Jay Nelson
Encyclopedia
Jay Nelson (July 12, 1936 – February 18, 1994) spent most of his career in radio, although he did a brief stint on television in the early 1960s. He was married twice and had four children. His son Kevin
is one of the morning hosts on Majic 100
in Ottawa, Ontario.
He started in radio at WRIT
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1955. He then moved on to WARM
in Scranton, Pennsylvania
in 1956; WHLO
in Akron
, Ohio
in 1957; and WBNY
in Buffalo, New York in 1960. He switched briefly to television, appearing on WKBW-TV
, also in Buffalo, where he hosted an afternoon children's show in 1963.
On this show he appeared wearing a pith helmet and a faux leopard-skin costume, often working with a chimpanzee. It was at this time that he took the professional name Jungle Jay Nelson, a name that stuck for the rest of his career.
In the fall of 1963, CHUM
radio in Toronto was looking for a new morning host. It has been reported that Irene Ryan
also auditioned for this position. However, CHUM selected Jay Nelson for the job.
From May 27, 1957 until June 6, 1986, CHUM printed a weekly list of top songs and distributed it through local record stores. Jay Nelson's picture first appeared on the cover of a CHUM Chart in issue Number 351 on Monday, December 2, 1963. By coincidence, the first Beatles song ever to appear on a CHUM Chart, She Loves You, was listed at position 42 in that very same issue. However, Jay Nelson did not actually start working at CHUM until the following Monday, December 9 and the Beatles did not appear on the Ed Sullivan Show that made them famous in America until February 9, 1964.
Jay Nelson remained at CHUM for the next 17 years. Nelson did his last morning show at 1050 CHUM on December 24, 1980. His last show featured many tributes by current and former co-workers including Brian Williams
. The mayor of Toronto at the time, Art Eggleton
, also called in to wish Nelson well and presented a proclamation congratulating Nelson on his career at CHUM. The final song he played was Nobody Does It Better
by Carly Simon
. After Nelson left CHUM, he briefly worked as a weatherman at CITY-TV
, a television station owned by CHUM Ltd.
He returned to radio at CKFM-FM
from 1982 to 1985; became CHFI
morning man on August 1, 1985; switched to CHUM's old rival CKEY in May, 1986; and then moved to rival CJEZ
as morning host from May, 1987 until August, 1990.
Other odd jobs he held were as:
Kevin Nelson
Kevin Nelson is a radio announcer and television reporter in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada."Kevin Nelson" is also a Pro. Armwrestler and Graphic Artist living in Long Island, New York.-1050 CHUM:...
is one of the morning hosts on Majic 100
CJMJ-FM
CJMJ-FM is an adult contemporary radio station at 100.3 FM in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The station uses the brand name Majic 100, and promotes itself as "Today's Soft Rock". It is also one of three adult contemporary outlets owned by Bell Media Radio...
in Ottawa, Ontario.
He started in radio at WRIT
Writ
In common law, a writ is a formal written order issued by a body with administrative or judicial jurisdiction; in modern usage, this body is generally a court...
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1955. He then moved on to WARM
WARM (AM)
WARM is a radio station licensed to the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania. The station is also known as "The True Oldies Station" with Oldies programming featuring music from 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The station is currently owned by Cumulus Media. The station is a Class B AM broadcasting station...
in Scranton, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in 1956; WHLO
WHLO
WHLO is an AM radio station in Akron, Ohio, USA, operating on 640 kHz, and owned by Clear Channel Communications.The station has a news/talk format with Jim Quinn's program from WPGB in Pittsburgh, and a schedule of syndicated talkers during the day, headed by Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, with a...
in Akron
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
in 1957; and WBNY
WBNY
WBNY is the college radio station of Buffalo State College, located within the city of Buffalo, New York. WBNY, licensed in 1982, broadcasts on 91.3 FM. The station is the descendant of BSC's AM carrier-current station known as WSCB, which could be received only on campus through the electrical...
in Buffalo, New York in 1960. He switched briefly to television, appearing on WKBW-TV
WKBW-TV
WKBW-TV, channel 7, is the ABC affiliate for the Buffalo, New York television market, and is one of many local Buffalo TV stations seen over-the-air and on cable in Canada. Its transmitter is located at 8909 Center Street in Colden. The station is owned by the Granite Broadcasting Corporation, who...
