The Baby Boomer Radio, TV, Movies, Magazines, Music, Comics, Fads, Toys, Fun, and More Show!

On this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, we look back to a musical and cultural phenomenon that hit the United States back in 1964. Fifty years ago, The Beatles made their debut in America, appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show. Their arrival signaled the true beginning of the tumultuous 1960s. The Beatles were the vanguard of all the musical and cultural changes the following years would see. Joining Smitty and Mike to look back at that time period is John Fox, from Rez Radio, our affiliated station in Pala, California. John presents many informative facts of what went on behind the scenes, how their first records were distributed here, how they made it to the Sullivan Show, and what happened in the years that followed. Many interesting details and stories are shared that detail not only what was happening musically, but also what was changing in the pop culture arena. Our Retro-Commercials are two station IDs voiced by John Lennon at the time they first arrived in America. This program is the first part of this in-depth look back at that time period, and is concluded on Program 133. Join us for great musical memories on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network!

Mike and Smitty share memories of some of the things they did as kids on this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site. Among them, customizing bicycles, taking things apart, modifying toys, and engaging in illicit painting with a newly found can of paint. As kids, our natural curiosity compels us to find out what's inside of things. Whether it's a clock, a motorized toy, or an old radio, the need to look inside and see what's in there is irresistible. Coming up with the idea to paint something a different color is not always a good thing when you're a kid, and mom and dad aren't aware! And the newly found freedom of taking your bike for a ride is more exciting after you've done some customizing to it. All are good memories of growing up in the 1960s and 70s. Join us on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site and recall some memories of yourself growing up!

On this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, Smitty and Mike celebrate the four-year anniversary of our series. We look ahead to the coming year and preview some of the program topics that will be featured in the coming months throughout the year. On the second half of our program we remember Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers who passed away in early January 2014. We look back at this amazing duo, and their place in music history. Our Retro-Commercial is a short one for Maxwell House Coffee. Happy New Year from Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, on the Galaxy Nostalgia Network!

Mike and Smitty commemorate the 45th anniversary of radio station KNX adopting the All-News format. KNX, a major AM radio station in the Los Angeles area, has a long history, dating back to the 1920s. The station, now almost 85 years old, was a major player back in the Golden Age of Radio. As the West Coast flagship station for the Columbia Broadcasting System, many famous and well-remembered programs and artists broadcast to a nation-wide audience from its microphones. In 1968, KNX switched to an All-News format, a format that continues to this day. In these past 45 years, the range of stories broadcast daily on KNX have run the gamut from assassinations, to wars, fires, earthquakes, space shots, political events, and just about every kind of world shaking event that could happen. On this edition of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, we look back at those 45 years and listen again to a few clips from some of those memorable broadcasts reporting major stories of the day. We also look at how reporting the news on radio has changed in these past 45 years. An interesting look back at some of the history as heard on KNX in Los Angeles, Join us for this look back on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site!

As we enter the holiday season here on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, Mike and Smitty welcome John and Susan Fox to our show. John is station manager of Rez Radio, 91.3, KOPA-FM in Pala, California, and is our affiliated station there. John and his lovely wife Susan join Smitty and Mike as they recall Holiday seasons of years past. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are the highlights of the last quarter of the year, and we look back to our own childhood memories in the different places we grew up. John grew up in rural Fallbrook, California; Susan near Rochester, New York; Mike in the urban Los Angeles area; and Smitty in San Diego. This program is sure to recall memories of your Christmases and winters past, in a more simpler and less hectic time. Our Retro-Commercials are for Beech Nut Gum, and for Q-Tips Cotton Swabs. Season's Greetings from all of us at Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, and the Galaxy Nostalgia Network!

