Guestbook

Thank you for visiting the ADAM JONES website. If you are a friend, colleague or listener from the past, feel free to add Add memories or comments to this guestbook we are keeping for Adam!

Thanks,
Debra Neuhaus Ocepek (Mrs. Adam Jones) and our son Steve Ocepek That's us! Deb and Steve Ocepek

Add Your Comment

Hello! I remember Adam from the Quad-Cities, and I send him my best wishes to him and to his family. Especially funny are my memories about Betty Stevens' dress looking like someone's couch. :-) https://twitter.com/#!/harrisfr
Frances Ruth Harris
Kew Gardens, NY USA - Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 11:10:11 (EDT)
Creamed Corn and the Old Watts Line Adam, Wow, I loved the reference to "Railroad Salvage?" Back then they had commercials running all the time and now we have almost no rail worth riding. Those short hopper flights were great too. They took less time than removing your shoes at the airport and getting a free x-ray does today. Now we get locked in to tiny seats and force the fed cream corn. I really, really loved this story because it took me back to when I first heard you on the air in Louisville. A few years later I worked in that same control room so I could visualize every detail of the Dean Michaels story. Strange, how you would have to have worked in radio to even know what "cart" means, but the image of your hand reaching up from behind the old control board to push the button cracked me up. Radio was still fun back then and listening to you made me want to have fun too. Thanks, dale
Dale Reeves
CT USA - Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 17:11:32 (EDT)
I had the pleasure of hearing you on the all-nite radio fist fight back in the early '70s on WQUA. I also remember you moving to mid-day, I believe it was with Ron Stauner. One bit I heard you guy do was watching silent movies on the radio. I worked at WHBF from 1973 to 1975. Unfortunately the business had all the fun sucked out of it when the accountants took over.
Irv Thomas
Edmonton, AB Canada - Sunday, May 08, 2011 at 18:50:42 (EDT)
I didn't have the pleasure of being a listener during your radio days. But, during the time we have spent at the minor league baseball parks, I realized three things, 1) your are a great story teller, 2) your are really funny and 3) you are a super nice person. You also know a hell of a lot about baseball.
Jim Dukarich
Stow, OH USA - Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 04:53:39 (EDT)
What a hoot! I love reading all these stories! My best memories are sitting at Gate 3 at The Farmall plant, in my guard uniform, listening to the all nite radio fist fight. I kept thinking " that guy is having more fun than I am! I HAVE to try that radio thing!". I always loved listening to the "one sided" telephone conversations. You really didn't have hear the other side to understand what the conversation was about. By the way...what ever happened to "Phil the Silvis hump Fairy?". All the best Adam! What a QC radio legend! Spike
Spike ODell
Nashville, Tn USA - Monday, March 21, 2011 at 12:43:48 (EDT)
By now you should know that there is a FaceBook Site (Quad Cities On Air). Thanks to that Site, I found your Site. YESSIR! I was a loyal WQUA listener and am glad to tell you how much fun it was when you were part of "Quad Cities On Air"! Sure miss the ALL NIGHT FIST FIGHT!!!
Ed Kiely
Milan, IL USA - Monday, March 21, 2011 at 09:53:18 (EDT)
Hi, Adam, That is a great historical web site! One of the funniest things I heard you say was one morning after a baseball game in Cleveland. There had been a fight and they emptied the benches. Your comment to Bob (probably) was, "Who won the fight at the stadium?" I don't know why that struck me funny, but it did. On the way to school in the wee hours of the morning I needed a laugh! Yes, U.S. Radio must have been a joke. Carol
Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 16:23:00 (EST)
Hi Adam. Dave Coopman told me about your website. I am Homer Jackson's son (the middle one). I used to see you all the time when you were doing your show at WQUA. It was great having the announcers come into the doughnut shop. You are the one I remember most, and I loved your show. I wrote a little about you on my blog: http://molinememories.blogspot.com. I hope you visit it.
