Buzzard Archives Volume 1 Advertising
Buzzard Archives Volume 1 Advertising by David Helton, published by Gray Publishers on August 14, 2024, is a visual exploration of one of Cleveland’s most recognizable icons. This edition, comprising 94 pages, delves into the history of the Buzzard, the mascot created in 1974 for the rock radio station WMMS 101 FM. The book features a curated selection of over 120 vintage advertisements that highlight the Buzzard’s impact on local culture during the 1970s and 1980s, a time when Cleveland faced significant economic challenges.
Readers will find a rich collection of memorabilia that showcases the Buzzard’s role in promoting the station and engaging the community. Accompanying text from John Gorman, the WMMS program director, provides insights and anecdotes about the Buzzard’s creation and its significance in the realm of advertising and pop culture. This book serves as a nostalgic journey for those familiar with the era, offering a glimpse into the creative marketing strategies that helped WMMS thrive amidst the changing landscape of radio and entertainment.
Official synopsis Publisher
He’s one of the most iconic characters in Cleveland history. From the mid-1970s to the late 1980s, there was hardly anyone in Northeast Ohio who didn’t recognize … the Buzzard.
Created in 1974 by artist David Helton as the mascot for Cleveland’s rock radio station WMMS 101 FM, the Buzzard was featured on millions of bumper stickers, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, jackets, halter tops, belt buckles, buttons, posters, sunglasses, coffee cups, beer mugs, records, TV commercials, newspaper ads, billboards–you name it.
But why a buzzard?
It seemed like a good idea at the time. After years of economic decline and population loss, Cleveland in the 1970s was being called a dying city. WMMS was a young radio station struggling to find an audience, with the FM band still so new that most cars didn’t even have FM receivers.
Pairing a defiant scavenger with a scrappy, creative team of on-air talent and promoters–it just felt right.
And it worked!
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Buzzard, this book digs into David Helton’s personal archive and shares his hand-picked selection of more than 120 fun, vintage advertisements featuring the Buzzard.
Accompanying text provides back story and insider details from John Gorman, the WMMS program director and operations manager who dreamed up the Buzzard and helped lead the station to market domination in those glory days of FM rock and roll radio in Cleveland.
If you ever tuned in to an All Request Weekend (broadcast in quad!) or attended a Coffee Break Concert or wore your Buzzard T-shirt to school or to a show at Blossom (that you barely remembered the next day), just flip open this book to travel back in time …
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