(Above: Bobby, trying to hide against a wall.) Students of 1960s culture often forget that there were, in fact, old people alive at that time, and that they were consumers in their own right. While much of the "50 years later" type pieces spotlight teenage music preferences, there's a lot of other stuff that gets … Continue reading MOR music: Bobby Goldsboro, “The Straight Life” (1968)
The last show: WGVU-AM, July 28, 2012
(Above: Me, in the studios of WCKS student radio, 2015) I guess I never expected that there would be a last radio show. I mean, I should have expected it. When I decided to go back to school in the fall of 1999, working to piece together the wreckage that was my undergraduate education by … Continue reading The last show: WGVU-AM, July 28, 2012
As I look back now, the summer seemed to last forever: The Billboard Hot 100, July 27, 1985
(Above: me, representing AM radio, circa 1985-86.) In some ways, the Summer of '85 was my last truly carefree summer. I know I've made a similar argument about 1988 in another piece, as that was the last time I had had a summer vacation at all until leaving the world of radio for teaching. But … Continue reading As I look back now, the summer seemed to last forever: The Billboard Hot 100, July 27, 1985
Greatest misses: The Men, “The Church of Logic, Sin, and Love” (1992)
(Above: Promo photo for the Men, circa 1992) One of the great advantages of working in radio without concern for ratings - because you don't have any - is the ability to take certain liberties with the playlist. I think I can best sum up my stint as the morning host at Joliet's WLLI-FM from … Continue reading Greatest misses: The Men, “The Church of Logic, Sin, and Love” (1992)
Greatest misses: Midnight Oil, “The Dead Heart” (1988)
(Above: LP cover for Diesel and Dust.) A few days ago I wrote about the process of going through old college airchecks and finding great lost songs - the ones that we played a lot on our college station, WLRA, but didn't seem to get the sort of chart popularity that they should have. I've … Continue reading Greatest misses: Midnight Oil, “The Dead Heart” (1988)
RIP Dave Pell: “I’m an Old Cowhand” (1957)
(Above: The LP jacket for Swingin' In the Old Corral) Word filtered to me that jazz saxophonist Dave Pell passed away in May on 2017 at the age of 92. Dave Pell is not a household name, except perhaps to those who collect the "lounge" music of the 1950s. In the 1990s Capitol released a … Continue reading RIP Dave Pell: “I’m an Old Cowhand” (1957)
Greatest misses: Mick Jagger, “Throwaway” (1987)
(Above: the 45 sleeve. Remember those?) Now that summer school has ended and the grades are posted (hooray!) I can get back to doing some research. A project that I am very excited about is the WLRA History Project that I began in May. The 50th anniversary of the launch of my college radio station … Continue reading Greatest misses: Mick Jagger, “Throwaway” (1987)
The politically incorrect jukebox: Bill Dana, “The Astronaut” (1961)
(Above: the cover of Bill Dana's breakthrough LP.) Comedian Bill Dana passed away last week at the age of 92. Dana wrote one of the most powerful television episodes dealing with race in the history of the medium - the episode of All in the Family where Sammy Davis, Jr. pays a visit to the … Continue reading The politically incorrect jukebox: Bill Dana, “The Astronaut” (1961)
Father figures and break beats: The Winstons, “Color Him Father/Amen, Brother” (1969)
(Above: The Winstons, in an ad from Billboard.) Father's Day weekend is upon us, and oldies stations will likely look for ways to adjust their playlists accordingly. You'll no doubt hear Paul Petersen's "My Dad" at some point along the way if your local station still deals in pre-Beatles material. Other stations will turn the … Continue reading Father figures and break beats: The Winstons, “Color Him Father/Amen, Brother” (1969)
How big was Batman, really? Neal Hefti and others (1966)
The death of Adam West on Saturday (June 10) at the age of 88 marked the end of an era for generations of TV fans. Sure, West was known for guest appearances in recent years on shows like Family Guy and The Simpsons, and did a lot of voiceover work, but was of course best … Continue reading How big was Batman, really? Neal Hefti and others (1966)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 