It was April 1971 and WARM Radio was running a contest giving away a72 pound Easter bunny. The station also gave away 91 other prizes. WARM promoted the contest on its weekly April 4th 1971 survey sheet.
The number one song that week was “She’s A Lady” by Tom Jones and this song, “For All We Know” by The Carpenters came in at number 8.
George Gilbert was one of the cornerstones of WARM Radio, the Mighty 590. Through the years he worked as a radio host, a Program Director and then in Sales. Plus Gilbert had a storied career in the Commonwealth working in Philadelphia, Wilks Barre-Scranton and Williamsport.
Here is how he was remembered 9 years ago this week.
We go back to 1960, April. JFK was not yet President. The New York Mets and Houston Astros were just a twinkle in the eye of Major League Baseball. And the top 40 chart of 1960 was filled with a variety of tunes that became world famous while others faded into obscurity.
A song that was very odd for Perry Como came in at number 20.
Number 37 was The theme from "Mr. Lucky" by Henry Mancini.
Bobby Darin was in the mix at number 25 with "Clementine".
And the Champs weighed in at number 31 with "Too Much Tequila".
It has been 47 years since the West Scranton Invaders won a Basketball Trophy. WARM Radio was on the case doing live reports from the games and even dedicated a survey sheet to the winning team.
Here is a story that Scranton Times Reporter Joby Fawcett wrote about that great team and their reunion. It was a night that defines what high school athletics are truly all about. Swapping stories and recalling great memories, members of the 1970 West Scranton boys basketball team reunited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of winning the Lackawanna League Southern Division, District 2 and Lynett Tournament championships. It is the only year a boys basketball team won both the district and Lynett crowns. Bob Bugno organized the gathering that brought many of the former players from as far as Texas back to West Scranton High School where those memories were made during a 24-3 season that ended in the state semifinals with a tough loss to Haverford, 68-57, in Harrisburg. "I couldn't be happier," former coach Dan Donovan with a proud smile. "It was one of the greatest teams I ever coached. This was not only a wonderful team, they were wonderful kids. These kids came to work every day and worked hard every day. "Tonight is one of the most special moments I have had." The Invaders huddled around, enjoying the trophies that were displayed. "I didn't know who would show up," said 1970 player of the year Jerry Karwoski, who spent more than two decades in Germany and now resides in Texas and was the Player of the Year in 1970. "I couldn't miss this for the world. We haven't changed a lot. It's great to see everyone." Those who returned were coach Donovan, assistant coach Joe Barbuti, Bugno, Karwoski, Joe Orzel, Jeff Lewis, Jim Warner and Craig Mailen. Former school principal A. William Panaci and former athletic director Armand Martinelli were also back. Other players on the title team were Walt Snopkowski, Paul Mailen, Bob Sparacino, Mike Julio, Frank Maccino, John Jurbala, Tom Sack, Emil Palarino and Paul Provini. "We all practically lived together back then," said Bugno, who surprised the players with a highlight DVD of that 1970 season. "It was more important to coach Donovan for us to be good people. I look at all these people and how class people they are. I love them. I never forgot them and many of us haven't seen each other in 40 years, but we immediately reconnected."
WEST SCRANTON INVADERS THEN
WEST SCRANTON INVADERS IN 2010
JOBY FAWCETT / STAFF PHOTO Members of the 1970 Lackawanna League and District 2 championship team gathered for a 40th reunion last week. First row, from left: former school principal A. William Panaci, 1970 coach of the year Dan Donovan, former athletic director Armand Martinelli and Jeff Lewis. Second row: Joe Orzel, Bob Bugno, former assistant coach Joe Barbuti, Jim Warner, Jerry Karwoski and Craig Mailen. And on that WARM survey sheet, the number one song dated March 1st, 1970 was "Venus" by The Shocking Blue".
This month marks the 80th birthday of WARM Sensational 7 member Tom Woods. Woods was one of the cornerstones of those WARM days of the '60s where The Mighty 590 dominated the airwaves with its 5,000 watts of power. Woods later went to work in Washington, D.C. at WTOP News radio. After returning to the area Tom worked in radio at WILK, did voice overs for the WBRE TV Newscasts, voice over work for various businesses and is currently seen on TV promoting various services. He resides in Wilkes Barre Township and is happy to be remembered by his many listeners.
WARM Radio also included schedule ads in most local newspapers. Our contributor Joe Klapatch found this one in the Scranton papers.This was dated August 24th, 1952. This was back in the day when radio stations had listings and ads in newspaper to help move listeners to their frequencies.
Political analyst for WBRE TV's Pa. Live program and post election commentator for WBRE TV's Eyewitness News Daybreak show. Author of the book "A Radio Story/We Wish You Well In Your Future Endeavors" and "Leges Vitae" "26 Rules of Life" and the new novel, "Weather Or Knot". The blog editor also writes various news articles and columns as well as upcoming literary projects. The blog editor was a frequent guest on WYOU TV'S INTERACTIVE NEWSCASTS when political issues were discussed on the national, state and local level. Yonki was a weekly panelist on WYLN TV 35's Friday Topic A program. He also appeared on the Hazleton, PA. station on Election Night doing coverage and did special projects and stories for WYLN TV 35's 10PM Newscast "Late Edition".