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WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL JONNIE KING WEBSITE !
YOU'VE TUNED INTO THE "COMPLETE" JONNIE KING EXPERIENCE ! ACCESSIBLE NOW FROM ANY ON-LINE ENABLED DEVICE NEAR YOU !! _______________________________________________________________
JONNIE KING: Radio Personality, Actor, Musician, Magician, Musicologist, Oldies Expert, Golden Age Radio Historian, Creator Of "The Breakfast Serial", Syndicator, Writer, Producer, Voice Over Artist, Automotive Historian, Creator Of "The Legends Of The Rod & Custom Hall Of Fame" Series, Interviewer, Retail Business Owner, Collector of : Golden Age Radio Premiums, Comic Character Toys, Disneyana, Advertising Memorabila, Classic & Custom Cars. PLUS: J.K.'s The WebMaster of the Site you're viewing right now...and others. IT ALL BEGINS , RIGHT HERE: Airchecks, Pictures, Memorabila, Stories, Tributes, Information...and, MUCH MORE added all the time ! __________________________________________
MY DEAR FRIEND GAYLE McCORMICK, who was diagnosed with Cancer over a year ago, passed away in St. Louis, Tuesday, March 1st, 2016, after a long, valiant, battle with that disease. Gayle, lead singer of "A Group Called Smith", who's version of the classic "Baby, It's You" in 1969, sold over a million copies World Wide, was 67. Throughout her long illness, she wanted me to let all of you who come to my Site know about what was going on so that you'd have the correct info, first hand, directly from her and myself. And, she always told me to thank each & everyone of her wonderful fans World Wide for their love and support for all of these years: those who saw her in-person, on television, and on the Internet...and, of course those who have her albums, CD's, and, single releases. So, again, thanks to all of you taking the time to read this. Gayle was one of the sweetest, most-talented women I've ever known...she always loved her friends & fans. And, she & I truly loved each other. R.I.P., dear Gayle, you will always be with us...your amazing voice & beautiful self will live on. Please say "hello" to our friends Don & Ernie for me. Jonnie King (3-2-2016) NOTE: To see my Special "TRIBUTE TO GAYLE McCORMICK", one of St. Louis' greatest gifts to the world of music. simply CLICK-ON-THIS-LINK . It's a look at her remarkable career, with my personal info from our over-50 year association added, and rare photos from my collection. __________________________________________ FEATURED AIRCHECK:
This is one of the most special Aircheck's you'll ever hear ! KXOK's Johnny Rabbitt (Don Pietromonaco) and his alter-ego pal, Bruno J. Grunion, put together a custom-made Demo for the Pepsi-Cola Company here in St. Louis in the Spring of 1966. If you're from St. Louis, or, if you're familiar with the City, this gives you a look at the music, the culture, and, the time period that truly echoed the "Swingin' Sixties" and "The Pepsi Generation" ! If you're not, you'll truly "pick-up-the-vibes" of the excitement the Rabbitt created !
