On this day in 1956, Dr. Wendell Cox and Dr. Haley Bell launch WCHB-AM 1440— the state’s first black-owned and operated radio station from the ground up. Located at Ecorse Road and Henry Ruff Road in Inkster, station call letters come from the men’s initials (Wendell Cox, Haley Bell). Its program director is Larry Dean (Faulkner). One of its first popular radio personalities is Joltin Joe Howard who is recruited to Detroit. Other founding voices include: Trudy Haynes and Bill Matney of the Michigan Chronicle. WCHB will become known for playing some of the best R&B music during the 1960s and 70s. It will feature popular radio personalities Bill Williams, Butterball Jr. (Wade Briggs), Jay Butler, Fred Goree, Martha Jean The Queen, and John Arnold. In 1960, its parent company, Bell Broadcasting, will launch WCHD-FM 105.9. It will showcase radio personalities like Bill Johnson, Jerry Blocker and Ed Love who play the area’s best jazz music. It will later become WJZZ-FM. #On This Day: African American Life in Detroit
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 10:52:22 +0000
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