Smitty and Mike are pleased to bring to the Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site microphones, legendary broadcaster John Coleman. Mr. Coleman has been active in the field of broadcasting since his youth in the 1940s. He has many credits to his name. Among them: Member of the first original "Eyewitness News" team on Chicago's WLS; First weatherman on ABC's "Good Morning America"; Founder of "The Weather Channel"; and many more accomplishments to his name. Mr. Coleman tells us about his early years hosting a dance show, perfecting his knowledge of meteorology, and a fascinating look back at the early years of television broadcasting. Presently, Mr. Coleman is weatherman at KUSI-TV in San Diego, California. Join us for a delightful look back at his fascinating career. Our Retro-Commercials are for Maxwell House Coffee, and Rolo Candies. Tune in to Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site!

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while visiting Dallas, Texas. Those who were alive on that day, will always remember where they were when they first heard the terrible news. On this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, we look back to that tragic day fifty years ago. How the media broke the story to a shocked nation, how Americans reacted to the news, and how President Kennedy's death is still of great interest to so many people, including newer generations. In addition, we have extensive coverage from CBS Radio News that day, from the first bulletin announcing the assassination attempt, to the news that the President had died. We also have recollections from several of our past guests and friends, who recall where they were when they first heard the news. We offer a retrospective looking back a half century, to this tragic event that changed the nation and the world forever. Join us as we remember President Kennedy on this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site.

On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater on the Air, broadcast a dramatization of H. G. Wells' novel "The War of the Worlds". This broadcast caused widespread panic in the United States as listeners believed that we were truly being invaded by Martians. On this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, we look back to that evening 75 years ago, and discuss the many contributing factors that made this broadcast believable. The state of the world then which was heading toward war, the listening habits of the American public, and the infallibility of radio at that time, all contributed toward the panic that engulfed thousands of listeners. This fascinating event is truly worth remembering and more so on the 75th anniversary of this famous broadcast. In addition, we ask the question could something like this happen again? For the answer, as well as an enjoyable look back at the Golden Age of Radio, join us on this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site!

On this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, Top 40 Radio historian David Leonard concludes his four-show visit this with us. Dave talks to us about radio station owners, innovators, and trailblazers that were found behind the scenes in Top 40 Radio back in the 50s and 60s. These individuals, although not as well known as the radio personalities heard on their stations, were the ones that made the rules, put up the money, and were the engines that drove the various radio stations. It was their decisions that set up formats, styles, imaging, and in selecting air talent to be heard over their respective stations. It was their decisions that were put into motion in order to get the edge over the other stations in town. Overall, a fascinating look back at the movers and shakers of the top 40 Radio era. Out Retro-Commercial is for Coca-Cola with an inspiring message from the late 1970s. Join us on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site!

On this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, Top 40 Radio historian David Leonard concludes his four-show visit this with us. Dave talks to us about radio station owners, innovators, and trailblazers that were found behind the scenes in Top 40 Radio back in the 50s and 60s. These individuals, although not as well known as the radio personalities heard on their stations, were the ones that made the rules, put up the money, and were the engines that drove the various radio stations. It was their decisions that set up formats, styles, imaging, and in selecting air talent to be heard over their respective stations. It was their decisions that were put into motion in order to get the edge over the other stations in town. Overall, a fascinating look back at the movers and shakers of the top 40 Radio era. Out Retro-Commercial is for Coca-Cola with an inspiring message from the late 1970s. Join us on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site!

Our visit with Top 40 Radio historian Dave Leonard continues here on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site. On this episode, Dave talks to us about personalities not generally associated with radio. Among the names that are recalled are Art Linkletter, Regis Philbin, and Morton Downey Jr. These individuals and many others had their start in San Diego Radio and eventually moved on to television and continued their careers in other areas. We also talk about radio surveys. These weekly publications put out by radio stations highlighted a staff person or on-air talent, and was a weekly barometer of how songs were ranking in popularity. Dave has a large collection of surveys and he tells us all of the facts and information about them, as well as what you need to know to start collecting them. Our Retro-Commercial is for Haley's M.O. Laxative. Our trip through the world of Top 40 Radio continues here on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site!

