Dick Purtan retiring

**kenp** · February-11-10, 08:25 AM

Never a huge fan, but he is a local icon.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/22530950/detail.html

**Maof** · February-11-10, 08:29 AM

don't listen to him much now but when i worked downtown in the 80's, i used to listen to him phone scam people....funny.

**sirrealone** · February-11-10, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Maof

when i worked downtown in the 80's, i used to listen to him phone scam people....funny.

Coincidentally, that's the last time he was funny.

**smogboy** · February-11-10, 08:58 AM

I was never a huge fan but I do understand his importance to Detroit radio. He's ONLY raised $22 million for Salvation Army over his career with his radiothons and he truly has been a fixture here in town. His style always has been a pretty easy going one- never too controversial, never a shock jock, and was always pretty easy going. It's just amazing that he's lasted 45 years in the business and was given the opportunity to retire- unlike so many of his other radio colleagues that have been given the unceremonious boot.

Bravo to Dick Purtan and all the good that he's done for the community and for keeping folks smiling on their morning commutes all of these years.

**Meddle** · February-11-10, 09:59 AM

He's still alive?

**CountrySquire** · February-11-10, 10:21 AM

My folks have a hilarious Best of Dick Purtan casette from the 80s where someone had Coleman Young call the show and get into it with the Coleman Young impersonator on the crew. I can't recall if the impersonator was Purtan or not.

**Detroitnerd** · February-11-10, 11:34 AM

Thank goodness he's leaving radio. I used to enjoy his morning chuckles back in the 1980s, but in the last 10 years he's swerved so far right I don't even care to listen to him anymore. That Detroit radio will be free of his rabidly anti-union diatribes is a relief.

**zitro** · February-11-10, 12:08 PM

Here's a pic o' Dick pre-stache'

**waz** · February-11-10, 12:50 PM

Wow zitro, I thought I was the only person who still had that antique!

For those who don't know, the Detroit News published a series of full page Tigers player posters to celebrate the 1968 championship season. Then for some reason Purtan was included as a 'Super Booster'. I'm still not sure why. Did the paper own WXYZ at the time?

**guito13** · February-12-10, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

Thank goodness he's leaving radio. I used to enjoy his morning chuckles back in the 1980s, but in the last 10 years he's swerved so far right I don't even care to listen to him anymore. That Detroit radio will be free of his rabidly anti-union diatribes is a relief.

Yes, heaven forbid that there are people who have other opinions than you on the airwaves. It would be a shame to allow others to voice opinions other than your own on a public forum.

**Detroitnerd** · February-12-10, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by guito13

Yes, heaven forbid that there are people who have other opinions than you on the airwaves. It would be a shame to allow others to voice opinions other than your own on a public forum.

Oh, guito ... what is it you don't understand? Back in the 1980s, Dick was doing what he did well, being an enjoyable morning jester, cracking simple jokes and making fun prank phone calls. His game was never opinion. That's why it was so sad toward the end, listening to him sounding like an embittered old man, some cranky straw boss, with nothing better to do but offer complaints that weren't even amusing. You know: Sorta like you.

DC48080 · February-12-10, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

Thank goodness he's leaving radio. I used to enjoy his morning chuckles back in the 1980s, but in the last 10 years he's swerved so far right I don't even care to listen to him anymore. That Detroit radio will be free of his rabidly anti-union diatribes is a relief.

That is illustrative of the diference between liberals and conservatives. If conservatives don't like something on the radio they change channels. If liberals don't like something they hear on the radio they will whine about it and insist that nobody should be able to hear it.

Bottom line: If the ratings determine that a radio program is worthwhile, it will be on the air. If liberal talk radio was what people wanted there would be more of it.

**Detroitnerd** · February-12-10, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by DC48080

That is illustrative of the diference between liberals and conservatives. If conservatives don't like something on the radio they change channels. If liberals don't like something they hear on the radio they will whine about it and insist that nobody should be able to hear it.

