D-Day: “On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which, “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler’s crack troops.” (US Army)

Possibly one of the most powerful early reports on that fateful day came from CBS’s Richard C. Hottelet, who flew with a Marauder squadron over Normandy at the exact moment of “H-Hour,” when the landings began. The power of his writing and the directness of his delivery helped set the standard for news reporting in the days before personality and opinion overtook the airwaves. Here are seven minutes of compelling radio heard as the first journalists returned from the battlefield to report to the world.

Continue reading “Keener Today – June 6” →

Keener13,com brings back “Sunday in the 60s.” One of our all time most requested programs over the years has been a day devoted to the Keener decade. We call it “Sunday in the 60s,” even though it encompasses tunes from 1959 through 1972. Why? Because those were what Keener was playing during the eight and a half years it was a thing in the Motor City. And naturally, you get to interrupt programming at any time with your requests for any song in the Keener Library, too. Join us today and every Sunday for 24 hours of classic Keener on “Sunday in the 60s.”

What’s happening via JJ Duling

What’s the most popular Oreo Flavor? We had no idea there were 32 varieties of the world’s beloved sandwich cookie. The Delish website surveyed fans and found that Double Stuffs were the most popular. What do fans like least? Birthday Cake flavored Oreos. (Delish.com)

Using TikTok to reinforce math skills: Sixth graders at Polly Ryon Middle School in Richmond, Tex., are clamouring to get into Deidre Kelly’s  math class, because the 10 year classroom veteran has 1.5 million TikTok followers. She turned to the social network during the pandemic to help students stay on track as they learned from home. Since kids turn to TikTok once class time is over, Diedre hoped the videos would reinforce the key concepts. The numbers tell the tale. She’s on to something. (The Information)

It’s that time of year when USA Today lists the albums turning 50 in 2022: Columnist Melissa Ruggieri whets our appetite with gems like Jackson Browne’s self-titled debut. Aretha Franklin’s “Young, Gifted and Black.” Neil Young’s “Harvest.” Deep Purple’s “Machine Head.” Curtis Mayfield’s “Superfly.” Randy Newman’s “Sail Away.” The Doobie Brothers’ “Toulouse Street.” Roxy Music’s debut “Roxy Music” and Rod Stewart’s “You Wear it Well.” Paring the list down to just ten revealed the following collections celebrating a 50th birthday this year. Allman Brothers Band, ‘Eat a Peach’ (Feb. 12). Jethro Tull, ‘Thick as a Brick’ (March 10). Rolling Stones, ‘Exile on Main Street’ (May 12). Elton John, ‘Honky Chateau’ (May 19). Eagles, ‘Eagles’ (June 1). David Bowie, ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars’ (June 16). Alice Cooper, ‘School’s Out’ (June 30). Stevie Wonder, ‘Talking Book’ (Oct. 28). Lou Reed, ‘Transformer’ (Nov. 8). And Steely Dan, ‘Can’t Buy a Thrill’ (November). Continue reading “Keener Today – June 5” →

Keenerfans are remembering Paul Vance, who contributed to dozens of tunes we know by heart including the Clint Holmes’ one hit wonder, “Playground in my Mind,” “Tracy” for the Cuff Links, David Geddes’ “Run, Joey Run” and many songs for Verdelle Smith, including. “Tar and Cement.” Perhaps his most memorable was the Brian Hyland classic, “Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie Yellow Polka-dot Bikini.,” a smash hit in 1956. Vance passed away on May 30 at age 92.

Today in Detroit:

