Gordon McLendon: The Maverick of Radio (Contributions to the Study of Mass Media and Communications) [Hardcover]

Ronald Garay (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 031326676X | ISBN-13: 978-0313266768 | Publication Date: March 30, 1992

Students and others interested in radio history will be intrigued by this fast-paced biography of Gordon McLendon's career in the radio industry, touching also on his work in motion pictures and involvement in Texas politics. Following a glimpse into his childhood, education, and military career, Ronald Garay describes McLendon's station ownership and management in Palestine, Texas; the development of a major network, the Liberty Broadcasting System; his live and recreated baseball and football programs; and his skirmishes with the major league baseball establishment. Much attention is given to how McLendon "re-invented" radio and competed with television and print media through his Top 40 music hits, disc jockey programming, and the use of local news. Important concerns regarding station "trafficking," editorializing, and public interests are considered as well in this extraordinary book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is a well-researched and well-written assessment of a fascinating period in radio, as seen through the life of a key figure who helped bring on the changes radio then needed.”–Communication Booknotes

“. . . Ronald Garay has helped us better understand that American broadcasting means far more than NBC, CBS, and ABC.”–Business History Review

“[Readers] will be entranced by the biography about undeniably the most important figure in radio programming and management at mid-century. . . . A joy to read!”–David MacFarland

About the Author

RONALD GARAY is Associate Professor at the Manship School of Journalism, Louisiana State University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (March 30, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031326676X
• ISBN-13: 978-0313266768
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,860,493 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't touch that dial - don't miss this book, February 6, 1999

By 

Alan Hobbs "Readheaded" (Winston-Salem, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gordon McLendon: The Maverick of Radio (Contributions to the Study of Mass Media and Communications) (Hardcover)

Commercial radio was more than entertainment for kids growing up in the '50s, '60s & '70s. It was a lifeline to everything cool - a chance for kids living "in the sticks" to keep up to date on what was hot and what was not. Before Cousin Brucie, Wolfman Jack & John "Records" Landecker, there was Gordon McLendon. His claim to fame was re-creating sporting events, in many cases, making games more exciting than the real thing. McLendon was lucky and good. His was a simple formula long before broadcasters thought in such terms. He believed in the total package of music, personality and promotion (not necessarily in that order). Mr. Garay does an amazing job of retracing "The Old Scotsman's" impact on the industry good and bad (like the All Want-Ad format). McLendon was one of the most influential people in radio at a time when it was making the transition from true "broad"casting in to the early stages of what's known as "narrow"casting. Sadly, there are few books devoted to radio's pioneers. Garay's work, which comes across as a labor of love, is the standard for which all other broadcast history books should strive to attain.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Gordon McLendon, November 11, 2008

By 

A. H. Holt (Philadelphia DMA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gordon McLendon: The Maverick of Radio (Contributions to the Study of Mass Media and Communications) (Hardcover)

This book is wholly in error on basic facts. It was written after only a few interviews with people who did not know the subject well and who were not present at the events recounted. A total waste of money...even for a used book.