The other night I was on Youtube looking for local weather reports from the 1970s (my life is one thrill after another) when I came across a news jingle that surprised me—it was the first time I’d seen it in 45 years.
It was a catchy song from WTAE-TV (our local ABC station) and aired throughout 1977-79, “Hello Pittsburgh, Channel 4 Loves You”.
I remember seeing it often, but never grew tired of it. They produced different shorts of the 'Burgh, and I took pride in where I lived.
Anyway, I started to look into it’s backstory but soon discovered it wasn’t Pittsburgh’s own. (In fact, Milwaukee lays claim to that.) It turns out in the late 1970s thru the mid 1980’s, news stations everywhere aired their own version of it—and not just in this country!
I wound up finding 25 versions of this song, but I’m only sharing my Top 8 here. (Apologies to Witchita, Atlanta, Nashville, Rhode Island, Indiana & Syracuse, among others.) You should watch the ones below, they’re only one minute long—well, except for the last one it’s two minutes—but there’s a good reason.
1. HELLO PITTSBURGH – The video quality isn’t great, but it’s still my favorite. The traffic cop at the end was a downtown fixture for many years and made famous in the movie ‘Flashdance’.
2. HELLO HOUSTON - Space City USA!
3. HELLO MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee aired two versions, one sung by a woman, the other a man. (Pittsburgh did the same.) I think the male version here is smoother.
4. In the Canadian province of Alberta… HELLO CALGARY! Some great aerial shots here, and this was before drones.
5. HELLO SAN DIEGO – I think this one’s the prettiest.
6. HELLO ACADIANA – Hello Acadiana? Oh look, Ron Howard!
7. HELLO MELBOURNE – Yep, Australia! And looking good too.
8. HELLO OSMONDS (HELLO UTAH) – My other video roundups contain an Osmonds clip, why make an exception now?
Good morning Doug. Well of course I had to google it for Syracuse, my home town. It sure was nostalgic! A flash from the past for sure. Winters can be tough here (we average over 100" of snow each yer), but this is where family and friends are, which of course is most important.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, our last few winters have had much less snow and warmer temps, thanks to global warming. The best thing about retirement is if the weather is bad, you don't have to go out!
Carole
Thanks Carole, doggone it now I feel bad for not including it here--I did watch it a couple times, it did seem focused on snow! Anyway, I just said the same thing last week (to the people at my senior center when I cancelled coming up), I'm no longer required to brave the cold weather :^)
DeleteApparently there is a feeling in the air --- EVERYWHERE!!! Nice compilation, Doug! Off to a birthday lunch now, where the feeling will be celebratory. Gloomy weather here in Ottawa where our biggest winter attraction, the Rideau canal skating rink, is slushy and closed! Disappointed feelings for many.
ReplyDeleteThank you Florence, and I'm very sorry about all the slush but I hope you manage to have fun still at your birthday lunch! By the way I did a look up of where Calgary is compared to you, it's a bit distant 😄
DeleteThat is a catchy and sort of addictive tune. No wonder many stations adopted it. It is funny how things like this stay with us forever.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan, well to be honest I'd completely forgotten about it until I saw the Pittsburgh video the other night, and it all came rushing back to me. I just can't believe that for all these years I assumed that was Pittsburgh's own creation. It's a small world!
DeleteHi Doug, love Florence’s first line of her comment!😆😆 Lovely to see these snippets of the various cities. When I think of Pittsburgh I do think of steel manufacturing but there is so much more. There was a song in the 1980’s called “We built this city” When it played on radio stations there is a part in the middle where local DJ’s could record a small bit about the town where the radio station was. Always loved hearing it played on the Toronto station CHUM.
ReplyDeleteTake care.❤️
Robin
Hi Robin, I felt just the same way when I saw Florence's comment. She nailed it! Well, when the Pittsburgh video was made, we were known as the Steel City. That was our major trade, that and Heinz! At least we didn't go under when the steel industry collapsed in the early eighties, now we're known for healthcare and IT technologies--and much cleaner air! Thank you for sharing my friend, and by the way I now have we built this city on rock and roll in my ear 😄
DeleteAnd here's Erie's: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2409912455913902 I don't live in Erie, but we just live in a small town in 'Kinzua Country'. Too small for a jingle, I guess.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debby, I never saw this one! Well, you're like where I grew up, close enough to a major city to call it our own. PS. I had to retrieve your comment from my online spam folder. This is madness!
DeleteOh, what fun! I watched the vids and then went looking for Hello, Seattle. (not that I live there but it's the closest big city) Unfortunately, there's an electronic song called Hello, Seattle that is the only option listed. Wahhh!