Bottom line: If the ratings determine that a radio program is worthwhile, it will be on the air. If liberal talk radio was what people wanted there would be more of it.

I guess I'll have to deduct several reading comprehension points because I only said I was relieved he's going off the air. As for Purtan, um, I guess I must be a "conservative" because all I ever did was change the channel.

Sorry to ruin your perfectly good theories with the facts, CD.

**Johnlodge** · February-12-10, 01:34 PM

Whatever happend to Alan Almond? That guy was an institution, I think Clear Channel replaced him with a computer.

**jcole** · February-12-10, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Johnlodge

Whatever happend to Alan Almond? That guy was an institution, I think Clear Channel replaced him with a computer.

Was he 'Pillow Talk'?

**Johnlodge** · February-12-10, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by jcole

Was he 'Pillow Talk'?

Yep, Pillow Talk. With his low voice for the ladies.

**Detroitnerd** · February-12-10, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by jcole

Was he 'Pillow Talk'?

Yeah, Alan was a class act. They dumped him again? I thought he was back on the air! Some of the best night-music ever was on his show. And, for this listener, "Summer Madness" will always make me think of Alan.

**1KielsonDrive** · February-11-10, 02:35 PM

Now, if we can only get that Paul Smith character from the former 'Golden Tower of the Fisher Building' radio station to retire and join Purtan.

DC48080 · February-11-10, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by 1KielsonDrive

Now, if we can only get that Paul Smith character from the former 'Golden Tower of the Fisher Building' radio station to retire and join Purtan.

What's wrong with Paul W. Smith? His program is very intelligent and informative. I listen to it most mornings on the way to work.

detroitchef · February-11-10, 04:35 PM

Is Monica Conyers getting his timeslot? That would rule...

**dookie joe** · February-11-10, 08:45 PM

Unfortunately, radio dj's who can be funny without snidely putting others down are a dying breed. These days everyone tries to be oh-so-snarky. And I hate it.

**jcole** · February-12-10, 01:17 PM

My god, the thread is about a man retiring after 45 years on the air and doing some good stuff for the area, and all they can do is kvetch about the perceived slights to their political leanings.

Everybody's worldview changes as they age in one way or another. I never in a million years would have pictured myself bitching about the way kids dress, but I do. I can't stand the pants halfway down and the girls looking like Cass Corridor hookers when they go to school.
Purtan was never my favorite. I can't ever recall the last time I listened to him, but he did okay and he was an icon in this area for a long time.
I have no idea what his politics were before or are now. I just think he deserves good wishes on leaving the airwaves

**65memories** · February-12-10, 01:36 PM

I agree with 1Kielson...maybe we can get Paul Smith and Frank Beckman to join Dick Purtan [[and to think WJR was once the class of radio stations nationwide). I enjoyed listening to Purtan and followed his moves on Detroit radio since 1964, but like a lot of listeners, I tired of his conservative bent the last five years and so haven't listened as much recently. But in his prime, Purtan was great....creative and funny, with the best supporting cast ever in Detroit radio...and definitely deserves his Radio Hall of Fame status.

**jcole** · February-12-10, 01:40 PM

from http://radiosyndicationtalk.com/2009...o-go-national/

Long-time Detroit radio personality Alan Almond exited Clear Channel AC WNIC Late in December. A report in the Detroit Free Press says that Almond is in talks with a Los Angeles-based company which would syndicate the show. Almond and “Pillowtalk” have been heard for much of the last 25 years in fact the show was so popular that because of listener feedback WNIC had to bring him back in 2005 after letting him go

**Johnlodge** · February-12-10, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by jcole

from http://radiosyndicationtalk.com/2009...o-go-national/

Being that the article is over a year old, I wouldn't hold out much hope for ol' Alan.

Tangent: Just remembered when Gizmo from Gremlins was some kind of mascot for WNIC. "Music Now!"

Edit: Maybe that was WOMC.