Remembering 1962

Remembering 1962

This collection transports you to a year of pivotal moments and dramatic change. 1962 saw John Glenn become the first American astronaut to orbit the earth, the world teeter on the brink of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the heartbreaking end of an era as CBS broadcast the final episodes of Suspense and Yours Truly Johnny Dollar on September 30. Featuring 19 original recordings spanning 8 hours and 12 minutes, this compilation captures the spirit of a year that tested American resolve and flexibility, blending historic news broadcasts with cherished Old Time Radio drama.

Collection Highlights

• Historic news broadcasts: Hear the NBC special announcement of John Glenn’s orbital flight in Friendship 7 on February 20, and immerse yourself in the tension of the Cuban Missile Crisis with news coverage from October 24 and 25, 1962, as the Kennedy administration imposed a naval quarantine.
• Final episodes of radio drama legends: Experience the last broadcasts of Suspense (“Devilstone”) and Yours Truly Johnny Dollar (“Tip-Off”) from September 30, 1962 — widely acknowledged as the end of the Golden Age of Radio. Both programs represent the pinnacle of the art form, with Suspense beginning as an audition program directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1940 and Johnny Dollar airing since 1949.
• Rare cultural artifact: Listen to the fourth quarter of Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100-point game on March 2, 1962. No video footage exists, but a University of Massachusetts fan named Jim Trelease cleverly taped it off his dorm-room radio using a reel-to-reel deck, preserving a moment of basketball history.

Track Listing

Show all 38 tracks (8 hours, 12 min)

• News 620220 NBC John Glenn Special
• News 621024 NBC 1200 1230 News Cuban Missile Crisis
• News 621025 NBC Cuban Missile Crisis
• News 621202 KHJ Walter O Keefes Almanac Gloria Swanson
• Susp 620121 909 2462
• Susp 620225 914 Date Night
• Susp 620401 919 You Died Last Night
• Susp 620429 923 Blackbeards Ace
• Susp 620603 928 Standin For Murder
• Susp 620617 930 Lunatic Hour
• Susp 620902 941 Death Of Alexander Jordan
• Susp 620909 942 Strange Day In May
• Susp 620930 945 Devilstone
• Wilt Chamberlain 100 Point Game 1962 Radio 4th Qtr
• YTJD 620701 798 Vociferous Dolphin
• YTJD 620715 800 Weather Or Not
• YTJD 620729 802 Four Is A Crowd
• YTJD 620923 810 Deadly Crystal
• YTJD 620930 811 Tip Off
• News 620220 NBC John Glenn Special
• News 621024 NBC 1200 1230 News Cuban Missile Crisis
• News 621025 NBC Cuban Missile Crisis
• News 621202 KHJ Walter O Keefes Almanac Gloria Swanson
• Susp 620121 909 2462
• Susp 620225 914 Date Night
• Susp 620401 919 You Died Last Night
• Susp 620429 923 Blackbeards Ace
• Susp 620603 928 Standin For Murder
• Susp 620617 930 Lunatic Hour
• Susp 620902 941 Death Of Alexander Jordan
• Susp 620909 942 Strange Day In May
• Susp 620930 945 Devilstone
• Wilt Chamberlain 100 Point Game 1962 Radio 4th Qtr
• YTJD 620701 798 Vociferous Dolphin
• YTJD 620715 800 Weather Or Not
• YTJD 620729 802 Four Is A Crowd
• YTJD 620923 810 Deadly Crystal
• YTJD 620930 811 Tip Off