PLUS, you'll hear the very first Episode of a show concept that I created for The Rabbitt & Bruno at the height of the "Batman" craze: "The Adventures Of Batrab & Goono" ! ALL THE FUN starts right now ! Simply CLICK-ON-RIGHT-HERE , listen, look, read, hear, and, enjoy a true Time Travel Trip to the Spring of 1966...50 YEARS AGO ! __________________________________________
It's the 1939 New York World's Fair, and it's a "Look Into The Future": How will things be in 1960 ? Will we have "Flying Cars" ? Will we be able to read our daily newspaper off of a big screen attached to a wall ? What will the very first version of an "iPhone" look like ? Take a glimpse into how, and, why, "The World Of Tomorow" came to be the Theme for that Art Deco laden New York World's Fair of 1939...one of the BEST of them all. Your first look starts when you simply CLICK-ON-RIGHT-HERE ! _________________________________________
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WELCOME TO THE LIBRARY ! REVIEWS OF Books, Movies, Magazines, CD's, DVD's, and anything & everything that I can put together for you ! I'm opening the doors of my Private Library & Archives for the very first time ! PLUS: I'll share with you some of my favorite subjects with you...no matter what they might be: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Comedy, Biographies, Cars, Music, Films, TV Shows...they'll all be in there ! BUT, you have to start somewhere, so simply Click-On-Right-Here ...and you'll be on your way to your first visit to the Library, no card necessary ! AND, here's something to start you off:
THE 1939 NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR was one of the biggest undertakings for a World's Fair, since, probably, the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. This unique book by James Mauro explains not only the problems of putting "the wheels in motion" to make it happen, but adds a sidebar which contains a secondary story that co-exists with the first. The book was meticulously researched, and, as Mauro explains, it was originally crafted to be a novel, but in the process was changed into a non-fiction work...and that's where his info & research shines. This all blends in with my Special"The World Of Tomorrow" Section here on the Website, and this neat volume includes the reasons of how important the '39 NYWF was, as it's place in time, straddled between "The Great Depression" & World War II, had an impact of its own on History. Albert Einstein, General Motors, President Roosevelt, Westinghouse, N.Y. Mayor Fiorelo La Guardia, Televsion, Adolph Hitler, and, the NYWF's President, Grover Whalen...and a cast of thousands...and their importance, or lack of same, are chronicled within the 401 Pages of this Hardcover volume. TO READ MY REVIEW of this truly interesting book that sheds light on a piece of history that may have been lost if James Mauro hadn't written it down, just CLICK-ON-THIS-LINK and it'll take you directly to the Library !
In this beautifully balanced volume, Robert Lesser hones-in on another of his, and my, favourite art forms: those dynamic, action-packed, vividly illustrated works of art that were created by some of the best artists you could imagine...and they were created, not for showings in galleries or museums, but as covers for the pulp magazines that dominated the newsstands during the 20's, 30's, and, 40's, selling for about ten cents each, and selling millions of copies in the process. BUT, the artwork itself, was usually not kept, was discarded, thrown away...and it wasn't until a few decades ago that the importance of those paintings came to be accepted for what they really were: Not "throwaways", but genuine pieces of art in their own right ! Robert Lesser was at the forefront of this movement, and it's all explained, and the artists that did these fantastic pieces are all showcased, within the covers of this marvelous book ! TO READ MY COMPLETE REVIEW, head for the Library by CLICKING ON THIS LINK right now !
This is Thomas Crone's homage to one of St. Louis' best-remembered, legendary, historic entertainment districts...by those of us who were a part of it ! Learn why & how Gaslight Square became this special, legendary place, known Worldwide...and how, as fast as it grew, it eventually faded-away. But, its' memories live on, and you'll read the personal stories of those that made it what it was. This is truly a GREAT book, and to find out more about it, simply CLICK-ON-HERE and you can read my Full Review in the Library...ENJOY ! ___________________________________________ THE EARLY YEARS ON TV: "IT WAS MAGIC !"
Ernie hired me to work on his KSD-TV/St. Louis, weekly television show "THE PARADE OF MAGIC" in 1953, and, I worked with Ernie, and his beautiful wife & assistant, ARLENE MARDEL, from 1953 to 1957. This , then, is the actual story about how the journey that I've taken since that time began, and about those that helped me in those early days...and how their help launched my career. If it were not for them and their help & support at that time, you might not be reading these words today.
