Randall, Johnny – ‘David Manheimer, Dave Mann’

WXYZ: WXYZ-AM early afternoon disc jockey. Circa, 1965-1975.

WAAM and WTAC: Disc Jockey

WYSI: Disc Jockey

WDTM: Announcer

“David Manheimer started working in Detroit radio at the age of 15. He was hired by classical station WDTM because he could properly pronounce the names of the composers. He quickly moved to WYSI in Ypsilanti, then, as “Dave Mann,” to WAAM and WTAC in Flint. He was only 21 in 1965 when he began a 10-year run at WXYZ in Detroit, spinning the hits as “Johnny Randall.” On the air in those days, he was in the company of Dick Purtan, Soupy Sales, Lee Alan, Joel Sebastian, Scott Regan, and of course Specs Howard. Manheimer/Randall met Specs when they were both at WXYZ. Manheimer became one of the first instructors at the new Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts in the early 1970s. Then, after spending nearly 20 years in California, he returned to the school in 1991 to serve as Admissions/Marketing Director for three years. Manheimer now enjoys retirement in Grand Rapids, traveling as much as possible with his wife Norma Jean.” ¹

Recent Sightings:

• Commercial Equipment – Grand Rapids, Michigan

1. Specs Howard School of Media Arts Blog, August 15, 2019 – 50 Years of the Specs Howard School: David Manheimer Reflects (PDF)