Don McNeill

The Breakfast Club was a long-run morning variety show on NBC Blue Network/ABC radio originating in Chicago, Illinois. Hosted by Don McNeill (shown above).The radio program ran from June 23, 1933 through December 27, 1968. McNeill’s 35½-year run
as host remains the longest tenure for an emcee of a network entertainment program, surpassing Johnny Carson (29½ years) on The Tonight Show and Bob Barker (34⅔ years) on The Price is Right. For one year, beginning on February 22, 1954, the show
was simulcast on ABC radio and television, ending on February 25, 1955. 

Picture of Don McNeill (right) taken during a simulcast of The Breakfast Club

              
         
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) Blue Network debuted on
this date in 1926 with 24 radio stations. It was officially launched at
8PM (ET) in New York. Carl Schlagel of The Metropolitan Opera
opened the inaugural broadcast which also featured Will Rogers.