Home › History & Criticism › Cleveland Radio Tales: Stories from the Local Radio Scene of the 1960s, '70s, '80s, and '90s
  • Cleveland Radio Tales: Stories from the Local Radio Scene of the 1960s, '70s, '80s, and '90s by Mike Olszewski book cover
  • Cleveland Radio Tales: Stories from the Local Radio Scene of the 1960s, '70s, '80s, and '90s by Mike Olszewski book cover
1 2

Cleveland Radio Tales: Stories from the Local Radio Scene of the 1960s, '70s, '80s, and '90s

by Mike Olszewski

Cleveland radio behind the microphone

$15.21 USD
$25.35 USD $15.21 USD
Save 40%

Paperback New

Delivery to your door
Currently unavailable
Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

AlbakiReads Editorial

Cleveland radio behind the microphone

Mike Olszewski gathers stories from Cleveland’s local radio scene across the 1960s through the 1990s, centering the personalities and incidents that made the medium a conspicuous part of city life. The episodes range from theatrical on-air stunts and fictional broadcasts mistaken for real destinations to station disputes, pirate signals, and coverage during the 1968 Glenville riots. Together, they sketch a regional history shaped by radio’s mix of entertainment, improvisation, competition, and live connection with listeners. The book’s scope extends beyond famous broadcasters to amateur operators and the people working around the studios, offering a collection of anecdotes rooted in Cleveland’s changing media culture.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers interested in Cleveland history and local culture.
  • Radio enthusiasts curious about broadcasting in the 1960s–1990s.
  • Those who enjoy collections of documented media anecdotes and personalities.

Themes

Cleveland radio historyBroadcast personalitiesLive radio and improvisationPirate broadcastingLocal media culture

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Remember when Cleveland radio was filled with larger-than-life characters?

Let's go behind the microphone to meet dozens of intriguing and innovative local radio personalities, including ...

  • "Count" John Manolesco, the talk show host, astrologer, and former vampire who performed an exorcism live on-air
  • A daytime host who raised eyebrows and gained headlines when he did his entire show in the nude
  • Inventive Wayne Mack, whose make-believe big band concerts seemed so real that listeners drove around for hours in search of his fictional "Waltz Palace" ballroom
  • Loudmouth Gary Dee, who scored big ratings interviewing strippers and once knocked a fellow DJ out cold
  • Media mogul Milton Maltz, a "square" who teamed up with hippies to transform WMMS into a rock and roll giant
  • Young Jack Paar, who nearly lost his first radio job while saving Cleveland from a Martian invasion
  • The undaunted DJs of WABQ who broke FCC rules to stay on the air during the Glenville riots in 1968
  • Teenage amateurs whose pirate radio stations drew loyal local listeners--and angry visits from the Feds!

Plus stories of live remotes gone wrong, unruly in-studio guests, management scuffles, the river of booze that fueled radio ... and more strange but true tales!

Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

You may also like

View all