Gene Arnold

Gene Arnold (b. July 11, 194X), nicknamed "Giant Gene" by his fans at record hops and dances, is a radio and television personality from Philadelphia.

Early career

Arnold began his musical career in the 1950s, appearing on American Bandstand as a teenager in 1956, where Dick Clark gave him the stage name 'Rick Roman' when he was asked for a suggestion.

Arnold married Terry Hunter, herself a singer and entertainer, on June 24, 1962. They were part of "The Sounds Of Philly" scene for years.

In 1967, Arnold began his radio career on WIFI-FM with Ron Josephs. Josephs and Arnold played "oldies" and had record hops and dances as well. One evening, Gene did not bring his record case and found a group of albums on the station floor. He had to play something on the air, so he discovered sounds he had never heard before. The audience loved them and the phones rang off their hooks. His love for progressive rock began at that moment, causing a rift between Josephs and Arnold about that "awful" music by groups like The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, and 13th Floor Conspiracy.

Arnold later continued at WCAM with his "AM Undeground" and "heavy 13" format, WCAU (with his "Gene Arnold's American Scene" talk show), and at WIBG (with "Giant Gene's Electric Scene"). He was also a regular on many TV shows and hosted the Jerry Lewis telethon (among others) in Philadelphia for several years in the 70s. Arnold was also in the movie "Fighting Back", which was filmed in Philadelphia.

Associations with Philadelphia progressive-rock groups

Arnold and his wife Terry helped pioneer many of the early Philadelphia progressive-rock groups such as The Nazz, American Dream, Stone Dawn, Woody's Truck Stop, Mandrake Memorial, Elizabeth, and The Legions by hosting the first "Be-IN" at Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park, and was involved heavily in promoting and serving as master of ceremonies (MC) for the first Earth Day concert, to which he drove his propane-powered car. He also acted as Master of Ceremonies for many of the top concerts at the Electric Factory and The Spectrum, including concerts by Jimi Hendrix and The Doors, as well as Steppenwolf, Chicago, Janis Joplin and The Who. Arnold was also a favorite MC of The Allman Brothers.Fact|date=February 2007

Advertising business

After working in radio and TV for years, he formed American Agency with his cousin, and later Arnold started his own business, Gene Arnold & Company, to produce advertising and marketing for new and popular companies like Merry Go Round, Deb Shops, Barbara Moss, and Jean Nicole. Arnold, also was chosen to appear in thousands of radio and TV spots and infomercials as "himself" acting as the spokesman or voice. Included are well-remembered spots for Philadelphia's famed Melrose Diner, for LifeCall (famous for the line, "I've fallen and I can't get up!"), for Beta Vision Productions, Craftmatic adjustable beds, and Brazil Contempo Leather, featuring Terry Arnold wearing black gloves and sensuously stroking leather furniture.

1988 to Today

Arnold was injured in a car accident in 1988, and was forced to retire from his ad agency creative work. In 2001, his son Jody encouraged him to re-live the great times he had as part of the Philly Sound, and with the help of web guru Rich Levin, Bob Davis of Soul-Patrol.net (where many of Gene's Superstar Concert series can be heard again), and Netcetra.com, they are keeping Gene's Philly Sounds alive. Also, a scrapbook of Philly favorites is maintained on the internet Current photos and news of happenings for Gene and Terry are posted.

Gene was honored on August 24, 2004, to MC at the Brotherly Love All-Star Tour, a concert produced by George Manney, starring many of Philly's finest, such as Charlie Gracie, The Soul Survivors, Essra Mohawk, Stewkey's NAZZ, American Dream, and The Orlons, among others, all friends over the years of their careers.

His most recent honors include being presented the coveted "Black Legends Of Music" award,and being entered into the "Disco DJ Hall Of Fame" (now part of The Library Of Congress), and being entered into the "Philly TV and Radio Hall Of Fame"

Gene and Terry were recently featured in a TV documentary about Jimi Hendrix due to their close personal experiences with the legend, and, with the help of great people like Bob Davis, founder of www.soul-patrol.net, and Rich Levin of www.pctalk.net, is enjoying hearing his old programs restored with some updates to share with what seems to be a large international internet audience.:"It's great therapy to hear from listeners and viewers you pleased a long time ago who've now found you on the web," he stated in a recent interview. "I can't do "live" radio now due to an accident that took my spontaneous creative thinking process, but still enjoy communicating with the help of editing, re-takes, and of course, my wife, who keeps it all together for us. That way, nobody hears the mistakes or mis-pronounced words that occasionally pop-out, but he states it's still lot's of fun to do the updates for our original broadcasts.

Arnold was recently voted Number 25 on the "All Time Top Disco DJ" list by the leading European Music Magazine, DJ's Portal. His most recent projects include the "radio announcer" narration for the documentary film "Dummy Hoy, A Deaf Baseball Hero", produced by Da-Cor Films in Hollywood, and narrating another documentary, Survivors Stories, WW2"Teery Arnold, (now known professionally as "Terryl" , just completed roles in two Hollywood projects, one for eBay, and another as "Goldie Goforit" in a "Price Is Right" spoof.

Terry Arnold (billed as her stage name 'Terryl' was recently in two Hollywood films.."eBay Disco Ball" and a spoof on "The Price Is Right" as "Goldie Goforit" an enthusiastic contestant.

External links

* [http://www.giantgene.com Giant Gene's website, featuring "The History Of The Sounds Of Philly"]
* [http://www.soul-patrol.net Soul-Patrol.net]
* [http://imterryl.tripod.com/terryl/ Terryl's website]