By Sue (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 07:54 pm:

I was talking to a fellow Forumer about some of the very cool radio commercials we were exposed to by Detroit radio. What's your favorite?

Like: King Auto Sales:

Why be strollin when you could be rollin?
We'll get you off your heels and onto wheels
...
King Auto Sales
Open every night...
Till we close!

And of course, the ad for Sibleys Shoes, to the tune of "For the Love of Money" -- and they totally ripped off the rhythm track I believe:

Sibleys...can fit anybody!
What about the wide foot?
Hah!

Sibleys...can fit anybody!
What about the short foot?
Hah!

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 08:49 pm:

There's the obvious ones, Detroit Dragway, Faygo Kid, Gene Merolis Chevrolet, but two that stick with me are.....
"....(boat whistle--2 blasts) It's Two O'Clock, and theres the Bob-Lo Boat leaving from the foot of Woodward. The Bob-Lo boat sales for Bob-Lo Island every day except Wednsday at Two O'Clock."
Ira J. Cook had a great parody, substituting 'Sinking" for "leaving".
AND
Although I don't remember specific lines, Coon Brothers Rambler spots were so grating that they stick strongly, with two "southern" voices talking about "Coooonnnn Brothers".

By mhc (172.130.173.202) on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 09:05 pm:

This one from WABX has stayed in my mind, at least the beginning of it: It was for a series of Underground Films at (I think) the Detroit Repertory Theatre. Anyway, it started out, "Are you looking for something completely different? Something that GASSES the mind?!?..." Also, it's not radio, but I'd pay to see the animated spot for Roy O'Brien Ford that ran for years, starting in the '50s. It always struck me as hallucinatory, and the song was great..

By medusa (66.73.10.156) on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 09:16 pm:

~~~Seatbelt Song~~~
Buckle up for safety, buckle up
buckle up for safety, always buckle up
show the world you care, by the belt you wear
buckle up for safety when you're driving
buckle up.

You can shop in the dark at Simmons & Clark!

Robert Hall the season, will show you the reason!

Roy O'Brien Car Sales & Deals!
???

By Sue (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 09:24 pm:

Oh wait!


When the prices go up, up, up
And the volume goes down, down, down
Robert Hall this season
Will show you the reason
High quality/economy

And the alternate version. How many have started businesses on the Robert Hall model?

When the prices go up, up, up
And the volume goes down, down, down
Robert Hall this season
Will show you the reason
Low overhead, low overhead

(low overhead???)

By SteveS (68.41.250.190) on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 10:25 pm:

MHC

Wow, the Detroit Repertory Theatre! I don't remember the commercials, but I do remember going to those movies - Robert Downey Sr. was one of the big directors of those 16 mm movies they'd show.

The ABX commercials I remember most clearly in the early years were by the record labels (Elektra is the only one I can remember specifically). They'd do 15 minute blocks presenting a "new" artist...Laura Nyro, Chambers Bros., Bunky and Jake (I dunno, maybe I hallucinated that, but I'd swear they did a song called "taxicab").

By Funkyone D J Dollar BILL (216.221.81.96) on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 10:29 pm:

http://www.reelradio.com/bh/index.html

There are some great commercials here as well as airchecks from some of your favs.Check out the whole site!

By Sue (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 10:32 pm:

Where were the underground films shown? I vaguely remember seeing some trippy films somewhere on Woodward near Wayne. It couldn't have been the Bonstelle?

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 10:37 pm:

Studio North (Magic Bag now, formerly the Ferndale Theatre) used to show "underground" flicks fri. and sat. at midnight.

I remember an interview with an ABX jock where he stated that at one point in time they allowed NO agency produced spots, and insisted that everything be done in house. Their best spot was for the Krim Theatre's showing of "Whats Behind The Green Door"

By Sue (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 10:45 pm:

Dave Dixon was brilliant at that kind of thing.

Whatever happened to the Trans-Lux-Krim Theatre?

Surely that didn't become the dingy, depressing Krim on Woodward?

By Sue (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 10:47 pm:

Actually they played the Roy O'Brien song all the time on the radio ...

Stay on the right track to Nine Mile and Mack, Roy O'Brien trucks and cars, makes your money back ...Roy O'Brien's got them buyin' and buyin', they come from many miles away...to save themselves a lot of dollars, dollars, by driving out this way today. Sung by the Gaylords of course ...

By Ron Murphy (68.42.89.162) on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 10:52 pm:

I was involved in the making of one that got a lot a play on WJZZ back around 1969 "JACK'S PLACE - SET'S THE PACE IN MEN'S WEAR"--"WEATHER YOUR BIG OR SMALL, SHORT OR TALL WE FIT 'EM ALL"

By SteveS (68.41.250.190) on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 11:08 pm:

Sue - There was a regular "underground" film series at the Detroit Repertory Theatre, which was on Woodrow Wilson (still is, I think). It ran around 67-69 or so. These were 16 mm, directed by guys like Downey and Brian de Palma before they went big time. There were also a lot of shorts and experimental films. Yeah, they'd show them down at Wayne too, but I don't think they used the Bonstelle.

By Pogo (66.129.43.61) on Friday, August 08, 2003 - 09:18 am:

Anything advertised by Frantic Ernie.
"Jet Malt Liquor sure acts quicker".
"Half a lean green to make the scene at the 20 grand ballroom".
Sue, thanks for the memory of Sibley's shoes. Loved that commercial. I thought I had it on a casette but haven't found it yet.
Pogo

By the count (69.14.113.157) on Friday, August 08, 2003 - 09:45 pm:

Its round its round its a quater pound,its a DALY BURGER.
Standing on the corner watching all the FORDS go by.

What'll you have,BAPST BLUE RIBBON,PAPST BLUE RIBBON BEER.

Richards Drive Inn.

The beatnic from the tv commercial for JIFFY POP popcorn,--No pots no pans no bowls to foil,
you've popcorn,salt,butter and oil,
now make with the heat man.

Just a few here,I have about 30 2wo hour reel to reels of commercials from 50's---60's,at lease 50 from DETROIT DRAGWAY.

The p.o.p. bargain plan,
pay one price,
ride all day,
ride all nite,
lets all go to the fantabulous EDGEWATER PARK.

"COUNT"

By Pogo (66.129.43.61) on Saturday, August 09, 2003 - 08:10 am:

Count,
You have anything by Frantic Ernie and Butterball Jr.? Would love to hear some of that stuff. Also wondering if you know some cats by the name of Tim "the Greek" Strates and Bob "Dippy" Gajewski. Chums of mine. Let me know about the Frantic E and Butterball sounds OK?
Pogo

By Marv (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, August 09, 2003 - 11:32 pm:

How about the "Mel Farr Superstar" commercials that had Mel flying around in a superhero cape? LOL

Here's a oldie. "Come down to Edgewater Park, Where the Twist is calling you"!!! LOL