Walt Baby Love

He's called "Baby" Love, but if you expect his broadcasts to consist of fast-talking, soul-styled rap, think again. Walt "Baby" Love may be one of urban radio's true veterans--his "The Countdown With Walt 'Baby' Love" recently won its sixth Billboard magazine award for best R&B syndicated show--but he's a man who is walking his own path, in his own way. Love is, for one thing, a firmly committed Christian and an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

He's called "Baby" Love, but if you expect his broadcasts to consist of fast-talking, soul-styled rap, think again. Walt "Baby" Love may be one of urban radio's true veterans--his "The Countdown With Walt 'Baby' Love" recently won its sixth Billboard magazine award for best R&B syndicated show--but he's a man who is walking his own path, in his own way. Love is, for one thing, a firmly committed Christian and an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Two old friends from New York wanted more than anything to see each other after 17 years apart. But even after one joined the other in Los Angeles three months ago, their busy schedules prevented a reunion. Until last week, that is. Tommy Edwards and Walt "Baby" Love met unexpectedly outside the delivery room at Tarzana Regional Medical Center, where both their wives were scheduled to give birth by Cesarean sections.

MOVIES Women's Power: "The First Wives Club" trio of Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton and Bette Midler are the honorees of this year's Women in Film Crystal Awards honoring "outstanding women who, through their endurance and [the] excellence of their work, have helped enhance the role of women within the entertainment industry." The awards will be presented June 13 at the Century Plaza Hotel. Past recipients include Jodie Foster, Anjelica Huston, Barbra Streisand and Elizabeth Taylor.

James B. Davis was only 12 years old when he founded the Dixie Hummingbirds gospel singers in 1928. But it didn't take long for him to figure out that survival required more than a great sound. During the golden age of gospel, the audience was all black, the venue was often a church, and the expectation for conduct of any artist singing for the Lord was high. As an adult Davis laid out the rules: No women in the group's car, except wives of the members. No whiskey.

They were more than just the kings of the radio dial. They were more than just No. 1. They were Boss. More accurately, they were the Boss Jocks, spinning those Boss Hits for an adoring, young and huge Boss Radio audience in Boss Angeles. Even some of their names had more than a hint of Bossness to them--the Real Don Steele, Humble Harve, Dave Diamond, Sam Riddle, Walt Baby Love, Charlie Tuna. Back then, the Beatles were fighting for chart space with the Mamas & the Papas and Dylan.

Steve Harvey is preaching. Preaching to a caller, a girl with a tiny voice talking on live radio at KKBT-FM, the station that calls itself The Beat. She has phoned to compliment Harvey's morning program, but he brushes her off. How old are you? he demands. Why aren't you in school? "I got kicked out of Henry Clay Junior High last week," says the 12-year-old caller, D'Angela. She had violated the campus dress code.