Jack Spector
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Jack Spector (b. September 15, 1928, New York - d. March 8. 1994, Mineola, New York) was an American radio disc jockey.[1]
Spector began his career in 1955 and in 1961 became one of the original WMCA Good Guys.[1] He was working as a DJ in New York when he released a single in 1969 on Buddah Records as "Vik Venus, Alias: Your Main Moon Man". The single was called "Moonflight", and it was a novelty "break-in" record in the style of Dickie Goodman, whereas a reporter asks the astronauts questions about a fictional "Achilles moon flight", with the responses taken from snippets of popular songs of the day. All response fragments used for this record are from previous hits on Buddah. The record peaked at #38 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
After WMCA moved to a talk format, Spector went to WHN, then a vocal-based easy listening station. He remained for a while after WHN became a Country music station in 1973. In 1974, Jack Spector left WHN to go to WCBS-FM where he hosted a 1955-1964 based Oldies show called "The Saturday Night Sock Hop" and another regular weekend shift. He was also a full-time swing host there, filling in for various airstaffers over the years. In 1983, Cousin Brucie began doing every third Saturday night of the month. Spector remained at WCBS-FM until the Spring of 1985.
In 1985, Spector was at WNBC as the original host of "Sports Night", eventually replaced by Dave Sims. He went then to WPIX-FM, which was playing an adult contemporary format. Upon their flip to NAC and soon after to smooth jazz, he became one of the first air personailties on CD 101.9. Spector also worked as an optician when he was not on the air.
Late in 1988, Spector left WQCD and joined the staff of WHLI on Long Island, NY playing an Adult Standards format. That station began mixing in more rock and roll oldies by the early 90's. After a few Radio Greats Weekends at WCBS-FM, Jack Spector returned as a part-time swing announcer there in 1993 while working full-time at WHLI. On March 8, 1994, shortly after starting a recording of Louis Prima's "I'm In The Mood For Love", he suffered an apparent heart attack and collapsed to the floor. Following a long silence after the song had finished, radio station employees ran into the studio and found Spector on the floor. Attempts to revive him failed and he was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. He was 65.[1] He is buried at Beth Moses Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.[2]
[edit] Notes
[edit] Sources
- Joel Whitburn, The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. 7th edn, 2000