THIS IS TRULY AN EXPERIENCE YOU WON'T SOON FORGET...AND YOU'LL LEARN A LOT IN THE PROCESS ! TO START THIS MAGICAL JOURNEY...Just Click-On-Here , relax & enjoy ! ___________________________________________
KAAY/Little Rock; WDRQ-FM/Detroit; KSLQ-FM/St. Louis; KADI-FM/AM, St. Louis; K-GOLD/St Louis; KRJY/Joy 96-FM/St. Louis; Juke Box 96-FM/St. Louis; K-HITS 96-FM, St. Louis; 106.5-FM (WSSM) Smooth Jazz/St. Louis. Well, okay, here's your chance to take a "Trip Back In Time" RIGHT NOW ! Just look at the list of Stations in the column on the left hand side of this Front Page, click-on the ones you want, and, you'll hear actual Airchecks of JONNIE'S shows from all of the Stations listed there ! THE NEXT STEP: Turn-up the volume on your speakers and be prepared to be transported back to some of the greatest times & memories of your life ! _____________________________________________
YOU MAY REMEMBER HIM from Rowan & Martin's "Laugh-In" on NBC-TV, but many years before that, GARY OWENS entertained Morning Drive listeners on WIL Radio in St. Louis...I know because I was one of 'em ! He was one of my early "Radio Heroes"...and set the pace for many who followed his career from St. Louis, to Los Angeles on KMPC Radio...as well as his iconic "Announcer" role on "Laugh-In". He was one of the most-creative, humorous, and, super-pro's of All-Time in the Broadcasting Industry ! My Tribute to this truly one-of-a-kind legendary Broadcaster, and his St. Louis/L.A. History, begins for you when you simply Click-On-This-Link !!! __________________________________________________________________
"Mr. Rock & Roll", Alan Freed, was a major influence on my love of music, and, my quest for a career. He brought the term "Rock & Roll" to life in the 50's...and it's still alive-and-well to this very day ! My Tribute to this ground-breaking Industry Legend, one of the Top Disk Jockey's of All-Time, starts when you simply CLICK-ON-RIGHT-HERE ! __________________________________________________________________
PLUS: A true "Blast From The Past" ! The memories, personal stories, and, history of one of America's true R&R pioneers. The man whose "American Bandstand" TV Show brought R&R into homes all-over the country, and made instant-stars of singers like Frankie Avalon, Bobby Darin, Fabian, Connie Francis, Bobby Rydell, and many, many others. His legends lives on in the various forms of entertainment he helped create decades ago, and this fantastic volume chronicle's how it all started...and how we got "from-there-to-here" ! READ MY REVIEW of this first-hand look at the career of one of America's most iconic showmen, Dick Clark, by simply CLICKING-ON-RIGHT-HERE ! __________________________________________________________________ "THE AMAZING CRISWELL" TRIBUTE MOST KNOW CRISWELL FROM the Iconic ED WOOD Classic "PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE"...but his career spanned over three decades, and he was known World-Wide. He was also my friend.
In this Tribute, you'll see many great photos from my Archives/Collection - some that were packed away for over 50 years - read my personal memories, not only about Criswell, but about HOLLYWOOD: My first-impressions of Hollywood when I landed there in 1962, where I lived while I was there, how Cris & myself met, and the strange-but-true connections that he and I had. Again, producing this Tribute to Cris was very meaningful to me as it brought back my thoughts, memories, and, feelings of a "by-gone era"...the Hollywood, Los Angeles, and, Southern California mystique & reality that permeated the 1940's through the 70's. I was privileged to be a part of that scene & culture at one time, and sharing my stories with you is truly a way of giving you further insight to myself, my friends, and, how it all had blended together through the years into my career that wouldn't be possible without your continued kindness & support. "THE AMAZING CRISWELL" TRIBUTE STARTS WHEN YOU CLICK-ON THIS SPECIAL LINK . Enjoy ! JK __________________________________________________________________ "JK: ACTING 101...AND BEYOND !"
So, if you look to the Index on the left-side of the Page, you'll see Sections on The Pasadena Playhouse, as well as The Crystal Palace, which document both of those important parts of my Acting History...as well as those that I worked with. Accordingly, I'm extremely proud of this Special Section entitled: "ACTING 101...AND BEYOND !" as it takes into account my COMPLETE History in the Theatre...DONE IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER .
Jonnie King ____________________________________________________________________________ "THE BREAKFAST SERIAL": THE LEGENDARY, LONG-RUNNING, DAILY-SERIALIZED MORNING FEATURE FOR RADIO !
