CKLW – USA Radio Museum

THE ALL BEATLES ‘CK SURVEY 80! WEEK OF FEBRUARY 18, 1964

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CKLW, known as an RKO station in 1964, was a legendary AM radio station broadcasting on 800 kHz from Windsor, Ontario, with a massive 50,000 watt signal that reached much of the Midwest United States and beyond. The station became famous for its Top 40 format, high-energy DJs, later formed the innovative “Boss Radio” style, especially from the mid-1960s through the 1970s.

CKLW in 1964: The Early Days of Its Glory

In 1964, CKLW was transitioning into the high-energy format that would make it famous by the end of the decade. While it hadn’t yet adopted the full-fledged Drake-Chenault “Boss Radio” format that dominated the late ’60s and early ’70s, the station was already a major player in the Detroit-Windsor radio market.

CKLW DJ Lineup (1964)

Tom Clay – A well-known Detroit/Windsor radio personality, Tom Clay had a smooth and engaging style. He was famous for his time on CKLW but was later fired in 1965 due to his involvement in a payola scandal (accepting money to play certain records).
Bud Davies – A veteran DJ at CKLW, Bud Davies had been a popular voice on the station since the 1950s. He played a mix of rock & roll and pop, catering to a broad audience.
Dave Shafer – One of CKLW’s most well-recognized voices. He was known for his lively, high-energy presentation and deep connection with the audience.
Joe Van – Another personality in the CKLW lineup during this period.
Terry Knight – Before becoming a rock producer and manager (notably for Grand Funk Railroad), Terry Knight was a DJ on CKLW, where he developed his on-air persona.
Ron Knowles – Part of the CKLW staff in the early ’60s.

The Changing Landscape at CKLW

The year 1964 was a transitional year for CKLW. The station had not yet fully adopted the high-energy “Boss Radio” format that made it legendary by the late 1960s, but it was already a dominant Top 40 powerhouse. The DJ lineup still reflected a mix of rock and roll influences from the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The CKLW BIG 50 (plus) hits in Windsor/Detroit. This survey was tabulated overall by record popularity appeal, sales, listener requests and record airplays based on the judgement of CKLW Radio. [February 1964]

Not a misprint! 50-plus ‘Beatles’ hits — listed for this week’s CKLW survey!

ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE? Tap over chart image. Open to second window. “Stretch” chart across your device screen to magnify for largest print view.

ON YOUR PC? Click on chart image 2x for largest detailed print view. The above CKLW chart was digitally restored by USA Radio Museum

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A sincere thank you Mrs. Patti Griggs. This featured presentation would have not been possible without your generosity, dedication, and your continuous support.

The above CKLW music chart courtesy of Mrs. Patti Griggs and the George L. Griggs estate.

A DETROIT RADIO NEWSPRINT AD: CKLW, BUD DAVIES, MARCH 1959

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Bud Davies began his career at CKLW in 1942, starting in the mailroom before taking on additional roles as a transcription operator and staff announcer. After serving in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II, Davies returned to CKLW, where he began hosting early “Platter and Chatter” shows and quickly gained a following among younger listeners.

By the early 1950s, Davies had become one of the station’s most popular personalities with his two shows, Good Neighbor Club and Your Boy Bud. His midday programs, featuring “Battles of the Bands” and “Singers’ Choices,” allowed fans to vote on their favorite records, solidifying his appeal with the youth audience.

By the mid-1950s, Davies had developed a strong teen following, becoming one of CKLW’s biggest stars. In 1956, he was hosting split shifts—two hours in the afternoon (1:30–3:30 p.m.) and an additional hour and a half in the evening (7:30–9 p.m.). During the break between shifts, he also hosted Top Ten Dance Party on CKLW-TV 9. That year, he introduced Elvis Presley on stage at the Fox Theater when the King of Rock first performed in Detroit.