Greg Jackson
Bella Vista, ar USA - Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 00:44:00 (EDT)
I met Bob Forster in September of 1956...I was 13 years old. We have been friends ever since. We both moved to Concord in our later years...just happened that way. Him being only a mile from me gave me good reason to visit with him. Even though his memory was going, when we got together he seemed to remember eveything. Lots of stories about his military career and early radio. He was like a second father to me. I did not get to say goodbye to him before he lift Concord for Ocala Florida. Life just happens that way. Anyway Bob passed away and followed the passing of his wife and youngest son...now all together in Ashtabula, Ohio.....Ole Dad....I miss you.
John Kaleal
Concord, oh USA - Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 22:04:21 (EDT)
Amazing--Adam Jones of the all-night radio fistfight. I used to listen to you in Moline. Memory, which may be faulty, says it was around '65-'66 while I was in high school and frying doughnuts on the overnight shift at the Mr. Donut on 23rd Ave. Preferred Melo-Cremes (or however they were spelled), but I was getting 90 cents an hour and all I could eat. If it wasn't then, it was a couple of years later. In any case,the show was a kick, which I think of it every time I see "American Graffiti." Hope you're well. Wish I could find you on the dial today.
John Boland
Baltimore, USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2010 at 22:42:38 (EST)
Hey Adam, I have thought about you (and Bob) and the rest of the great staff I worked with at WAKR from 80 to 84. I learned a lot about this business from all of you, and much like you posted a photo with caption in the studio everyday, I regularly frighten folks around here (WCPN) with strange album covers from my too large collection. I look forward to reading more of your stories from the past.
Jim Goldurs
Cleveland, OH - Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 13:15:41 (EST)
Hi, Deb and Adam, Hope all is well in Ah-Hi-Ah. We are just great down here in Florida. Adam, I came across your pictures on the KSTT website the other day. You are an important person to a lot of people, you know that? Except to the Mummers I have met, who don't seem to care for you much. Can't please everyone. regards, mark
Mark Moskowitz
Naples, FL USA - Friday, July 17, 2009 at 21:16:10 (EDT)
In the 1970s, I grew up -- and stayed up -- listening to the Adam Jones All Night Radio Fist Fight on WQUA in Moline, Illinois. I had never heard anything like it before, I haven't heard anything like it since. In 1974 or so, when I was just 13, Adam had a nightly trivia question at 4:30 a.m. Adam would read the question on the air and the first person to call in with the correct answer would win two free passes to the Duck Creek Cinemas in Bettendorf. My speciality was multiple-choice, and I won a lot of those contests through sheer perseverance. Winners were limited to one prize per month, and I was determined to win the maximum allowable amount. I always did well on the questions pertaining to U.S. presidents -- probably because there are only so many presidents, and thus only so many potential answers. Well, Adam grew understandably tired of this 13-year-old kid calling in all the time and winning the trivia contest, so one night the question was something to the effect of, "Name the only president to have his official portrait taken with a goat." I had no idea what the answer was but I dutifully called in 38 times, guessed all 38 presidents, and I somehow struck out. I was confused. Adam was clearly amused. Finally, it occurred to me: The answer was Jeferson Davis, the president of the Confederate states! I called in a 39th time and Adam laughed and awarded me the prize. Then there was the time he jokingly asked his listeners -- at 4 a.m., mind you -- to go out to their garages and start up their lawn mowers and push them up and down the street as some sort of protest. One of his young listeneres actually did just that and caught hell from his parents and the police. The kid told the cops, "Adam Jones told me to do it on WQUA!" When Adam heard about this, he initially concluded I was the moonlight mower, and he asked me about it the next night when I called in for the trivia contest. I assured him it wasn't me, but I don't think he believed me! Well, I could go on and on. Suffice it to say that because of the All Night Radio Fist Fight, I never got much sleep at night between the ages of 12 and 16 and consequently I was always dozing off in first-period math class. As an adult today, I can't solve even the most basic algebraic equations. But I do have a lot of great memories of Adam Jones' radio show, and I think those memories have served me better over the past 35 years than the math skills ever would have. So thanks, Adam, for all of the late-night entertainment and all of the movie passes. You're my Radio Hero!