, also in Buffalo, where he hosted an afternoon children's show in 1963.
On this show he appeared wearing a pith helmet and a faux leopard-skin costume, often working with a chimpanzee. It was at this time that he took the professional name Jungle Jay Nelson, a name that stuck for the rest of his career.
In the fall of 1963, CHUM
CHUM
CHUM may refer to:* The former CHUM Radio division now known as Bell Media Radio* CHUM , a Toronto AM station* CHUM-FM, a Toronto FM station...
radio in Toronto was looking for a new morning host. It has been reported that Irene Ryan
Irene Ryan
Irene Ryan was an American actress, one of the few entertainers who found success in vaudeville, radio, film, television and Broadway....
also auditioned for this position. However, CHUM selected Jay Nelson for the job.
From May 27, 1957 until June 6, 1986, CHUM printed a weekly list of top songs and distributed it through local record stores. Jay Nelson's picture first appeared on the cover of a CHUM Chart in issue Number 351 on Monday, December 2, 1963. By coincidence, the first Beatles song ever to appear on a CHUM Chart, She Loves You, was listed at position 42 in that very same issue. However, Jay Nelson did not actually start working at CHUM until the following Monday, December 9 and the Beatles did not appear on the Ed Sullivan Show that made them famous in America until February 9, 1964.
Jay Nelson remained at CHUM for the next 17 years. Nelson did his last morning show at 1050 CHUM on December 24, 1980. His last show featured many tributes by current and former co-workers including Brian Williams
Brian Williams (sportscaster)
Brian Williams is a Canadian sportscaster who is best known for his coverage of the Olympic Games.-Biography:Williams' father was a very successful doctor...
. The mayor of Toronto at the time, Art Eggleton
Art Eggleton
Arthur "Art" C. Eggleton, PC is a former Canadian Cabinet minister and Mayor of Toronto, and is currently a Senator representing Ontario.-City council:...
, also called in to wish Nelson well and presented a proclamation congratulating Nelson on his career at CHUM. The final song he played was Nobody Does It Better
Nobody Does It Better
"Nobody Does It Better" is a power ballad composed by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager. It was recorded by Carly Simon as the theme song for the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. It was the first Bond theme song to be titled differently from the name of the film, although...
by Carly Simon
Carly Simon
Carly Elisabeth Simon is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hit records, and has since been the recipient of two Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award for her work...
. After Nelson left CHUM, he briefly worked as a weatherman at CITY-TV
CITY-TV
CITY-DT, Channel 57 , is a television station based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada owned and operated by Rogers Media...
, a television station owned by CHUM Ltd.
He returned to radio at CKFM-FM
CKFM-FM
CKFM-FM, branded as 99-9 Virgin Radio , is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 99.9 on the FM dial in Toronto, Ontario. The station is owned by Astral Media...
from 1982 to 1985; became CHFI
CHFI-FM
CHFI-FM is a Canadian radio station, which broadcasts an adult contemporary format at 98.1 on the FM dial in Toronto, Ontario. Like most Toronto radio and TV channels, it broadcasts atop the CN Tower with and ERP of 44 kW and has a sizeable amount of American listeners...
morning man on August 1, 1985; switched to CHUM's old rival CKEY in May, 1986; and then moved to rival CJEZ
CJEZ-FM
CHBM-FM is a radio station in Toronto, Ontario, Canada owned by Astral Media. It broadcasts an adult hits format at 97.3 FM and is branded as boom 97.3 - 70's, 80's, 90's, and is also the only adult hits station owned by Astral...
as morning host from May, 1987 until August, 1990.
Other odd jobs he held were as:
- Weatherman City-TV - TorontoTorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
- Maître d' at The Daily Planet - TorontoTorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
- Operations manager at CKAN in Newmarket, OntarioNewmarket, OntarioNewmarket is a town in Southern Ontario located approximately 50 km north of downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area and is connected to Toronto by freeway, and is served by three interchanges along Highway 404. It is also connected to Highway 400 via Highway 9...
- Teacher at Toronto's National Institute of Broadcasting