Little Anthony Interview & Imperials Hits Pt 1 of 2 - Air Check WAEB 1988

AIR CHECK: Little Anthony Interview & Imperials Hits Part # 1 of 2 - WAEB AM 790, Original Broadcast Date: January 17, 1988. This is Part # 1 of 2 parts. On December 26, 1987, “Little” Anthony Gourdine appeared at the WAEB Radio / Laneco Christmas Spectacular. The show was held at the Stabler Arena, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa. Just prior to his performance on stage, I was able to meet with Little Anthony for a brief interview. I can vividly recall that Anthony was suffering from a 102-103 degree fever and not feeling well at all. That did not stop him from his scheduled two performances, and even in his weakened condition, taking some time to join me for the interview. Anthony was abrupt with some of his responses and I knew that night that it was because of his illness. It made me appreciate the showman he was, because over the years there were plenty of artists that were perfectly healthy and fine and would still refuse to greet anyone backstage. However, a couple of his answers to my questions did surprise me but I still blamed how he was feeling that night: During the 1980s there had been new and renewed interest for early groups and some of their rare records. Anthony’s first records of interest were recorded with The Duponts on the new Winley label. That night he really did not want to reminisce about that group at all, but did at least mention that The Chesters were the group that became The Imperials. When asked about his earliest successes and New York City DJ Alan Freed, he mentioned that it was Freed that started calling him “Little”Anthony on the air. Since I had never read his opinion on the matter, it did take me by surprise that he still seemed irritated by it. Again, I had not listened to my interview and special tribute for well over 30 years, and knowing how sick he was that evening, I appreciate him more and more as one of the ultimate professionals of the business. My special tribute to Little Anthony and The Imperials aired as originally produced and in its entirety only one time during my Sunday Night Hall of Fame shows. Notes inside the reel to reel tape boxes indicate the show was broadcast was January 17, 1988. I digitally restored the original audio from those tapes to create this video. Great songs included in this Part 1 of 2 parts include The Duponts with “Must Be Falling In Love” and “You”. Then it’s on to The Chesters / The Imperials for their classic two sides “Two Kinds Of People” and “Tears On My Pillow”, then a couple more releases on the End label complete this Part 1. The Sunday Night Hall of Fame Show was broadcast from 1980 to 1992 on WAEB – AM 790 and WKAP – AM 1320 in Allentown, Pa. My show returned between 1999 and August 2001 on WODE Oldies 99.9 located in Easton, Pa. The Allentown – Bethlehem – Easton area is known as “The Lehigh Valley” I hope you enjoy this original January 17, 1988 Sunday Night Hall of Fame show tribute to one of the great early Rock / Doo Wop groups of the 1950s, Little Anthony and The Imperials. Music in this video, which I produced, features my original radio broadcast on January 17, 1988 on WAEB 790 AM, Allentown, Pa. I was a contract employee of WAEB: writing, producing and hosting The Sunday Night Hall of Fame Show on WAEB. I provided and owned the show tapes.

Added 3 May 2026