982, “The All-Request Beatles Show” was launched as a one-hour show beginning at midnight on Sundays. After a slow response, Ken successfully proposed the idea of moving the show to the 10-11pm hour. Once that happened, the phone lines lit up like crazy, and the show was soon expanded to take up the full 3-hour shift. In developing his show, Ken mixed the classic group recordings of the Fab Four with their respective solo music, gave exposure to the newest solo releases, invented many unique games and forms of trivia, and persuaded a local record store into giving him prizes every week.
Ken was simultaneously working as a sales clerk in a prime location of one of the nation’s biggest record store chains. When Ed Ryan was hired there, Ken discovered that he, too, was a huge Beatles fan. The duo hit it off. Ed was invited to watch Ken do his Beatles show, and soon became co-host. The winning combo spent a year together, and during that time built an audience that averaged over 200 requests every Sunday night!!!
After Ed left, Ken’s now solo version of “The All-Request Beatles Show” was picked up by New Jersey rock station WDHA-FM, and ran on Sunday mornings for ten consecutive years (1983-1993). As a newcomer to New Jersey radio, Ken was amazed at the station’s widespread signal. While its focus was Northern New Jersey, Ken also picked up listeners in the five boroughs, western Long Island, and eastern Pennsylvania.
Here we are, over 40 years later, and I’m still excited to present Beatles and solo Beatles content for you every weekend on RetroROCKS! Please join me!
