By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 12:57 pm:

One of the pioneer Black disk jockeys. He was the inaugural dj. on WERD (Atlanta) back in the late forties. WERD was the first black-owned radio station in the U.S.A.

The late Jack Gibson ran a weekly radio tipsheet called the Mello Yello. It was printed on yellow paper. He would dispense words of wisdom that would help folks as they faced the vagaries of life. His favourite saying was "and that's the truth,Ruth" akin to Martha Jean's "I betcha".

Back in the day, he use to operate a record store in Cincinatti. He also did promotion for Stax and Motown. He was serious about his food. He would now and then give out recipes in the Mello Yello. I believe I still have the one for cole slaw.

He would really tell it like is. I remember one time when he criticized Marvin Gaye for going on stage to accept an award with chewing gum in his mouth. He ripped into Mary J Blige for her manner of dress at an award show.

He could really gaive you the lowdown. I miss Jack Gibson.

I'm sure fellow lurkers have many Jack the Rapper stories to relate. Let us hear them.

By Eugene Brown (64.7.167.66) on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 05:13 pm:

It's great that someone remembers the Great Jockey Jack the Rapper Gibson! I'm a program director/air personality at WTLZ in Saginaw, Michigan and Jack was one of my heroes. I first met Jack back in 1988 at one of his conventions, and I was a very "green" 20 year old trying to get into the business. That he took about 15 minutes of his time to talk with me speaks volumes about the kind of person he was. I was really devastated when he passed away. But the laegacy continues

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 07:14 am:

Hello Eugene: It's good to hear from a fellow admirer of Jack Gibson.

I remember the time he appeared on the Arsenio Hall show. He was not a scheduled guest.

Arsenio would always open his show with a stand-up routine. Comedians will often poke fun at a member of the audience (eg. if someone has an unusual hairdo/ out-of-style clothes). Arsenio made a wise crack and then asked the butt of his joke to stand. Lo and behold, the person that stood up was Jack Gibson. I said to myself "Oh my gawd, it's Jack".

By Sly fan (64.169.104.101) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 09:03 pm:

Aww Yess Mr.Gibson is a hero of mine without a doubt who opened a lot of doors for many. I remember Mr.Gibson was on an episode of "Sanford and Son" where he played a magician, classic!!

I remember he was in the Heavy D video for "Mr. Big Stuff"!! I am like wow, he is tooo cool!!

Poor Arsenio was in for a surprise!!LOL!!

Thank you for bringing up such a great man SoulPuss...