Matty Singer The Humdinger

[athegymtday]

I am just wondering if anyone on this board remembers the legendary Matty Singer? I remember the days when he would show up at a radio station with records for everyone (I still have a few from the late 60's early 70's) with the famous sticker that would say "this one's a real humdinger". He was pushing ABC-Dunhill records at the time and I remember in 1969 he gave me a 3 dog night album, which I still have, it was their first album which had One is the lonliest number on it. I remember Try a little tenderness, getting some air play as well.

Getting back to Matty Singer. The man was a treasure of off colored jokes and so much fun to be around. He even made apperances on Ch. 17's Ed Hurst Show and I think even Sumertime on the Pier as well with some kind of "words of wisdom" thing.

When he passed away, I understand at his direction it was a closed coffin and Matty was on tape telling his jokes! What a character.

[Bill790]

When I was in college (Lehigh University) Matty would call every week. When I picked up the phone Matty would say, "Hello! Humdinger! Have a nice day." It always cracked me up. I was always tempted to tell him that you tell people to have a nice day at the END of a conversation.

He certainly was a piece of work! One of a kind.

[Bill Jacobs at WRDV]

He used to drop by WRTI every now and then, back in the late 70s, even though we only played jazz, which wasn't really his inventory.

He was EXACTLY as described above.

Bill

[bigjay]

A legend. I went to either his birthday party or retirement party in Philly years ago at at China Town restaurant. Who's who of Philly radio & record people there. Good times. And he DID convince me to play some hit records! BE BIG!

[John1]

I remember that Joey Reynolds used to tell stories about him a lot and I believe had him on the show several times when Joey was doing the WFIL morning show in the '80's. From what I remember he was quite a character, perfrct for his job.

[BrotherBrian]

Matty pushed Columbia product in the mid-60s, and I had the impression he was headquartered in Pittsburgh, but maybe he was working phones from the eastern part of the state?  My first Simon and Garfunkle 45 came from Matty Singer.  Also The Cyrkle.  His calls were a trip!  Slim Jim Buchanan did a great spoof of a Matty Singer promo call for the WKBO Christmas Party sometime in the late 70s.  I have it around here somewhere.  Jeff Hunt, Roanoke VA

[BrotherBrian]

I must correct myself!  I did take calls from Matty while in the Harrisburg market, but the Columbia guy I remembered out of Pittsburgh was "Solly" - Solomon, I think.  It was Solly that sent that first Simon & Garfunkle 45.  Anyone remember Gertie from Capitol?  I think her name was Katzman.