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William B. Williams was born with the surname Breitbard in Babylon, New York.
Answer: True
Explanation: Biographical details confirm that William B. Williams was born William Breitbard in Babylon, New York.
William B. Williams attended Syracuse University for four years and graduated with honors.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams attended Syracuse University for only one year before dropping out.
William B. Williams began his radio career at WAAT in Newark, New Jersey, after the regular host was fired for being intoxicated.
Answer: True
Explanation: Williams commenced his radio career at WAAT in Newark in 1944 when he was hired as a staff announcer following the dismissal of the regular host due to intoxication.
William B. Williams' first role as a staff announcer was at WNEW in New York City.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams' initial position as a staff announcer was at WAAT in Newark, New Jersey, not WNEW.
What was the name of the station where William B. Williams first worked as a staff announcer?
Answer: WAAT
Explanation: William B. Williams' initial role as a staff announcer was at WAAT in Newark, New Jersey.
William B. Williams worked as a disc jockey for WNEW for less than a decade.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams' tenure as a disc jockey at WNEW spanned over four decades, significantly exceeding a single decade.
The radio program hosted by William B. Williams on WNEW was called 'The Morning Show'.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams' most renowned program on WNEW was titled 'Make Believe Ballroom', not 'The Morning Show'.
William B. Williams was fired from WNEW in 1947 because station manager Bernice Judis disliked his aggressive union tactics.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Bernice Judis did fire William B. Williams from WNEW in 1947, the stated reason was related to his perceived lack of style, specifically an incident involving his feet on the desk with red socks, rather than union tactics.
Upon his return to WNEW in 1953, William B. Williams exclusively hosted 'Make Believe Ballroom'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following his return to WNEW in 1953, William B. Williams hosted 'The William B. Williams Show' in the mornings and 'Music in a Sentimental Mood' in the afternoons, not exclusively 'Make Believe Ballroom'.
Martin Block originated the 'Make Believe Ballroom' program, and William B. Williams took over hosting duties shortly after Block left WNEW.
Answer: False
Explanation: Martin Block originated 'Make Believe Ballroom'. William B. Williams took over hosting duties after Jerry Marshall, who succeeded Block, left the program.
During the late 1950s and 1960s, WNEW shifted to a MOR format, and Williams played the required songs despite his dislike for some.
Answer: True
Explanation: As WNEW transitioned to a MOR (Middle of the Road) format incorporating softer rock, William B. Williams complied with the station's programming requirements, even when he personally disliked certain selections.
WNEW transitioned to an adult contemporary format in the 1970s, a period Williams considered the station's best.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams viewed the 1970s transition to an adult contemporary format at WNEW as the station's worst period, not its best.
By 1965, William B. Williams earned an annual salary of $105,000, making him the highest-paid personality at WNEW.
Answer: True
Explanation: Billboard reported in 1965 that William B. Williams commanded an annual salary of $105,000, positioning him as the highest-earning personality at WNEW during that period.
Bernice Judis fired William B. Williams primarily due to his lack of style, specifically his feet on the desk with red socks.
Answer: True
Explanation: According to accounts, station manager Bernice Judis dismissed William B. Williams from WNEW in 1947 due to a perceived lack of style, exemplified by an incident where his feet, clad in red socks, were propped on his desk.
Martin Block, the originator of 'Make Believe Ballroom,' moved to NBC Radio after leaving WNEW.
Answer: False
Explanation: Martin Block, the originator of 'Make Believe Ballroom,' moved to ABC Radio after departing from WNEW.
After returning to WNEW in 1953, William B. Williams hosted 'Music in a Sentimental Mood' in the morning.
Answer: False
Explanation: Upon his return to WNEW in 1953, William B. Williams hosted 'The William B. Williams Show' in the morning and 'Music in a Sentimental Mood' in the afternoon.
William B. Williams worked for the radio station WNEW for over forty years.
Answer: True
Explanation: William B. Williams maintained a long and distinguished career at WNEW, spanning more than four decades.
Billboard reported in 1965 that William B. Williams was the second highest-paid personality at WNEW.
Answer: False
Explanation: According to Billboard in 1965, William B. Williams was the highest-paid personality at WNEW, earning $105,000 annually.
According to one account, what specific detail about William B. Williams' appearance led to his firing by Bernice Judis?
Answer: His bright red socks
Explanation: Bernice Judis reportedly fired William B. Williams due to his perceived lack of style, specifically citing an instance where his feet, wearing bright red socks, were propped on his desk.
Where did Martin Block, the originator of 'Make Believe Ballroom,' move after leaving WNEW?
Answer: ABC Radio
Explanation: Following his departure from WNEW, Martin Block transitioned to ABC Radio.
After being rehired at WNEW in 1953, what was the title of the show William B. Williams hosted in the afternoon?
Answer: Music in a Sentimental Mood
Explanation: Upon his return to WNEW in 1953, William B. Williams hosted 'Music in a Sentimental Mood' in the afternoon hours.
