Ladies and Gentlemen ... Webley L. Webster

. . . at the console.

by Bob Atkins and Ken Ladner

Readers of this publication have WOR-AM. This is an afternoon it unique. In addition to organist noted occasional items describing variety program featuring music, Webley Webster (more about him radio programs devoted to the the­ both current hits and standards; later) the frequent dramatic presen­ atre organ and its music. The New helicopter traffic reports and transit tations during the show are eagerly York metropolitan area, with one bulletins; newscasts and weather awaited by regular listeners. Mary notable exception, has no such pro­ reports; and, of course, commercials. Backstayge, Noble Wife is a con­ gram appearing on a regular basis. So far, the format may sound like tinuing story about the struggles of This exception is The Bob and Ray other programs originating in vari­ a husband and wife acting team Show which is aired Monday through ous cities, but the Bob and Ray show against the concrete heart of Broad­ Friday from 3: 15 p.m. to 7 p.m. on has additional features which make way. Others appearing regularly are

Webley L. Webster at the console of WO R's huge 4 -manual pipe organ .

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER, 1975 THEATRE ORGAN 43 taken from recordings (which is why it sounds like Wright or Leibert playing instruments by different makers in different accoustical settings). Ray (who is the voice of Webley on the show) and Bob both grew up and got their start in radio in Massa- chusetts. Bob Elliott was born in Boston and grew up in the suburb of Winchester. After high school he went to drama school in New York, supporting himself by working nights as an usher at Radio City Music Hall, certainly a good place to become familiar with the Mighty Wurlitzer's sound. Upon his return Boston, he got a job at WHDH, and returned there in 1946 after his three year stint in the Army. Artistic abil­ ity runs in Bob's family; his hobbies include painting and constructing furniture, and his son, Bob Elliott Jr., drew the portrait of Webley which accompanies this article. Ray Goulding was born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts. He got his start on a local radio station in Ray Goulding (left) and Bob Elliott broadcasting The Bob and Ray show from WOR 's Studio 2 in New York . Lowell, moved up to WEEI in Bos­ ton, and then he, too, went into the Wing Po, about a Chinese philos­ days at the soap operas, it was re­ Army. Incidentally, WEEl's pro­ opher in the old west; The Pittmans, stored by the authors working under gram director at that time was family life during the Great De­ Webley' s skilled direction. ATOS's own Del Castillo whose pression; and Squad Car 119, about Knowledgeable organ buffs never knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, two low-key detectives. If these are cease to be amazed by Webley's the theatre pipe organ is well known vaguely reminiscent of Kung Fu, ability to make the organ's sound to THEATRE ORGAN readers. The Waltons and Dragnet, it isn't duplicate that of a Wurlitzer, a Mor­ Like Bob, Ray was discharged in pure coincidence. Also high in lis­ ton or other classic makes. Most of 1946 and got a job at WHDH. Thus, tener popularity are The Gathering the arrangements he plays are those their mutual employment at the Dusk, Anxiety, Widen Your Hori­ of George Wright or Dick Leibert. same radio station was the catalyst zons and, for the kids, the Charlie He also supplies background music that began their long association. Chipmunk Club and Mr. Science. for some of the dramatic offerings; They worked together on a morning The Bob and Ray regular who is needless to say, he is not cast in a music and news show where their the subject of this article plays the speaking role during those portions ability to improvise humorous ma­ organ almost daily. Webley L. Web­ of the show. terial led to the formation of the ster currently appears exclusively Of course, Bob and Ray fans who team. In the early 19SO's they moved on the Bob and Ray show and, to have seen them on television, in the their base of operations to New York date, has made no personal ap­ movies, or in their stage presentation where they proceeded to become a pearances in the area. A versatile The Two and Only have realized fixture on local and network radio, artist, he also shows up on some of that the foregoing is a blend of fact TV (including the very successful the dramatic portions of the show and fan tasy. Bob Elliott and Ray "Bert and Harry" commercials for where his distinctive speech pattern Goulding and their radio show, do, Piel's beer) and movies. The afore­ makes him instantly recognizable. indeed, exist, as does WOR. All of mentioned The Two and Only ran Webley, a native New Englander, the characters on the show, how­ for six months in New York and then has been Bob and Ray's musical ever, (Webley Webster included) toured the country. Their afternoon director almost since they first are played by Bob and Ray them­ show on WOR-AM, produced by teamed up in 1946 in Boston. How­ selves. In spite of what you hear on genial and efficient Bob Theile, ever, their move to WOR in 1973 the show, WO R's studio 2 has no gives residents of the New York finally brought him together with picture window, no buffet table, no Metropolitan area their only regular an instrument worthy of his skill. studio audience - all these are con­ exposure to the theatre pipe organ. The WOR studio organ, a 4/38 jured up in the minds of the audi­ If you live or visit within range of Gallagher & Shean, was installed ence by Bob and Ray. The same is WOR (710 on the AM dial), tune in. when WOR moved to New York true of WOR's beautiful 4-manual It's a most entertaining and in- from Newark. Unused since the pipe organ. The organ music is all formative show. 0

44 THEATRE ORGAN OCTOBER - NOVEMBER, 1975