The Journal News from White Plains, New York • Page 113

Nightbird still soars for WNEW By SU YATES Come fly with me. This is Alison Steele, the Night-bird." A burst of pre-Columbian music, an inspirational poem, and then the sultry, provocative voice oozes over the WNEW-FM progressive rock airwaves. For 12 years, Alison Steele has left an indelible imprint on the minds of her listeners. She has pulled people through rough nights, coaxed exotic images out of imaginations, introduced new music and musicians, or, depending on who you're talking with, has forced some people to turn the dial. For some, Steele's voice is the embodiment of the ultimate in femininity, with its resonant Lauren Bacall quality that dips and glides over words.

For others, her voice the epitome of phoni-ness, and rankles the same way as does a fingernail scratching a blackboard. Whatever the effect (which is a matter personal taste), what's really significant about the lady is her success in radio. Steele grew up in New York City, and lived comfortably until, that is, her family's fortunes were drastically reversed. That turn of events molded Alison's tremendously strong ambition to be successful. In her quest for fiscal security, Alison works hard; she produces radio and tv syndicated shows, writes books, makes public appearances, and still manages to spin her 10 p.m.

to 2 a.m. show on WNEW-FM six nights a week. As Alison puts it, "I was determined to be in show biz; I would do anything." She began her career in television, as a glorified errand girl, and eventually wound up doing commercials, the weather, the news anything to gain experience. In 1965, she was hired as one of six female disc jockeys when WNEW-FM tried out an "all-girl" format. In those days, after complet- WNEW FM's Nightbird, Alison Steele next day, she would announce, "My guest today is Bob Goulet, and Bob, let me ask you about She would pose a question then play back the taped response as if Goulet were sitting next to her.

Please turn to next page ing her air shift, Alison would grab her tape recorder and frequent nightclubs, where she would collar celebrities like Robert Goulet. After asking the celeb a number of questions, she would dash back to the station and cut the taped interview into question and answer segments. On the air the TVRadio Week, August 27, 1978 Page 35.