(Above: 1970s technology - turning kids into radio stars all over the world) November 25, 1976 was Thanksgiving Day. As we almost always did, we went over the canal and around the forest preserve to get to my grandparents' house on the South Side of Chicago. Our ritual for the holiday was not unlike what … Continue reading Tinkering with tape: Elton John, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” (1973)
1970s
Lost local hits: Cornerstone, “Holly Go Softly” (1970)
Above: The Top 10 on WLAV/Grand Rapids, MI, 2/20/1970. You wouldn't likely predict that a song about a young man trading sex for money would have been a big hit in the conservative burg of Grand Rapids, Michigan in early 1970. But that's exactly what happened when "Holly Go Softly" by the band Cornerstone made … Continue reading Lost local hits: Cornerstone, “Holly Go Softly” (1970)
Forgoing your college eligibility: Stevie Wonder, “I Wish” (1976)
(Above: Me in a WJTW polo shirt. For some reason, this was taken in the production room of WCFL-FM/Morris.) 28 years ago tonight, I did my first professional radio show at WJTW-FM in Joliet. In an earlier post I discussed how I had applied for a job at the station in sales, but that my … Continue reading Forgoing your college eligibility: Stevie Wonder, “I Wish” (1976)
Election day special: John Records Landecker, “Press My Conference” (1974)
(Above: JRL in what is described as a "pensive promo shot.") I've been tremendously lucky to have worked with some of the most talented people ever to grace a radio station. I've joked with students that in some ways I was a sort of Forrest Gump of radio, being in the right place at the … Continue reading Election day special: John Records Landecker, “Press My Conference” (1974)
Happy birthday, Boss: Bruce Springsteen, “Growin’ Up” (1973)
Bruce Springsteen turns 67 today. Proving without a doubt that age is merely a number, The Boss has been touring the last several months, continually breaking his own record for longest concert appearance. His shows on this tour have been clocking in at over four hours. I've seen him twice, and both times the shows … Continue reading Happy birthday, Boss: Bruce Springsteen, “Growin’ Up” (1973)
Welcome back: Steely Dan, “My Old School” (1973)
Above: Bard College, Annondale, NY. Above: Mary Idema Pew Library, GVSU, Allendale, MI. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker of Steely Dan attended Bard College in Annondale-on-Hudson, New York. I attended - and now teach at - Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. Aside from seemingly similar town names, the schools don't have a lot … Continue reading Welcome back: Steely Dan, “My Old School” (1973)
The song that inspired this blog – Simon and Garfunkel, “My Little Town” (1975)
So what was the song playing when I thought "I should share these thoughts?" Oddly enough, it was "My Little Town" by Simon and Garfunkel. The song made it to #9 on the national charts in late 1975. (Word of warning - expect a lot of chart stuff on this blog. The dissertation that I wrote is … Continue reading The song that inspired this blog – Simon and Garfunkel, “My Little Town” (1975)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 