It was your classic, stereotypical young yuppie couple from Highland Park. The store was open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. As writer Diane Reischel put it in The News story: The store was the childrens living room, the customers their audience., His sister, Florence Littauer, said her baby brother was so clever and funny that people would pay me for him to speak. As The News noted, The parents his mother was a violinist challenged the children to think creatively. Catch up on the day's news you need to know. *To hear some classic clips of Chapman from the old KLIF days, go to www.reelradio.com/se and www.historyofklif.com. Ron, how come my offer to buy KVIL never worked out? Ron Chapman Death - Obituary, Funeral, Cause Of Death Just heard radio legend Ron Chapman has died. (The money was later distributed to local charities.) Suzie was initially an airborne reporter, but was later given her trademark "KVIL-o-Van" (bearing the vanity plate, "SOOZIE.") Her efforts were honored in 2004 as an inductee to the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. Chapman invited him to come watch the show at some point. And it suddenly became a craze. We never worked in the studio together, for 20 years. While Ron was 85 years old at the time of his death, Nance Chapman's age remains a mystery. She loved going to NorthPark to dance with other teenagers during the daily weekday broadcast of SumpN Else. In 1968, Chapman joined a team that purchased KVIL-FM, a station known for pioneering the Adult Contemporary (AC) format. In fact, the jingle was the fastest 45 in the West. It was based on Rons experience with Top 40 radio. The station is branded as "Alt 103.7" and airs an alternative rock radio format. In 1969, Chapman joined the staff of KVIL-FM/Dallas-Fort . Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. Brings new meaning to the phrase Sunday Funday. He graduated from Samuell High School in Pleasant Grove in 1970 and from Southern Methodist University in 1974. As she perfected her skills, the dean of Dallas radio, Ron Chapman, hired her at KVIL-AM/FM as News Director alongside his other show members: Suzy Humphries, Len Mailoux, Andy McCollum, and Larry . Says Littauer, Only Ron could spend two weeks on a ship, do nothing, and then get a commendation for it.. Thats what we started doing. And you were supposed to live up to them. And it was Chapman who ran every single nutty promo in the station's stories history, among them a scavenger hunt that involved hidden tape recorders, secret messages and, eventually, a Braniff International Airways ticket to Hawaii. At one point, Chapman broadcast live while skydiving from a plane . So, Chapman can afford to surprise his wife with a 4.9-carat diamond, keep houses in town and country, and fly to Madrid on a whim., Born in January 1936, Ralph Frederick Chapman was the youngest of three children raised in the back rooms of his dads store during the Depression. Industry critics say that while Chapman is full-tilt today, he is not really doing much to prepare his station for Life After Ron. Though nobodyrepeat, nobodywants to take on Ron Chapman in public (even his roast at the Dallas Press Club last year was a three-hour valentine), friends and foes alike admit to a powerful fear of the man. About all they had were some call letters, and not very good ones at that. He was 85. It wont work for you.. Especially this woman right here., And Brad says, Well, how about if we start the play and say, The quarterback comes up to the line of scrimmage. The next step from there would have been the street. And its not just the lower-downs, but the higher-ups who have their hands full of Chapman ego. Ive got a speech at the Board of Realtors this morning, and Im getting my hair done., And I said, Hes giving me a real nice blow job., Oh, Lord. Im absolutely realistic in believing that nobody remembers you, Chapman says. (Her cohort, Ron Chapman, who clocked more than 45 successful years on local radio and television [including WFAA-TV,] died in 2021.) He always has some grand scheme bubbling up to the surface, she says, and hes always looking for some way to convince the rest of us that its a good idea. Most of the radio folk we talked to have a love-hate relationship with the man. However, Mylife.com suggested that Nance Chapman was born on 25 February 1941 which made her 80 years old as of . We did that to our audience constantly. Ron Chapman set out to claim it. Thanks a lot, everybody! They were pissed off, and they loved it. Michael Granberry, Arts Writer. He also hosted a televised series from Northpark Center in the 1960's for a three-year stint. A secretary, yeah, sure, absolutely, but she wont be for long. Of