Dad Left His Son a Cassette Recording in 1988 – Now the Video Has Gone Viral

It began as nothing more than a dusty storage unit clean-out — but what the Weintraub siblings uncovered would stun them, and soon, capture the hearts of millions.

Hidden inside an old black BMW and echoing across decades came the unmistakable voice of a man long gone. On May 6, 1988, Jody Weintraub, then just a teen headed to prom, turned on the ignition — and heard his father's voice crackle through the stereo.

Philip Weintraub, a flamboyant former Navy DJ turned Chicago multimedia maestro, had recorded a playful, fatherly message set to a synth-drenched 1980s soundtrack.

But it wasn't until decades later, as the siblings sorted through their late father's belongings, that this forgotten cassette would find another audience — and go viral.

"Congratulations. You scored dad's car," Philip's voice declared with cheeky authority, layered over Geoffrey Bastow's "Color Vision." "You're going to have a great time, but there's some rules of the road I want you to pay attention to."

What followed was not just a trip down memory lane — it was a full-blown emotional blast from the past.

The Tape's Witty Warnings Resurrect a Bygone Era

Now 55, Jody, along with his sister Ami Weintraub, 50, had stumbled upon the cassette while cleaning out a storage unit. With an old boom box and a heavy heart, Ami brought the voice of their father back to life — 15 years after his untimely death.

The tape was everything you'd expect from a dad in the '80s and more: part safety briefing, part stand-up routine. In a tone that blended radio-ready charisma with pure dad energy, Philip dished out commands like, "No speeding, no racing, no chewing gum, and no long-distance calls on the car phone."

But it was the final line that sent social media into a tailspin. "No throwing up in the car. And if you must fart, please raise your seat off the seat, or stick it out the window, or do it in the trunk. Have a great time, dude."

1.4 Million Views and Counting: Social Media Can't Get Enough of the Prom Tape Dad

On October 29, 2025, Ami uploaded a short video of the tape playing. The reaction was immediate, emotional, and overwhelming. The TikTok post racked up over 1.4 million views, while Instagram tallied more than 185,000 likes. But it wasn't just the numbers — it was the sheer outpouring of nostalgia, humor, and love from strangers around the globe.

One netizen joked, "Did everyone in the 1980s just have a random tape with a funky melody in case they needed to make an instructional announcement?" Another quipped, "I like to imagine he's breakdancing every time he pauses."

A third chimed in, "This sounds exactly like a corporate training video." Yet another netizen divulged, "Your dad may, in fact, be the coldest one to eva do it [sic]." One more commenter added, "He sounds amazing 😂 What an awesome father ❤️."

Philip's voice — and that incredible Chicago accent — struck a chord.

'Is Your Dad Dan Ackroyd?': Fans Marvel at the Man Behind the Mic

Philip wasn't just a quirky dad with a tape recorder. He was a visionary showman in his own right. During the 1980s, he ran a multimedia company that pulled in big names like Dionne Warwick and orchestrated elaborate AV spectacles with up to 40 projectors at once.

At home, though, he ruled with loving precision. Ami remembered how protective he was of his BMW, recalling, "There were no feet allowed on the seats when I was little."

She added, "When he was working, he was super professional. I could tell the difference between his professional voice and his regular voice."

The distinct Chicago twang had always flown under the radar — until now. "Several people have commented, 'Is your dad Dan Ackroyd?'" Ami expressed, still laughing.

But what touched her most wasn't the jokes — it was the emotional resonance. "The most joy that I have found from this is watching people's response to my dad. It's the coolest thing," she noted. "My dad would love all this attention."

Banned Snacks, 10-Cent Calls, and a Father's Unshakable Presence

Though Ami and Jody's parents divorced when they were young, the tape brought back vivid memories of their father's eccentric rules. No eating. No drinking. No kicking the back of the seat. And absolutely no long chats on the car phone — those cost 10 cents a minute.

For Ami, the audio was a rare gift. "It's always great to hear my Dad's voice because we don't have a lot of accessible audio of him, so when I find something it's very exciting," she said.

And it didn't stop there. As the video soared across TikTok and Instagram, Ami began sharing more glimpses into Philip's life and legacy.

Blazers, Frogs, and Dionne Warwick: Daughter's Tributes Keep Father's Spirit Alive

On November 29, 2025, Ami posted a video showing a vintage photo of her father, alongside the blazer and pants he used to wear during his professional years — a quiet tribute to a man who lived boldly and creatively.

A few months prior, she honored what would have been Philip's 77th birthday on July 29 with an emotional Instagram post.

"I miss this man. He'd be 77 today. It's been almost 15 years. I did my usual and drank from his 'Phil' mug, wore his cologne (from his actual bottle) maybe that's why I have a headache 😆, listened to his music, and pulled out the collection of frogs that he used to buy for me when he'd travel for work," Ami penned.

"I don't like to collect things but I'm glad I have them. Grief is the worst, but somehow it gets a little easier. Life is such a weird thing. HBD PLW. ❤️🐸🎶 Oh yeah, and that's my Dad with Dionne Warwick 😁," she added.

The Legacy Beyond the Laughter: A Quiet Force for Good

Philip died in his sleep on October 15, 2010, at just 62. But his impact, as many later revealed, reached far beyond microphones and projectors. At his funeral, friends and collaborators spoke of his generosity, especially when it came to causes close to others' hearts — not necessarily his own.

Dan Schlaack, director of the 2007 "An Evening with the Stars" event for Autism Speaks, recalled how Philip threw himself into producing a deeply moving video for the Royko family.

"When we wanted to tell our audience the heartfelt story of Ben Royko and his family during the Oscar party at NBC, Phil went above and beyond to make this happen," Dan wrote.

"Without hesitation, he donated an enormous amount of time and talent... It was a beautiful and poignant moment, only made possible because of Phil's efforts," revealed Dan.

Philip had no personal connection to autism — just a desire to help a friend. David Royko, whose family featured in that now-famous video, captured the sentiment best.

He recounted, "Hearing the tributes about him at his funeral, I now know how much that simply was Phil. He seemed to be that rarest type of person who was happiest doing genuine good for others, especially those whom he felt really needed it."

And in a final tribute, he added, "Phil, if you were here, I have no doubt you would, once again, try to turn it around, but this time, unfortunately, mine will be the last word: Phil, thank you."

What began as a joke-filled cassette found in a dusty box has now become a global tribute to a man who never asked for the spotlight — but still shines in it.

For Ami and Jody, their father's voice is more than sound — it's memory, his presence, and a legacy. And now, thanks to a forgotten tape and a viral video, Philip's voice lives on — louder and clearer than ever.