Arthur Godfrey
Arthur Godfrey
31st August 1903 - 16th March 1983
An American icon in the radio and television industry, Arthur Morton Godfrey was born in New York City on August 31st, 1903. A visionary and contributor of civil aviation, Arthur Godfrey was educated in the naval radio school in 1921 and the Naval Radio Materiel School in 1929. From 1920 to 1924, Godfrey served as radio operator in the United States Navy. He learned to play ukulele from a fellow Hawaiian shipmate and is recognized as playing a major role with making the ukulele so popular in the early 1950's.
Godfrey acquired additional radio training during his service in the Coast Guard from 1927 to 1930. While in the Coast Guard, he appeared on a local talent show which led to his own brief weekly program. After leaving, he became a radio announcer for the Baltimore Radio Station, WFBR, and moved to Washington DC to become a staff announcer for NBC.
In 1933, Godfrey nearly died in a car crash which left him in the hospital for many months. During his recovery, he listened and studied a variety of radio announcers. He concluded that the formal style of the announcers left them disconnected from the audience. Godfrey became determined to return to radio announcing using a relaxed and informal style.
In the fall of 1943, he became the announcer for Fred Allen’s, Texaco Star Theater show on the CBS Network, but disagreement between Godfrey and Allen led to Godfrey leaving after only six weeks.
In April of 1945, while being broadcast live on CBS, Godfrey gave solemn narrative of President Roosevelt’s funeral. The entire nation was moved as Godfrey broke down in tears. Following this event, Godfrey was asked to join the CBS radio network, where he was given his own daily program, Arthur Godfrey Time.
Godfrey chose the show’s direction with his monologues and discussions unscripted. His broadcasting style was tender and heartfelt earning him legions of fans. He was often portrayed as folksy with enough refinement to charm audiences. There was an essence of trust from his listeners. He had a powerful ability to sell products by claiming he would only support products he believed in.
In December, 1948, Godfrey journeyed into the television industry, allowing his radio hit show, Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, to be televised. Audiences were captivated by his broad grin, memorable laugh, and pleasing red hair. Arthur Godfrey helped the careers of numerous celebrities such as Tony Bennett, Pat Boone, Eddie fisher and Patsy Cline.
In 1959, Godfrey was diagnosed with lung cancer that had spread to his aorta. He left his show, Arthur Godfrey and Friends for treatment. Radiation treatment helped Godfrey beat the cancer, and he returned to the Arthur Godfrey Time Morning Show, but only on radio.
In the early 1980’s emphysema claimed the life of Arthur Godfrey.
Arthur Godfrey and his ukulele were once a household name. Arthur Godfrey stands as one of the most important broadcasting personalities that successfully made the transition from radio to television. His congeniality charmed a national audience in the millions. He was inducted into the Radio hall of fame in 1988. He was also inducted into the Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum.
I will be adding some Arthur Godfery Talent Scouts shows throughout the week culminating with some broadcasts from 1964 where Godfrey celebrates his 30th Anniversary with CBS.
Happy listening my friends,