course, back in those days, I was also given to partaking in the pleasures of cannabis and had a couple of joints with me for the ride. #1. Blonde, voluptuous, impeccably well-mannered, and gracious, she smiles through a mouthful of sharp teeth. Ron Chapman had this offer from KVIL. And that means dont do anything to KVIL. He also hosted a televised series from Northpark Center in the 1960's for a three-year stint. It was a 45-minute show. A very happy one. KVIL-FM, born in Highland Park on August 25, 1961,died, officially, on Jan. 18, 2017. ", China sets this year's economic growth target at 'around 5%', 20 cars of Norfolk Southern cargo train derail in Ohio, China expands defense budget 7.2%, marking slight increase, Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway and husband are divorcing, Teen hikers rescued after days stuck in California snowstorm, Trump pitches a sequel, but shies away from attacking rivals, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 19; 3 still missing, How one storm system wreaked havoc from coast to coast, Before Oscars, Everything Everywhere sweeps Spirit Awards, Californians await key decisions from reparations task force. Two things worth noting: back then, no one had any fear about writing "$20" on an envelope - and we never gave our street address. TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Longtime radio personality Ron Chapman has died at the age of 85. Thats reflective of some pretty strong public service. Chapman says. It was our mascot for the show. So I went by my hairdressers, who lived in Oak Cliff. But if anyone were to remember me, I would hope it would be as someone who took radio disc jockeying and maybe gave it a little respect. When Ron met Nance twenty years ago at a charity telethon, he was immediately struck by her good looks, he says, recalling that he trotted out a bunch of glib compliments before saying, By the way, Im Ron Chapman. Her reply: Oh. All great relationships are built on trust . About 20 years ago, Id barely started working at KVIL and was the overnight deejaythe lowest life form in radio, with an equivalent lifestyle. Or we could go KVIL.. No spam, ever. Chapman had a . The station would cycle through many owners, all of whom readily admittedthey were really buying Chapman-- "a warm and fuzzy tyrant," D called him in 1989, which he took as compliment. Copyright 2023, D Magazine Partners, Inc. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Anybody can read, goddammit! In 2000, Chapman moved to KLUV/Dallas, an "oldies" station where he stayed until announcing his retirement from radio in 2005. Theyll still be talking about that twenty years from now. But would he be really pissed if we never played it at all?. And the 01 Man on KVIL is still saying, aint this great? Here are a few other stories about Chapmans career, told by those who knew and worked with the legend. I just never mellowed out. Chapman admits. Chapman rounded out the 1960s by joining the staff of KVIL-FM in 1969, when AM radio was yielding the spotlight to the purer sound of FM stations. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. A man in the hotel found his passport and rushed it to the airport. One time, I finally asked him, You seem to like my dancing, but why dont you ever ask me to be one of the dancers? And he said, Well, to be honest, youre too sexy for our show. ", At that age, Fairchild said with a laugh, I didnt really know what he was talking about.. Photos: Chapman Today: Dan Sellers; Chapman on TV: Courtesy of ABC Radio Networks. I prayed for her to have a lot of success, and I prayed that she get a wonderful starring part-and stay in New York forever.. The things that attracted Marilyn to me in the first place were the things that drove her crazythe drive, the ambition, the living in the eye of the tiger eventually drove her crazy. I hand it to Ron, and the little guy hops on Rons shoulder, and when the lights come up, you know, animals react. He knew exactly what he was going to do and started work reprogramming KVIL in their big studio. - Click to. Thirty-two of them at the same station. But KVIL, four letters that decorated 100,000 Dallasites' car bumpers during one notable 1982 promotion,shouldn't be allowed to vanish without a proper eulogy. And some who have shown too much personality, critics charge, get the ax. Ron Chapman Obituary KVIL - Death : DFW Radio Legend Died: Funeral - KVIL and DFW Radio legend, Ron Chapman died aged 85, on April, 26th, 2021, with. Who could follow Ron Chapman? A ratings war is brewing between two oldies stations, and a controversial gadget might decide who wins. Anyway, I was holding this animal on my shoulder, on my freshly cleaned jacket, and it got a little