Joe “The Jet” Perry
KWBR Radio Ad Placard
Circa 1954
San Francisco 49ers fullback Joe Perry, known to his fans as “The Jet,” hosted his own sports and music radio program on Oakland’s KWBR (1310 AM) in 1954, entitled “Both Sides of the Record.”
The program was sponsored by Burgermeister Beer (“Burgie”), whose local promotions man was Franklin Mieuli. Mieuli also produced the Burgie-sponsored broadcasts of 49ers football on radio and television, and later produced Giants baseball broadcasts on 560/KSFO and the Golden West Radio Network. He became owner of the NBA’s transplanted San Francisco Warriors in 1962, and was elected to the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame in 2007.
The window placard shown here was used to advertise Perry’s KWBR program through placement at various businesses in the Bay Area. Printed on heavy chipboard, it promoted Perry’s show, which aired on Saturdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., as well as “The Burgie Ball,” hosted by “The Swinging Deacon” Monday through Friday from 10:45 until 11:15 p.m.
The Arkansas-born Perry, who never played major college football (he attended Compton Junior College before entering military service), was spotted by a 49ers scout while playing for the Naval Training Station team in nearby Alameda.
Playing for the Niners from 1948 to 1960, and again in 1963 after two seasons with the Colts, he gained 12,532 combined net yards (9,723 yards rushing, 260 yards on receptions), scored 513 points, and was the first player in NFL history to gain over 1,000 yards two straight years (1953-1954).
Joe Perry was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969. He passed away on April 25, 2011, at the age of 84.
SOURCE: David Jackson Collection, Bay Area Radio Museum Archives.
ORIGINAL SIZE: 11 inches (width) x 14 inches (height).
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