ReplyDeleteHaha thank you Margaret and honestly, when I began finding other cities I did look for Seattle! Don't give up hope, I haven't! :^)
DeleteI looked up Kansas City and there was one, with a male singing it. They are beautiful, but I don’t remember seeing any of them. ( I lived in a couple of different states) Well, I am finally having my gallbladder removed tomorrow after several months of various run arounds. 😊. Joyce
ReplyDeleteJoyce I'll have to do some more digging--I only found 2 with the male singing. On a more important note, wow about tomorrow--I will be thinking about you and I hope you let me know how everything went the next chance you get. Good luck my friend. :^)
DeleteThe beginning of it is slightly different, but it’s the same idea. Surgery done. It’s not too bad unless I move. lol. I’ll be a new person in a few days! Joyce
DeleteHi Joyce, wow you don't waste any time do you! Very glad to hear things went well, hope you take it easy! ❤️🩹
DeleteWell, I hardly slept last night and am hardly able to eat. The pain is intense when I move and walk. But, I know I have to get up and move around. I’m being optimistic to psych myself up. I am resting a lot and definitely taking it easy. Joyce
DeleteWe live smack in between Cleveland and Toledo and have always got both city's stations, even with an antenna in the 60's. I don't ever remember this song, but there was something similar in the early 2000's that was so perfect for Toledo. I was sure it was home written. Then we went on vacation and heard it for another city in another state. Disappointing. And now I will be spending the rest of the night trying to remember that song!
ReplyDeleteI was shopping in a dollar store last weekend when what should I find but the new flavors of instant mashed potatoes! We have tried the red skin version and it is terrific! Thanks for the heads up. I bought a few - for some reason the "ranch mashed potatoes". When we get brave enough to try them, I will let you know how it goes.
Miss Merry, you're a mind reader. I'm not kidding, I stopped at the store today on the way home from the center and bought two more packs of instant potatoes. I saw the ranch flavor! Idahoans buttermilk ranch but I was afraid to try it. Please let me know the minute you do! PS. How close are you to Dayton? I had that on my list originally, I liked the vintage airplanes in it but removed it at the last minute to reduce my list.
DeleteLordy, there are a hell of a lot more buildings in Melbourne these days. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not.
ReplyDeleteSome of those channel 7 people featured are no longer with us. That may be the same for the other cities.
Thank you Peter, I was hoping to get your take on Melbourne. Well that's one of the newer videos and it's still almost 40 years old! I'd love to see it in person someday for myself!
DeleteThis was fun. I remember "Hello Cleveland", back when. Same policeman clip?
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne, I'll have to look for the Cleveland video. That can't be the same cop though, the one in the Pittsburgh video was a common sight downtown here for many years.
DeleteI really like the Pittsburgh video the most, as it show Ballet and a Roman Catholic cop making the sign of the Cross. I also like Calgary, as David's parents hailed from Calgary. Yes, they were Canadian.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gigi and wow, did not know that about David's parents. You always manage to surprise me. 🙂
DeleteI listened to the first one but don't really want to hear so many versions of the exact same song, I have my windows media playlist on right now anyway.
ReplyDeleteThanks River, but I included the Melbourne video just for you! 🙂
DeleteI'll have a listen then, thank you.
DeleteI don't ever recall hearing the tune before, but it certainly lended itself to being modified to fit most cities (or even towns). I wondered how they'd manage with a three syllable community name but they did it. I'm guessing the Calgary overhead shots were done with a helicopter. I did chuckle at the mountains because you have to leave the city to find those.
ReplyDeleteWhoever owned the rights to the song must have made a pretty penny.
Maebeme, I read this song wound up being used around 100 places total so yes someone made a pretty penny alright! As for those aerial shots probably done by a helicopter, of course you're right. Thank you. 😊
DeleteWho's the guy in the brown plaid coat in the video at the top? You get bonus pts if you can answer that Doug. I like your blog.
ReplyDeleteJack P
Hi Jack--good to hear from you, my friend. I don't get many Pittsburgh visits here, haha :^) Well I believe you're talking about Nick Perry who hosted Bowling for Dollars back in the 70s. I heard he retired after making a killing in the lottery... cough. ;^)
DeleteWell, I'm a little behind reading posts this week, Dug... but this was interesting. Did you know you could play all of those at the same time?
ReplyDeleteAnd just fyi, I still can't find Vermont White Cheddar around here.
Thanks Rian, and I totally get it, I've gotten behind too. You made me laugh about playing all these videos at the same time, I'll be darned you're right! And I'm sorry about those white cheddar potatoes, I'm going back for them twice now and my store is still out!
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