Below, you’ll hear about 40 hours from NBC Radio, including several Christmas Eve specials from Radio City, several years of NBC’s New Year’s Eve All-Star parade of bands, Chase & Sanborn’s 101st birthday salute to Fred Allen, the network’s 40th anniversary show, its First Fabulous 50 anniversary shows, two Kraft Family reunion specials, a salute to Bob Hope on his 60th birthday, a radio Christmas special by Mr. Hope in 1982, and various other interesting audio bits, including NPR’s 50th birthday salute to Monitor in 2005.
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NBC Radio’s Christmas Eve from Radio City 1959
Time: about 23 minutes
Every Christmas Eve for years, NBC Radio aired music peformed by the legendary Dick Leibert, the long-time chief organist at Radio City Music Hall. This 1959 show was recorded the week before Christmas at Radio City between midnight and 3 a.m. The recording engineer was NBC’s Gene Garnes Sr., who kindly made this available to us. The NBC announcer is Jerry Damon.
NBC Radio’s Christmas Eve from Radio City 1961
Time: about 23 minutes
Every Christmas Eve for years, NBC Radio aired music performed by Dick Leibert, the legendary chief organist at Radio City Music Hall. This 1961 recording was made the week before Christmas at Radio City between midnight and 3 a.m. The recording engineer was Gene Garnes Sr., whose voice you’ll hear, cueing Leibert. Later, this recording was edited to include an NBC announcer, introducing the broadcast. (Courtesy Gene Garnes Sr.)
NBC Radio’s Christmas Eve from Radio City 1966
Time: About 26 minutes
Every Christmas Eve for years, NBC Radio aired music performed by the legendary Dick Leibert, the long-time chief organist at Radio City Music Hall. This 1966 show was recorded at Radio City between midnight and 3 a.m. by NBC’s Gene Garnes Sr., who kindly made his recording available to us.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1968-1969 — Part 1
Time: about 50 minutes
This aired on New Year’s Eve 1968 from 11:05 p.m. to about 11:55 p.m. ET. It features the “Your Father’s Moustache” band in a live remote from Manhattan with NBC’s Fred Facey announcing, followed by Cal Roberts’ Swingers band live from the Drake Hotel (Jerry Damon announces). Then you’ll hear the great NBC announcer Ben Grauer along with newsman Jim Harriott at Times Square with a preview of the “ball dropping” at midnight. After that, it’s Glenn Miller’s Orchestra directed by Buddy DeFranco, live from Worcester, Massachusetts, with Dick Smith announcing.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1968-1969 — Part 2
Time: about one hour
This is hour No. 2 of NBC Radio’s five-hour All-Star Parade of Bands show that began on New Year’s Eve 1968 and ended in the early hours of 1969. It aired from 11:55 p.m. to 12:55 a.m. ET. It begins with Jim Harriott at Times Square, who eventually introduces Ben Grauer. Grauer broadcast live for NBC from Times Square for decades on New Year’s Eve. On this night, he was simulcasting on NBC Radio and on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” on NBC-TV. After the ball drops at Times Square, you’ll hear the New Christy Minstrels live from the Rainbow Grill in Manhattan (announced by Roger Bowman), followed by an NBC Radio newscast anchored by Bill Fitzgerald. Then you’ll hear the Herbie Mann Octet with BB King, performing live at the Village Gate in NYC. Fred Facey is the announcer.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1968-1969 — Part 3
Time: about one hour
This aired from about 12:55 a.m. to about 2 a.m. ET on New Year’s morning 1969. It features Duke Ellington’s band, welcoming in the New Year in the Central Time Zone, live from Houston; the Kirby Stone Company, live from the London House in Chicago, and an NBC Radio newscast.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1968-1969 — Part 4
Time: about one hour
This aired from around 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. ET on New Year’s morning 1969. It features Les Brown and his Band of Renown, live from Houston; and the Harry James Orchestra, live from the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1968-1969 — Part 5
Time: about one hour
