Martha Jean the Queen
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In the early 1950s, Martha Jean, would become one of but a few female broadcasters in the country working radio “on-the-air.” She landed her first DJ stint in broadcast radio when she was hired at Memphis’ WDIA in 1954.
In 1963, Bell Broadcasting in Detroit, WCHB, hired Martha Jean from Memphis’ WDIA. After three years on the radio there, she left WCHB for Detroit’s WJLB on October 24, 1966.
Fifty years ago, during the Detroit riot in July 1967, in her personal attempt to quell the widespread civil disturbance and “calm the citizenry” — Martha Jean convinced WJLB management to cancel all scheduled programming — thus allowing her to remain on the air for an unprecedented 48 consecutive hours.
The legendary soul radio personality Martha Jean, known as “The Queen,” remained a broadcasting staple for over four decades while in the Motor City. During her decades’ reign on the radio airways here she became a formidable voice for Detroit and its inner-city core. In 1982, she purchased her own radio station, thus, becoming its sole manager thereby having divested all prior control of operations for WQBH (formerly Detroit’s WMZK).
She remained there on the air until the day she passed away, January 29, 2000.
Loved seeing this article! I have to get in touch with you Jim! You’re doing a marvelous job keeping the memory of The Queen and the Radio Legacy of Detroit alive! Thank You!
Diane
Diane, we are doing all we can in preserving your mother’s memory on this website as well. This is for you — https://usaradiomuseum.com/?cat=597 more features of Martha Jean “The Queen” coming SOON on Motor City Radio Flashbacks. 🙂
My billing is Sgt Pepper is DIANNE STEINBERG as “LUCY”
Jim,
You have so beautifully laid out this montage of articles and photos in such a dedicated and honorable way. Author Gordon Smith has written a book “It Came From Memphis”. An accompanying video was with the book. We loved it. However, among all the men DJs and commentaries done in the late 80s and early 90s, there was no mention of the still Pioneer and reigning Queen of Radio, Thanks for your deliberate and mindful contribution to bridging the info gap in radio history. Thanks for such a gift to us all in Detroit and around the world! Got more for you! Thank you for your patience. Here’s to the Spirit of Detroit: LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!
Sincerely,
Diane Steinberg Lewis
eldest daughter of The Queen
P.S.
I co-starred as “Lucy” in the 1978 RSO movie ” Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” with Peter Frampton and the BeeGees. The Shout Factory BluRay as released 09/26/17
Jim,
You have so beautifully laid out this montage of articles and photos in such a dedicated and honorable way. Author Gordon Smith has written a book “It Came From Memphis”. An accompanying video was with the book. We loved it. However, among all the men DJs and commentaries done in the late 80s and early 90s, there was no mention of the still Pioneer and reigning Queen of Radio, Thanks for your deliberate and mindful contribution to bridging the info gap in radio history. Thanks for such a gift to us all in Detroit and around the world! Got more for you! Thank you for your patience. Here’s to the Spirit of Detroit: LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!
Sincerely,
Diane Steinberg Lewis
eldest daughter of The Queen
P.S. I co-starred as “Lucy” in the 1978 RSO movie ” Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” with Peter Frampton and the BeeGees. The Shout Factory BluRay as released 09/26/17
Thank you Diane for you comments, you are so kind. More features of your beloved mother is forthcoming! I have inserted your lovely color photo of Martha Jean The Queen you shared with me (on the website) in the website’s menu, DJ PICTURES, right there with all the guys! 🙂 Please share the Category link (I provided you) with your family and all your friends, friends of Martha Jean. Let’s pass this around as we would love to hear their comments here as well.
Great article
Remembering “THE QUEEN”
One of the greatest Blessings of my career in radio was working with the Queen! She was the best mentor anyone could have. Always patient and loving, strong and graceful. Her wisdom was a treasure that I will embrace for the rest of my life and I am favored by God for having had the benefit of knowing her❤️
“Martha Jean the Queen” was a staple on the radio in the 1960″s. My father Ezekiel “Zeke” was an constant listener at 12 noon. Whatever, he was doing he stopped to listen to words of wisdom, advice and reflections on Detroit, from the Queen. While attending Western Michigan University, I was fortunate enough to meet, Dianne Steinberg in Moore Hall, our residence hall, “The Queen’s” oldest daughter. We pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha together and remain close friends and sorors.
My aunt Pinkie and cousin Reva attended, The Queen’s “Annual King of Kings as long it lasted.
Martha Jean the Queen was a staple on Detroit radio for decades. She not only provided entertainment, but also guidance for her audiences. She was recently inducted into the Ring of Genealogy in the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, where great men and women who have made outstanding contributions to the African American struggle of justice.
Thank you for honoring our Mother, Martha Jean “The Queen” Steinberg. We here at Her Ministry, The Order of the Fishermen Ministy, are continuing to work to honoring this truly anointed child of God!
PLEASE feel free to contact me.
Thank you.
God bless you, We love you!
Hi Trienere, thank you for your lovely comments and for visiting this website. I assure you Motor City Radio Flashbacks is in the process of obtaining all we can of your beloved mother, the most spiritually esteemed, Martha Jean ‘The Queen,’ and in doing so we shall honor her, and so shall her legacy be remembered, here on this website, and so shall her name be remembered always. Thank you again, and we extend love to you and to the Steinberg family.
Diane, thanks for sharing this awesome documentation in words and pictures of the positive impact Martha Jean “the queen” had on the quality of life of everyone who respected her wisdom and love for others. She was a strong woman of God who was never afraid to speak “Truth to Power”. If she was physically alive today I wonder what positive impact would she have on “social Justice”?
Special thanks to Motor City Flashbacks staff for remembering the “Queen”.
Thanks for remembering the Queen and her commitment and love for all people.
She was never afraid to speak”Truth to Power” as a strong Woman of God. If she was physically alive today, I wonder in what ways would she have a positive impact on Social Justice. She was never afraid to express her opinion and become actively involved in struggles to help improve the quality of life for all people.