I caught up with the late Chris Squire back on August 2, 2012. They were playing DTE with Procol Harum. We only had a limited time, but I wanted to share it on my "Monday Memories".
I had the chance to interview Keith Jackson in 1997. He describes himself this way. “I was born on the kitchen table, we grew everything we ate. I rode a horse to school." A fan seeing Keith yells, “You are college football to me!”. Whoa Nelly, enjoy!
Think about it, Detroit has produced some pretty, pretty good talent. Mike Binder, Tim Allen, Dave Coulier, Thom Sharp and John Heffron. On this podcast, I just get out of the way and let John take the controls. Enjoy the ride!
On this podcast, I catch up with my old friend Craig Shoemaker. As Craig puts it, "I know, I know—it's confusing to nail down exactly who Craig Shoemaker is. Hell, I'm not so sure either." I'll tell you, He's funny!
I met Peter Leonard when I was in 3rd Grade. We got off to a rough start. You’ll hear about that in our Podcast. From grade school to being college roommates at Aquinas College. Pete remains one of my best friends. Meet the son of Elmore Leonard. Enjoy!
We lost B.B. King on May 14, 2015. From what I can gather, his last concert appears to have been October 11, 2014. B.B. King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He is considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time.
In 1988 Vin Scully said, “In a year that has been so improbable the impossible has happened!” He was talking about Kirk Gibson. Meet the often misunderstood “Gibby” Kirk Gibson.
I have been working on archiving hundreds of interviews, and I’ve a reached the point where I feel they deserve to be out there. Starting today, I’ll share an interview I believe you’ll enjoy every Monday. As always, thanks!
Roy Orbison, dressed in a grey suit, black shirt and black shades, looks around at the Detroit orchestra behind him, making sure everyone is ready. Satisfied, he turns back to his mic, and starts playing his guitar. Wait, Roy Orbison died December 6, 1988. Tonight, at the FOX Theater ‘In Dreams: Roy Orbison In Concert - The Hologram Tour’ will allow a new generation to experience a musical genius.
Pay attention to the man behind this curtain! If you're in radio, you know Fred Jacobs. Fred is the President of Jacobs Media. I met Fred in 1980 at WRIF FM in Detroit. He was my program director. As much as I tried to push back, he pushed me forward. Meet the Wizard!
People throw around expressions like ‘Pioneer’ or ‘Iconic’. Well my friends, Mark Ridley is both iconic and a pioneer. Mark hasn’t changed a bit from the day I met him. Smiling, laughing and always has a kind word to say, and a fresh joke to tell.
I have a good one for you. Detroit has produced some of the greatest comics ever! Gilda Radnar, Lily Tomlin, Keegan-Michael Key, Thom Sharp, Tim Allen, Dave Coulier and Mike Binder. I spoke with Mike Binder. His bio would fill (pardon the pun) a ‘Binder’.
I met Dave Coulier in Detroit in 1977. Dave provided cartoon voices for me in our WABX production department. He followed that up with a meteoric rise in comedy, first in Detroit and then L.A. Then came a little show called 'Full House'. Buckle up!
It's official: Last Man Standing is back. A year after it was canceled by ABC. Fox was happy to bring back the multi-cam comedy starring Tim Allen. LMS premiers Friday, September 28th. I caught up with Tim yesterday and he tells me “It was like we never left!”
If you don’t know the songs ‘What I Like About You’ and ‘Talking In Your Sleep’, I’m afraid I can’t help you. Funny how things work. I got into radio in the 70’s and Wally started playing music in the 70’s. Turns out, we’re long-time neighbors, but have never gone one-on-one. Well, that just changed. Say hi to the ‘Ken and Wally Show’. Enjoy!
The movie ‘White Boy Rick’ will be released on Friday September 14th. It stars Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jonathan Majors and a strong cast. No one has put more time and energy into this story than WDIV investigative reporter Kevin Dietz.
On this date in 1966, Donovan went to #1 on the Billboard Chart with Sunshine Superman. I said, wait a minute, I have an incredible interview with Donovan from 1995. We spent thirty minutes chatting. He brought in his guitar. Have a listen!
In this interview Pete Townshend tells me "The music is kept young by the audience not the performers." I was prompted to dig this out after being reminded of Keith Moon's driving prowess at his birthday party in Flint, MI. (He dove the limo into the Holiday Inn pool) ~ Ken
Casey Kasem would have been 86 today. We lost Casey on June 15, 2014. He was the nicest man I've ever met. I found this interview from 1996. Remember, "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."
Tim Allen will hit the stage at 8:30 PM tonight at the beautiful, historic Fox Theater. The show is SOLD OUT. The show benefits Forgotton Harvest. We're old friends and Tim stopped by after sound check Forgotten Harvest is a non-profit food rescue organization that collects food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it free of charge to organizations feeding the hungry in Metro Detroit.
Steve Miller and Peter Frampton will start their tour tonight in Kelowna, BC Canada. Steve Miller and Peter Frampton will be in our area on June 17th at DTE – Pine Knob. Steve Miller has sold over 60 million albums and Peter Frampton has arguably one of the most successful live releases ever. Both artists are incredibly friendly guys. I caught with both separately about 6 years ago.
I found this lost classic from Paul Stanley of KISS. It’s from 1996. The year KISS kicked of a 16-month reunion tour (Alive Worldwide) after a multi-year layoff. I was at News/Talk 760 WJR and I was always concerned that the Program Director wasn’t a big fan of my doing a rock and roll interview on a news talk radio station. This massive KISS world tour kicked-off in Detroit at Tiger stadium in front of over 50,000 fans. The concert sold out in 40 minutes! The tour banked 148 million dollars. En...
Buffalo Springfield, Poco and Loggins & Messina. Three of the bands that Jim Messina has had a large presence. Jim Messina does a masterful time travel for us in this new podcast.
Brian Holland of Holland, Dozier and Holland Fame turns 77 today. The trio wrote a treasure trove of Motown hits for The Four Tops, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes, The Isley Brothers, Martha and The Vandellas and many, many more. I chatted with Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland 20 years ago this month. It’s one of my all-time favorites. Enjoy!
