CBS Retirees Ramblings |
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
I received a note on Skype from Ray Sills when I asked how come he doesn't contribute. Knowing he has some great stories, it reads as follows: "Hi Goody: Thanks for the wishes. And, I check the CBS Retirees page now and then, but I haven't quite discovered how to post an item.. I have emailed Dave Minott now and then. I make a lot of contributions to some email lists and Yahoo groups, but I haven't found a link on the CBS page to make a contribution. I guess I'll have to go back and check more carefully!!!" Maybe there are others that are confused also. I never had a problem. For those who haven't figured out how to supply input here, it is very easy! Just send your thoughts, pictures, etc. in an e-mail to me at: Webmaster at cbsretirees.com. Replace the "at" with the at sign, please! This is to prevent "harvesting" of e-mail addresses by spammers... Dave
SOL, BE NOT DISMAYED, I WORKED FOR A NEIGHBORHOOD DELI IN SUNNYSIDE QUEENS (DEVILS ISLAND DELI ) AS A CLERK AND DELIVERY BOY. WHILE WORKING EARLY HOURS AT CBS JOE, MY FAVORITE ITALIAN MAN FERRETED OUT THIS INFORMATION AND KEPT ASKING WHETHER "FRANK HAD A LIST TO PORT DUE TO THE TIP CHANGE IN MY POCKETS." HE WAS AN AVID COIN COLLECTOR AND I DON'T REMEMBER IF IF I EVER EXCEEDED BASE PAY CHANGING COINS WITH HIM. HE WOULD LITERALLY PANT WITH JOY WHEN I ARRIVED. WELCOME BACK TO SOME OF THE NAMES THAT CAN NOT BE FORGOTTEN! RELIEF MEN, VACATION RELIEF, SICK RELIEF, ETC.ETC. WE SURE GOT TO KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE AS EVIDENCED BY THIS SITE. P.S. HOW DID A A NON-ITALIAN ESCAPE VIDEDOM. PROBABLY HAD A HOME RADIO AND ELECTRICITY. REGARDS, FRANK NOVACK Saturday, November 29, 2008
The Golden Age Of Television... Now as we have some aboard That have worked with the old ( TUBE STUFF ) Why not tell this Generation your memory of the first encounter with ... The Iconoscope Camera The Old color system Film Recording T.V.R. Image Orthicon Camera Vidicon camera. Quad Tape E.T.C. P.S.There could be someone interested in the Days of early Television. Regards, Harold Deppe
Hello everyone and thank you for the welcome. I started at CBS in the E&D department in 1973 and left to go to HBO in 1980. Jim is correct. We did share an office in Black Rock and a few laughs for part of that time. I am currently retired and living in Westchester County in New York. My last job was with Viacom. After Viacom acquired CBS I spent a little time working with CBS people. It was nice to return to Broadcast Center after so many years. Paul Heimbach Thursday, November 27, 2008
I would like this posted on the website. Thanks very much. Sol Tabachnick Hi all, I came to CBS in 1952 with Fred Schutz and Paul Layden. We came over from the UN. I went into studio operations and spent most of my time there except fot 6 months, courtesy Stan Green, I spent it in VTR Grand Central with Art Buckner and Matty Matwichuk. I worked every crew except four. Vern Gamble. Charlie Grenier, Bob Dailey ( I replaced Ed Wolf on the PA console but never worked the crew) and Ted Miller ( I sat behind Dennis Maitland in studio 58 for many months spinning music cues for Studio One. But never on the crew). I worked with Frank Bellcastro, Ted Healy, Jay Jack Howerton, Frank Protzman, Buddy Gagnon, Dwight Temple, Bob Heuberger, Ben Russ, Lou Tedesco, Sid Kaufman, Charlie Lyons (my longest and most enjoyable) Joe Calvanico. Now here is a strange coincidence. I used to deliver orders as a kid to a women named Calvanico at 3228 Decatur Avenue in the Bronx. One day I met her son and he introduced me to Ham radio. His call was W2 Oboe Queen Ocean. How could I forget. I had no problem with the technical part of the test but I could not do the code. (in rhose days it was code or no license) I guess I wasn't that bad as I did get a first class license. Imagine my surprise when one day I walked into studio 41 and there is Joe sitting in the TD seat. I had no isea he worked at CBS. In my travels through CBS, I ran into Al Cohen. He was the chief engineer at a small 250 watter in upstate NY who gave me my second job in the business. I ran into Hal Michaels who I knew from WFUV-FM. I ran into George Grey and Harry Peterson who I knew from WATV channel 13 and then I ran into Harold Bailey who I knew from the unemployment line after he was laid from WFDR-FM after the station closed down. Harold was at my wedding. I spent many days in all the CBS that they Had. Studios 41, 42 44. In Grand Central. Studios 61, 72. 