Virtual Archives and Exhibitions of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

In 1952, Ed McKenzie moved to from WJBK to WXYZ.  Although he vehemently tried, a court ruled that McKenzie could not use “Jack the Bellboy” name at his new station.  It may have been the end on an era, but it was by no means an end for McKenzie.  McKenzie’s popularity was still strong and [...]

Initially starting off as a staff engineer in 1937 for the independent radio station WJBK, it was not until 1945 that McKenzie took a position at the microphone with his famous “Jack the Bellboy” show.  The name and theme song for the show was taken from a 1940 Nat King Cole and Lionel Hampton recording [...]