Radio has quite a history, from Marconi and his first transmitted words to the powerful medium it is today. Before television networks and video games — yes, kids, those are relatively new inventions— most Americans relied on their console or tabletop radio for entertainment. Families gathered around the radio and listened to news events in wars, the death of a president, baseball games and just pure entertainment with shows featuring Jack Benny, Abbott and Costello, Fred Allen, Fibber McGee and Molly, The Shadow, Flash Gordon, the Lone Ranger and the Green Hornet.

 

The radio broadcast made the world much smaller as news was broadcast around the world, linking diverse cultures with common goals and widening the understanding among nations.

 

KZUM makes available to our listeners a taste of the old days with historic radio broadcasts available here on our site. Below is a small sample of what to expect in the future and we will periodically rotate in new programs to keep a fresh supply of nostalgia available at the click of your mouse. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions on this listener service and if you like our new feature consider keeping the broadcasts updated by becoming a member of the KZUM family or becoming an underwriter for our shows. Now sit back and enjoy a glimpse of the past or journey back to your days growing up.

 

 

 

Click on a desired broadcast below and keep checking back as broadcast episodes will be changed periodically. You will need RealPlayer to listen in some circumstances and Windows Media in others.

Edward R. Murrow

Listen to this giant of broadcast journalism as he broadcasts from London, 3 days before Germany invades Poland.

Live Broadcast of the Hindenburg Disaster

Listen to the live broadcast of Herb Morrison as he covers  the historic landing of the German airship Hindenburg in New Jersey and then the terror and ensuing chaos as it explodes.

Burns and Allen    (5:49)

Enjoy a few minutes with George Burns and his wacky wife Gracie.

Rhapsody in Blue Part 2

This 1924 recording of Paul Whitman and Ira Gershwin is a rarity with Gershwin at the piano.

John F. Kennedy Berlin Speech   (8:00)

Listen to this remarkable speech in a crowded section of West Berlin next to the Berlin Wall by President John F. Kennedy.

True Detective Mysteries     (26 min.)

Catch this old time mystery theater detective show and follow the trail of crime. Can you solve the mystery?

Abbott & Costello — Baseball Show   (30:11)

A half-hour show from their series, complete with commercials, musical guests and.... 23 minutes into the show... their famous “Who’s on first” routine.

All above links are operating under the Common License copyright or have no copyright restrictions. Under Common License no alteration of the material is permitted.