Death Of Shirley Temple Brings Back Memories, Could Even Be The Reason I’m Now In Radio

I got into work this morning, thinking it would be a normal day in the Main Street Cafe.  Little did I know I would be notified by the Associated Press a mere twenty minutes into my day that child actor Shirley Temple had passed away at the age of 85.

Being the ripe old age of 51, Shirley Temple was a bit before my time, but I remember listening to a 45 of her singing "On The Good Ship Lollipop."  It's one of my first memories of mom's big "stereo-fonic" console that sat in the corner of the living room.

I'm thinking that may have been the first song mom ever played for me.  The other two songs that stand out in my memory are "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "A Chipmunk Christmas."  She might have played records for me before then, but those are the three that come to mind, making a lasting impression on me.

It wasn't long after that I remember asking mom and dad for a transistor radio for Christmas that year.  That was also the same year Santa brought me my very own cassette recorder.  Yes, I know - I was spoiled.

Looking back, I think it was probably Shirley Temple who eventually steered me toward a career in radio.  I was fascinated and mesmerized by the sound coming out of that piece of furniture.  I would play that record over and over and over - eventually reaching the point where mom would make me go outside.

You know, now that I think about it, if it hadn't been for that 45, Lord only knows what I would be doing today.

R.I.P. Shirley Temple, and thank you for guiding me toward a wonderful life in radio!