This was the fifth and final hour of NBC’s cross-country New Year’s band show for 1968-1969, airing from 3 to 4 a.m. ET on New Year’s morning 1969. It features Lawrence Welk’s band, live at the Palladium in Los Angeles, welcoming in the New Year from the West Coast; the Ronnie Kole Trio, live from New Orleans; and Pete Fountain’s band, also live from New Orleans.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1969-1970 — Part 1
Time: about 50 minutes
This aired on New Year’s Eve 1969 from 11 p.m. to about 11:55 p.m. ET. It starts with NBC Radio News on the Hour — then goes to the Rainbow Grill in the RCA Building in NYC for a live remote from the Jonah Jones Quartet. Then it’s on to Shepheard’s at the Drake Hotel for a performance by “What Four.” After that, you’ll hear legendary NBC announcer Ben Grauer along with NBC newsman Jim Harriott at Times Square with a preview of the “ball drop” at midnight. Then it’s on to the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, Florida, for a live remote featuring the great Count Basie Band.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1969-1970 — Part 2
Time: about one hour
This is hour No. 2 of NBC Radio’s five-hour All-Star Parade of Bands show that began on New Year’s Eve 1969 and ended in the early hours of 1970. It aired from 11:55 p.m. to about 1 a.m. ET. It begins with Jim Harriott at Times Square, who eventually introduces Ben Grauer. Grauer broadcast live for NBC from Times Square for decades on New Year’s Eve. On this evening, he was simulcasting on NBC Radio and on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” on NBC-TV. Following the Times Square remote, it’s on to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a live remote featuring the great Glenn Miller Orchestra led by Buddy DeFranco. After that, you’ll hear an NBC Radio newscast (this one done near the half-hour, not “on the hour”), followed by a live remote from “The World’s Greatest Jazz Band” at the Roosevelt Grill in NYC.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1969-1970 — Part 3
Time: about one hour
This aired from about 12:55 a.m. to 2 a.m. ET on New Year’s morning 1970. It features Dizzy Gillespie’s band, live from Chicago, welcoming in the New Year from the Central Time Zone; the Ray McKinley Quintet, live from New York City; and Guy Lombardo’s orchestra, also live from New York City (at the Waldorf, of course).
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1969-1970 — Part 4
Time: about one hour
This hour aired from about 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. E.T. on New Year’s morning 1970. It starts with NBC Radio News on the Hour; then goes to Lionel Hampton’s Orchestra, live from New Orleans; followed by another NBC Radio newscast; followed by Duke Ellington’s orchestra, live from Las Vegas.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1969-1970 — Part 5
Time: about one hour
This aired from about 3 a.m. to 4 a.m. ET on New Year’s morning 1970. It features Lawrence Welk’s band, welcoming in the New Year on the West Coast, live from the Palladium in Los Angeles; an NBC Radio newscast; and Woody Herman’s band, live from Seattle. It ends with another NBC Radio newscast. This was the last hour of NBC’s five-hour parade of bands across the country on this New Year’s Eve.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1970-1971 — Part 1
Time: about 55 minutes
This is Hour 1 of NBC Radio’s five-hour live New Year’s Eve All-Star Parade of Bands that began on Dec. 31, 1970, from 11 p.m. to 11:55 p.m. ET. It opens with NBC Radio News on the Hour, followed by Your Father’s Moustache in Greenwich Village, The Victorians at Shepheard’s at the Drake Hotel in NYC, Ben Grauer and Fran Koltun with a Times Square preview, and Bob Rosengarden’s Orchestra.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1970-1971 — Part 2
Time: about one hour
This is Hour 2 of NBC Radio’s five-hour live New Year’s Eve All-Star Parade of Bands — from just before midnight on Dec. 31, 1970, to about 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, 1971. Features Koltun and Grauer live at Times Square, followed by Sy Oliver’s Orchestra at the Riverboat in NYC, NBC Radio News “not on the hour,” and Sammy Kaye’s Orchestra from Worcester, Massachusetts.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1970-1971 — Part 3
Time: about one hour
