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Long John Nebel on DMR

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Decker

Administrator
Staff member
Tonight I take a gander at Long John Nebel, the first pathfinder for Paranormal Radio ... and a legendary one to boot. In this episode he hosts the "Mystic Barber" and it is a funny one! Only on CyberstationUSA!

Long John Nebel.jpg
 
Hey great Don should be fun. With the recent shows Gene and Chris did about the Mystic Barber i would love to hear more. Jim Moseley said he hated Nebel and still did his show, but that's Moseley.
 
Almost everybody who knew Long John hated him. He was not a nice guy.

Bob Zanotti has given me some great Long John recordings that you'll hear in the near future.
 
Almost everybody who knew Long John hated him. He was not a nice guy.

Bob Zanotti has given me some great Long John recordings that you'll hear in the near future.

i've heard of him, but never heard him, i guess he was he only game in town at the time when it came to getting airtime for the more esoteric stuff? why was he hated? was he rude to his guests or just rude to everyone? I understand he had a large fan base so i assume he was pretty popular with the listeners,but was that becuase they didn't know the "real" long john? Can you give us any dirt, gene?:cool:
 
Mercurial personality for one. Perhaps into himself a little too much, but he blazed a trail, and lots of talk shows were influenced by him. Art Bell is a major example. For what he started, we all owe him a debt of gratitude -- neighbors.
 
I never met LJN, though I used to daydream (groggily) about being a regular on his show. It's apparent from the Donald Bain bio that he was a very difficult man. Nevertheless, he presided over the greatest radio conversations I've ever heard.

Is Paris Flammonde (LJN's producer) still around? He would make a fabulous guest.
 
"Mercurial personality for one. Perhaps into himself a little too much, but he blazed a trail"

from that description, i'm picturing rush limbaugh so i guess i can understand the feelings he generated
 
Talented people in need of personality transplants would make one heckuva' long list. :confused:

I've always heard about Nebel, but have never heard his work. So looking forward to this one.

Would anyone care to weigh in on the MK Ultra/Candy Jones (Neblel's wife) rumors? I have no idea what to make of them.
 
Candy's producer at the time, I gather, once indicated to Moseley with a wink and a nod that it never happened. So there you go.

Ms. Wilcox a liar? Imagine that.

Presidential models? Known. MkUltra. Known. CIA use of models for scams and moneymaking? Known. How? Imprisoned Violet Gail Eldridge for one (personally).

Nebel a hypnotist? nyuk. Candy Jones? Perhaps not.
 
Great thread.
Here is also my collection of JLN shows (some are doubles) compiled from different archives and sources (mainly from Wendy's Faded Discs):

Jackie Gleason
comments on flying saucers on the Long John Nebel radio show, November 16, 1958. 01:04


George Adamski
appears on Long John Nebel’s TV show, 04.30.1960. Poor Quality. 19:15
Daniel W. Fry
guests on Long John Nebel program 08.01.1956.
54:12

John Otto relates Needles, CA contact on Long John Nebel program 11.02.1956. 27:36
Long John Nebel Party Line Radio Show Opening Sequence 1958
Long John Nebel on Martians 1958
Arthur C. Clarke on UFOs 2.5.1958 on the Long John Nebel Radio Show
Gray Barker & Long John Nebel on Flying Saucers/AF Secrecy 3-1958
Jackie Gleason on Long John Nebel 11-16-1958 – Ed Murrow, Gleason and Flying Saucers


ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATER: UFO, the Enigma of the Skies
Date of Broadcast: 01.22.1958
Running Time: 00:52:00
Synopsis:
Hosted by Douglas Edwards. Guests were: Major Donald E. Keyhoe, USMC Ret., Col. Spencer Whedon, USAF and Dr. Donald Menzel. This is the program that allegedly censored Keyhoe, causing hard feelings between both himself and the United States Air Force over their secrecy regarding the UFO phenomenon. Kenneth Arnold declined to appear at the last minute and his explanation can be heard on the 03.26.1958 Long John Nebel Party Line recording listed further down in this guide. Captain Edward J. Ruppelt, first and former Director of the USAF Project Blue Book was also scheduled to appear on the program, but could not get a leave of absence from his employer to attend the program. Tracks 09, 10 and 12 relate to this infamous controversy.

