Posted by Jay Sorensen on October 08, 2009 at 16:53:02:
In Reply to: Jim Nettleton has passed posted by Rich Klein on October 04, 2009 at 12:17:27:
I too am saddened by the death of one of the greats. I had known about his illness a few weeks prior to his passing, but was asked to keep it quiet as per his wishes.
That same day (Sunday) I heard his voice loud and clear on that horrible TV commercial for The Scooter Store. His voice opens the spot on most versions. It's the one where the old woman says, "I didn't pay a penny for my scooter."
I had an email volley with Jim several months ago and I mentioned that spot. His reply..."I did that spot many years ago when I was in Florida, and they're still using it." He didn't say whether he was still getting a residual or not. But for ME, just HEARING his voice (that is SO identifiable to us radio pigs) is a lesson in how it's done. Bold, yet somehow comforting.
I first heard of Jim at WFIL, not realizing that I likely heard him at WHTG AM in Monmouth County earlier in the 60's. My mom used to listen to that station almost as much as WNEW AM. You'll note that Philly and NY radio vet Dave Herman ALSO worked there in the early 60's when you could actually RECEIVE 1000 watt AM stations more than 10 miles from the xmitter.
Back to Jim. I also worked in the studio right next to him when he was on WOGL and I was on WPHT. The radio pig in me was is such awe of watching him do a break. I had the same feeling watching Hy Lit, who is one of my heroes. I was blessed in getting to know Hy a bit in his home not long before his passing. This is one of the reasons I try to meet the folks who did I aspired to do, and to let them know just how special they were to guys like ME who hopefully have been able to carry the torch and keep this thing called personality radio alive. It IS what's in between the music that counts!
Jim Nettleton proved that every time he turned on the mic. RIP Diamond Jim.
BE BIG!
Big Jay Sorensen