[PRCo] Rege Cordic and PRC

[Bob Rathke]

Rege Cordic started out on WWSW radio, then switched to the morning program
on KDKA. In 1954-55, he had an early evening program on KDKA Radio called
"On the Town".  He called people and companies on the air, and engaged in
elaborate put-ons.  Some of these put-ons involved rail topics.  I remember
one program where he called PRC and asked about chartering a trolley for a
party he was having.  PRC said they could do it.  Rege told PRC that he
wanted to have a band on the trolley.  No problem.   Then he said that he'd
like to have dancing for his guests, so could PRC remove the seats on the
trolley used that evening?  PRC said they could not accommodate that
request.  Rege persisted, but PRC wouldn't give in. Then he told them who he
was, and that they were on the air.

I talked with Rege just before he left Pittsburgh in 1965, and I saw him
again during a visit back to Pittsburgh in 1967.  He was far and away the #1
radio personality among a handful of morning drive time competitors in
Pittsburgh, but in Los Angeles he was just one of dozens of broadcasters,
each with a small share of the total audience.  His Pittsburgh characters
such as Omicron and Louie Adamchevitz just didn't catch on in L.A.  However,
he remained in L.A.and had minor roles in movies and TV shows over the
years.

And...yes, his beer creation was Olde Frothingslosh, marketed at Christmas
by Pittsburgh Brewing Company (Iron City).

I have one of the Olde Frothingslosh cans that featured a photo of PRC 4398
at Arden, so there's a good chance that he was a member of PERC at that
time.

Bob 1/25/02

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Harold Geissenheimer" <transitmgr at worldnet.att.net>
To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org>
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2002 9:10 PM
Subject: [PRCo] Re: Bill Vigrass Images on Dave's


>
>
> Greetings
>
> Its about Pgh beer so it must be on topic.
>
> What about Rege Cordic's Old Frothingslosh (spelling?) beer.  This started
> out as a stunt (the foam was on the bottom) but I believe Iron City sold
it.
> Is it still sold at Christmas?
>
> Rege was a KDKA radio personality and a railfan.  Member of Arden?
> His father was a B&O Road Foreman of Engines.  He did the Cordic car
> and ran an election year B&O special which allowed Arden to sell the
> refreshments at a profit.
>
> A question to Arden.  Was he a member?  #?
>
> He was famous for happy events.  Like the brick throw?  Like the auto
> off the bridge to no where?  Like the Crudley Whiteliner auto (long &
narrow)?
>
> He was perfect for Pittsburgh.  Then he went to Hollywood TV and never
made it.
>
> Another reason why Pittsburgh in the 1950's was a perfect place.
>
> Harold Geissenheimer