LONG JOHN NEBEL’s
PARTY LINE BROADCASTS - WOR-NY
Tracks 11 – 16
Long John Nebel was the first to bring the concept of Talk Radio to fruition. He had various guests and regulars who discussed many topics of interest. His program ran from 12:00 am to 5:30 am, six nights a week. He is known for the eccentricities of guests and provided a forum for both serious researchers of Ufology and the Contactees. Following his radio talk show, Nebel appeared on television in the 1960s and early 1970s with his talk format. Below is a selection of well-known Nebel programs dealing with the subject of UFOs and Ufology.
11:
BIOLOGICAL THEORY of UFOs
Date of Broadcast: 11.25.1956
Running Time: 01:01:54
Synopsis:
Guest: Dr. Ivan T. Sanderson, biologist/zoologist and naturalist. He was also a spy and Intelligence operative for the U.S. and UK, although nobody knew at that time, but a few people know now. This aspect of his background was revealed during a meeting in Seattle, WA in 1959. This data, on the original recordings, is archived at Faded Discs. Sanderson discusses his Biological Theory of UFOs. His theory remains popular as one of the theories regarding the origin of UFOs, but pales to both the Extra-terrestrial Hypothesis
(ETH) and the possibilities that UFOs are inter-dimensional conveyances or time travelers. Sanderson also wrote a book about his theory.
12: RECOLLECTION of the SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO UFO INCIDENT of 03.1952.
Date of Broadcast: 03.11.1957
Running Time: 00:06:26
Synopsis:
Jay Glick, a passenger on a Pan American
flight from NY to Puerto Rico, relates the aircraft’s encounter with a UFO. This incident is mentioned in the next track.
13:
NICAP versus USAF on CENSORSHIP of UFO INFORMATION
Date of Broadcast: 03.26.1958
Running Time: 04:06:22
Synopsis:
Guests: Major Donald E. Keyhoe, USMC Ret., Cortland Hastings, Charles Ledham, Jules B. St. Germaine, Ben Isquith and Dave Fields. Historically important recording covering the rise of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena
(NICAP), alleged Keyhoe censorship and the influence of the Contactee Movement on legitimate UFO investigations. Commercials edited out during the Keyhoe visit. Ben Isquith joins the group after Keyhoe departs. Nebel goes to great lengths to promote NICAP and every one of the guests were members. This aspect, however, did not give Keyhoe any leniency as far as tough questions asked of him by the other guests. For all intents and purposes, Keyhoe and the U.S. Air Force had become enemies over the censorship issue. Last twenty minutes of this program are missing.
14:
MAN-MADE UFO.
Date of Broadcast: 08.18.1958
Running Time: 02:48:30
Synopsis:

Guests: Dr. Ivan T. Sanderson, Lester del Rey (Science Fiction Writer), Hans Stefan Santeson (Editor of Fantastic Universe magazine), Ben Ahman (Swedish Journalist), Ben Isquith, Vyacheslav Vawalischin (former USSR Military Officer) and translator, Jim Runyon. An early discussion of the possibility that UFOs are man-made and came from German technology (Horten Brothers, etc.). This controversy continues to this day with theories regarding the German influence in flying saucers during and following World War ll. Ben Ahman gives an interesting insight into the Ghost Rockets
being observed over the Baltic in 1946. Lester del Rey is quite opinionated and argumentative, with a closed mind on the topic of UFOs in general. Considering that he was a science fiction writer of note, one would tend to think that a man with his reputation would at least be more open-minded on the reality of the UFO phenomena. It is quite odd to listen to his ranting. In future years others would arrive on the airways and in print, proclaiming Ufology to be a foolish endeavor, yet none of them would ever take the time to do any lengthy and long- term research on the data collected, then be offended if they were not triumphant in the debate. These people were not, and are not, rational and provide a disservice to the subject itself and the people who diligently try to do the work that science and government have defaulted on, since the beginning of the modern age of the phenomenon. Logic would dictate that the fields of science and government have been negligent regarding this enigma’s importance to science. Last few minutes of this portion of the program are missing.
15:
FLYING SAUCERS and LITTLE GREEN MEN
.
Date of Broadcast: 10.05.1958
Running Time: 04:05:30
Synopsis:
Alternate title is Flying Saucers and the Straight Line Mystery, which was used after the program aired. Guests: Isabel Davis of Civilian Saucer Intelligence – NY (CSI-NY), Hans Stefan Santeson (Editor of Fantastic Universe magazine), Dr. Ivan T. Sanderson, Lester Del Ray and Ben Isquith. Isabel Davis was representing one of the oldest UFO investigation groups with such early luminaries as Max Mebane and Ted Bloecher. This recording comes from the Max Mebane collection. Debate covers many aspects of Ufology, including Little Green Men, Contactees and Aimé Michel’s newest theory on UFOs in his book, Flying Saucers and the Straight Line Mystery. Davis was a thorough researcher and close friend to Major Donald E. Keyhoe, Director of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena
(NICAP), of which Davis was also a member. Dr. Sanderson and science fiction writer, Lester Del Rey, have an on-air heated exchange over various topics. However, when all is said and done, this recording was an early attempt to get Ufology separated from the Contactees and Isabel Davis was a champion in showing the world the difference. She is an unsung hero in the field of Ufology.
16: Excerpt from the Long John Nebel
Party Line Program
Date of Broadcast: 11.16.1959
Running Time: 00:56:00
Synopsis:
Jackie Gleason, Frank Edwards and Gray Barker make the first 3-way telephone conference call in radio history. Gleason criticizes Gray Barker’s publishing the Contactee material as if it was true.



