WWDJ was a Top-40 radio station in Hackensack, N.J. which opened on 17 May 1971, and died on 31st March 1974. 97DJ tried to compete with WABC playing hit-songs the NYC station banned from air-play such as 'Jungle fever' (Chakachas' heavy breathing & moaning), 'My ding-a-ling' (Chuck Berry), 'Cover of the Rolling Stone' (Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show), 'Walk on the wild side' (Lou Reed) and 'The Americans' (Gordon Sinclair).
However, WWDJ signal - only 5 Kw - was too weak compared to WABC's 50 kw. Here is arguably its most popular DJ, Bwana Johnny (real name: Richard Johnson) counting down the top 30 of week of 25 April 1973.
1. Tie a yellow ribbon on the ole oak tree - Tony Orlando & Dawn (Bell) (1)
2. The night the lights went out in Georgia - Vicki Lawrence (Bell) (2)
3. Superfly meets Shaft - John & Ernest (Rainy Wednesday) (7)
4. Cisco Kid - War (UA) (8)
5. Sing - Carpenters (A&M)
6. Stuck in the middle with you - Stealers Wheel (A&M) (16)
7. Little Willy - The Sweet (A&M)
8. You are the sunshine of my life - Stevie Wonder (Tamla-Motown)
9. Twelfth of never - Donny Osmond (MGM)
10. Neither one of us - Gladys Knight & the Pips (Soul-Motown)
11. Ain't no woman like the one I've got - Four Tops (Dunhill)
12. Reeling in the years - Steely Dan (ABC) (27)
13. Pillow talk - Sylvia Robinson (Vibration)
14. Armed and extremely dangerous - First Choice (Philly Groove) (21)
15. Wild flower - Skylark (Capitol) (29)
16. Danny's song - Anne Murray (Capitol) (10)
17. Killing me softly with his song - Roberta Flack (Atlantic) (6)
18. Peaceful - Helen Reddy (Capitol)
19. Space oddity - David Bowie (RCA) (11)
20. Drift away - Dobie Grey (Decca)
21. Frankenstein - Edgar Winter Group (Epic)
22. Daniel - Elton John (MCA)
23. I'm doin' fine, now - New York City (Chelsea)
24. Walk on the wild side - Lou Reed (RCA)
25. Hocus pocus - Focus (Sire)
26. Funky worm - Ohio Players (Westbound)
27. Stir it up - Johnny Nash (Epic)
28. I can understand it - The New Birth (RCA) (27)
29. Masterpiece - The Temptations (Gordy-Motown)
30. Leaving me - The Independents (Wand)
clipping of a Hackensack newspaper announcing a 3-day 'rock-a-thon' starting on Friday, 1st October 1971 through Sunday, 3rd October 1971, sponsored by the Bergen & Passaic counties.
Bwana Johnny, popular DJ and music director of WWDJ from 1971 to 1973, whose real name was Ricky Johnson, was born on 29 August 1946, in Portland, Washington. After working as DJ & music director throughout the USA, Bwana died of heart failure and diabetes on 28 October 2005, in Mercer Island, WA.
23rd November 1971.
WWDJ was a radio station in Hackensack, N.J. that in the early '70s that tried to compete with WABC. However, the signal did not have the reach that WABC did. Here is arguably the most popular DJ, Bwana Johnny , counting down the top 30 of that week in 1973.
Bwana Johnny talks about the good old times at WWDJ:
Hello World! John has asked me to make some written verbal comments about WWDJ on the anniversary of the demise of it. Boy that's a tough challenge. WWDJ was so unique, so creative, so audience captivating (although the ratings never showed it) that it is really hard to put into words what the entire experience was like. The only thing that really comes to mind is fun. The entire WWDJ "thing" was really just old friends getting together to have fun.
Mike Phillips and I had been friends from our hometown of Portland, Oregon. Nick Anthony, Al Brady, Gary Russell had all worked together in Cincinnati. In fact Al and I were roommates. The only additions to the mix were Bill Bailey and Ronnie Grant. Both of these multi-talented performers joined the "fun" crowd head on. In fact Bailey named a cat of mine. I love cats by the way. Was having trouble figuring out a name for this cat that had just appeared at the house I was renting. Bailey suggested "Why don't you name it Boogie... you could take it to remotes and promo it as Bwana and the Boogie." Well... the cat was instantly named.
WWDJ was weird. The studios were in Hackensack, on the slough, just across from the world famous Hackensack Two Guys store. I remember we had the Brooklyn Mets on the schedule when we hit the air. The next year when the contract was up there was a huge celebration. Clients were invited to the Hackensack "oasis" to help in the festivities. After that the nighttime ratings went to hell. Gee! Gawd! Yada Yada!
The best part like I already said was the fact that we were a "family". We had fun together on the air and off the air. Nick Anthony is one of the great Program Directors of the century. He knew how to handle and manage people, without anyone feeling they were being programmed or manipulated. There were always gatherings at Nick's place. It was all part of that "family" atmosphere that came across so vividly on the air.
Promotions were a big part of our assault on NYC from sponsoring Easter Sunrise Services in Central Park, to the "Magic Bus", to a talent contest I co-emc'd with Monte Rock III at Palisades Park.
WWDJ/97 Magical bus...
Getting involved with the audience on a one-to-one basis was a major part of our "in their face" attack. We were out and making ourselves individually and collectively known in the community. I remember one Friday night after the show going on an adult beverage safari at Esposito's in Ridgewood. The place was always packed and a bunch of us were out on the corner shooting the B.S. and talking with one of the Ridgewood police that were always keeping an eye on weekend nights. I had been involved in moving from Waldwick to Montvale so my 1967 T-Bird was full of "stuff". I told the officer how much we appreciated what he was doing and that we all chipped in to buy him something appropriate to express our feelings. At this point I reached into the backseat pulled out and handed him a roll of toilet paper. Without hesitation he came back with "no, no. I've heard your show. You need it a lot more than I do."
We all broke out laughing. It was a great comeback. It's hard to put this incredible fun time into words. The best way for me has always been to answer questions. I know you have bunches, and I would love to answer them all. Or at least make up a great answer. So just get your questions in here to the website, and I know John will be on my butt to make sure I answer them all. And it will be fun. Most importantly thanks to everyone who enjoyed what we were doing. Like I've said we were really having "fun" and I'm glad you were too.
Love you all and thanks for making it all worthwhile.
The right of way for the old Jersey Central Railroad was immediately north of here.
.PNG)