For how many decades did William B. Williams work for the radio station WNEW?
Answer: Four
Explanation: William B. Williams maintained a career at WNEW that spanned over four decades.
What did Billboard report about William B. Williams' earnings in 1965?
Answer: He earned $105,000 annually.
Explanation: Billboard reported in 1965 that William B. Williams' annual salary was $105,000, making him the highest-paid personality at WNEW.
William B. Williams sometimes used pseudonyms like 'Guilliermo B. Guilliermos' and was known as 'Willie B.'
Answer: True
Explanation: William B. Williams occasionally employed pseudonyms such as 'Guilliermo B. Guilliermos' and was widely recognized by the affectionate nickname 'Willie B.'
William B. Williams' broadcasting style was characterized by his deep knowledge of music and the inclusion of personal stories.
Answer: True
Explanation: Listeners were captivated by William B. Williams' broadcasting style, which effectively blended profound musical expertise with the narration of personal anecdotes.
William B. Williams embraced the rise of rock 'n' roll music in the 1950s, considering it a positive evolution in popular music.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams held a strong aversion to rock 'n' roll music in the 1950s, often describing it as embarrassing and believing that audiences preferred 'good music'.
William B. Williams was commonly known by the nickname 'Willie G.' among his friends.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams was affectionately known to listeners and friends as 'Willie B.', not 'Willie G.'
William B. Williams believed that teenagers were primarily interested in the emerging genres of hard rock and heavy metal.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams believed teenagers were eager to hear 'good music' and expressed concern over the rise of genres he found embarrassing, rather than favoring hard rock and heavy metal.
What nickname was William B. Williams affectionately known by to listeners and friends?
Answer: Willie B.
Explanation: William B. Williams was commonly and affectionately known by his listeners and friends as 'Willie B.'
What did William B. Williams believe teenagers were hungry to hear in terms of music?
Answer: Good music
Explanation: William B. Williams believed that teenagers were seeking 'good music' and expressed concern over the quality of popular music being broadcast during the rise of rock 'n' roll.
William B. Williams is credited with coining the nickname 'The Voice' for Frank Sinatra.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams is credited with coining the nickname 'Chairman of the Board' for Frank Sinatra, not 'The Voice'.
William B. Williams made an appearance in Detective Comics alongside Batman and Robin.
Answer: True
Explanation: William B. Williams was featured in Detective Comics, with Batman and Robin appearing on the cover alongside him.
William B. Williams coined the title 'Chairman of the Board' for Benny Goodman.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams coined the title 'Chairman of the Board' for Frank Sinatra, not Benny Goodman.
William B. Williams co-hosted 'Adventures in Jazz' on CBS in 1949.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1949, William B. Williams participated in television by co-hosting the music program 'Adventures in Jazz' on the CBS network.
William B. Williams' wife, Dotty Mack, appeared on the DuMont Television Network.
Answer: True
Explanation: Dotty Mack, the wife of William B. Williams and a radio personality herself, made appearances on programs broadcast by the DuMont Television Network.
William B. Williams appeared in Detective Comics #357.
Answer: True
Explanation: William B. Williams was featured in Detective Comics #357, an issue that also included Batman and Robin.
William B. Williams was the announcer and sidekick for Sammy Davis Jr.'s television show 'Sammy and Company'.
Answer: True
Explanation: William B. Williams served as the announcer and sidekick on Sammy Davis Jr.'s syndicated television program, 'Sammy and Company', which aired from 1975 to 1977.
William B. Williams co-hosted the television music program 'Jazz Session' on CBS.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams co-hosted 'Adventures in Jazz' on CBS in 1949, not a program titled 'Jazz Session'.
William B. Williams served as announcer and sidekick on ABC's 'Nightlife' in 1965.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1965, William B. Williams held the role of announcer and sidekick, and occasionally served as host, on the ABC television program 'Nightlife'.
William B. Williams' wife, Dotty Mack, appeared on the DuMont Television Network.
Answer: True
Explanation: Dotty Mack, William B. Williams' wife, was featured on television programs broadcast by the DuMont Television Network.
William B. Williams appeared in Detective Comics #357.
Answer: Detective Comics #357
Explanation: William B. Williams was featured in Detective Comics #357.
What was William B. Williams' role on Sammy Davis Jr.'s talk show?
Answer: Announcer and sidekick
Explanation: William B. Williams served as the announcer and sidekick on Sammy Davis Jr.'s syndicated talk show, 'Sammy and Company'.
What was the name of the music program William B. Williams co-hosted in 1949?
Answer: Adventures in Jazz
Explanation: In 1949, William B. Williams co-hosted a television music program on CBS titled 'Adventures in Jazz'.
What was William B. Williams' role on ABC's 'Nightlife'?
Answer: Announcer and sidekick
Explanation: William B. Williams served as the announcer and sidekick, and occasionally as a host, on the ABC television program 'Nightlife' in 1965.
