the Mart. Jesse Crawford was one of he could do, and so she accepted. Very PIPE DREAMS the last to move. He did not like the few words were exchanged in the coffee new organ. The higher frequencies of shop. He did. manage to say finally, CHICAGO, USA certain pipes did not meet with his "You love that organ very much, don't approval, and it was necessary to install you?" With this, she actually, for the by L. R. Clarke acoustical absorption panels in the first time, looked at him very carefully areas of the pipes involved. The room and was surprised to find him excep­ The last of two installments on was actually too small to do justice to tionally well groomed and with a very Chicago's Radio Pipe Organs. the instrument. The pressure was most kind face. His next few words, "I evident, and the sound deafening to would like for you to come to my (TOB June, 1969) a studio listener. The final installation, office; I have something to show you," however, was considered to be one of got a very unfavorable reaction which With the completion of the Civic the finest examples of unification by" he sensed. But he assured Miss Harvey Opera Building , station WENR moved the Wurlitzer Company. that his secretary would be there. When they finally approached his office, she (from the Straus Building) to new Even before WENR moved from the was most embarrassed to see the name studios on the 42nd floor. The unusually Civic Opera Bldg., the studios were "Samuel Insull" on the door. What he large studio was equipped with a 3/ 13 busy most of the day. All programs wished to show her was a contract all Wurlitzer. When NBC purchased both were live at that time. When Dean ready for her signature to remain as WENR and WMAQ, the theme for Fossler was required to play "The Per­ organist for his new station which fect Song" for the West Coast, the "Amos & Andy" (heard over WMAQ) would occupy the very studio she was studio was busy up to midnight. Some leaving. The terms of the contract were was transferred to the WENR organ. who wished to practice at the organ too good to pass by, and her fellow found it necessary to practice after workers advised her to sign the con­ midnight or very early in the morning. tract. Of the many organ programs feat­ ured at that time, Irma Glen had one of Jane Harvey was one of these. As Irma Glen, Larry Larson, Lew Webb, the most popular on the air. She had a often as required, she would arrive at Helen Westbrook, Dean Fossler, Jane tremendous following and is remem­ the studio in the early morning hours Harvey, and others helped to make the bered by so many today as if it were to prepare for the day or to practice. organ studio a busy place, regardless It wasn't too long before she was aware only yesterday. if it were the Civic Opera or Merchan­ of a white-haired little old man sitting dise Mart Studio. The Chicago-orig­ One loyal listener to her program in the control booth. Although a little inated children's show, "Little Orphan discovered Irma Glen missing from disturbing, her co-workers convinced Annie ," was broadcast locally by WGN her favorite listening time. After con­ her that it was probably a janitor and with Len Salvo at the organ; then the siderable contact with the station offi­ the best thing was to try and overlook cast would move to NBC where Irma cials by letter , phone , and a personal the whole thing. They all knew that Glen took over on the studio Wurlitzer visit, the fan found the only way to soon they would be moving and, since for the network show. The "Amos & correct a personal grievance was to the little old man was behind glass and Andy" theme followed, with Dean sponsor a program and at a time most at a safe distance , it would be best to Fossler at the console. Jesse Crawford suited to her. For almost two years , igr followed on the same organ after the this anonymous sponso r paid the "card acoustical changes were made to his rate without discount ," and Irma Glen satisfaction. Between the opening and was heard one night a week for 15 closing theme for "Amos & Andy," minutes. Irma Glen knew who her you usually found Jesse Crawford either benefactor was, but part of the arrange­ changing combination settings or pre­ ment was that at no time would her paring for his program. name be made public. At one time, the "Quiz Kids" orig­ Almost immediately after NBC pur­ inated from the Mart studios . The chased WMAQ , the station was moved sponsor was willing to pay the extra to the Merchandise M-art. However , $35 fee for the pipe organ on the now tha t NBC had the use of a pipe opening number. The organist, Howard organ , they transferred some of the Peterson, found it necessary to run music to the organ , especially theme from the organ studio to the "Quiz songs. Kids" studio where he continued on the Hammond. Studio rent , cross-town switching, The Smith Family, first family on radio, seen plus rehearsal problems behooved NBC here at the WENR 3/13 Wurlitzer in the Civic Howard Peterson was also staff or­ to obtain a pipe organ at once for their Opera Building. Irma Glen was Betty, the daugh­ ganist for WLS; but, since the station 19th floor Mart studios. Several offices ter, and doubled at the organ for music bridges. was not full time, it was possible for were vacated, and a new studio was him to accept other engagements and built which eventually housed a 3/ 13 The day arrived when it was required he took full advantage of the situation. Wurlitzer. Evidence seems to indicate to turn in all keys. On entering the This was almost necessary, as one week that Wurlitzer put the organ together elevator, she was surprised to find the you were staff and the next week you on a rush basis using many parts from little old man behind her. When they were hired for only specific programs. cancellations, etc. Several chests were reached the first floor, he finally spoke rebored and restamped with ranks not and asked her to join him for a cup Back in 1927, the Barton Organ originally on the chests. As soon as of coffee. She mumbled to herself that Company installed a new organ in the possible, all programs were moved to after all the annoyance it was the least WLS Washington Blvd. studio. The 15 theatre organ bombarde original organist again was Al Melgard. famous Barton organ installation in the Eventually WJJD was purchased and However, Ralph Emerson took over Chicago Stadium.) The old theatre-type moved to 201 N. Wells St., Chicago. and remained until about 1937 when he console was removed but the pedal The new owners brought . a 3-manual left for radio station KOY, Phoenix. board was left behind. It was still there Wurlitzer from the Drake Theatre, and Howard Peterson took over for what in a dark corner many years later when by 1935 the installation was completed. was to be a temporary stay, as Ralph they vacated the studio. One section of the 21st floor was re­ Emerson said he planned to return as moved, and this area became Studio soon as his wife's health improved. His WCFl., - Chicago Federation of "A". The final installation was ideal. wife, Elsie May Look, also served as Labor - was started in 1926. The orig­ Two chambers were built at one end of organist on WLS from time to time. inal studio was at 826 S. Wabash the studio, and the console was placed Things did not work out too well at Avenue in the Brunswick-Balk Bldg. at the opposite end. KOY, and considerable friction de­ Here we find a studio complete with a During the interim from Mooseheart veloped in the studio. Ralph announced 2-manual semi-unit Barton, consisting of one 6-rank chest plus 4 unified ranks. to 201 N. Wells, WJJD continued to his own programs as usual, and one find a way to offer organ programs. In day at the end of the program told his This studio was used for only p.m. pro­ the beginning, daily broadcasts came listening audience that he enjoyed play­ grams. All day broadcasting came from the Arcada Theatre in St. ing for them and also how nice they from a Navy Pier studio, the space Charles. Some of these were one hour had been. He then added, "but for my being leased from the City of Chicago long, both in the morning and in the associates here in the studio," and pro­ for one dollar per year. in exchange, afternoon. In addition, the Uptown duced a tremendous crescendo on the they extended free mike facilities to Theatre organ was also heard with Ar­ organ, mouthed an equally hearty City Hall. Al Carney was the organist sene Siegal at the console. After a time, Bronx cheer and closed the show. from the start and continued with WCFL when they moved to the entire the line charge from St. Charles was 20th floor of the Furniture Mart, 666 excessive, and other facilities were Lake Shore Drive. eventually secured in Chicago. The Barton Organ Co. moved the One enterprising organist, Fred Beck, organ to the new studio where it con­ rented a studio, complete with a pipe tinued to be heard until WCFL's recent organ, in the Wurlitzer Bldg.