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HISTORY of the REUNIONSby Millie Felch-Coffey & Art Vuolo

During the Christmas/Channukah holidays back in 1987, a group of former record and radio friends got together at Millie's house to celebrate the holidays. One thing led to another and the idea of a "Radio and Record" reunion came up. We all decided that we needed to put together a party that would include Detroit's rich musical heritage and also include anyone and everyone who had worked in the music and radio business in Detroit.... including disc jockeys, news people, record company execs, promotion personnel, record producers, recording artists, newspaper media writers, and even a few television personalities. Many of the local TV folks had their career start in radio. So, from what was going to be a simple backyard BBQ in 1988 developed very quickly into a massive gathering of over 400 people on May 7th of that year and the reunion took place at the Michigan Inn, on a Saturday night and was talked about for many months after. Our special attendee was the legendary Casey Kasem who got his start in radio at Detroit's WJBK and WJLB. Dick Purtan had lots of attendees join him on the air at WCZY (Z-95.5) for eight hours prior to the event! In the hotel lobby, prior to the start Hank O'Neal was interviewing guests live on Honey Radio WHND-AM 560. After ten years passed, there was a major "out-cry" for a repeat performance. That reunion was held on April 25, 1998 at the Hilton Hotel in Novi. Guests of honor included: Soupy Sales and Dick Osgood, who was celebrating his 97th birthday! It was another packed house and attendees were visiting in the hotel lobby until the wee-hours of the morning. Also, that year, WOMC, WNIC and WCSX hosted many of those who attended...on the air! It was obvious that we could not wait another ten years before doing it again. So, on September 26th of 2005 we returned to "the scene of the crime" but the hotel had wisely changed its name (to protect itself) and was now The Novi Sheraton. For an amazing third time, Detroit's beloved personality, Dick Purtan agreed to MC the event. Casey Kasem, who has made each reunion, judged another "sound-alike" contest and special guests included Irving Neusbaum of New York Carpet World fame and Mr. Belvedere! The on-air special was at WOMC and hosted by Detroit native and NYC icon Pat St. John. People began asking about another reunion as soon as one year after the 2005 event, which was billed as the Last Radio Reunion. Because a number of people missed that one, here we go again!