In the mid-1980s, William B. Williams hosted a national radio show called 'The Golden Age of Radio'.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the mid-1980s, William B. Williams hosted a national radio show syndicated by Westwood One titled 'Encore', not 'The Golden Age of Radio'.
William B. Williams was honored as Man of the Year by the New York Friars' Club in 1984, with Frank Sinatra hosting the ceremony.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1984, William B. Williams received the 'Man of the Year' honor from the New York Friars' Club, and the ceremony was indeed hosted by Frank Sinatra.
William B. Williams was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2006.
Answer: True
Explanation: In recognition of his significant contributions to radio broadcasting, William B. Williams was posthumously inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2006.
William B. Williams hosted the national radio show 'Encore' in the late 1970s.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams hosted the national radio show 'Encore' in the mid-1980s, not the late 1970s.
William B. Williams received the 'Man of the Year' award from the Friars Club Foundation in 1985.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams was honored as 'Man of the Year' by the Friars Club in 1984. In 1985, he received the Friars Club Foundation's Applause Award.
Frank Sinatra hosted the Friars Club ceremony where William B. Williams was honored as Man of the Year.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1984 Friars Club 'Man of the Year' ceremony honoring William B. Williams was indeed hosted by Frank Sinatra.
What was the name of the syndicated radio show William B. Williams hosted in the mid-1980s?
Answer: Encore
Explanation: In the mid-1980s, William B. Williams hosted the nationally syndicated radio show titled 'Encore'.
What award did William B. Williams receive from the Friars Club Foundation in 1985 for his charitable work?
Answer: The Applause Award
Explanation: In 1985, William B. Williams was honored with the Friars Club Foundation's Applause Award in recognition of his charitable contributions.
Who hosted the Friars Club ceremony in 1984 when William B. Williams was honored as Man of the Year?
Answer: Frank Sinatra
Explanation: The 1984 Friars Club ceremony honoring William B. Williams as Man of the Year was hosted by Frank Sinatra.
William B. Williams' brother, Ric Roman, was a famous singer.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams' brother, Ric Roman, was known for his work as a character actor in films and television, not as a singer.
William B. Williams served as a television spokesman for Genovese Drug Stores, using the tagline 'Your neighborhood pharmacy'.
Answer: False
Explanation: While William B. Williams was a television spokesman for Genovese Drug Stores, his tagline was 'A real drug store, and so much more!', not 'Your neighborhood pharmacy'.
A room at the Friars Club in Manhattan is named in honor of William B. Williams.
Answer: True
Explanation: William B. Williams is recognized with a named room at the Friars Club in Manhattan, signifying his esteemed membership and contributions.
William B. Williams was married to Dotty Mack, and they had two children.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams was married to Dotty Mack, but they had one son, Jeffrey B. Williams, not two children.
William B. Williams underwent surgery for lung cancer in 1985.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 1985, William B. Williams underwent surgery for colon cancer, not lung cancer.
William B. Williams died on August 3, 1986, three days before his 63rd birthday.
Answer: True
Explanation: William B. Williams passed away on August 3, 1986, which was indeed three days prior to his 63rd birthday.
William B. Williams is interred at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York, in a plot belonging to the Friars Club.
Answer: True
Explanation: William B. Williams' final resting place is Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York, within a plot designated for the Friars Club.
The William B. Williams Room at the Friars Club is located on the second floor.
Answer: False
Explanation: The William B. Williams Room at the Friars Club is situated on the third floor, not the second.
William B. Williams was born in 1923 and died at the age of 62.
Answer: False
Explanation: William B. Williams was born in 1923 and died in 1986 at the age of 62, just three days before his 63rd birthday.
William B. Williams' brother, Ric Roman, was known for his work in character acting.
Answer: True
Explanation: William B. Williams' brother, Ric Roman, established a career as a character actor in Hollywood films and television.
William B. Williams' tagline as a TV spokesman for Genovese Drug Stores was 'Your health, our priority.'
Answer: False
Explanation: The tagline used by William B. Williams as a spokesman for Genovese Drug Stores was 'A real drug store, and so much more!', not 'Your health, our priority.'
Who was William B. Williams married to?
Answer: A fellow radio personality named Dotty Mack
Explanation: William B. Williams was married to Dotty Mack, who was also a radio personality and appeared on the DuMont Television Network.
What was the name of the television program Dotty Mack, William B. Williams' wife, appeared on?
Answer: DuMont Television Network programs
Explanation: Dotty Mack, William B. Williams' wife, appeared on television programs broadcast by the DuMont Television Network.
What were the causes of William B. Williams' death in 1986?
Answer: Acute anemia and respiratory failure
Explanation: William B. Williams' death in 1986 was attributed to acute anemia and respiratory failure.
What was the tagline William B. Williams used as a TV spokesman for Genovese Drug Stores?
Answer: A real drug store, and so much more!
Explanation: As a television spokesman for Genovese Drug Stores, William B. Williams delivered the tagline 'A real drug store, and so much more!'