podcasts
Retro Waves:
Legends of the airwaves
Retro Waves: Legends of the Airwaves dives into the golden era of radio, when legendary DJs, jingles, and engineers turned microphones into magic. Hosted by Vinny Vinyl, the velvet-voiced storyteller of the night, the series journeys through the studios, stations, and stories that shaped America’s soundscape.
From Larry Lujack’s “Superjock” swagger to Wolfman Jack’s midnight mystique, from the birth of jingles to the unseen engineers behind the glass, Retro Waves celebrates the people who made radio personal — who gave every city its voice.
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Hosted by: Vinny Vinyl, with special guests: Maggie Mercury, Rysty Fader, and Shep Golden
Meet the Voices Behind Retro Waves:
Vinny Vinyl — The Late-Night Storyteller
A velvet-tone narrator who paints neon scenes of radio after dark. Vinny glides between memories and music beds with cinematic calm, turning static into stardust.
Maggie Mercury — The Liner-Note Sleuth
Our rock-writer archivist with receipts. Maggie connects dates, promos, and jingles to the moments that moved a city—fast, clear, and delightfully nerdy.
Rusty Fader — The Board-Op with Road-Worn Wisdom
Engineer, fixer, quiet comic. Rusty explains carts, patch bays, and live remotes like you’re in the booth, then lands the one-liner that makes it all click.
Shep Golden — The Witness Behind the Glass
A warm baritone with a cantor’s poise, Shep honors the crews that made the magic. Gentle, steady, and endlessly human—he was there when the “ON AIR” light bloomed.
Note: All hosts are original AI personas crafted to honor radio’s golden era—no likenesses or voices of real individuals are imitated.
4: Five Notes, Two Syllables: How Jingles Built a Station
Five notes. Two syllables. A whole identity. Vinny Vinyl explores how jingles turned call letters into culture—from late-night harmonies to the craft that made every…
Wolfman Jack: The Man Behind the Myth
A howl across the border and a voice you couldn’t mistake. Vinny Vinyl explores the craft and mythology of Wolfman Jack—how a faceless persona, massive wattage, and fearless…
Larry Lujack and the Art of the Superjock (S1E2)
Larry Lujack didn’t beg for your attention—he bent the dial toward him. Vinny Vinyl breaks down the craft behind the “Superjock”: timing, stance, and ritual that turned Top…
The Sound That Built a City (S1E1)
Some say Chicago’s loudest sound wasn’t a crowd — it was a voice. Join Vinny Vinyl as Retro Waves: Legends of the Airwaves travels back to radio’s golden…