"The Operator"
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Fan Comments
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| [ Courtesy: Steve Glazer - 03-12-2016 ]
During the latter half of his WOR broadcast of February 26, 1964, Shep talks about his involvement with a local radio station while in high school. However, most of the story relates to classmate "Bobby," who Shep said came behind him in the alphabet and would be called "Bobby Watanabe" for the purposes of the story. Shep went into much detail about Bobby, saying he had only one talent, and that was for "operating." For example, Bobby was a mediocre student, but got good grades because he knew how to handle the teachers. When Bobby learned that Shep, with whom he rarely spoke, had a little radio show, he got Shep to introduce him to the station's program director, Sam Weller. Soon, Bobby -- though only in high school -- was nighttime supervisor at the station, taking Weller's office. Bobby was a "little monster" reorganizing the station, after having discussed his plans with "Mr. Richardson," the station's manager. Bobby even told their history teacher, "Mr. Wilson," how to run his school radio program on the station. Bobby also gave written assignments to Shep, signing the notes "W." However, according to Shep, Bobby had a "high squeaky voice, totally unsuited for radio or any known form of performing." Jumping forward in time, Shep said he was in the army and saw that Bobby was named "Young Man of the Year" in Guts Magazine at age 19 and that he managed the biggest talent agency in Hollywood. When Shep was out of the army and going to college on the GI Bill, he saw that Bobby would be giving a lecture sponsored by the Commerce Club in the school's main auditorium. Shep attended and tried to speak to him there, but Bobby had little time for Shep, saying he had to catch a flight to the "Coast," where he remains (as of the time of the 1964 broadcast).
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Robert Brent "Bobby" Weiss was born on June 10, 1921, in Indiana to Joseph and Wilma Weiss, who had immigrated from Hungary shortly before WWI. The family lived on Calumet Avenue in Hammond, where they also ran Weiss Department Store. Bobby attended the town's public schools, including Hammond High, with Shep. Bobby was apparently quite popular and active in numerous high school activities, including being sports editor on the school paper and manager for the football team.
While in high school, Bobby also worked at local radio station WWAE, where he served as assistant program director and had his own popular show called "Matinee Request Time." One fawning article in The Hammond Times in June 1939 had this to say about Bobby, "If you're an Horatio Alger fan you'll be interested in following the meteoric career of one Robert Weiss who just this June grabbed off his diploma from Hammond High. Little Bobby grabbed off even better things long ago. . . . The little man has much further to go than that."
Soon after graduation with Shep, Bobby moved to Hollywood, where he worked at Warner Brothers radio station KFWB, and became friendly with Glenn Wallichs, a co-founder of Capitol Records. By 1941, Bobby had become publicity and promotions manager for Horace Heidt, a popular bandleader, entertainer and media executive of the time. He also wrote record reviews for Hollywood magazines.
Bobby then enlisted in the US Army Air Corps on November 7, 1942, at Randolph Field in Texas. He was discharged in 1945 after the war, and promptly resumed his career in Hollywood. By the end of the year, young Bobby was national publicity director for Capitol Records. A year later, he was West Coast director of Musicraft Records, where he handled recording stars like Artie Shaw and Mel Torme. By 1947, Bobby had his own public relations firm, which represented clients such as Rhonda Fleming, Jackie Gleason, Patti Page and Woody Herman.
By 1952, Bobby had returned to Capitol Records, becoming its European director for four years, and moved to Paris, which he would call home for a dozen years. In 1956, Bobby became international manager of E. H. Morris Music Co. Two years later he was named director of the international division of Warner Brothers Records. By early 1966, Bobby was vice president and West Coast director of Monument Records. In 1973, Bobby started his own One World of Music consultancy for record companies and music publishers, which he operated for several decades.
Bobby passed away on September 16, 2010, in Granada Hills, California. He was married several times, once to French actress Martine (aka Marthou) Ascarateil in December 1957. They divorced about twelve years later. |
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1936
Yearbook Photo
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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1937
Yearbook Photo
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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May 05,1939
WWAE Program Schedule
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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June 25,1939
Graduates High School
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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1939
Yearbook Photo
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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February 25,1940
Hammond Times - Bobby in Hollywood
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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May 05,1940
Hammond Times - Bobby on KFWB
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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August 23,1940
Hammond Times - Bobby in Hollywood
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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October 16,1940
Hammond Times - Bobby in Hollywood
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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8-,1945
Billboard Magazine - goes to Capitol records
Billboard Mag - at Capitol
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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May 25,1946
Billboard Magazine - heads to West coast
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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April 01,1957
Hammond Times - Bobby in Paris
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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1968
Billboard Magazine
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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January 13,1973
Billboard Magazine - opens consulting firm
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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June 13,1992
Billboard Magazine
Courtesy: Steve Glazer
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