KJR’s Gary Shannon: New Year’s Eve 1969

Gary “Shannon” Burleigh (right) with his friend Norm Gregory

It was 51 years ago tonight (I am posting this on New Year’s Eve 2020) that KJR counted down to the birth of the New Year by playing the Top 10 hits of 1969. A tape was rolling as Gary Shannon said goodbye to ’69 and enthusiastically ushered in 1970. Enjoy many of the voices and sounds of ’69 as heard on KJR. Norm Gregory’s voice is easily recognizable. Shannon was fun to listen to, he had it down to a science. This brings back lots of memories for me, I was a senior in high school in 1969/’70.

Since New Year’s Eve parties are rather subdued this year, Gary’s exciting aircheck lets the listener remember how things used to be….and hopefully will be again next year!

Run time: 31:54

Steven Smith

Presently editor and historical writer with QZVX.COM. Experienced former radio broadcaster and radio station owner, 1970-1999. Journalism and speech communications degrees. I enjoy researching articles and online reporting that allows me to meld together words, audio and video. View other articles by Steven Smith

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January 1, 2021 at QZVX

Dana De Pena says:

I so enjoyed listening to this today 1/1/21. Gary’s voice always makes me feel happy and warm because there’s joy and love for the audience in it even if he’s reading the news.

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- January 1, 2021 at QZVX
  
  Steven Smith says:
  
  Dana….great to have you comment. All true.
  
  Reply
January 1, 2021 at QZVX

kjrol says:

I’ve never heard Gary sound so excited on air. Could there possibly have been a party going on at the station?… My memory of this show is faulty. I thought “Hair” was the #1 record but it was actually #2.

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January 1, 2021 at QZVX

Steven Smith says:

Gary can probably answer your party question. He pops in here quite a bit..a very helpful historian.

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