Shelley "Black Pope" Pope
Files
Title
Shelley "Black Pope" Pope
Description
Box 7 Folder 21: "Moving along to folder 21 are three pictures of Shelley Pope, two headshots, and one of him rising above the city skyline. We project both to be around 1978. Shelley Pope was known as the Black Pope and was a very colorful figure in the ‘70s. Ron January and I attended his funeral in the 90's and remembered how Dave Sea from the Temptations Review sang. He was great. Paul had left WATV for WJLD in 1977 and then Pope, who had been at WBUL, came along. Johnston had the idea to build a power house station that could take on WENN AM/FM. Ron reports the line-up was Paul, Ron, Pope, Paul, Pope and finally McKinstry at 8 P and then automation. Pope was a screamer and January remembers Pope breaking VU meters on the board. Competition between Pope and Paul was such that Pope had a studio built in his home so he did not have to be in the station with Paul. Paul had received a Continental and Pope received a Thunderbird as inducements to switch to WJLD. Pope had his name - "Pope" - painted on the side. Donated by McNair Studios."
Collection
Citation
“Shelley "Black Pope" Pope,” The Birmingham Black Radio Museum, accessed March 25, 2023, http://thebbrm.org/item/441.
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Super User
I am a writer/Researcher born and raised in New Orleans and listened to Pope's show regularly. I loved music but unfortunately did not have the presence of mind to record any of the broadcasts. Attempting to write a book on Pope,and trying to interview anyoe who knew him,interacted with him,etc. Also seeking anyone who may indeed have recorded any of his programs on cassette/reel to reel,etc. I would like to interview the person who attended Pope's funeral along with anothr gentleman named Ron January. Hoping to hear from someone soon. Thank You.
-republished with identifying information removed
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