• Today in 1967, Lucille Ball won her second Emmy for her solo effort, “The Lucy Show.” Fighting tears, the comedieanne said, “The last time I won the award I thought they were giving it to me for having a baby. Now, that baby is 14 years old.”
• Today in 1972, columnist Sydney J. Harris lamented the “double talk” politicians use to avoid answering tough questions. He warned that it made “ordinary people” susceptible to outsiders like controversial Alabama Governor, George Wallace. “Populist leaders identify with the mass,” he wrote, “and then once in office have invariably proceeded to set up their own personal elite and milk the people for all they are worth.”
• Today in 1977, teen heartthrob, Shaun Cassidy joined the Osmond brothers and members of the Detroit Pistons at Windsor Stadium to help raise money for Project Concern, an international non-profit devoted to helping children.
• Today in 1979, Detroit was pitching representatives of the Democratic National Committee who were in town considering the city to host the forthcoming Presidential Convention. Motown cops even agreed to extend the current labor contract, so negotiations would not be taking place during the event. A 2017 Holy Cross study found that major conventions had only short term financial gains, primarily in the hotel and restaurant sector, often more than offset by extra expenses for operations and security.
• Today in 1982, President Reagan’s original budget proposal for the fiscal year 1983 was sent to the House floor by the House Budget Committee. But the fiscal plan, which included a deficit of about $122 billion had virtually no support in Congress.
• Today in 1987, the state Senate approved raising speed limits on many Michigan highways to 65 mph, attaching an anti-fuzzbuster measure banning radar detectors to the bill as it was sent back to the State House. Officials said it would take at least two weeks to change out the speed limit signs across the state once the law took effect.

What’s happening via JJ Duling

Ringo Starr accepted an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music in Boston this week. He recounted taking up the drums while recovering from a bout of tuberculosis and how he only gave his son Zak one lesson. After showing him the basics, Ringo said, “You’re on your own.” (Rolling Stone) Continue reading “Keener Today – June 4” →

What’s happening via JJ Duling

REO, Styx and Loverboy opened their “Live and Un-Zoomed” tour in Grand Rapids this week. The set lists included chestnuts from three extraordinary careers. We’ve got em all, plus selected videos of some of the performances. (Ultimate Classic Rock)

Up to 50% of women and 20% of men among the 3 billion people who experience migraines and cluster headaches during their lifetimes. The usual attention to diet, fitness and a good night’s sleep can minimize frequency. Experts recommend small, protein-rich meals scattered throughout the day to get a consistent amount of energy to the brain. Magnesium supplements and vitamin B2 can also be helpful. (Buzzfeed)

Ring video doorbells rates are going up. Subscribers were just notified of the 33% increase in cost for some tiers with promises of enhancements that aren’t ready yet. Don’t forget that the most basic Ring functionality is still free, but that does not include any video storage. Looking for alternatives? Here’s what Consumer Reports recommends. (The Verge)

Did you binge on Stranger Things over the weekend? Netflix released seven new episodes of the show’s much awaited fourth season and said that subscribers watched a record-setting 286 million hours, beating out Bridgerton as the networks most binged series. Two more episodes expected in July before the show wraps up with a fifth season. (AP)

Yesterday’s top Google searches included the NBA Finals, Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, Thursday mornings 4.1 Bay Area Earthquake and the Tropical Storm Watch issued for South Florida. (Google) Continue reading “Keener Today – June 3” →

Creem is back! Detroit’s legendary rock and roll magazine is reborn as a quarterly publication. But for Keener fans, the magic is in the archives. The magazine that was home to Susan Whitall, Lester Bangs, Dave Marsh, founder Barry Kramer and many other legendary rock writers has made it’s full 1969-1989 run available on line. Access starts at $5 bucks a month.

Celebrating a Queen: While we don’t ever like to encourage people to tune away from the Keener13.com audio stream, history is being made today in the UK, where Elizabeth II celebrates her Platinum Jubilee.Today in 1953, the young princess was crowned in Westminster Abbey. A year long celebration of that event begins today. The TV channels are filled with coverage of the festivities, many of which will feature her heirs. Here’s the Reuters live feed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A3xIYBmKZg Continue reading “Keener Today – June 2” →

Keener13.com Celebrates 20 Years!

On June 1st, 2002, Steve Schram and Scott Westerman launched this website. It was envisioned as a non-profit enterprise, celebrating the Detroit radio station that we grew up with, a phenomenon that became part of the heart of the Motor City and the soundtrack of a generation. Keener was a thing from October of 1963 until April of 1972, barely nine and a half years. But in it’s brief prime it helped define popular music in Detroit, introduced legendary entertainers to our community and helped us make sense of the changing world around us.