58, and of course 53, 54, 55. 56 (all Leiderkranz hall) the studio on upper 5th avenue, the studio that was a movie theater on 66th street and Broadway. And Finally BC. Studios 41 to 46. We had a studio that we used at Dumont studios on east 67th street. I remember it well because we did a Camera 11I from there one Sunday live and the Audioman was Sam Laine. The review in the NY Times the next day praised the audio and called him Sam Kane. We couldn't stop Sam from bitching about the mistake for weeks. I must say it was a great jazz show with great bands and Billie Holiday. Over the years I met many great people on staff and still have fond memories of my 16 years with CBS. I never retired. I left in May of 1968, yes 40 years ago. I saw the writing on the wall and decided to try my luck at free lancing which was just coming into vogue. I must say though. It was 16 years of great experiences and friendships and I still cherish them and relive them. I still remember once being in the Field Shop and Sam Levin telling me to go with Bob Oswald up to the Chrysler tower and give him a hand. When we got there I couldnt believe what he was doing juggling that dish out one of the doors. I have to tell you, I was very unhappy being there. Oh yes. John Khousouris (please forgive the spelling), I met for the first time at studio 72 when we were doing the Merry Widow. I saw John several other times and then ran into him again in Grand Central VTR where he was the boss and I was being trained. Great person. The audiomen I did boom for were: Al Bressan Fred Cusack. A story about Fred. We were going to do the summer replacement for Godfrey. The Russ Morgan and Helen O'Connell show. Bud Hlavaty and Fred and I were sitting in the audio booth of studio 50 after we had set up. The band started coming in and there was Russ Morgan and the director Seymour Burns on stage. Fred said, come on guys I want to show you something. We walked on stage and Russ Morgan looked our way and burst. "What the hell are you doing here, addressing Fred. "I fired you over 40 years ago." Yep, I looked it up in a jazz disco book and sure enough he was listed as tenor sax on many of the bands records. Pete Reed, Sam Lane, Jay Chicon, Bill Gage, Jack Katz, Fred Lopez, Ken Noonan, sorry Im slipping. Cant remember too many names any more. Any way fellows, I thank those of you who may remember me for all those wonderful years at CBS. We did live in the GOLDEN AGE of TELEVISION. I would like to commend and remember the maintenance staff at Leiderkranz Hall. Howard Porter, Bert Littlefield, Harry Krim and one other person whose name escapes me. They kept the old place running like clockwork. And that was no small job. So, to those of you who remember. Thank you and my best to you all, Sol Tabachnick Wednesday, November 26, 2008
> Rita Sands collected several albums of photos containing pix of those > of us on duty at WCBS Radio 88 in 1980. Sorry to find I was not in there. In 1980 I would have been the afternoon drive board op for Pat Parson (nee Tuminaro) and Ben Farnsworth, who were pictured. WCBS had a staff of 42 techs back > then, now there is just one.The one is, or was, Barry Siegfried, K2MF ? 42 techs was the high water mark, reached in maybe 1968 or 1969. The all news format began in Sept 1967, the morning after a twin engine plane knocked down the tower, leaving 2 fatalities. What an inauspicious beginning to the new format. With every new IBEW contract, the head count got smaller. In 1980 I'd estimate the tech head count in the mid-20's. In Feb 1982 I was moved over to Network Radio and left Black Rock behind. The cc: list left out my call, K2EUH. And Dave Minott is WA2EXP. It was great to see all the old pictures. Imagine - No PC's then. I know Warren Elly (also on the To: list) through the Tampa ARC. 73, Bob Foxworth
