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 Woodbridge Welcomes “Wizard of Was” for a “ Dance Down Memory Lane”

 May 26 Event Caps Township’s Slate of Senior Health Month Activities

WOODBRIDGE – Veteran radio-TV personality Joe Franklin, the self-proclaimed “Wizard of Was”, will perform to a packed house when he makes an encore appearance at Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main Street, May 26 from 1-4 p.m.

Close to 150 seniors are expected to attend, having called in their enthusiastic RSVPs for the culminating event of the Township’s Senior Health Month program.

In addition to the special appearance by Franklin, DJ Steve Berger will spin hits from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s with a “ Dance Down Memory Lane” theme paying homage to Franklin’s renowned WOR-AM radio show Memory Lane that ran from 1967-2004.

“This is a great way to recognize the contributions our seniors have made and continue to make to the cultural fabric of Woodbridge,” says Mayor Frank G. Pelzman. “Joe Franklin is a true broadcasting original, and his life and career exemplify the vibrant spirit of this generation.”

Recently honored by The Museum Of Television and Radio, Franklin pioneered the modern TV talk show with his first broadcasts in 1950 on New York’s WJZ-TV (now WABC-TV). During the 40-year run of The Joe Franklin Show, Franklin interviewed an estimated 200,000 guests and gave early exposure to performers such as Woody Allen, Dustin Hoffman, Barbara Streisand, Bill Cosby and Liza Minnelli. In the late 1960s, singer Bette Midler and her accompanist Barry Manilow served as Franklin’s in-house musical talent.

Franklin continues to promote his creative blend of musical nostalgia through recordings, movies, celebrity memorabilia and a thriving midtown Manhattan restaurant. Never reticent about his place in broadcast history, he describes himself as “the King of Entertainment” and believes his programs remained popular for so long “because millions of people lived for them!”

Dance Down Memory Lane with Joe Franklin is free and open to the public with RSVP required. To RSVP call (732) 855-0600 ext. 5024.