Commercial Break - Las Vegas Desert Inn / 1962

Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn opened on the Las Vegas Strip on April 24, 1950, and nearly every notable entertainer from 1950 to 2000 performed in the Painted Ballroom or "crystal showroom" of the hotel. You could also play a round of golf at the famous Desert Inn Country Club located on the grounds of the hotel. In the 1970s and 1990s, the Desert Inn went through major renovations, and in 1997, the Palms Tower was built. The Desert Inn celebrated its 50th anniversary with celebrity glitz and glamour, but on April 27, 2000, three days later, the resort was sold to Steve Wynn. The Desert Inn ceased operation on August 28, 2000, and shortly thereafter, Wynn started planning to demolish the hotel to make room for the Wynn Resort, which now occupies the property. The Las Vegas Monorail passes by the Wynn Resort, and upon approaching the Wynn from the north (coming from the Hilton), you will go over a section of the Desert Inn's once-grand golf course.

Here, Bob Crane promotes the Desert Inn in this 1962 commercial.

Desert Inn Radio Spot / 1962
Bob Crane Show / KNX-CBS Radio
February 15, 1962

 

Fascinating Rhythm - Bob Crane Plays 'Get Smart'

Bob Crane Promotional 
Advertisement / Epic Records.
Billboard Magazine, December 3, 1966.
Courtesy of Bill Dillane.

Bob Crane was mentioned regularly in Billboard Magazine, with an early notation on February 24, 1951, when the magazine announced he had recently moved from WLEA in Hornell, NY, to WBIS in Bristol, CT. From his promotions to program director to his migration to Hollywood to when another DJ filled in for him when he was on vacation or had a cold, Billboard Magazine covered the major (and minor) moves of Crane's radio career.

In December 1966, Epic Records purchased a 3/4-page ad in Billboard Magazine to promote the sale of Crane's new album, Bob Crane, His Drums, and Orchestra, Play the Funny Side of TV. It would be the only retail album Bob ever recorded, but sources say he had the time of his life making the album and working with professional musicians.

The theme from Get Smart, as performed by Bob Crane and included on this album, is presented here.

Theme from "Get Smart" / Bob Crane on Drums
"Bob Crane, His Drums, and Orchestra Play the Funny Side of TV"
Epic Records, 1966



Theme from Get Smart / Bob Crane on Drums by vote4bobcrane

Commercial Break - TWA 1962

The airline industry has changed dramatically since the 1960s. Familiar and proud airlines that once dominated the U.S. skies, such as Eastern, TWA, and PanAm, are sadly no more. Here is a classic TWA commercial from the airline's golden days, as promoted by Bob Crane over KNX. 

Trans World Airlines Radio Spot
Bob Crane Show / KNX-CBS Radio
March 9, 1962



Bob Crane TWA Commercial / 1962 by vote4bobcrane

World War II, the USS Bunker Hill, and Bob Crane

U.S. WWII Service Flag

Bob Crane attended school during the Great Depression years and throughout all of World War II. Not old enough to serve in the military but old enough to understand, he watched many of his older classmates and relatives march off to war, some never to return. During the war, "Sons in Service" flags hung in the windows of homes in Stamford, CT, as they did in homes across the United States. Blue stars within the flag indicated the son was active in the service; a gold star meant the son had died during active duty.

S 2 C Alfred John Crane.

Al Crane enlisted in the

Navy in August 1943 and

saw many major engagements

during World War II.

Stamford Advocate.

Such a service flag hung in the Cranes' home in Stamford during the 1940s. Bob's older brother, Al, had served in the Navy during World War II, and he was stationed in the Pacific Theater on the USS Bunker Hill. On the morning of May 11, 1945, two Kamikaze planes crashed into the ship, severely crippling her. Many who were serving on the Bunker Hill died or were badly wounded that day, and the Cranes did not know for several weeks if Al had survived. When the word finally came that he was alive, according to Bob's best friend from school, "It was like Christmas."

The war had ended by the time Bob graduated from high school in 1946. However, Bob had witnessed the devastating effects of war on the homefront. Al had been badly burned in the Kamikaze attack on the ship, and waiting to hear of his brother's fate had been agonizing. 