This is Hour 3 of NBC’s five-hour live New Year’s Eve parade of bands that began in 1970 and ended in 1971. This one aired from around 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. ET on New Year’s morning 1971. It features the Ramsey Lewis Trio, live from the London House in Chicago, welcoming in the New Year in the Central Time Zone; the Glenn Miller Orchestra, live from Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and the Bob Rosengarden Orchestra, live from the Rainbow Grill in NYC.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1970-1971 — Part 4
Time: about one hour
This is the fourth hour of NBC’s live cross-country band show for 1970-1971. It aired from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. ET on New Year’s morning 1971. This one features Duke Ellington’s Orchestra, live from Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas; followed by Harry James, live from the Desert Inn in Las Vegas.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1970-1971 — Part 5
Time: about one hour
This the fifth and final hour of NBC’s parade of bands show for 1970-1971. It aired from 3 to 4 a.m. ET on New Year’s morning 1971, and featured Lawrence Welk, live from the Palladium in Los Angeles, welcoming in the New Year on the West Coast; followed by Woody Herman’s band, live from Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. This was the last time NBC Radio would ever have a five-hour New Year’s Eve program. Starting in 1971 (below), the network would reduce it to only two hours.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1971-1972 — Part 1
Time: about 46 minutes
Since 1929, NBC Radio had presented live big-band performances from around the nation on New Year’s Eve. These remotes featured the biggest-name bandleaders, starting on the East Coast and following the New Year to the West. The programs lasted at least four or five hours, but in 1971, NBC reduced the program to just two live hours, airing from 11 p.m. on Dec. 31, 1971, to 1 a.m. on January 1, 1972. This is the first part of the 1971-1972 program, featuring Lionel Hampton’s Orchestra from Worcester, Massachusetts, followed by a brief live “preview” from Times Square from Ben Grauer and Cindy Adams. Following that, Sy Oliver’s Orchestra plays at the Riverboat in New York City.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1971-1972 — Part 2
Time: about one hour
Here is the second and last hour of NBC’s 1971-1972 All-Star Parade of Bands that started at 11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve 1971 and ended at 1 a.m. on New Year’s morning. It begins with Cindy Adams live at Times Square as midnight approaches. She’s obviously vamping for time until she can toss to Ben Grauer, the great NBC announcer who, among other things, reported live from Times Square for NBC’s radio and TV networks for decades. The reason Cindy has to “fill” is because Ben is live, at this moment, on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show.” Getting to Ben sounds awkward, but there he is, simulcasting on both radio and TV. The radio network leaves him while he’s still talking on the TV side. Following the Times Square festivities, you’ll hear Duke Ellington’s orchestra play from the Rainbow Grill in NYC, and then Ramsey Lewis performs live from the London House in Chicago.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1972-1973 –Part 1
Time: about one hour
This hour aired on Dec. 31, 1972, from 11-11:55 p.m. ET as part of NBC Radio’s annual Parade of Bands that aired across the nation to ring in the new year. It was recorded off WNBC-FM in NYC. It begins with an up-cut NBC Monitor News on the Hour — then goes to Your Father’s Moustache in Greenwich Village, then to the Riverboat in NYC, then to Ben Grauer at Times Square, then to Duke Ellington’s Orchestra at the Rainbow Grill in NYC.
NBC Radio’s All-Star Parade of Bands 1972-1973 –Part 2
Time: about one hour
This is the second and last hour of NBC Radio’s 1972-1973 All-Star Parade of Bands. It aired from 11:55 p.m. Dec. 31, 1972, to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, 1973. It begins with Ben Grauer, reporting the arrival of the New Year from Times Square, then goes to Massachusetts for the Glenn Miller Orchestra, then to NBC Monitor News, then to the Sy Oliver Orchestra in Manhattan.