CKLW Bud Davies, July 1956 *(Photo credit: Ray Tessier)*

By early 1961, Davies had moved to the late afternoon slot at CKLW, attracting a more mature, crossover audience with his mix of current hits and his popular Shafer Bread Quickie Quiz segments. At the time, CKLW aired a country music program, Sounds Like Nashville, in the evening. In May 1963, Davies replaced Toby David as the station’s new morning host, with David transitioning to a full-time role at TV 9. Dave Shafer took over the afternoon shift previously held by Davies.

After 29 years at CKLW, Bud Davies was unexpectedly let go in August 1966, though the reasons behind his departure were never fully explained. After retiring from radio and relocating to Florida, Davies (b. March 25, 1928) passed away on October 20, 2006. Davies was 78.

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A USARM Note: Much of the above information source provided here, in part, is credited to David Carson. He is the renown Detroit radio historian who authored the book, “Rockin’ Down The Dial,” published in 2000 by Momentum Books LTD. Thank you, David! 🙂

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Originally printed in black and white, the featured Detroit Free Press ad was digitally re-imaged, colorized, and was entirely restored by USA Radio Museum.

Missed any of our previous ‘Detroit Radio Back-Pages‘ features? GO HERE

A USARM Note: Special THANKS to our friend, John Bartony (a.k.a. Jukebox John) St. Clair Shores, Michigan, for providing the above Detroit Free Press CKLW ad (March 29, 1959) for this site, as featured today.

A special thank you to our senior consultant Greg Innis, of Livonia, MI., for contributing the Newspapers.com archives (Detroit radio related) articles, ads, and images we have provide on this page since 2016.

Thank you, Greg Innis, for making these historic Detroit radio newsprints possible. 🙂

ON YOUR PC? You can read this entire newsprint article/ad — the fine print — ENLARGED. For a larger detailed view click above image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.

Click your server’s back button to return to USA RADIO MUSEUM home page.

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A USA RADIO MUSEUM PRESENTATION: CKLW, DAVE SHAFER, BACK ON THE RADIO! FEBRUARY 1965

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Dave Shafer was a prominent radio personality in the Windsor/Detroit market, best known for his work at CKLW 800, one of the most influential radio stations in North America during the 1960s.

Dave Shafer began his career in radio in the 1950s, working in various markets before joining CKLW in the early 1960s. CKLW, located in Windsor, Ontario, served the Detroit area as well, and by the mid-1960s, it had become a powerhouse in Top 40 radio. The station’s reach and influence across both sides of the U.S.-Canada border made it one of the most important broadcasters in the region.

Having tapped early-on radio aspirations during his high school days, Dave Shafer left Dover, Delaware for Detroit in 1961. He landed his first radio job as music librarian at WJBK. Shafer eventually found his way behind the microphone – in studio – as the new “Jack the Bellboy” by the following year in 1962. And thus began Dave’s storied, three-decade broadcasting career in Detroit radio. Including stops at WCAR, WOMC, WCZY, along with a 11-year run at CKLW radio in Windsor, Ontario, in the 1960s and 1970s.

CKLW Morning Show

In 1963, Dave Shafer, a.k.a. as “Jack the Bellboy’ while at WJBK, made the leap across the Detroit River for RKO General CKLW in Canada. He became a key figure at CKLW, hosting the highly popular morning show. His friendly, energetic delivery and ability to connect with listeners made him a beloved personality in the area. His morning show was known for its lively presentation, including the latest pop music, news, and often humorous commentary. His presence helped set the tone for the station’s success, as CKLW had a major impact on shaping the Top 40 format in the region.

Influence and Legacy

Shafer’s work at CKLW made him one of the prominent voices of Detroit and Windsor radio during the 1960s. CKLW was known for its fast-paced “Boss Radio” format, popularized by the likes of Bill Drake and station programmer Paul Drew, and Dave Shafer was one of the voices that kept listeners tuned in every morning. His ability to entertain and inform made him a central figure in the lives of many local listeners. CKLW’s success during this period was largely due to its combination of top-notch personalities, including Shafer and Tom Shannon, and its cutting-edge approach to radio.