BEN ALEXANDER Show
Date of Broadcast: 01.25.1961
Running Time: 00:24:00
Synopsis:

Jules B. St. Germaine, a regular guest on Long John Nebel’s Party Line
on WOR-NY, is interviewed regarding the show and the Contactees who have appeared on it. A very historical recording and rare in that two interviewers of the early Contactees compare notes on how legitimate Ufology was wrongfully overshadowed by them. Original recordings from St. Germaine’s collection are maintained at Faded Discs.

LONG JOHN NEBEL Show
Date of Broadcast: 01.22.1967
Running Time: 01:06:55
Synopsis:
When Long John Nebel’s Party Line broadcasts at WOR ended, he moved to WNBC and continued his late night talk format. This is a rare and historical recording covering a discussion of the effectiveness of Project Blue Book and what the new Condon Committee may or may not accomplish. Guests: Paris Flammonde, author of The Age of Flying Saucers and UFO Exist!
Lloyd Mallan, science writer and L. Jerome Stanton. Recording is incomplete.




The FLYING SAUCER STORY
Date of Broadcast: 00.00.1967
Running Time: 00:38:56
Synopsis:
Following on the success of Frank Edwards LP, Flying Saucers: Serious Business, Talk show host, Long John Nebel, self-produced an LP with recordings taken from his Party Line shows at WOR. During the serious early years of UFO research, Nebel’s penchant for having the Contactees on the program was legendary and put a serious onus on legitimate research into unidentified flying objects by the silliness of the Space Brother Movement.



Dr. Ivan T. Sanderson, biologist, naturalist, writer and lecturer, gives a recollection of his investigation into the Flatwoods, WV monster incident on the November 25, 1956 WOR-NY broadcast of the Long John Nebel Party Line. This was at the request of newsman, Hugh McPhearson, friend of Gray Barker. 36:00
Richard Shaver
and Ray Palmer of Fate Magazine, are interviewed telephonically on the Long John Nebel Radio Program, in 1956. 57:46




Long John Nebel
Radio Program from March 13, 1958. Discussion of the Richard Shaver Mysteries and the Deros.
01:55:35


Major Donald E. Keyhoe
is a guest on the Long John Nebel Party Line, 03.10.1958. Keyhoe discusses NICAP, Armstrong Circle Theater program and his interview with Mike Wallace two days earlier. Poor quality recording. 70:01


Frank Edwards
guests on the Long John Nebel radio program 11-01-1959 Disc 1 of 2.
61:00



Sven Ahman gives an overview of the Ghost Rocket phenomena observed over the Baltic in 1946 on the Long John Nebel radio program. 1958. 02:08


10-5-58 The Straight Line Mystery'
Guests: Ivan Sanderson, Isobell Davis, Lester DelRey, Hans S.
Santeson, Ben Isquith.


10-5-58 'Earth's Shifting Crusts'
Guests: Charles Hapgood, Elliott Lanier, Ben Isquith, Ivan Sanderson


2-5-58 Guests: Arthur C. Clarke, Cortland Hastings,
Charles Leedham, Major Wayne Aho.
The discussion was about the reality of flying saucers. Clarke was an
eloquent skeptic, as was Leedham, the skeptic-in-chief of the show's
regular panelists.




Talk was about pre-historic saucer visits to Pero, Nazca
lines, KonTiki

.
Guests were Jim Moseley of Saucer News, fresh from a trip to Peru;
Isobelle Davis of Civilian Saucer Intelligence; Doug Dean; Warren
Icpac a sportswriter for a New York paper.


'Return of the Dove', about Tesla.
Margaret Storm returns to discuss her book Guests were: Eliott Lanier;
Eden Grey.
 
Don,
I just just got caught up on the LJN shows. They were great and yes, I would love to hear more shows along those lines. These things just go to show the more things change the more they stay the same.
 
I loved hearing the Mystic Barber!
1. Who do you think is the Mystic Barber of today?
2. Are there any diagrams of the Barber's headgear?

Regarding Moseley's interview, it was very interesting because you could have almost the exact same conversation today. People often make up their minds first and then collect factoids to fill in the blanks.
 
I loved hearing the Mystic Barber!
1. Who do you think is the Mystic Barber of today?
2. Are there any diagrams of the Barber's headgear?

Regarding Moseley's interview, it was very interesting because you could have almost the exact same conversation today. People often make up their minds first and then collect factoids to fill in the blanks.

Ah, unfortunately all is lost in time ....

Decker
 
I wanted to add one thing to what I discussed last night. I mentioned where John had a hissy fit during a mid-show break one morning when they ran out of deli sandwiches. When John found out that his sandwich was nowhere to be found, his staff, and the guests, offered him one of theirs. His response: "I don't want your ----ing sandwich." That was Long John.
 
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