WLBZ radio evolved from the passion of Thompson Guernsey, an amateur radio buff from Dover-Foxcroft who began experimenting with radio at the age of thirteen. As noted in a piece written by Fred Thompson in The History of Broadcasting in Maine: the First Fifty Years, Guernsey--considered by some to be an eccentric genius--began with homemade receivers and transmitters and an amateur license granted in 1921. After graduating from the University of Maine in 1926, Guernsey began operating WLBZ as a commercial broadcast station from Dover-Foxcroft.
In 1928, he moved his studio to the back of the Andrews Music House at 100 Main Street in Bangor and connected to a transmitter located at 861 Broadway. According to Thompson, "Radio was new to everyone in 1926, and aside from WCSH in Portland, his was the only commercial radio station in the state." Subsequent WLBZ general managers were Edward Guernsey, (1934-1974), Irving Hunter (1974-1976), Edward Owen, (1976-1978) and Barry Darling (1978-1983).
The WLBZ station records and audio recordings at the University of Maine's Raymond H. Fogler Library Special Collections Department reflect rapid growth and evolution of the station from the 1930s to the 1970s. Materials include station logs, items related to licensing and operations, and many audio recordings of locally recorded programming. This digital collection makes several of these audio recordings available along with accompanying transcribed text.
For more information about files included in this collection or other materials in the station records, contact Special Collections, 5729 Raymond H. Fogler Library, Orono, ME 04469-5729, 207.581.1686, um.library.spc @ maine.edu.
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Maine News and Let's Talk It Over, Day 3
WLBZ Radio
After the 10 o'clock news and weather report, John Wellington hosts a call-in radio show where callers express views on Bangor City spending and dog policies, President Nixon, foreign policy with Cuba and Russia, and several additional calls about homosexuality, gay liberation, and the conference planned at the University of Maine. Not dated; topics suggest the date was February 13, 1974.
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Oral History Interview with Irving Hunter
Northeast Archives of Folklore and Oral History
Copies of audio recordings in the WBLZ collection of oral history interviews with Irving Hunter, conducted by Sandy Ives and Lisa Feldman on behalf of the Northeast Archives of Folklore and Oral History in the spring of 1975. The first interview is in Hunter's office just before his retirement as station manager. The second session was a class visit to AY 123, Folklore Fieldwork, on the campus of the University of Maine. Hunter is asked about his recollections of early days of radio in Bangor, the economics of the station, remote broadcasts, and several specific artists, particularly the Western or "Hillbilly" music groups that played in the region. Recorded March 12 and April 13, 1975.
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Oral History Interview with Norm Lambert
Northeast Archives of Folklore and Oral History
A copy of an oral history interview conducted by Mark Lafond on behalf of the Northeast Archives of Folklore and Oral History with Norman Lambert, former Musical Director at WLBZ Radio. Lambert shares his recollections on Waity Aikens, using telephone lines for remote broadcasts, Lone Pine Mountaineer (Harold Breau), Uncle Ezra a.k.a. Uncle Hezzie, Ray Little, Maine Central Railroad Hour, jazz orchestras and Bangor area music venues.
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President Jimmy Carter Town Meeting, Bangor, Maine
WLBZ Radio
Audio recording of the Town Meeting held in Bangor, Maine, during the visit of U. S. President Carter. After opening remarks on the topic of his comprehensive national energy plan, in which the President indicates that reliance on oil and the resulting high heating costs may ultimately cost Maine jobs, audience members ask questions.
Area residents ask the President about the regulation of business, his stance on the proposed Dickey Lincoln Hydroelectric Project, progress toward national health insurance, mental health care, funding to parochial schools, the platform of the Democratic Party in protecting the underprivileged, wood energy sources, the plan of creating a separate Department of Education, appointment of women to decision-making positions, the Federal Reserve Board, plans for Loring Air Force Base, abortion, Indian Land Claims, the Equal Rights Amendment, student loan default, the job of the President, programs for the handicapped, arms sales in the Middle East, the impact of malpractice insurance on the health care industry, Cyprus, and steps taken to prevent another oil embargo in the United States.
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President Jimmy Carter at Fundraising Breakfast and Commentary Following the President’s Visit
WLBZ Radio
Coverage of President Carter's speech at a fundraising breakfast hosted by the Maine Democratic Party, and the comments of News Center's Harry Gordon, Brian Naylor, and Mal Leary following the President's departure. Recorded February 18, 1978.
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Maine Association of Broadcasters Oral History Interview, Early Days of WLBZ-Radio
Norman Gallant
A transcript of an oral history interview conducted by Norman Gallant on behalf of the Maine Association of Broadcasters at the WLBZ-TV Studios on Mt. Hope Avenue in Bangor, Maine, March 27, 1985. Gallant talks with Ed Guernsey, Irving Hunter, Eddie Owen, Norm Lambert, Joe Eaton, John MacRae and Walter Dickson about the early days of radio in the State of Maine and the programs on WLBZ-Radio.
Handwritten notes and corrections were added by Barry Darling.