Here are the final moments of a spectacular radio career…
Gary Burbank spent 35 years doing more things brilliantly than any radio personality I’ve ever heard.
My biggest disappointment of 2008 was that he wasn’t voted into the Radio Hall of Fame.
I hope you will join me now in voting for Gary Burbank for induction into the Radio Hall of Fame this month.
Deadline is July 31.
The voting process is very quick and easy. In fact, doing it will be faster for you than reading these instructions. (You can simply click on this link to vote and ignore my instructions; I’m just trying to make it as easy as possible for you.)
How To Cast Your Ballot For Gary Burbank
1. Click on this link: https://nrhof.votenet.com/nrhof/register/
2. Fill in the free registration form. (The only required fields are First Name, Last Name, and Email address.)
3. Check your email for a message with the subject:
“NRHOF 2009 Radio Hall of Fame Vote”
4. Follow the instructions in the email, which are:
A) Click on the link they send you.
B) Enter your user name (which will be your email address).
C) Enter the password they give you in that email.
5. Click on “Ballot” (top of page, 3rd from the left)
6. Gary’s category is the first one: “LOCAL OR REGIONAL – PIONEER”
7. Vote for Gary.
8. Vote for any others you prefer in the other categories (including, of course, our friend Dick Orkin).
9. Keep clicking on “Click to Continue” until you get to the page that says “VOTE” in a big green box at the bottom of the page.
(All of this is VERY quick. Total voting time probably is a minute or less.)
You’re done!
I was a young jock when I first heard Gary Burbank. He raised the bar for all of us.
Let’s see that he gets the credit he deserves.
And if you have your own memories of Gary Burbank, please feel free to share them here…
Comments on this entry are closed.
Eish.
The reminder, at the end of that clip, that we will all eventually switch off the ON AIR light for the last time was truly chilling.
Loved the quiet dignity with which he said “Goodbye”.
Voted.
I have cast my ballot and was honored to vote for Gary Burbank, CKLW and WLW, one of THE all-time greats!
Done.
I didn’t know Gary Burbank, nor have I ever heard his work (apart from the YouTube clip on the site), but I’m always willing to help give pioneers the credit they deserve. So my vote for Gary has been cast.
@Roger: This is what I say to radio people from the UK: There was Kenny Everett and Gary Burbank…and then the rest of us.
You couldn’t be more right, Dan! The Radio Hall of Fame needs Gary Burbank.
I just voted! 🙂
Was happy to vote for him in 2008 and am happy to vote for him this year. If anyone deserves it, its Gary Burbank. There will never be anyone quite like him.
just voted
velvet rope ands red carpet for Gary
Just voted for both Gary and Dick Orkin.
Hmmmmmm…well it seems we Canadians can’t vote even though Gary worked at CKLW !!!!
@Don: It doesn’t appear to require U.S. residence to vote. The only required fields are your name and email address….
Before Scott Shannon, before Morning Zoo’s were called Morning Zoo’s – there was Gary Burbank. Wish i could vote – but alas – I’m Canadian.
Sharon: Please see my response to Don; it doesn’t actually appear to prohibit Canadians from voting.
Yeah…great guy…btw..Morning Zoo’s were a low point in radio for me. I detest everyone following each other like sheep (every morning show a ‘zoo’). Give me stand out originality every time! Be unique. I hated that phase!
I just found Gary’s single “who shot JR” from 1980 amongst some other songs of the year I downloaded (it’s legal up here in canada)….hit billboard for the year at # 359. cool…..
Also voted for Dr Demento, the father of cheezy/campy/ parody songs radio shows. The rest, not too sure.
I had actually heard Gary’s show when it was syndicated in Cleveland. He represents some of the best of what can be done to entertain in radio broadcasting. I’m sorry to say that in today’s climate of corporate owned consolidated clusters, it will be very difficult for another to do what Gary Burbank has done.
I voted for him, he certainly deserves it.
I’ve never met Gary, but he was one of the reasons I fell in love with radio, back when he was doing mornings at CKLW. I used to listen through the static 150 miles away in Southwest Michigan. Later on, I’d listen through the static when he was on WLW. For that matter, I have very little idea what he sounds like WITHOUT static. Just wouldn’t seem right…
Thank you for the invite. I JUST FINISHED voting for Gary.