Dave Leonard continues his visit with Smitty and Mike. Dave is author of "Aircheck, the Story of Top 40 Radio in San Diego". On this episode, Dave talks about buildings in the San Diego area that were once radio stations. In the early days, radio stations were located in hotel buildings, office buildings, and later in specialized buildings to house stations. As time went on, stations found homes in shopping centers and areas that were more accessible to the public. Dave talks about some of these interesting places that are still well remembered. The second half of our show is about radio station promotions. How radio stations would compete by holding all kinds of contests and events that would involve the public. These contests drew listeners and were very popular with individuals looking to win a prize. As time went on, the contests grew with higher and higher cash prizes and such gifts as cars, and even houses! All sorts of zany contests went on in those days when rules and guidelines were much looser. We also talk about give away items such as bumper stickers, photos of jocks, and other items that were given away to listeners. Another enjoyable show with our guest Dave Leonard. Our Retro-Commercial is for Anacin, from the early 1980s. Join us on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site!

Mike and Smitty welcome back their good friend David Leonard to the Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site microphones. Dave is author of "Aircheck, the Story of Top 40 radio in San Diego". This is the authoritative book covering the golden Top 40 era in San Diego. In addition, Dave Leonard is an expert in the field of Top 40 radio history particularly in the Southern California region. Dave joins us for the first of four programs covering many topics related to Top 40 Radio in the San Diego area, but many of the stories and anecdotes are applicable to stations of that era anywhere in the USA and beyond. On this program, Dave leads us in a discussion of radio personalities that originated in San Diego. We recall many of the individuals who either started or made San Diego a pivotal point in their careers. Some names that are still very much with us, and others that are just good memories. Join us on this and on the next three programs that follow for lots of Top 40 radio history! Our Retro-Commercial is the catchy Aqua-Velva jingle from the 1970s. Join us on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site!

On this episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site, we remember Lincoln Logs, Tinkertoys, and Erector Sets. These simple toys were lots of fun and taught kids how to build and create all sorts of different things. The cognizant skills that were developed by these toys was valuable, all from a simpler time with no batteries, or electronics such as are found today. We also look back at the 40th anniversary of the 1973 baseball season. A season played in the midst of Watergate, Vietnam, and other events that were a sign of the times. It was also the end of an era as Willy Mays played his last season with the Mets. We look back at the pop culture of that era as well as the sport of baseball and what it meant to the nation. Our Retro-Commercial is for Pillsbury Space Food Sticks from 1969. Let's play ball before summer ends, here on Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site!

This episode of Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site features a look back at Technicolor. Everyone recalls the great films of the 30s through 50s that were shot in vivid Technicolor. This story begins back in the late teens, and we look back at how the Technicolor company came into being as well as the developments that led to the unique and beautiful color movies we remember so well. We look back at some of the best remembered films from this era. There was a warmth and crispness in the Technicolor pictures that can't be duplicated today. Next, we turn to the 55th anniversary of the Boeing 707 Jet Airplane. This craft brought the commercial jet age to reality. Boeing's gamble to build and create this airplane paid off, since they invested far more than what the company was worth at that time. The beginning of the jet age impacted many facets of our culture and daily life. The 707 was referred to in movies, TV shows, and in books. The idea of being able to take a flight cross-country rather than a train trip, or on board a cruise ship took hold, and marked the beginning of the jet age. Finally, we look back at a few of the game shows of the 1960s and 70s. Many of these shows had visual appeal. In the age before flat screens and modern computers, boards with squares, drawings, charts, and rear screen projectors were the norm. A few of the shows we recall are Concentration; Jeopardy; and The Match Game. These shows also appealed to kids, although we might not have understood all the rules, we liked watching all of the interesting things happening on-screen! Our Retro-Commercials are for the 1964 Buick and for National Airlines. Hop on board with Galaxy Moonbeam Night Site!