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![]() Chuck Brinkman |
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Audio of Chuck Brinkman welcoming the Beatles Chuck Brinkman on KQV, March 1965 courtesy Art Vuolo. Of all the members of the KQV airstaff, Chuck Brinkman was there the longest. Chuck worked in every time slot at KQV too. From over-nights, to evenings, to afternoon drive to morning drive, and to mid-day. Chuck first joined KQV in 1960. Among the features on KQV when Chuck worked evenings were the KQV Disc Derby where he would play 3 songs and listeners would vote for which new song they preferred. There was also the 2 hitlines. Requests were taken and the top 5 songs would be played back. There was an early hitline and a late hitline. In addition to his duties on KQV, Chuck also hosted a weekly tv show starting in 1966. "Come Alive was seen Saturday afternnons on WIIC-TV Channel 11. Chuck moved from KQV to WTAE in 1972 for middays. Around 1982, Chuck went across country to KOGO in San Diego. After a short time on the West Coast, Chuck returned to Pittsburgh after a short interval to do mornings and PD at WHYW 96.9 (formerly WLOA and then WFFM). Chuck spent 17 years as the program director and afternoon drive personality at oldies, KLUV-FM in Dallas, Texas. Chuck left KLUV on December 28, 2005. Chuck spent some time at 770 KAAM as well and as part owner at Friendlee 105.9 FM and 1400 AM. Chuck was elected to the Pittsburgh Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March, 2017. Thanks to Fr. Thomas Acklin,
O.S.B. of Saint Vincent Seminary, for his help in updating the information
on this page.
Chuck Brinkman passed away on August 24, 2018 at his home in Plano, Texas. Andrew Goldstein of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette wrote this... "Chuck Brinkman, a KQV-AM mainstay in the 1960s who became one of Pittsburgh's most popular Top 40 DJs, died Friday surrounded by family at his home in Plano, Texas. He was 83. Mr. Brinkman's son, Jonathon Brinkman, confirmed the death to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He said his father had suffered from Parkinson's disease. Mr. Brinkman, born July 19, 1935, was a Dormont native and Kiski Prep School grad. He was a DJ with KQV from 1960 to 1972, and doubled part of the time as a music director. In 1964, he introduced the Beatles to the crowd at the Civic Arena - the band's only Pittsburgh concert. Mr. Brinkman was one of the most popular Top 40 DJs here in the 1960s. He was part of then Top 40 station KQV's "Fun Lovin' Five,: which also included Hal Murray, Steve Rizen, Dave Scott and Dexter Allen. He went on to become DJ/music director for WTAE-AM and WFFM/WMYG, and he left Pittsburgh for a job in Dallas in 1988, eventually becoming part owner of an oldies station in Greenville, Texas. Mr. Brinkman was inducted into the Pittsburgh Rock 'N Roll Legends class of 2017. He is survived by his wife,
Carmella Brinkman of Plano; sons Jonathon Brinkman of San Diego and Charles
Brinkman IV of San Diego; and daughters Lisa Meline of Scottsdale, Ariz.,
Nicole Levett of Dallas, and Christine Brinkman of Dallas."
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![]() Here is a copy of Chuck's letter to Beatles' Fan Cub members from August 1965. (courtesy Marcy Grupp) To see full size copy of fan club letter click here. |
The Godfather of Soul, James Brown visited Pittsburgh's Civic Arena 11 times between 1966 and 1973. His first appearance was April 11, 1966. Above KQV's Chuck Brinkman interviews James Brown back stage at the Civic Areana. |
Chuck
Brinkman 1972 (10:11) ^
01/09.72 |
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Chuck
Brinkman 1965 (3:48) ^
Early March 1965 |
PAMS Series 26 Jingles |
Chuck
Brinkman 1967 (3:04) ^
12/31/67 |
Top 40 of 1967 |
Chuck
Brinkman Aircheck (2:49) ^
7/18/69 |
Bill Jennings KQV New /
Apollo 11 launch day
PAMS Custom 1969 Jingles |
Chuck
Brinkman 1968 (1:37) ^
1/01/69 |
Top 114 of 1968
PAMS 14 KQV Drake 1968 Jingles |
Chuck
Brinkman Aircheck 1964 (:54)
1964 |
Mini Aircheck
PAMS Series 27 Jingles |
Chuck
Brinkman Aircheck 1969 (8:52)
Winter 1969 |
Bill Jennings KQV News
PAMS 14 KQV Drake Jingles |
* Chuck
Brinkman 1970/71 (4:26)
Late 1970/early 71 ? |
Carl Eckels KQV News
PAMS Custom 1970 Jingles |
Chuck
Brinkman Aircheck (12:40)
11/30/65 |
Rubber Soul Preview
PAMS Series 29 Jingles |
John Menho's Chuck Brinkman Interview |
Ed Blank's Chuck Brinkman Profile |
Chuck Brinkman 1962 Station Profile |