Giant Gene and Terry's Bio Page
Born and raised in Philadelphia,Gene and Terry are still Philadelphians. Starting in the entertainment and radio-tv industry in 1956 as "teen sensation Rick Roman," the "Giant" Gene Arnold we know today was established in radio with Ron Joseph (who had first met him as "Rick" when he appeared at one of RJ's record hops at the Palm Swim Club years before.) RJ was on WIFI-92FM in 1967, and invited him to co-host his rock n' soul Oldies show with him. Not content with just the "oldies" in this bold, new time, Gene soon created "Giant Gene's Electric Scene" and "Gene Arnold's AM Underground," "Giant Step," and other legendary broadcasts with the top rock stars live from the station or from concerts in the area. He went on to host and co-host TV shows with RJ, and then on his own when RJ's love of "oldies" and Gene's of "hard-rock" caused a split. The kids started calling him "Giant" Gene because he was a hair taller than another popular DJ at the time, "Long" John Wade.
Gene later went on to create a "younger" audience for CBS talk-radio with his "Gene Arnold's American Scene" program heard nightly across America on WCAU-1210AM. He was also involved in helping grow many of the "Philly Sounds" you'll hear on "Sounds Of Philly" every week , and wrote and produced many records as well. His first official Fan Club was started in TEEN Magazine in 1958.He has appeared before the camera's in virtually hundreds of Television spots, on teen-dance and talk-shows, hosting the Jerry Lewis and Variety Club Telethons (among many others) and was in Dino DeLaurantis' great "Philly"
film, "Fighting Back" with his son, Jody.
Gene's background of being one of the only broadcasters to ever appear only on Philadelphia-based radio and TV stations, and originate all of his sydicated programs from Philadelphia; and his "life-long" Philly residency qualifies him uniquely as the most natural host for this worldwide educational musical tribute to the music and people of his great city; PHILADELPHIA, AND "THE SOUNDS OF PHILLY". Gene was also presented the coveted "Legend Of Black Music" Award by Bob Davis, Founder of Soul-Patrol. He is also in the "Philly TV and Radio Hall Of Fame" and in The Disco Hall of Fame in the Library Of Congress. Gene was a popular radio, TV, and nite-club host long before he started doing advertising and starting his own company.

Gene and Terry have both been cited by Philadelphia Mayor's and City Council for their work with teens in the city, and their International "promotion" of the City wherever they travel. They were also awarded a Certificate Of Achievement from The Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania for their efforts on behalf of the states teens.


The newspaper Photo at right shows "Rick and new wife Terri Hunter" at a movie premiere in 1962. Terry was (and is) a great singer and entertainer, and the pair grew up living near each other, knowing all of the same people, and both entering the entertainment industry without ever knowing each other until Gene's mom and Terry and her Dad met.When they started talking, Gene's mom showed Terry a picture, and Terry said "I know him..I've seen him on TV." Gene had just returned from doing a part in a film shot in Florida, and his mom said "you have to call this girl!" For once, he listened! The rest is history! Son Jody (who when younger and still today) helps produce every re-visited program (along with Terry) lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Deborah, and their young son Max.
None of our current efforts would be possible with Rich Levin, of www.pctalkweb.net, a computer guru, and Bob Davis, of www.soul-patrol.net, who we are ever grrateful to.
 
   
 
WE ALSO THANK THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR PIONEER EFFORTS IN LAUNCHING OUR RETURN AND NEW SHOWS:

The Great Zeeth, The Zeethkeeper, our sons, our awesome grandkids, and everyone who wants me back on the air.

Thanks to my incredible Doctor, Irwin Rothman, who has helped me much after my 1988 car accident. Fortunately, we accidently found Dr. Rothman, He is one of the World's leading experts on minor injuries to the head. We want to stress the importance of knowledge on "Minor Closed Head Trauma"...a great "mystery" that causes victims from even the slightest head trauma to lose "something"...although the "something" differs in each case. In my situation, the natural ability to create concepts, designs, and copy for the radio and TV spots, and major international marketing campaigns we did for years seemed to "fly out of the window"
as if I never had it. Dr. Rothman has just retired, but his legacy will live on. I now have a great new doctor who is also very helpful to me.

I still perform voiceovers for many companies, but now, only from their copy and ideas. As always, Terry still is extremely helpful, and runs all of our affairs perfectly (and, thankfully.).

Thank you all for your encouragement and support.Your great e.mails about the show, and requests are especially welcomed.



Webmaster Note: These pages are always updated. The Link under this text that say's "Hear The Sounds Of Philly Now" is not correct.
The links at the very bottom of the page ARE correct.


Hear "The Sounds Of Philly"

terryl@writeme.com

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