Well repairing radios was a very good skill to have. A couple of generations back it was pianos and in your Dad’s generation classic upright radios with good speakers. I do remember the Emerson’s but not as much as the Phillcos which had TV players also! I loved listening to the latest updated radio dramas like the Green Hornet and Dick Tracey on Sunday nights. I had the special Dick Tracey ring which was obtained only at the bottom of certain boxes of cereal back then!
Yes, Jim, I saw Philcos in many homes. Our first tiny TV was an RCA. My Dad attached a 33 1/3 rpm record player to its speakers. Aha! You had Dick's ring; I had his watch.
Another wonderful story well told. My dad didn't repair radios, he sold them...along with bedroom sets, living room sets and dining room sets. He owned a furniture store. I remember hearing my dad or other salesmen tell customers that the big radios were not an entertainment center, but a crafted piece of furniture you would be proud to have in your home. I don't think there's a kid who didn't stare at the exposed tubes and electrical chords behind the front console. Those old radios brought the world into your personal space. Occasionally, I could find far off places (Chicago, Oklahoma City, and the 50,000 watt station in Del Rio, Texas), if I patiently turned the dial and the room was silent. Those were magical days.
Yes, Larry, thanks. Great story, Great memories, Great writing. Why did things seem so much simpler in those days. People "accuse" me of living in the past, in the world of nostalgia as it it were something bad. Nope. I say thank you when I am accused.
That beautiful behemoth, metaphorically speaking, represents you dad's ability to seek simple pleasures from relaxing music, baseball games or taking downtime after a very long day. His quiet strength in fixing radios to help supplement income speaks volumes about his character. He appeared to focus on what he had rather than what he lacked and he always moved forward. These values have been repurposed in the hearts of his family, and will continue to be carried throughout generations.
My grandmother also had a radio like that, and I remember listening to an Italian station that featured many songs we would sing together 👍😊 A great memory !
We had a Grundig Majestic record player, more furniture cabinet than record player. Now very costly at the flea markets. Dad was a master tube changer, remember tubes?
Repurposed radio, but not repurposed Dad. Our fathers, many veterans of WW11, did not express their emotions much, but they loved us silently and thoroughly if we had the good ones. You did. I did. Aren't we the lucky ones!
Dad to the rescue again and again. The Emerson served it's time and all the tinkering was done but the love never waned, and time to convert to a liquor cabinet where he could gaze with his private memories. I knew you loved your dad and still do as I also. We didn't have to say outright it was just there and they knew and that's all that was needed. Love comes in so many ways. Given returned even if it's silent.
So, your dad converted his radio into a liquor cabinet. Can you believe that my dad converted our Capehart TV cabinet into a wine/liquor cabinet? Talented dad's we had. I still have it. Thanks for bringing back those memories.
Riding a bike in the predominantly RI Italian American neighborhood of Mt Pleasant High School in the summer era you could follow the opera or the Yankees game by the radios you could hear coming from out of the windows!
I'm not sure how or why my father was a Red Sox fan, Jim, since all his friends rooted for the Italo-Laden Yankees. They crushed the Sox for years, but he was loyal.
It felt as if I was right there in the room with your dad and you. Thanks for the beautiful picture of words. Reminds us all to take a closer, appreciative look.
Well repairing radios was a very good skill to have. A couple of generations back it was pianos and in your Dad’s generation classic upright radios with good speakers. I do remember the Emerson’s but not as much as the Phillcos which had TV players also! I loved listening to the latest updated radio dramas like the Green Hornet and Dick Tracey on Sunday nights. I had the special Dick Tracey ring which was obtained only at the bottom of certain boxes of cereal back then!
Yes, Jim, I saw Philcos in many homes. Our first tiny TV was an RCA. My Dad attached a 33 1/3 rpm record player to its speakers. Aha! You had Dick's ring; I had his watch.
Another wonderful story well told. My dad didn't repair radios, he sold them...along with bedroom sets, living room sets and dining room sets. He owned a furniture store. I remember hearing my dad or other salesmen tell customers that the big radios were not an entertainment center, but a crafted piece of furniture you would be proud to have in your home. I don't think there's a kid who didn't stare at the exposed tubes and electrical chords behind the front console. Those old radios brought the world into your personal space. Occasionally, I could find far off places (Chicago, Oklahoma City, and the 50,000 watt station in Del Rio, Texas), if I patiently turned the dial and the room was silent. Those were magical days.
Yes, Larry, thanks. Great story, Great memories, Great writing. Why did things seem so much simpler in those days. People "accuse" me of living in the past, in the world of nostalgia as it it were something bad. Nope. I say thank you when I am accused.
That beautiful behemoth, metaphorically speaking, represents you dad's ability to seek simple pleasures from relaxing music, baseball games or taking downtime after a very long day. His quiet strength in fixing radios to help supplement income speaks volumes about his character. He appeared to focus on what he had rather than what he lacked and he always moved forward. These values have been repurposed in the hearts of his family, and will continue to be carried throughout generations.
Thank you, Lora. Indeed, those were the messages I attempted to convey, and you captured them perfectly. Much appreciated.
My grandmother also had a radio like that, and I remember listening to an Italian station that featured many songs we would sing together 👍😊 A great memory !
Very likely listening to Antonio Pace or the opera
We had a Grundig Majestic record player, more furniture cabinet than record player. Now very costly at the flea markets. Dad was a master tube changer, remember tubes?
Tubes, indeed, Anthony. My Dad repaired radios in those days. Tubes everywhere
Repurposed radio, but not repurposed Dad. Our fathers, many veterans of WW11, did not express their emotions much, but they loved us silently and thoroughly if we had the good ones. You did. I did. Aren't we the lucky ones!
Yes. Lovely note, Elsie. Thanks
Dad to the rescue again and again. The Emerson served it's time and all the tinkering was done but the love never waned, and time to convert to a liquor cabinet where he could gaze with his private memories. I knew you loved your dad and still do as I also. We didn't have to say outright it was just there and they knew and that's all that was needed. Love comes in so many ways. Given returned even if it's silent.
Yes, for sure, Peter. It was there, always. Maybe not expressed as well as we should have, but it was there.
So, your dad converted his radio into a liquor cabinet. Can you believe that my dad converted our Capehart TV cabinet into a wine/liquor cabinet? Talented dad's we had. I still have it. Thanks for bringing back those memories.
Thanks, Ron. We shared much
My Nonno listened to Italian broadcasts in front of a similar radio. Not sure what ever happened to it. Memories....thank you, Dr. Ed!
Joanne
Thanks, Joanne. My guess he was listening to the Antonio Pace show. Or the opera.
Opera was Saturday afternoon!
Riding a bike in the predominantly RI Italian American neighborhood of Mt Pleasant High School in the summer era you could follow the opera or the Yankees game by the radios you could hear coming from out of the windows!
I'm not sure how or why my father was a Red Sox fan, Jim, since all his friends rooted for the Italo-Laden Yankees. They crushed the Sox for years, but he was loyal.
Yes! The opera and Italian news broadcasts, from what I recall. I was very young, but can still picture him standing in front of the radio.
Brings back a lot of sweet memories, Ed. Thanks. Don
Thank you, Don. Good days
Repurposing is al-most unheard of in today's world.
Yuh, right you are, Frank. .
It felt as if I was right there in the room with your dad and you. Thanks for the beautiful picture of words. Reminds us all to take a closer, appreciative look.
Thank you, Dave.