(Above: Map of most popular girls' names by state forty years ago.) I was having some fun on my radio show last week. (I should mention: there is now a weekly radio show. It's called "Rock School with Len," and it airs Thursdays at 10am Eastern on WCKS Radio, the student station at Grand Valley … Continue reading What’s in a name? Mike Doughty, “27 Jennifers” (2008)
Month: October 2018
Pop perfection: The Left Banke, “Walk Away Renee” (1966)
(Above: An Album I have yet to find, but need.) Today I debut a tag for articles that I've been kicking around for a while now - "Pop Perfection." I think of it often when I'm driving, and I hear a song, and I think "Man, that's absolutely perfect, and I don't have to think … Continue reading Pop perfection: The Left Banke, “Walk Away Renee” (1966)
Rest in peace, Don Sandburg: The Banana Splits, “Tra-La-La Song” (1969)
(Above: The original Bozo's Circus cast: Ringmaster Ned Locke, bandleader Bob Trendler, Bozo [Bob Bell], Oliver O. Oliver [Ray Rayner], Sandy [Don Sandburg].) Don Sandburg, the last surviving original cast member of the Chicago edition of Bozo's Circus, passed away over the weekend in Oregon as a result of complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was … Continue reading Rest in peace, Don Sandburg: The Banana Splits, “Tra-La-La Song” (1969)
College Radio Day 2018: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, “I Hate Myself For Loving You” (1988)
(Above: Joan's 1983 album, called Album, which is fantastic.) Today is the 8th annual College Radio Day. CRD started in 2011 as a way for college radio stations to get together and celebrate what they do: give artists that wouldn't otherwise get a chance some exposure, and give new air talent that wouldn't otherwise get … Continue reading College Radio Day 2018: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, “I Hate Myself For Loving You” (1988)
Rest in peace, Geoff Emerick: The Beatles, “A Day In the Life” (1967)
(Above: Geoff Emerick with a well-known collaborator.) Geoff Emerick was a production genius. Anyone who spends any time in radio working as a production director has dreams of spinning the dials on a fantastic production. Emerick, who passed away yesterday at the age of 72, was at the controls for some of the most legendary … Continue reading Rest in peace, Geoff Emerick: The Beatles, “A Day In the Life” (1967)
Rest in peace, Peggy Sue Gerron: Buddy Holly & the Crickets, “Peggy Sue” (1957)
(Above: Jerry and Peggy Sue Allison) Word has come out of Lubbock, Texas by way of TV station KCBD that Peggy Sue Gerron has passed away at the age of 78. You likely don't know her, but you know the song that was written for her. Peggy Sue dated Jerry Allison in high school, and … Continue reading Rest in peace, Peggy Sue Gerron: Buddy Holly & the Crickets, “Peggy Sue” (1957)
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