KSLQ-FM/St. Louis; WRTH/St. Louis; KCMO/Kansas City; WDRQ-FM/ Detroit; WIFE/Indianapolis; WDGY/Minneapolis; WKSS-FM/Hartford, Connecticut; KAKE/KAKZ/Wichita, Kansas; KQAM/Wichita, Kansas; WKIQ-FM/Bowling Green, Ohio; WKNX/Saginaw, Michigan; KGMI/Bellingham, Washington; KEZW/Aurora, Colorado; WCIL-FM/Carbondale, Illinois; KKJO/St. Joseph, Missouri; KNIM/ Maryville, Missouri.
ALSO, I've documented & prepared the COMPLETE HISTORY of the show...from its Origin, to its National Syndication, to its beaming all-across the Universe on the WorldWideWeb you can "read all about it" when you Click-On-This Special Link that will take you to "The History Of The Breakfast Serial" ! SO, check-out "THE BREAKFAST SERIAL" WebSite for complete list, info, memorbilia, and, pix: www.serial.thewwbc.net ____________________________________________________________________________ GAYLE McCORMICK UPDATE: MY DEAR FRIEND GAYLE McCORMICK was diagnosed with cancer over a year ago. She is stable at this time, but still is in a weak condition, and on a lot of medication. She wanted me to let all of you who come to my Site know about this first...so that you'd have the correct info, first hand, directly from her and myself. And, she told me to thank each & everyone of her wonderful fans World Wide for their love and support for all of these years: those who have seen her in-person, on television, and on the Internet...and, of course those who have her albums, CD's, and, single releases. So, please keep Gayle in your thoughts & prayers at this time as she goes through her treatments, and know that I'll give you any important updates, like the one above, when they're available. NOTE: To see my special "TRIBUTE TO GAYLE McCORMICK", one of St. Louis' greatest gifts to the world of music. simply CLICK-ON-THIS-LINK . It's a look at her remarkable career, with my personal info from our over-50 year association added, and rare photos from my collection. Jonnie King ____________________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________ MY SINCERE THANKS to all of you for an incredibly long-run ! I hope you enjoy this Site as much as I enjoy sharing it with you. As I've always said: " If it wasn't for you, there would be no need for me. " Jonnie King _____________________________________________________________________________ SPECIAL TRIBUTES...
John Carter Cash is Johnny Cash's only son and this is his Tribute to his father...it's also my Personal Tribute to "the man in black" ! Click-On-Right-Here to "read all about it" !
This is a great book on one of the best Rock & Roll Legends of all-time ! Read my Review of this historic volume, and, get connected to my Interviews with Rick by simply Clicking-On This Link ! ________________________________________________________
This is an honor I sincerely treasure, and receiving it in front of my friends, my listeners, and, the Hall Of Fame Legends that have been my Heroes for decades, was an experience I'll never forget. And, the fact that it was only the second time in the entire history of the KKOA that the Award was given made it that much more special. It was given, in part, for my work of preserving the histories, voices, and, stories of the Legends & Pioneers of the Rod & Custom Industry on my "HALL OF FAME LEGENDS SERIES" WebSite. If you'd like to see the Site and hear some of these unique & very special stories, simply click-on this link: www.legends.thewwbc.net JK
(ABOVE: That's your's truly Crusin' Salina in the "Custom For Korea" Clone !) |
GAYLE McCORMICK (1948-2016) PASSES AWAY: 3-1-2016...
THE RARE "JOHNNY RABBITT PEPSI DEMO" AIRCHECK: 50 YEARS AGO IN THE SPRING OF 1966 AT KXOK RADIO IN ST. LOUIS !
DON WAS NOT ONLY my friend but, also, my mentor as I entered my career as a Broadcaster...so you will read personal information and see many rare personal photos from my archives. (That's Don on the left, me on the right.)
WELCOME TO "THE WORLD OF TOMORROW" !
ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY: A BEWITCHING EXPERIENCE !
"TWILIGHT AT THE WORLD OF TOMORROW", By James Mauro. Ballantine Books, Pub. (2010)
"PULP ART": Original Cover Paintings For The Great American Pulp Magazines, By Robert Lesser. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., Pub. (2005)
"GASLIGHT SQUARE: AN ORAL HISTORY", By Thomas Crone. The William and Joseph Press, St. Louis, USA, Pub. (2004)
MY FIRST FRIEND & MENTOR in the world of show business was Magician ERNIE HELDMAN. I was a young Amateur Magician, Ernie liked me, and asked me to work with his Crew.
