Boots Bell – the broadcasting legend in photos (and audio) – This photo album finds Boots Bell during various stages in his broadcasting career – at work and with his family. The images span from the 1950s to the 1980s. All photos are courtesy of Bell’s children, Leslie Bell Redman and Chris Bell.
The feature also includes a link to “WHOT Radio 1330 – Jan. 1, 1973 Boots Bell,” courtesy of jimmyfinlayson on YouTube. There, you’ll find classic Boots, complete with local commercials from the early 1970s. The video also has sound checks and radio banter.
From jimmyfinlayson’s video description: “If you grew up in the Youngstown area during the ’60s and ’70s and liked rock and roll then there were two constants. You listened to WHOT, and most importantly you really listened to Boots Bell. The Booter is doing the afternoon drive-time shift on this first day of 1973 and he is playing the top 25 hits of 1972. Presented here is the scoped final hour of that show (3-4 p.m.). Give a listen to exciting, fun radio from the days before voice tracking, computers, etc., etc. and see why Boots is considered a Youngstown legend! ‘Yes in deedy doody daddy.’ ”
Many warm memories are also found in the YouTube comments:
From @Mosparx78: ”Boots was ‘our’ (Youngstown) answer to the Super Jocks on CKLW and WIXY (The Motor Cityyyyy…). The 60s were great years to be a kid with a cheap transistor radio, hearing some of the best songs ever written.”
From @rickungar286: “Really appreciate this. I am now a professional radio broadcaster (talk radio) and I have NEVER forgotten Boots. He was such a celebrity to us! What is amazing is that – when you realize how great a D.J. he was — he spent pretty much his entire career in Youngstown.”
© 2019 Metro Monthly, Leslie Bell Redman and Chris Bell.
Excellent Boots air check.