Clark Kauffman
Des Moines, Iowa USA - Saturday, June 06, 2009 at 21:03:03 (EDT)
Adam, I think you did a good job describing Bruce. He would tell everyone that story. He and I would talk at night about all the good times and our friends were always in our stories and you were one of the best. Thanks for the memories. Your friend, Bruce's wife Elaine
Elaine Pease
Port Byron, IL USA - Monday, May 11, 2009 at 23:12:17 (EDT)
Just A Note to Remind Adam to ask Ronnie Powell to Sing and Do the Turkey in the Straw Dance for him when he sees him.. Hilarious!! Dont Forget to bring the Singing Turkey Prop Ronnie!! My one and only dream is to SEE it on YouTube someday!! hint hint adam.. Barry
BarryThe1Plumber
USA - Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 12:06:15 (EDT)
Adam, Was scanning an ad from WSRS. It was in some of the papers I was going though of my father’s. Googled “WSRS Cleveland” and your page popped up. What a surprise! My name is Bob Forster and I too went into radio. Still am in it in Gainesville-Ocala, FL. Here’s is our website www.937kcountry.com. I go by “Mr. Bob” on the air. I am the PD/Morning guy. All the best, Bob
Bob Forster (aka Mr. Bob)
Ocala, FL USA - Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 17:03:18 (EDT)
Hi Adam, This is Ronnie Powell from your old WSRS days. Great to find you on the internet. I have some pictures of the old days, would love to share them with you. We had a lot of fun back in the old days. I live and travel in an RV now after retiring from the television industry as a consulting engineer. "Take Care" Ronnie Powell
Ron Powell
Tillamook, OR USA - Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 16:23:26 (EST)
Radio has changed so much- most programming is bad and all our greats passing on too soon. Thanks for sharing your talents in our area--these shows are missed
Gary Frederick
Seville, OH USA - Saturday, November 01, 2008 at 14:00:00 (EDT)
Hi Adam, Hope you had a great Birthday. Reading in your guestbook sure brought back memories. Recently Dave Coopman contacted me about WQUA History and put me in touch with Ken Buel and Don Nelson but other names like Elaine Vizant, John Dombeck, Bob Allen, Jim McShane and Maury Banks got me to thinking about WQUA. I think we had a great staff. In 1970 I moved my family to Southern California and retired in 2001. I stayed in Radio until the 80's KAFY Bakersfield, KBBQ-KBBY Ventura and KFI Los Angeles. If they have another WQUA reunion I will try and be there. Hope everything goes well for you in 2008. By the way Great Web Site. Earl Spencer
Earl Spencer
Oxnard, Ca USA - Tuesday, January 01, 2008 at 01:24:45 (EST)
In the immortal words of Tennessee Ernie Ford (16 Tons) "Another day older & deeper in Debt"......... Happy Birthday & Happy New Year 2008. My best to all Don
Don Nelson
San Diego, CA USA - Monday, December 31, 2007 at 16:21:47 (EST)
Hey Adam. Great website!!! By the way WPTF has never the same after you left. It's been down hill all the way. Folks still ask about you and Bob. A personal note: Do you think Bongo Benny might still have a few Muntz TVs laying around. I would like to get the deluxe 5 tube model! Best regards to you, Deb, Steven and family. Don Fowler
Don Fowler
New Bern, NC USA - Monday, January 22, 2007 at 16:03:10 (EST)
Hi Adam and Deb and family, What a great present this site is for my radio hero Adam Jones. I hope everyone who ever worked with Adam or was inspired by him has a chance to check it out. For those that don't know what he did on the air I share these thoughts. If you ever had the chance to hear him you would know he is a true radio original and innovator who entertained thousands of listeners while inspiring legions of imitators (including me). I first heard Adam when I was just 15 years old and immediately became hooked on the “Adam In The Evening” show on WINN in Louisville. Adam's style was unique and there was nobody else on the air that sounded as real as Adam. He was conversational, told stories, did character voices and always made you feel like he was talking just to you. He actually made you laugh out loud. He was somebody you wanted to know and listening to Adam Jones made you feel like you were part of a special club. When he did mornings on WOWI, I would get up early just to hear the bits he would do before the official sign on while the station was warming up the transmitter. He would leave the microphone on and walk around the control room talking out loud about what he had to do to prepare for the show, while reminding you to keep your radio volume down because he wasn't supposed to be on the air yet. He was progressive and free-form on AM radio years before those trends were evident on FM. Adam made radio sound like the best job in the world and hearing him made me decide that radio was what I had to do for a living. A few months after I got my first radio job I actually got to meet Adam and he became my mentor and a life long friend. When I was between jobs in '75, Adam recommended me for the afternoon show on WQUA. He was working there overnights and while I was there we eventually got to work together on remotes and “guesting”on each others shows. Adam was always the best audience for anything I ever tried to do. Some of my happiest moments on the air were laughing with Adam. Later when he would pair up with Bob Allen I was privileged to be asked to do a few phone bit characters on their show. I wasn't the only upstart Adam inspired and helped. Some are famous and work in America's biggest markets. They all know who they are and how much he meant to their careers. Adam was always so generous with his advice and help and never asked for anything in return. Why? Because Adam Jones is not just a talented performer he is first and foremost a really decent, caring human being.
