Today marks the first in a new series of posts that I hope to continue: Who Did It First? Many of the songs we enjoy had lives before they were hits. Sometimes, it's simply a case of the wrong song at the wrong time. Sometimes, it's sheer luck that something becomes a hit in the … Continue reading Who Did It First? PhD, “Little Suzi’s On The Up” (1981)
1980s
Glittering prizes and endless compromises: Rush, “The Spirit of Radio” (1981)
Sometimes a song has two distinct memories, and it's hard to decide which one is more powerful. Today is your lucky day, for you get both of them. In 1982 I was a freshman at Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. My formative years were spent between Tinley … Continue reading Glittering prizes and endless compromises: Rush, “The Spirit of Radio” (1981)
One day in college radio: November 14, 1988
Above: A clinic in how not to design a business card, in terms of readability. Monday, November 14, 1988 was an overcast day around much of Chicagoland. The snows of winter weren't falling yet, and on the campus of Lewis University thoughts were beginning to turn to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. The Chicago Bears had … Continue reading One day in college radio: November 14, 1988
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)
Imitation and flattery: The college radio show intro (1987 – 1988)
This piece is a little different today as it doesn't highlight a specific song, but will talk about a number of songs that all served the same purpose: starting my college radio shows. There's not much that people in radio don't rip off. If you've moved around the country, you've no doubt noticed the preponderance … Continue reading Imitation and flattery: The college radio show intro (1987 – 1988)
Light and easy: Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66, “One Note Samba/Spanish Flea” (1966)
(Above: 1706 Brady Street used to be the launch pad for flamethrowin' beautiful music.) In the fall of 1989 I moved away from home to take my first full-time job in radio at KRVR in Davenport, Iowa. Earlier that year I had decided to spend more time at my radio job and less time in … Continue reading Light and easy: Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66, “One Note Samba/Spanish Flea” (1966)
Great lost hit: David and David, “Welcome To the Boomtown” (1986)
In the summer of 1986 David Baerwald and David Ricketts paired up to record a series of stories set to music. At least that's how I describe the songs on Boomtown, an album that managed to get to number 39 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart despite little support on the singles chart. It's … Continue reading Great lost hit: David and David, “Welcome To the Boomtown” (1986)
One morning in college radio: October 4, 1988
I never wanted to be the morning guy. I'm naturally an introvert. What might have been appealing about radio to me was the fact that I could have some alone time. I was also happy with not being the center of attention all of the time. In grade school I was often singled out for … Continue reading One morning in college radio: October 4, 1988
Crossing the line: Utter Confusion, “Beer Goggles” (1988)
(Above: The 12" single in question. Good luck finding it.) I had a long conversation with my college radio advisor yesterday. John Carey has been responsible for the students of WLRA at Lewis University for the last thirty years or so. He was a young advisor when I was a freshman back at the school … Continue reading Crossing the line: Utter Confusion, “Beer Goggles” (1988)
A radio anniversary: R.E.M., “It’s the End of the World As We Know it” (1987)
(Above: This is not at all what the first day looked like, but when I think "college radio," it looks like this.) Each of us has certain dates that stand out in our lives that go past our own birthdays. Anniversaries, the death of a parent (I have two of those dates to remember), job … Continue reading A radio anniversary: R.E.M., “It’s the End of the World As We Know it” (1987)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 