Adam Jones brought creativity to Moline radio.
I remember Adam Jones coming to WQUA radio. The station was a few doors away from the Melo-Cream Donut Shop, 13th Street and 5th Avenue, where I slaved away my youth. My father set up a photo wall, where all the personalities of WQUA were featured.
I remember exactly two announcers. Jack Barlow was one, because all the women were in love with him.
Adam Jones was the other, because everyone talked about him. His radio show was so shockingly different that we could hardly believe our good fortune. I often worked late or early hours, so I heard him often, and he came into the shop regularly. WQUA gave Melo-Cream a few free ads and my father gave them doughnuts and coffee. We saw the announcers, secretaries, and the manager on a daily basis.
G. LaVerne Flambo was the manager of the station. One day it was snowing, so he told the Shell gas station owner to shovel a path from his Caddy, so he would not get his shoes damp. The owner said, "Shovel your own #$%&* path." To be fair, Flambo is remembered as a real pioneer in the area. I will post more about him later.
I recall that Jones was eventually left the station - see below. Adam retired from radio after 40 years and Bob Allen, his radio partner for 17 years, retired from WAKR just a few weeks ago.
Adam married a girl who graduated from Moline High, someone who played in the Glass Menagerie play at school. Later he married Debra. He and Debra have been wed for 35 years. They run a pottery business, which makes only communion ware:
http://communionware.com
Adam Jones has his own website and wants people to write to him.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Adam Jones from WQUA Radio Wants to Hear From You":
Melo-Cream was like "studio C" for WQUA. Past employees still talk about the place, and it's usually one of the first things they mention when talking about Moline and the station. If I remember correctly, weren't there pictures of all the WQUA talent, on the wall behind the counter?
Adam was indeed a unique personality for the station. Very entertaining for the early morning listeners -- and there were a lot of them. But I must correct something, Greg. Adam was never fired. He tired of working overnights and was moved to an 8:00pm to Midnight shift for awhile. Then he and Bob Allen (known as Gordon Vann when he was at KSTT) were paired together in mid-days. It worked quite well and the Adam and Bob Show got hired away. They eventually wound up in Akron, OH.
He did indeed marry a gal who was in the Glass Menagerie at MHS, but they later divorced. He later married another gal from Moline and they're still very happily married and run Ocepek Pottery near Akron.
Dave
[GJ - I corrected the post. Thanks, Dave.]
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GREG WHITAKER commented on your web page
I still remember the Adam Jones All Night Fist Fight as he called it I'll forever recall awaking in the early morning in summer 1968 to Adam Jones announcing the assassination of Bobby Kennedy. He
Adam Jones from WQUA Radio Wants to Hear From You
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Melo-Cream was like "studio C" for WQUA. Past employees still talk about the place, and it's usually one of the first things they mention when talking about Moline and the station. If I remember correctly, weren't there pictures of all the WQUA talent, on the wall behind the counter?
ReplyDeleteAdam was indeed a unique personality for the station. Very entertaining for the early morning listeners -- and there were alot of them. But Imust correct something, Greg. Adam was never fired. He tired of working overnights and was moved to an 8:00pm to Midnight shift for awhile. Then he and Bob Allen (known as Gordon Vann when he was at KSTT)were paired together in mid-days. It worked quite well and the Adam and Bob Show got hired away. They eventually wound up in Akron, OH.
He did indeed marry a gal who was in the Glass Menagerie at MHS, but they later divorced. He later married another gal from Moline and they're still very happily married and run Ocepek Pottery near Akron.
Dave
Kris Streed wrote on Facebook: "Greg- I love reading about Moline on your blog. When I went back to Moline 2 years ago I made a special trip to Riverside Cemetery to look for the Black Angel--spent a couple of hours, but couldn't find it. Now I know why. Also, my Mom had our house painted bright red too! I didn't know there was another one around town. Don't remember Adam ... or Gordon Vann, but do remember Lou Gutenberger from KSTT. During the summer months he would provide a sun tanning service on his show, reminding those of us who were slathered with baby oil, to turn over every 15 minutes so we wouldn't burn."
ReplyDeleteAdam was a hero of mine. I worked at KSTT in the late '60's; we used to sign off at 1AM. At that point I used to drive across the river and visit Adam. It was amazing to watch that guy work. I worked weekends at WQUA in 1975-76 just before he and Bob left. I stay in contact with Adam and Deb; he is still incredibly funny and a fine person.
ReplyDeletemark moskowitz