Dale Reeves
Norwalk, CT USA - Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 16:08:21 (EST)
Adam, I had no idea that you were so steeped in radio history. I look up Marconi and you're standing next to him in the picture. You go a long way back. I understand that you tried out for television but were told you had a face better suited for radio. I was recently attending a football game between the Konotchka Falls Holsteins and the Gnadenhutten Gnudders and said to the other fan there: "That Adam, what a creative, intelligent, ingenious, dapper radio personality." AM radio is just not the same with you off the air. Oh by the way, the Holes won on the last play of the game, the old hook and cow patty play. You were well ahead of your time. I looked forward to your score board report every Saturday. I have also enjoyed our trips to the minor league baseball games and look forward to the discussions on what the tribe needs to finally win the big one. I wish you the very best. I haven't listened to AM since you left. Ken Shillingburg
Ken Shillingburg
Akron, Oh USA - Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 12:56:45 (EST)
Hey Adam! This is so cool! Can't wait to see what else you add here. Back in the Quad City days I remember finding little cards saying "Adam Jones is watching you" in the most INappropriate places! I loved hearing you tell people to "Get a job!" and then hang up on them. You were so funny and so smart--still are! The smartest thing you ever did, though, was to HOOK UP WITH MY SISTER! What a great combo! Hope you had a wonderful birthday--hope to be seeing you guys sometime this summer. Have fun with this website--and with that little Charlie!
Nancy Trevorrow
Monmouth, ME USA - Friday, January 12, 2007 at 23:34:33 (EST)
Hey, 'Miser: A belated Happy Birthday, Daddy Cool! Couldn't call you this year cause: a) I forgot b) I got drunk and forgot c) I forgot and got drunk. But if I HAD called, you know how it would have gone: ME: "Roses are red, violets are blue, I got a new firetruck for Christmas and ol' Les Menace didn't get one!!" Ha, ha, ha, h...raolpffff.... YOU: "Man, you're drunk again, but at least you called. Means a lot. Bye." You were, are, and always will be my inspiration, my hero, and my idol ... the most creative, insightful, too-hip-for-the-market presence on any radio dial. And now that I'm older and wiser, I can shout unashamedly what you so often begged me to utter in that tiny, rancid room marked "WIRL Good Guys Only...." I LOVE YOU, UNCLE ADAM! One of your earliest and most grateful proteges .... Larry Kenney
Larry Kenney
New Canaan, CT USA - Sunday, January 07, 2007 at 22:28:50 (EST)
Hello Adam: We've never met, but I feel like you're a dear old friend. Radio does that, you know. As a teen growing up in Davenport in the 1960s and dreaming of some day working in radio, my stations of choice were KSTT and WQUA. And there was no better listening than Adam Jones' All-Night Fist Fight on Q. How I wish I had recorded some of those shows! While in college at the age of 19, I landed a job as a part-time jock on what then was the Quad-Cities country station, KWNT. But I still listened to you, Jim McShane, Bob Allen, Earl Spencer and the others! These days, I report radio news at WOC and four other Clear Channel stations in our six-station building (That's a sign of the times!), including one at the old WQUA frequency, 1230 A.M. My old college radio pal, Dave Coopman, told me about this site, and I have since passed it along to one of my best friends, who also happens to be my news director at WOC. You worked with him, too....Mark Minnick. He's beyond "retirement age" but still going strong. Thanks for the memories, Adam, and my best wishes to you. Phil Roberts Walcott, Iowa
