In the late 1960s and early 1970s, CKLW was one of the great 50,000 watt Top 40 radio stations. It signed on in 1967 and within 90 days was the most popular signal in the Detroit area (although it was licensed across the river to Windsor, Ontario, which is why the call letters began with a C).
In addition to playing the hits in Paul Drew’s “Boss Radio” format, The Big 8 also became known for its “20/20” newscasts — instead of the top and bottom of the hour like all the other stations, they ran theirs at :20 and :40 — which were known for unique writing and delivery. Radio buffs and industry pros from around the country all wanted airchecks of CKLW, with some of them trying to recreate the sound but never quite achieving it. The presentation was theatrical, flamboyant, and sensational (in the tabloid sense), in stark contrast to the straight-laced newscasts heard elsewhere.
Here’s a segment of the 2004 documentary “Radio Revolution: The Rise And Fall Of The Big 8,” focusing on the men who created that legendary news operation…