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Chase & Sanborn’s 101st Birthday Salute to Fred Allen — 1965
Time: one hour
Fred Allen’s legendary network radio program had been off the air for 16 years when Chase & Sanborn celebrated its 101st birthday by sponsoring this NBC Radio salute to Mr. Allen from 7 to 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 14, 1965 — during the first hour of Sunday night Monitor. It’s hosted by ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his dummy, Charlie McCarthy. (Courtesy George Miller & Louis Castaing)
Frank McGee’s promo for NBC Radio’s News on the Hour
Time: about 10 minutes
In the early 1960’s, Frank McGee — who hosted Sunday night Monitor, and who would become anchor of NBC Nightly News and, later, the Today Show — did an extended promo for NBC Radio’s News on the Hour. It’s a good one. (Courtesy of Jodie Peeler)
A strange NBC Radio News on the Hour — 1965
Time: Three minutes
Here’s Robert McCormick, anchoring NBC Radio’s News on the Hour from Washington, DC, on the evening of February 23, 1965. (Courtesy of George Miller and Louis Castaing)
NBC Radio’s last “Three Star Extra” — 1965
Time: about 15 minutes
The Sun Oil Company — Sunoco — sponsored “Three Star Extra” on NBC Radio starting in 1932. For the first 15 years, the program — which aired from 6:45-7 p.m. ET — was hosted by Lowell Thomas. In 1947, Thomas moved to CBS Radio, and “Three Star Extra” continued on NBC with Ray Henle as “editor in chief.” But all things must come to an end, unfortunately, and “Three Star Extra’s final broadcast came on May Friday night, May 28, 1965. (Courtesy of Dan Everett)
NBC Radio’s Tribute to H.V. Kaltenborn — 1965
Time: about 24 minutes
H.V. Kaltenborn was a legendary radio commentator for both CBS and NBC Radio from the late 1920’s to the 1950’s. He passed away on June 14, 1965, at the age of 86. This is NBC Radio’s tribute to him on June 15, 1965.
NBC “Emphasis” No. 1 — 1966
Time: about five minutes
NBC Radio created “Emphasis” in 1960. These were a series of five-minute weekday reports hosted over the years by such network personalities as Chet Huntley, Frank McGee, Frank Blair, Edwin Newman, Arlene Francis, Nancy Dickerson, Lindsey Nelson, Russ Ward, Bill Cullen, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Ann Landers, Gene Shalit and many others. They covered a variety of topics, from news to pop culture. Here’s the first example we have — hosted by newsman Tom Pettit. (Courtesy of Louis Castaing)
NBC “Emphasis” No. 2 — 1966
Time: about three minutes
Here’s another “Emphasis” hosted by Tom Pettit in 1966. (Courtesy of Louis Castaing)
NBC “Emphasis” No. 3 — 1966
Time: about three minutes
And here’s another “Emphasis” hosted by Tom Pettit in 1966. (Courtesy of Dan Everett)
Beatty’s Final “News of the World” — 1967
Time: about 15 minutes
Legendary newsman Morgan Beatty hosted NBC Radio’s weeknight “News of the World” from 1946-1967. The broadcast aired from 7:30-7:45 p.m. ET. This is his final broadcast — Wednesday night, Sept. 27, 1967. His closing reminiscence is stunning, as he summarizes his brilliant career. You’ll also hear stories about Vietnam — and a “Monitor” promo about the upcoming weekend from Saturday afternoon “Monitor” host Ed McMahon. (Courtesy of Dan Everett)
NBC Radio News on the Hour — 1967
Time: about five minutes
This is NBC Radio’s hourly newscast that aired on Friday, Oct. 6, 1967, at 8 p.m. ET. It is anchored by Neil Boggs, and includes an excellent report by a long-time supporter of this website, Dan Everett.
NBC Radio’s 40th Anniversary Show
NBC Radio’s 40th anniversary show, part 1
Time: about one hour
This is NBC Radio’s 40th anniversary show, sponsored by Chase and Sanborn coffee, which aired on Sunday night Monitor on Nov. 13, 1966, from 7:05 to 8:30 p.m. ET. It is hosted by ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his dummy Charlie McCarthy, and features the voices of, among others, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Al Jolson, Fibber McGee and Molly, Amos and Andy, Red Skelton, Burns and Allen, Nichols and May and others. (Courtesy of Louis Castaing)
NBC Radio’s 40th anniversary show, part 2
Time: About 19 minutes
This is the final few minutes of NBC Radio’s 40th anniversary show that aired on Sunday night Monitor on Nov. 13, 1966. (Courtesy of Louis Castaing)
NBC Radio’s “First Fabulous Fifty”
Five specials airing in late 1976 to commemorate NBC Radio’s 50 anniversary Produced by Bud Drake and Charles Garment. (Courtesy of Charles Garment)
NBC Radio’s First Fabulous Fifty — Part One
Time: about 40 minutes
Hosted by legendary NBC announcer Ben Grauer, this program — which aired Oct. 10, 1976 — details NBC Radio’s first decade — 1926 to 1936.