Phil Roberts
Walcott, IA USA - Friday, January 05, 2007 at 09:53:13 (EST)
Hi Robert, There will never be another radio guy like Adam Jones. Although you have been known by multiple names, you are definitely one of a kind. I'll forward your website to your cousin Mary. I see her at least once a month at the Rock Island County Historical Society luncheons. I'm anxious for Dave Coopman to finish the WQUA book so we'll have an excuse to have another Reunion. I hope you make it this time since I didn't get to see you when you were here for the KSTT reunion. Elaine Vinzant
Elaine Vinzant
Moline, IL USA - Thursday, January 04, 2007 at 20:37:58 (EST)
Adam...What memories your name brings back. I'm still afraid to listen to FM Radio since you proclaimed that "FM causes warts." I also recall that after my final newscast on WQUA in 1976, you told everyone my "big secret"...that "Ken's been doing news reports in his underwear." Sorry you missed the big Q reunion a few years ago. I'm still working, doing income tax returns for the 19th year, and enjoy a lot of travel the rest of the months. Margaret (Marge) and I are still doing reasonably well as we have entered our 70s. We're in Collinsville, Ill., (my high school home town), ten miles east of St. Louis. Ken
Ken Buel
Collinsville, IL USA - Thursday, January 04, 2007 at 17:50:59 (EST)
Ah....Adam Jones. What a fine man you are! Why, it seems like just yesterday we were together at WQUA...you being the fine broadcaster, me being the rookie newsguy. Why, I'd sleep in the ladies lounge after working late because I had to get up and do the morning news....and that was when it happened. Busted....and you never ratted me out. That's why I've always admired your character. Well, that, and your blackmail demands were so freakin' low.... All that aside, you were one of the best, my boy, and I consider it a distinct honor to have worked with you.
John Carver
Springfield, Or USA - Thursday, January 04, 2007 at 17:02:31 (EST)
Hi Adam, My cousin Dave Coopman, who is writing a book about WQUA, sent me your web site so I thought I'd drop bye and say "Hi". Steve Witte
Steve Witte
Moline, IL USA - Thursday, January 04, 2007 at 15:57:40 (EST)
Hello Adam: Good to see your new web site. It's been a long time wince our WQUA days. Happy to find you well! Now when you say "The hits keep on coming"..........you will be referring to the web site. Happy New Year. Don
Don Nelson
San Diego, CA USA - Thursday, January 04, 2007 at 13:35:33 (EST)
Wow... great website start for a fantastic, talented radio legend! The pictures so far are great (I may even "steal" one for the WQUA history book). I'm looking forward to more additions. I'll alert some of the old WQUA alumni. Best regards, Dave
Dave Coopman
Moline, IL USA - Thursday, January 04, 2007 at 12:50:22 (EST)
Hi, Adam and Deb! Both of you are significant people to me. Deb, you and I were in Genesius Guild in Rock Island in the early 1960's when you were 2 and I was 3 years old. One of the plays, " Much Ado About Nothing " got great reviews in the Rock Island Argus " Lives Up To Its Name ". Adam...a Quad-City radio icon. I once heard him refer to salmon patties as a restaurant. He was also the first, I believe, to use the promotional phrase, " If you don't see it, we don't have it " and " storewide values throughout the store ". I used to go over to WQUA after 1AM after I'd signed off at KSTT just to watch this brilliant, funny guy do his job. Amazing. regards, mark
Mark Moskowitz
Naples, FL Pluto - Wednesday, January 03, 2007 at 18:03:49 (EST)