In a 1983 issue of Sinorama, we interviewed radio host Li Chi-chun, who had earned the nickname “Mr. Radio.” His deep, resonant voice was an accompaniment to the lives of his Taiwan audiences for over four decades.
Forty-one years ago, Li started hosting a midnight radio program called A Time for Reasoning. Because the program was so well received, the Broadcasting Corporation of China asked him to host a new program at the earlier time of seven in the evening: Time for Sentiment. Such was his popularity and versatility that at one time he was hosting five programs a day. He later received a letter of appointment from the BCC for the position of producer, the first time that the BCC had made such an appointment.
“Huagui brand panty-hose: transparent from the waist down.” This ad slogan was one of Li’s most memorable on-air lines.
Li used to do advertisements during his shows because in 1973, he earned a monthly salary of only NT$2470, but from that he had to pay his five assistants NT$3000 each for putting together the programs that he produced. He really had no choice but to find extra income through advertising. So from financial necessity there were created so many of the lines that live on in people’s memories today.
Li’s radio programs provided the soundtrack for the lives of many people throughout their youth. In 2015, at age 72, Li received a Special Contribution Award at the 50th Golden Bell Awards for the radio industry. He is no stranger to these awards, having won no less than five Golden Bells over the years. As he received his sixth, the deep resonance of that familiar voice seemed to be murmuring back the years of youth for many Taiwan listeners.
As one of the first generation of broadcasters in Taiwan, Li earned the nickname “Mr. Radio.” While not the tallest of men, with five Golden Bell Awards under his belt he’s considered a giant of Taiwan broadcasting.
As one of the first generation of broadcasters in Taiwan, Li earned the nickname “Mr. Radio.” While not the tallest of men, with five Golden Bell Awards under his belt he’s considered a giant of Taiwan broadcasting.
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