IT'S ABOUT Magic, Magicians, a RARE insider's view of the "Golden Age" of Television, a visit with one of the World's Greatest Magicans BLACKSTONE, a trip to Hollywood's iconic MAGIC CASTLE, spending time with another great St. Louis Magician, DON LAWTON, Reviews on two great books on magic & magicians, and, a look at one of the most fabulous eras & time-periods our World has ever known !
IF YOU'VE EVER LISTENED to any of these Radio Stations since 1967, you've probably heard JONNIE KING:
THE GARY OWENS TRIBUTE PAGE !
THE ALAN FREED TRIBUTE PAGE !
PLEASE 
"Dick Clark: Rock, Roll & Remember", By Dick Clark & Richard Robinson. Thomas Y. Crowell, Pub. (1976)
THROUGH THE YEARS, I've had a number of eMails, pm's, and, calls, about the yearly Dedication of my "HALLOWEEN FILM RARITIES LIST" to CRISWELL that you view at the Bottom of that Page. So, I decided that it was time I shared the information about Cris, our friendship, and, why he was an important part of my life, with all who come here to the Site.
THOUGH MOST OF YOU COMING to this Site will know me because of my career in Broadcasting, you may not be aware that my "roots" were based in Acting...and that's where my original skills of Communication were formed & honed.
THIS, AS WITH EVERYTHING ON THIS SITE, is throughly documented as far as names, dates, places, and, groups involved. It also contains many rare photos, playbills, and memorabilia...that are from my Personal Archive Collection and are seen here for the first time. 
READY ? Okay, your journey will include, among many other things, Shakespeare, the Navy & the Army, a Million-Selling Record, The Chipmunks, and, even a Ghost ! IT ALL STARTS HERE: just C
IF YOU 'VE EVER LISTENED to any of these Radio Stations, you've probably heard JONNIE KING with his Legendary Cult Classic, Daily-Serialized, Morning Feature for Radio, simply the best of "Golden Age Radio" since 1973, "THE BREAKFAST SERIAL":
WANT TO RELIVE "Those Thrilling Days Of Yesteryear" again ? You're in luck ! "THE BREAKFAST SERIAL" has its own WebSite with complete lists of every show ever run, AND, lists of all shows available for you to enjoy on CD...including "The Holiday Specials", "The Christmas Morning Special", and a very rare "Lost Episode" !
WARNING ! DO AS THE AMAZING, INCREDIBLE "ELECTRO" (in a nearly-human voice) says: "'Bookmark This Site RIGHT NOW...or else ! You don't want to miss a thing !"
RADIO GUY says: "WoW ! Hey, Kids, this stuff is REALLY cool ! Sounds cool, looks cool, IS COOL !! Why didn't JK do this sooner ? "
THESE TWO GUYS (Not related to "Radio Guy") have the right idea: Pass this WebSite Info on to a friend ! It's free, it's here 24/7/365...and you can even learn stuff ! 
IT'S SIMPLE: Log-On ANYTIME You Want ! We're On-Line 24/7/365 !! 
COMING SOON ! The Official Video Gallery: A "TIME TRAVEL EXPERIENCE" that you will definitely enjoy !
"HOUSE OF CASH: THE LEGACIES OF MY FATHER, JOHNNY CASH", By John Carter Cash. Insight Books, Pub.
"RICK NELSON, ROCK 'N' ROLL PIONEER", By Sheree Homer. Foreword By Bruce Berenson. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers.
AT THE 31st ANNUAL KUSTOM KEMPS OF AMERICA "Lead Sled Spectacular" in Salina, Kansas (One of the MAJOR Rod & Custom Events of the year), I was honored & privileged to be named "AMERICA'S TOP D.J." and received the 'AMERICAN D.J. AWARD". 
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