I was doing my Saturday night show in Muskegon, Michigan in 1971, listening to WGN's legendary broadcaster, Franklyn MacCormack (that's the correct spelling) on the earphones. The "L" word is used too much, but he earned it. One of the great, golden voiced network announcers on "Jack Armstrong, the all American Boy" and many other shows, he became very successful after network radio went away, with his all night Meisterbrau Showcase on WGN. More than a few romances, marriages and probably some pregnancies were attributed to MacCormak's reading of song lyrics and poetry. I was not above stealing some of his knowledge of the big bands and immediately passing it off as my own on my show. He had worked with many of the great bands, announcing remote shows from the Chicago ballrooms. He became ill while doing his show that night and went home. Another old time "booth announcer" WGN staffer Cliff Mercer, came on the show and announced that Mac had died. He played tapes of Mac's big band remotes and continued to host the night show for several years.
I have wondered whatever happened to Mercer and couldn't find much about him. But WGN has now put an article about him and a link to what's listed as an interview on their website but it contains just a few words. It's here.
I did a shamelessly copied, poor man's version of Mac's late night schmaltzy music and poetry show, sponsored by a high class local jewlery store. I listen to the tapes sometimes and become reminded all over again that radio was, in every sense of the word, both broad and specific, a most romantic medium.
This is Clifton Mercer's Daughter.My Father passed away peacefully he was a great man and loved his music and his carrer. Thank you for remembering
ReplyDeleteSarah, I know this is five years later, but I wanted to send along my condolences. I had the pleasure of meeting your father just after he took over the Meister Brau Showcase, following the death of Franklyn MacCormack.. My dad had arranged with Mr. MacCormack for us to visit him in the studio, as I had started thinking of getting into radio. He was a regular customer at my dad's restaurant and deli. He passed away just days before the scheduled visit. My dad called your dad, and asked if we could sit in with him for a while, and he agreed. It was a wonderful visit, and your dad offered me some insights into the business, along with some advice and good wishes. I truly appreciated that he took the time to allow us in, and share what he did. My family and I took with us a great appreciation and admiration for him from that meeting. Many years later, I spent a few months working part time as a news writer at WGN-TV, in the very building where the visit took place when the radio station was also there, so it all had a very special meaning for me. My best wishes to you and your family.
DeleteMark Friedman, Itasca, IL
Hi, Susette: We were neighbors on Oxford Lane in Wilmette. I'm sorry about Cliff's passing. Once, he brought me downstairs in your basement and showed me the fantastic audio components he had. Really incredible!
DeleteHope all is well with you. I remember you were very attractive. Is your mom still with us?
Michael Cutler
This is Clifton Mercer's Daughter.My Father passed away peacefully he was a great man and loved his music and his carrer. Thank you for remembering
ReplyDeleteHi Suzette, We went to St. Joe's together. Hope you are well.
DeletePatti Miller Wahlund
I am so sorry for your loss! I am Virgina's grandaughter and I know that she thought the world of him and he will be greatly missed. I only spoke with him once on the phone and I will never forget that sincere voice. You are in my prayers. Sarah Hughes
ReplyDeleteI lived in Wilmette (St. Joseph Church) and got my start in broadcasting doing sports on WNTH-FM in Winnetka at the age of 16. I've been a TV meteorologist in Grand Rapids, Michigan for 35 years. I used to listen to Cliff Mercer on my little Japanese transistor radio at night. Yeah, I was into rock and roll during the day, but listened to Cliff at night. He had a pleasant voice - I liked the music he played.
ReplyDeleteI dated Sarah in high school her dad was a layed back kind of guy, very nice.
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When I was a kid, I lived around Harlem & Addison in Chicago. WGN was always on and Wally, Eddie, Cliff, Jack Taylor and Virginia Gale, Carl Grayson, Holland Engel, John Mallow, were a part of my growing up. BLESS THEM ALL>. Tom Jurek 1727tfj@att.net
ReplyDeleteFranklyn is still on the "airwaves" in a digital recreation of the All Night Showcase around 11 p.m. Eastern at www.bigbandremotes.com. A tribute to this late night great. My treat, just for fans of Frank, Wally, Cliff, and my pal, Dick Lashbrook.
ReplyDeleteIt's 2019 and the spirit of Cliff Mercer and WGN lives on (at least until the crackpot Sinclair rightwing nitwit company takes over)...
ReplyDelete