It was my pleasure to be a tiny part of getting such a GREAT MAN elected to the Radio Hall of Fame.
Believe it or not, already done before you made this request! And yes, i voted for Gary…
Done deal Dan. Love Earl Pitts, eeerr .. Gary Burbank!! 🙂
Already submitted my ballot and yes…being a 9 year Cleveland radio vet….did put in for Mr. Burbank.
Hope he gets the nod & is enjoying retirement.
I can’t disagree with this. I’m partial to Chicago talent, but I remember when Burbank syndicated the show out of WLW in Cincy. He was very, very good.
Gladly Dan! I used to listen to Gary on CKLW when I was a kid then got a
chance to work with Gary for a few years in Cincinnati. I’m getting the
word out to my friends too.
Shall do! He has a home down here in Dunnellon, FLA. He’s a great talent and a hellof guy!
I’ve already voted…and you would like the way I cast my ballot. 😉
I actually already voted for Gary! Glad I made the right choice.
He is amazing, I was at WTIX when he was at WNOE in New Orleans… what a GREAT talent.
Already voted for him. I am a big fan and think he should be there!!
Gary Burbank had a special touch of magic something missing in many of today’s markets and he had talent!! Whee! I also voted for my old mate Tom Moffatt who gave me a shot on air at KPOI waaaayyy back and I really respect him as a top radio man, also the great Dick Orkin and for good measure, Joey Reynolds.
I did vote for him. 😉 Turned in my ballot weeks ago!
Done Deal. I placed my vote for Gary. Great Radio talent.
Done! Gary is awesome, anything for a fellow Ohioan and excellent broadcaster!
I grew up listening to Gary on 700 WLW … I totally agree with you.
What a guy!
No problem! I worked with Gary for a couple of years at WAKY when I was getting started and learned SO much!
Already Voted for Gary. Agree with you!
My vote is cast!
(bonus… got to vote for Dr. Demento too 😉
Consider it done. Growing up in WV, I was a huge Gary Burbank fan, and when I became a PD, was able to pick up the syndicated Earl Pitts feature…which was a big hit, even though we were a CHR station. What a huge talent, and an inspiration.
I would be happy to. Gary is one of my heroes!
Done and Done!
Oh my God, I thought I was going to bawl like a little girl watching that video…
As someone who grew up listening to Uncle Larry and Little Tommy on WLS, watching Ed Murrow video at the library, believes in the power of broadcasting and still carries her FCC registration card, I’m honored to be able to participate in the process. Please be sure to let us know when he’s inducted.
We are of like mind. I’ve already cast my ballot for Earl.
I agree and I have already voted for him.
I’d be happy to cast my vote.
I’ve been a big fan of Gary’s for years as Earl Pitts, and I’m now happy to
carry him on our station.
Thanks for the heads up.
He was one of the big reasons I got into radio
HE was at WAKY in Louisville 69-73
Consider it done. Gary is my all time favorite talent.
Be happy to Dan. He is one of the best.
Done.
Orkin and Demento was quite literally a best 2 out of 3 coin flip for me both have contributed something very unique to radio history. Orkin won.
I’m betting you voted for THis American Life as well
Already done. I saw the voting was open a little while back and
immediately went to the site & voted for Gary. I hope this year is THE
year.
Absolutely ! He’s always been one of my hero’s ! Voted and done
Done. “And this time I’m being honest with you…………”
Wow. I really miss that guy.
I’d be glad to Dan. I couldn’t agree with you more.
I am a HUGE Burbank fan. Earle Pitts lives forever! He’s got MY
vote!
Got my vote.
‘Surprised you didn’t push for Dick, too — the others were more difficult. ‘Knew Joey way back when…
Bob: I think Dick Orkin is a shoo-in in his category, doesn’t need my assistance at all. But Burbank keeps getting pitted against on-air L.A. jocks who have daily audiences to tap.