Bob Crane / KNX
TV Radio Mirror / Dec. 1963
"It's the Story of Bob Crane"

Throughout his life, Bob Crane showed great respect and admiration for those who served in uniform. He also had a great love for his country. In a Letter to the Editor in the Los Angeles Times, Bob's friend and Variety magazine Editor Harvey Geller mentions how Bob invested thousands of dollars in government bonds at 4% instead of bank CDs at 6% "because this country's been good to me."

Bob provided many hours of service to the U.S. Armed Forces Radio Network. Some of his KNX shows were recorded and sent overseas for American servicemen and women as well, including his 8th Anniversary Show. In this clip, the announcer sounds a little bit confused as to where to send the recording...but we're pretty sure they got it straightened out!

Bob Crane Show / KNX-CBS Radio
May 30, 1964

Bob Crane KNX USAFRN / 1964 by vote4bobcrane

Bob Crane...Who?

CBS Photo by Jerry Fitzgerald.

As KNX Morning Man from 1956 to 1965, Bob Crane interviewed thousands of celebrities and other Hollywood notables, and his radio show had become the place for them to be. A nod from Crane on his early morning KNX show would provide them with media coverage unlike any other, which often translated into increased public awareness of their latest album, song, film, television show, or stage production, and it usually equated success.

As such, a great many of Hollywood's elite were terrific fans of Bob Crane's show. For instance, Danny Kaye, who was a pilot, often tuned into Crane over KNX as he flew over Southern California in the early morning hours.

In this rare KNX ad, Bob Crane is seen with a poster presented to him by 20th Century Fox producer Jerry Wald. The poster is a take on the 1958 film, The Fiend Who Walked the West. Wald, who was a big fan of Bob's KNX radio show, adapted the poster ever so slightly in favor of...who?

Note: Jerry Wald was also the producer of Return to Peyton Place (1961), in which Bob Crane had a small role - one of Crane's first acting roles on film. Jerry Wald passed away on July 13, 1962, at age 50.

Beat the Heat with Christmas in July

Because most of the U.S. and North America is sweltering through the worst heat wave in recent history, here's a little holiday music to cool you down. Don't worry. It may be hot now, but you'll be dashing through the snow shopping for holiday gifts before you know it!

In his usual manner, Bob Crane plays drums along with the record of "Here Comes Santa Claus" performed by the Ramsey Lewis Trio.

The Ramsey Lewis Trio / "Here Comes Santa Claus" (with Bob Crane on Drums)

Bob Crane Show / KNX-CBS Radio

December 11, 1961

Commercial Break - Barbasol 1957

Bob Crane did not become a radio sensation overnight. He worked at it, combining raw talent with fierce determination. Countless radio stations rejected Crane from 1946 to 1950, including WVPO ("The Voice of the Poconos") in Stroudsburg, PA,  who turned him down flat in May 1949, telling him he was "not the type for radio." But he kept at it, relentlessly sending out audio recordings of himself to stations up and down the Eastern Seaboard.

Of course, Bob did eventually break into radio at WLEA in Hornell, NY, in 1950. Nearly a year later, in Bristol, CT, WBIS offered Crane a job after hearing a wire recording he had sent them. When he showed up in person, WBIS was initially disappointed. They were expecting someone who sounded like Edward R. Murrow. It was soon discovered that the manager's recorder had played the tape slower than normal, distorting Bob's voice and making it sound deeper than it actually was. WBIS decided to keep Crane on, and they were so impressed with him that they quickly promoted him to program director and senior announcer.

This clip of a 1957 Barbasol commercial was received in the way it is presented here. It sounds slightly slower than normal when compared to other recordings, and it provides an interesting variance of Crane's usually frenetic tone and fast-paced routine - similar to what he may have sounded like to WBIS personnel in that distorted wire recording.

Barbasol Radio Spot
Bob Crane Show / KNX-CBS Radio
March 27, 1957



Bob Crane Barbasol Commercial 1957 by vote4bobcrane