Arnie "WooWoo" Ginsberg: The Sounds of the 60's

Arnie was an American disc jockey in the Boston radio market from the mid-1950s to the 1970s. Throughout his top-40 career, Ginsburg was regarded as a credible voice for reaching the teen audience. It was said of him that airplay on his show could make a record a hit. Record companies which asked him to do commercials often saw increased sales. This was the case for such records as "Roses are Red" by Bobby Vinton and "The Monster Mash" by Bobby (Boris) Pickett. Ginsburg also reported his weekly "picks" (songs he believed would become hits) to trade publications such as Billboard magazine. As was the custom in top-40 radio, record companies would bring up-and-coming singers to do guest appearances, which further helped sales. Among the local stars Ginsburg promoted were The Rockin' Ramrods and Freddie Cannon. Cannon subsequently recorded a promotional song for Ginsburg, "Arnie Ginsburg, the guy with the swinging show." Ginsburg was also known for his record hops, dances that were held at local venues; he often hosted them at the Surf Ballroom in Nantasket Beach. After his on air experience, he became involved in the business side of radio as a business manager, president and owner of WVJV-TV, and later as an executive with Pyramid Broadcasting and program manager of their Boston station WXKS/1430.