02/25/2026
Today, we give a final salute to an old friend. He appeared live on WXED 107.3 FM radio a few years back with Sparo Figley and Tom Figley. We have some great pictures to remember him by and a few lines that I wrote as an introduction to the radio audience back then. Some of you may enjoy reading.
"Today, Ladies & Gentlemen, I’d like to tell you a story about a man I know. A man who has lived a long and interesting life, full of musical memories. You might know him. His name is Bob Johnson. He’s originally from Beaver Falls, PA. He was next to the youngest of seven children. Bob’s mom and dad separated when he was only 5, so in 9th grade. Bob left school to go to work with his mom, Elizabeth, working at Mayer China in Beaver Falls.
He began playing guitar when he was very young and had a gift for singing. He joined the popular Skip Summerville Band in 1954. The four of them would go to WVBP Radio Station in Beaver Falls during Bob’s lunch break at Mayer China. They played music, and Bob sang live on air. Afterwards, he would run the six or seven blocks back to work. Bob, then, as now would rather sing than eat.
Bob’s band played all over Beaver and Lawrence Counties. Once they were invited to audition at the Wheeling Jamboree in Wheeling, West Virginia. On that occasion, the Jamboree officials took Bob aside and asked him if he would like to come back as a solo to sing with the house band. They didn’t want his band, just him. He said yes, thinking it was a great opportunity, and maybe his big break. Jamboree officials said they would call him when they had an opening, but the days dragged on, and there was no call.
After several months of waiting, he got antsy. Being young and impatient, he decided to join the Navy in 1955.
He was in basic training when his mom got the phone call from the Wheeling Jamboree, asking Bob to join them. He had missed his opportunity."
Bob was a near-miss hit all his life, but with his friends and family, he was always a big hit. You were loved, and you'll be missed, Bob Johnson.