Lee’s Solid Gold Show
Over the years, the name Lee Rand has become synonymous with Lincoln, Maine, radio and broadcasting. In the 1970s to the mid-1980s, Lee Rand was general manager of radio station WLKN AM/FM in Lincoln. During this time, he hosted his own radio show, “Solid Gold”, featuring music of the 1950s and 60s. Solid Gold was the #1 rated weekend radio show in northern Maine during that time period, with the station showing up for the first time ever in the Bangor (ME) Spring Arbitron ratings in 1982.
Lee was the subject of three major articles in the Bangor Daily News during his radio career. He also produced radio shows for MPBN featuring recording artists from the State of Maine. His in-depth, detailed six-hour “Dick Curless Story” set a new high for Maine broadcast standards. Lee surpassed that with another six-hour radio show, featuring Maine rock and roll bands from the 1960s, highlighted by the original music and interviews with band members from such groups as the Mainiacs, Jester Holiday, Barracudas, Triumphs and others. Lee made radio fun to listen to again.
In the fall of 1962, Lee attended his first rock ‘n roll show at the old Bangor City Hall with David Sleeper from Brewer. That Saturday afternoon, he also attended the “Teen TV Show” hosted by Bangor TV and radio personality, Jim Winters. The featured artist for both events was Bobby “Boris” Pickett. The three things Lee remembers are that Bobby Pickett was a heck of a nice guy, he lip-synced the song on TV, and he sang Boney Maronie at his live show. Bobby was backed up by the Triumphs, and Lee thinks he remembers Bobby doing Monster Mash two or three times during the show. Although it’s long lost, he did get Bobby’s autograph that day, but more importantly Lee decided that there had to be a place for him somewhere in the world of rock ‘n roll.
In the mid-1970s, while becoming increasingly known for his popular “live” record hops, Lee programmed the music for WABI’s (Bangor, Maine) oldies format at the request of then program director George Hale. Informed at the time (not by George btw) that he would never be a successful radio DJ because his voice sounded too much like he was from Maine (!), Lee nevertheless proved that to be on par with telling the Beatles in 1962 that four-man rock groups were on the way out! At this time, Lee had also been working for the past few years as a DJ at WMEB-FM in Orono. He was soon recruited by WLKN-FM in Lincoln and Solid Gold debuted on August 7, 1978. As mentioned earlier, Lee went on to numerous achievements in his radio career, as radio personality, sales manager and station general manager. Few in eastern and northern Maine enjoyed the popularity that Lee did, with his oldies show and with those who listened to it faithfully every Sunday. It probably can be said quite sincerely that “Mr. Lee” is truly a broadcasting legend. Whether it was Brenda Lee, Ronnie Dove, Johnny Rivers or Freddy Fender . . . when they came to Maine, Lee was their MC – at their request.
During the 1980’s, Lee’s oldies street dances were a popular feature of Lincoln’s annual Homecoming Celebrations!
This page is dedicated to the late Jim Winters.
Jim befriended Lee and his bands all those years ago and was the inspiration for the style of record hops that Lee would emulate many years later. Jim passed away on January 3, 1992 at the age of 61.
He will always be remembered for his kindness to a 13-year-old kid who loved rock ‘n roll. “Thanks Jim.”
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SOLID GOLD PRODUCTIONS
Jim Winters caricature by Mae Martel. Used with Permission.