excited. It is owned by Audacy, Inc. and it serves the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in North Texas. Following his tenure at KLIF, Chapman joined the staff of KVIL-FM, Dallas-Fort Worth, in 1969. In terms of logistics and creativity, hes a towering genius. . For example, co-workers wondered about his habit of dumping all his foreign currency into a drawer when he returns from trips. But Chapman says that the first time Haley went on the air after the deal was struck, She was dreadful. But hes been trying to play Creative Tension to the point that it became creative chaos. Suzie Humphreys was Chapmans on-air sidekick on KVIL from 1975 to 1995. We tell them, Heres the concept. By Casey Carr. April 26, 2021. There will be no service, however a "public gathering for friends and colleagues" is being planned at this time. Nothing to embarrass a woman who is even remotely prudish. The feature says Chapman and his wife, Nance, had met at a charity telethon in the late sixties and spent decades as platonic friends before both parties . His career launched in 1953, the day after he graduated from high school. I swear to you. In one infamous stunt, Chapman told his listeners to each send $20 to the station; within three days, the station had received $200,000 (the money was donated to charity). KVIL TIDBITS: Ron Chapman's radio show was simulcast live with video on KXAS-TV as a 30-minute daily program (mid-1970s.). This duality is a big part of Ron Chapmans magic. It was Chapman who convinced owners to ditch their paltry AM signal and go with its powerful 100,000-watt signal. Ron preparing to parachute out of an airplane and broadcast all the way to the ground. The Emperor is in his tower, conjuring, working on the exact wording and inflection of the incantation that will once again secure his seemingly unending supremacy. But she was the problem., Chapman, who says he agonizes over every firing and tries to help the departed financially, told Haley to find another gig by the end of the year, while challenging her to do better: I told her. Hes the sports anchor on ABC Channel 8. To this day I still get the shakes whenever I hear Chicago's "If You Leave Me Now," Gerry Rafferty's "Right Down the Line"and anything by Anne Murray or Barry Manilow. Bud Buschardt worked as the unit manager on Away We Go and Sumpn Else, two television shows that Chapman did for WFAA Channel 8 in the mid-60s. I now think about retiring. Our ears are in mourning. The man had to be on the air at 5:30 in the morning. We edited it out. They were buying Ron Chapmanat something like a half million dollars a pound. A little egotistical, perhaps. Id never been in a Cadillac Seville. Chapman died Monday at the age of 85, the Texas Radio Hall of Fame announced on its Facebook page. He then did afternoon drive at KVIL-FM for several years until he was fired by Ron Chapman. But back then, you prayed for Vince Lombardi. On the stairwell is a wall full of pictures: Ron in the midst of a million one-dollar bills. He likes certain things in certain places. I never brought it up with him, either. This is the story of how a chance encounter lead to a close friendship that would span four decades, and a revolutionary radio travel program that is in it's 46th year. Ron Chapman began his radio career the DAY he graduated high school, hitting the airwaves in his hometown of Haverhill, Massachusetts. I once wrote Ron Chapman meant more to Dallas radio than electricity. Hey, says Chapman, most people like living here. Go ahead and ask me whatever you want. Everyones going to do a 50-mile hike. He spent 19 years at the Los Angeles Times before returning to Dallas. Back then, Chapman says, wed latch on to anything. Steve Eberhart was a deejay at KVIL. Dallas, Texas 75201. It was just ambition. Jody Dean was Chapmans producer at KVIL from 1987 to 1994. When Ron Chapman, Morning Host of KVIL in Dallas, Texas, asked his listeners back in 1998 to send $20 to the station, they did to the tune of $240,000. So when we cut away to commercial, we would turn off the lights so the studio would get cool. I tell people this story, and they think its one of those urban legends. Wowwwwww, Chapman warmly asserts, and Okaaaaaaay and Alllllllright and Well suuure. The obituary was featured in Dallas Morning News on May 16, 2021. "They should have changed the call letters the day he left," said Jody Dean, who joined KVIL in 1982 and served as Chapman's producer before replacing him on the morning show. @theoldgreywolf once told me, "Chapman was the pioneer, the seer." "I was always on the quest of doing something new and dramatic and different and surprising," Ron said in 2010. .
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