Later Career and Impact

Though his career took him to other stations over the years, he is most fondly remembered for his role at CKLW. Even after his departure from the station, Shafer remained a respected figure in the world of broadcasting, contributing to the evolution of radio in the Detroit area.

Having long retired from the broadcasting profession and living in Florida, Dave passed away on May 7, 2006, at the age of 73.

Today, Dave Shafer is remembered as a key part of CKLW’s golden era during the 1960s, an era that shaped the future of Top 40 radio in North America. His influence as a morning personality on CKLW continues to be celebrated by those who remember the station’s heyday.

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NEW! A special THANK YOU to Mark Yurko, of Langhorne, PA., for this CKLW aircheck contribution for our USA Radio Museum repository. Featured here, we’ve archived this 1965 CKLW audio memory into our aircheck collection.

AUDIO REMASTERED! This audio recording was digitally enhanced by USA Radio Museum.

CKLW-TV 9 ADDS TEEN SHOW . . . JULY 31, 1965

CKLW Bows Show for Teens

DETROIT — A Canadian TV station, CKLW-TV, which also serves Detroit, has kicked-off an hour daily variety show for teenagers called ‘Swingin’ Summertime.’ Host of the show, which features both live and taped segments, is Robin Seymour.

Among the artists appearing on the first show were the Rolling Stones, Gene Pitney, Dwayne Hickman, Paul Anka, Deborah Walley and Harry Belafonte. The show is telecast live before a teen audience at the CKLW television studios in Windsor, Ontario. END

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Information credit and and news source: Billboard July 31, 1965

Note: This post was previously published and archived by Motor City Radio Flashbacks on February 29, 2012

“BURNING THE MIDNIGHT OIL” . . . PAT ST. JOHN: BACK ON THE RADIO! NOVEMBER 14, 1969

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NEW! A special THANK YOU to Mark Yurko, of Langhorne, PA., for this CKLW aircheck contribution for our Motor City Radio Flashbacks airchecks repository.

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Newly restored! This selected audio recording was digitally remastered by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.

CKLW BIG 30 MOTOR CITY RECORDS: THIS WEEK! AUGUST 30, 1977

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“The listing of records herein is the opinion of CKLW based on its survey of record sales, listener requests and CKLW’s judgement of the record’s appeal.”

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The featured CKLW chart was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE? Tap over CKLW chart images. Open to second window. “Stretch” image across your device screen to magnify for largest print view.

ON YOUR PC? Click on all chart images 2x for largest print view.

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A sincere thank you Mrs. Patti Griggs. This featured presentation would have not been possible without your generosity, dedication, and your continuous support.

Above CKLW music chart courtesy of Mrs. Patti Griggs and the George L. Griggs estate.

CKLW! THE ‘FUN RADIO 8’ HIT PARADE: JULY 11, 1967

**CKLW FUN RADIO 8 HIT PARADE** July 11, 1967 [A]

**CKLW FUN RADIO 8 HIT PARADE** July 11, 1967 [B]

**CKLW FUN RADIO 8 HIT PARADE** July 11, 1967 [C]

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The CKLW HIT PARADE represents the judgement of CKLW’s record selection committee as to the relative popularity of of current recordings in the Motor City area and is conditioned by such factors as industry tabulations, local record sales, and telephone requests.

The featured CKLW 07/11/1967 chart was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

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ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE? Tap over CKLW chart images. Open to second window. “Stretch” image across your device screen to magnify for largest print view.

ON YOUR PC? Click on all chart images 2x for largest print view.

**CKLW FUN RADIO 8 HIT PARADE** July 11, 1967 [D]

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A sincere thank you Mrs. Patti Griggs. This featured presentation would have not been possible without your generosity, dedication, and your continuous support.

Above CKLW music chart courtesy of Mrs. Patti Griggs and the George L. Griggs estate.