NBC Radio’s First Fabulous Fifty — Part Two
Time: about 40 minutes
Hosted by Bob Hope, this part — airing Oct. 17, 1976 — details NBC Radio’s programming from 1936-46 — the war years. Listen in particular to Bob’s reminiscing about the day the war broke out, when he was on a ship. Charlie Garment told me that was not in the script — Bob began ad-libbing it during the recording session, and it was so good — it was left in the program!
NBC Radio’s First Fabulous Fifty — Part Three
Time: about 40 minutes. Hosted by Bing Crosby, this program — airing Oct. 24, 1976 — deals with NBC’s post-World War II programming (1946-1955)
NBC Radio’s First Fabulous Fifty — Part Four
Time: About 40 minutes
Hosted by Arlene Francis, this program — which aired Oct. 31, 1976 — focuses largely on “Monitor” — NBC Radio’s last major programming push — and includes coverage of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The program covers events from 1955-1966.
NBC Radio’s First Fabulous Fifty — Part Five
Time: About 40 minutes
Hosted by John Chancellor, this program — which aired Nov. 7, 1976 — deals with the turbulent years from 1966-1976, including NBC Radio’s coverage of Watergate and other national events. It also includes a delightful “Monitor” interview with Saturday afternoon host Ed McMahon and his “Tonight Show” boss, Johnny Carson.
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NBC Radio’s Kraft Family Reunion Specials
(Produced after Monitor left the air)
NBC Radio’s Kraft Family Reunion Special 1978
Time: about 52 minutes
This special aired on NBC Radio on Sunday night, February 12, 1978, in honor of Kraft’s 75th anniversary. Singer Eddy Arnold and long-time NBC — and Kraft — announcer Ed Herlihy co-hosted this marvelous retrospective of the long-running “Kraft Music Hall” on NBC, which had been hosted, over the years, by Bing Crosby, Paul Whiteman and Al Jolson, among others. The program was produced by former Monitor producer Bud Drake and former Monitor writer Charles Garment.
NBC Radio’s Summer Radio Picnic with the Kraft Family 1979
Time: about 52 minutes
This special aired on NBC Radio on Sunday night, June 24, 1979. Again co-hosted by singer Eddy Arnold and NBC’s Ed Herlihy, this was a follow-up to the successful 1978 Kraft special, and featured more highlights of the “Kraft Music Hall.” It was produced by Bud Drake and Charles Garment.
An NBC Radio birthday salute to Bob Hope — 1963
Time: one hour
There’s little doubt that Bob Hope was, for decades, NBC Radio and TV’s most valuable employee. He not only had the No. 1 network radio show for years, he also stayed with NBC in 1948 when other key network entertainers — like Jack Benny — were lured to CBS. So there should be no reason to wonder why NBC celebrated Mr. Hope whenever the network could — as it did on May 29, 1963 — with this radio special on his 60th birthday. The host is the “Today” show’s Hugh Downs. (Courtesy of Walden Hughes)
A Bob Hope NBC Radio Christmas, part 1 — Dec. 24, 1982
Time: one hour
This is the first hour of a highly entertaining NBC Radio Christmas special hosted by Bob Hope and produced in 1982, when Mr. Hope was 79 years old but sounded years — decades — younger. This aired on KXL Radio in Portland, Oregon, from 9 to 10 p.m. PT on Christmas Eve. It features Bob introducing a variety of segments from his holiday specials of years past. (Courtesy of Walden Hughes)
A Bob Hope NBC Radio Christmas, part 2 — Dec. 24, 1982
Time: one hour
This is the second hour of the two-hour NBC Radio Christmas special hosted by Bob Hope in 1982. It aired on KXL Radio in Portland, Oregon, from 10 to 11 p.m. PT on Christmas Eve. (Courtesy of Walden Hughes)
NPR’s Salute to Monitor — 2005
Time: about 8 minutes
On Monitor’s 50th anniversary — Sunday, June 12, 2005 — National Public Radio’s “Weekend Edition” aired this salute. Host Liane Hansen interviewed Dennis Hart, this website’s creator, about the impact “Monitor” had on radio then and now. NPR producer Doug Nadvornick put this splendid tribute together.