Alfred Balk (1930–2010)

The Rise of Radio took some time to read as there were new names of people, places, and shows mentioned in practically every paragraph. (And they were often short paragraphs.) The chapters were fairly short with each one covering a different aspect of radio history in the US. The amazing thing was how many names I recognized, though many I knew from TV rather than from listening to the radio. And one major early figure in broadcasting and hardware (receivers and other equipment), Powell show more Crosley, Jr., I knew from his manufacture of refrigerators that seemed to last forever.

While I am glad to have read this book and to revisit memories and learn about the early careers of a number of entertainers, I'm not sure I would recommend it. It requires patience and a tolerance for the sometimes dry recitation of facts and a bit of repetitiveness due to the organization of the material. On the other hand there was the occasional surprising and interesting anecdote. For instance, Edward R. Murrow, on a trip back from England after his historic broadcasts from London in the early days of WWII, was invited to dinner at the White House. He and his wife ended up having a light meal of scrambled eggs with Eleanor Roosevelt since Franklin Roosevelt was too busy to see him before midnight. The date was Dec 7, 1941.

Probably the most important part of the book was Balk's analysis of the ways society and radio interacted and why the period between WWI and about 1950, particularly the thirties and forties came to be known as "the golden age of radio". He also tells us about the effects of the rising interest in TV, changes in the rules of ownership, deregulation, etc. Balk believes that today radio is a pale shadow of its former self and no longer the really positive force of its past. show less

Author Alfred Balk died just four years after release of this book. His proud late life accomplishment, The Rise of Radio, From Marconi through the Golden Age details what has happened over the many years from its invention by Italian Guglielmo Marconi through its 2006 release date. It goes beyond being a very well-written historical account. The text speculates as to what might be done to ensure that the public is properly served by those entrusted to use of the the public airwaves for show more profit.

Radio's history is fascinating and exciting, with a ton of interesting trivia. What was the first radio-made hit song? It was “It Ain't Gonna Rain No More,” sung by a guy named Wendell Hall, and recorded in 1923. Bing Crosby is purported to have missed a couple of his radio shows on account of being drunk. The Jack Benny Show character Rochester, real name Eddie Anderson, was paid $150,000 yearly for his work, an extraordinary amount of money for the time.

The book touches on broadcast regulatory efforts that have been undertaken throughout the years. The most notable, some would say most notorious, was the Fairness Doctrine. It was introduced by the Federal Communications Commission in 1949, and continued to be enforced until 1987. Politicians from time to time have made futile attempts to revive it. Simply put, the controversial requirement forced broadcasters to air contrasting viewpoints and to do so in a balanced manner.

Balk seems concerned about the broadcasting industry's accountability. He favorably reminisces about the 1960's efforts of several foundations which provided impetus for what is now known as the Public Broadcasting Service. He seems nostalgic for the days when news was a crucial part of radio's broadcast day. It observes that one-third of radio stations in the U.S. had no news personnel by the year 2000. show less