Passing of Tommy Richards - Head at Ed Sullivan Theatre Tommy was far to young to be leaving us. He was the son of Jerry Richards who was the Head in Studio 44 for many years. Below is a copy of the official notice that was sent to the staff of the David Letterman Show: As many of you already know, the Late Show lost one of our family members this weekend. Tommy Richards, coworker, friend, father and Head of our Electrical Department suffered a fatal heart attack on Saturday while visiting family in Florida. Those of you who were lucky enough to work and know Tommy will understand how much he will be missed. His smile is something many of us relied upon when things got crazy down on the stage. Below I have listed information about viewing and memorial services and donations in memory of Tommy. VIEWING Tuesday, November 25th 6 8PM T. M. Ralph Funeral Home http://www.tmralph.com/address.htm 7001 NW 4th St. Plantation, FL 33317 954-587-6888 (Family requests no flowers but donations to Broadway Cares be given in memory of Tommy) DONATION INFORMATION Broadway Cares 165 W. 46th St. Attn: Care Cards New York, NY 10036 http://www.broadwaycares.org/donations/index.cfm Checks can be mailed to the above address or you can visit the website (and click on Care Cards) either way, in order to make a donation in Tommys name and generate a card to his children you will have to include their information: Chris and Celeste Richards PO Box 302 Wakefield, RI 02880 MEMORIAL SERVICE THE ED SULLIVAN THEATER Wednesday, December 10th 11A 12P All are welcome Gayle P. De Poli1-646-354-1705 US mobilegayle.depoli Skype1-877-840-2030 e-fax domestic 1-203-724-2007 e-fax internationalAOL.com
Lara Parker-Watt, At the epening of the website, there is a Google box. Please type in June Taylor dancers. You will receive a whole page of sources to that great group plus 2 retirees listings, one by Gayle Depoli, PHONE #203-637- 0788 The whole page is covered with other sources. Best wishes and good hunting, Frank Novack PS, I WORKED THE GLEASON AND SULLIVAN SHOWS IN THE LATE '50'S Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Dear Sir, I am looking for a picture of my grandmother. She is 69 years old and not doing well. I would love to surprise her with a picture of her dancing with the June Taylor Dancers. It would have been in the early to mid fifties. I don't know where to look or start my search. She always talks about how proud she is of my daughter, who is 5 and in her third year of dance, and that my daughter has the same passion she did. I think that she would love to see a picture of her dancing. Please help me if you can or direct me where else you think I should go. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. (My grandmother's maiden name is Patricia Louise Harris) Warmly, Larisa Parker-Watt queenbusybof3@aol.com
Hi all: Rita Sands collected several albums of photos containing pix of those of us on duty at WCBS Radio 88 in 1980. Rita had an illustrious on-air career in New York City having worked as an anchor person and reporter at WNEW, WCBS, WQXR, WCBS TV, and ABC TV Network. She is a lovely lady with a terrific on-air voice and a great personality. I had the pleasure of being assigned, along with Paul, K2VBS as the Studio B control room tech for Rita's air shifts with co-anchors Gary Maurer, Gil Gross and Harvey Hauptman. My image appears about half way thru the album when I was on the Studio A, Master Control assignment. The racks were loaded with STL and transmitter monitoring gear as well as Xmtr remote control via Telco lines to High Island, where the rig was located in Long Island Sound. The reel to reel machine was the Revox audio logger. We also had 5 or 6 Ampex 350's which are not pictured. WCBS had a staff of 42 techs back then, now there is just one. Here is the link: Slide Show 73, Bob
I have just created a new photo album with pictures courtesy of Jim Hergenrather. These photos are c.1940 and since the description for each picture is lengthy, I have placed all the descriptions in a separate document, which you can access from the Album itself. There is a rare photo of Charlie Chaplin and Dr. Peter Goldmark, as well! Enjoy! Click here --> Jim Hergenrather Collection Monday, November 24, 2008
It seems there are some of us that don't remember Grand Central Studios. There were St 41..42 .43..44..... St 43 was Film Control. Late Show ..E.T.C.S.T. 44 was a small Studio.. Too small for large Productions. A . Master Control ...T.V.R.. Telecine.. and Video Tape.. I will let the production People tell you of the great shows that came from these Studios. P.S. I forgot Vidicon Valley.. Regards, Harold Deppe Sunday, November 23, 2008
Jay Chichon, I remember that day I was there at Grand Central .. ( Maint.)..Looking back it was a great time to be at C.B.S. The start of a great time in Television. We can't go back but its great to reminisce. To all of you who like to reminisce.. Regards, Harold Deppe
Was that an old 41, not in BC? Were there any other techs working that show? It must have been exciting being in on the beginning of a new day/era. Goody |
