3/26/2013 9:19:00 PM

Hammer of the Goddesses

By Jim Baade

The most amazing things can happen when youre just out there trying to elevate the conversation. I was doing some media interviews on the subject of my first movie being accepted into the Rock and Roll Hall Fame in Cleveland, (Flints Best Rock). If you havent seen it, Flints Best Rock is about my hometown radio station where I worked throughout much the 1980s and I witnessed WWCK, 105 FM as a juggernaut that dominated with the highest ratings of any rock station in the country for a time! And yet, ultimately it crashed, till by the end of the decade the station was sold and its entire staff was fired. Still, in its heyday the reasons for 105s success were many, but talent must top the list. Under Peter C Cavanaugh, 105s air staff was stacked with radio greats; names like: Ron Shannon, Sean McNeal, Mark Miller, Tim Siegrist, Jeff Holbrook, Art Morrison, Randy Stephenson but wait there was also a young lady who at the age of 18 began her radio career at Flints Best Rock, and Shelley Sherman was her name.

(1982 Billboard Magazines Top Rocker)

Shelley Sherman was the only female jock at WWCK when I came there and Suzie Essex soon followed her. It was Suzie Essex, who brings me to my point, for she in fact inspired this story; Your movie is sorely lacking Suzie emailed, and went on to write that my movie didnt focus enough on the woman of Flints Best Rock.
(Shelley Sherman WWCK early 80s)

Well, Flints Best Rock did include the ladies, but they WERE NOT featured in the same way some of the men were. You know what, my friend Suzie is right, these first ladies of rock radio deserve some long overdue recognition. Thats why I looking to tell the story in a non-profit documentary short about some of the first lady DJs of rock radio. The movie will focus on FM female DJs who rocked us in the 70s and early 80s. Not only at WWCK, but also at WRIF, WLLZ, WABX, WHNN, WWWW and others. Im looking for names, photos, station memorabilia, air checks; anything to put together a tribute.
(Suzie Essex with Sean McNeal 1982)

My goal is to have this movie released by this summer, so what do you say? Sincerely, Jim Baade Baadejames60@gmail.com

(Linda Lanci WWCK 1984)