Going Black: The Legacy of Philly Soul Radio

In February, Mighty Writers, in collaboration with WXPN, presents Going Black: The Legacy of Philly Soul Radio, a two hour documentary chronicling the legacy of Black radio with a focus on the legendary WDAS in Philadelphia.

Those of us who grew up listening to WDAS in the Sixties and Seventies, like myself, remember that the station served not only as a major showcase in Philly for R&B and soul music, but was very engaged with the local community on issues around social, cultural and political change. According to one of the producers, Yowei Shaw, Going Black is “the story of Black radio in Philadelphia, of a music that would have gone undiscovered, of Civil Rights and progress in the African-American community, and of how the radio medium has changed in the last century.”

The documentary is hosted by the legendary Kenny Gamble and features interviews with many of the DJ’s from WDAS, rare archival air checks from the 60s and 70s, and a soundtrack that includes classic Philly R&B, soul, and jazz.

Two of the DJ’s interviewed was Harvey Holiday, who is currently a DJ on WOGL, and Doug Henderson, Jr., who was on WDAS and followed in the footsteps of his father, Jocko Henderson, at the station. Below, listen to a couple of segments from the forthcoming show featuring Harvey talking about some of his time at WDAS and Doug talking about his dad.