Which is not to denigrate any of his competitors. I just think it’s ridiculous that Gary is in the “pioneer” category. It’s like voting Babe Ruth into Baseball’s Hall of Fame but only as an “honorary” member. Burbank wasn’t a pioneer. But he’s quite possibly the most talented “disc jockey” we’ve ever had.
It is done…Gary seems like a real radio person and that is what makes him worthy.
So was Dr. D.
I was steeped in the basics your book espoused and miss REAL RADIO… every time I turn one on.
Already cast my vote for Gary and Uncle Tom Moffatt, too!
It was my pleasure to vote for putting Gary Burbank in the Radio Hall of Fame. He gave me a huge shot of confidence in the earliest days of my career.
In 1997, I was a student at The Ohio Center for Broadcasting in Cincinnati, Ohio, the home of Gary’s flagship station, 700 WLW. I was a fan of Gary’s work, listening every day on my way to night class at OCB.
One day, the announcement was made. GARY BURBANK WAS COMING TO OCB TO SPEAK TO THE STUDENTS! I was giddy to say the least.
Gary’s speech was full of humor, stories from his early days in radio (falling asleep while on the overnight shift, his infamous station ID while running the board for a Reds game, all the good stuff), and good advice for the students.
Q&A time began. I started by asking “How’s Mom and ’em?” (natch). Then I went into my pitch.
At the time, Gary had a bit called “All My Bengals”, a radio serial soap based on the locker room drama of Cincinnati’s finest(?) NFL stars. After the story, but before the tease for “next week’s episode”, Gary would say “Wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll…”
The week of Gary’s speech, Kenny G had set a world record for holding the world’s longest sax note. So, I asked Gary if he had considered going for the world record for the longest “Welllllllllllllllllllllllllll”. Gary chuckled, said something along the lines of “That’s a good one. No, I haven’t done that yet,” then it was time for someone else’s question.
Later that day, I was at work listening to Gary on 700 WLW as usual, when “All My Bengals” time rolled around. Guess who’s bit got used that day?
Gary Burbank thought my idea was good enough for his show! That was all the confirmation that I needed that radio truly was my calling. I’ve been making a decent living on the air ever since.
Done for our good friend Gary!
You got it the vote is done. One of Gary’s friends, Marty Bass (The outrageous Marty Balou) now WJZ TV Baltimore, was my roommate in college and influenced my decision to go into radio after he had worked with Gary at WAKY, WNOE, and CKLW.
Marty came back and finished his degree to go into TV weather. We went to Gary’s house one night in Louisville and I laughed my ass off all night hearing all the great radio stories. I have followed Gary ever since. It is sad to see the legends go off the air.
Gary Burbank was a genius. A joy to listen to and an inspiration and huge influence on me. When a p.d. would tell me to do time and temp back in the day I would think about Gary Burbank (and a few choice others) and say “nope” I think I’ll do my thing and if you don’t like it I’ll go somewhere else. I’m glad I heard Gary for that reason cuz I did it my way and after 35 years no one tells me to do just time and temp anymore.
Should have happened a loooooong time ago. A wonderful talent.
He has my vote.
First, I can’t believe you would make a comment that Dick doesn’t need your help. We all know that if everybody said that he Wouldn’t get any votes. No, in reality, that won’t happen but I think it’s a valid point.
Second, I want to join in support of Dr. Demento because his show is the reason I have a large collection of strange stuff that I’m now playing on internet radio.
Third, I sent an e-mail to the Puget Sound Radio Broadcasters to try to get Phil Harper nominated for his work in Seattle and Portland, and as the voice of Harry Nile. I’m just trying to build support for him if he ever hits the ballot. Phil inspired me to get into radio in 1977 and half of my airname is a tribute to him.
Done!
GARY BURBANK, like Dick Purtan, Larry LuJack, Imus, and a few others; are the icons of the industry! While the industry seems to be drifting over the cliff to become Ipods with commercials, GARY BURBANK was one of the personalities who set the bar. If radio wants to reinvent itself and survive in the new era, “more music, less talk” IS NOT THE ANSWER!!! More personality, more often is the hope for the future. Gary, was certainly a benchmark in personality radio.