Keener13.com has now been around more than twice as long as WKNR lived. But 49 years after that Halloween night when the Keener Sound first debuted, tens of thousands of Keener listeners still cherish its memory. And through this website, we’ve introduced the Keener magic to many thousands more.

Thanks to the Keener people who contributed content to this labor of love. And thanks to all of you who have helped use keep the WKNR flame burning for nearly half a century. Continue reading “Keener Today – June 1” →

Today in Detroit History:

• Today in 1967, STP’s Andy Granatelli predicted that gas turbine engines would power all racing cars within a decade after his entrant in the Indy 500 came within a hairs breath of winning the Greatest Spectacle in Racing on Memorial Day. A $6 dollar ball bearing failed late in the race, sidelining the turbine-powered vehicle as it was headed for an historic victory.
• Today in 1972, trading on the Detroit Stock Exchange all but halted for a time after a steam pipe burst in the basement of Detroit’s Penobscot Building, interrupting phone service to the majority of the 47 story structure. Bell Telephone engineers restored service by late afternoon. Stock exchange head, George White said trading was “very, very slow” and it was impossible to calculate the potential losses during the outage.

What’s Happening via JJ Duling:

According to the WSJ, (Paywall) calling off plans at the last minute has become a fixture of social life. Covid has made those prone to breaking plans feel less guilty about bailing last-minute. Some still take exception to the practice, including couples headed to the altar. Wedding planner, Ginny Boland, told the Journal many of her clients are more upset by last-minute cancellations unless it is a documented case of Covid-19 or obvious symptoms. Continue reading “Keener Today – May 31” →

Today in Detroit History:

• Today in 1967, fewer than 10,000 people showed up for the City of Detroit’s annual Memorial Day Parade. The same event drew over 100,000 17 years earlier. While Detroit’s celebration lasted less than an hour, an estimated 125,000 showed up for a three-hour celebration in St. Claire Shores. Spectators stood ten deep in Dearborn and 16,000 lined the parade route in Farmington.
• Today in 1972, the Michigan Senate senate passed a bill to launch a state lottery in October. The weekly drawings would be run by a single lottery Czar and provisions to allow cities like Detroit to hold their own lotteries were removed from the bill before it passed.
• Today in 1977, only 10 people attended a $15 dollar a head fund raiser for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. There wasn’t any pot smoking at the outdoor event as the organization’s Michigan coordinator, John Sinclair noted, “I noticed a rather strong reluctance to do so.”
• Today in 1979, CBS owned the top there prime-time television shows, Eight is Enough was number three, Laverne & Shirley held down number two and the number one show in the nation was Three’s Company, starring Joyce Dewitt, Susan Somers and John Ritter. The program ran from March 1977 through September, 1984.
• Today in 1982, The biggest measles outbreak in two years hit Dearborn High Schoolk. Twenty-eight suspected cases were identified with five other related cases diagnosed in the city’s junior high and elementary schools. Those who balked at a nationwide immunization drive were told to stay home. The measles shot was introduced in 1963 but officials reported a significant number of Americans were still resisting immunization 19 years later.
• Today in 1987, theatrical releases playing in Detroit included Rocky III, Victor Victoria, Conan the Barbarian, Chariots of Fire, Porky’s and Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid. There was also an add noting we were 4 days from stardate 8206:04 when “Somewhere in the  darkest reaches of the universe, a battle is about to begin.”

Continue reading “Keener Today – May 30” →

(Songs featured on-air today are highlighted.)

Today in Detroit History:

• Today in 1967, NBC told affiliates like Detroit’s WWJ (Channel 4)  what it pays actors for guest shots on it’s TV series. $5000 is the going rate for I Spy. Guest stars get $3500 for Ben Gazarra’s Run For Your Life. And Bonanza guests command $3000. Variety shows pay much more with stars like Rock Hudson and Herb Alpert earning $25 grand for a spot on The Kraft Music Hall.
• Today in 1972, a Great Lakes Steel blast furnace on Zug Island exploded, injuring 9 workers and shaking homes as far as two miles away. Furnace C, where the blast took place had been rebuilt just two months prior.
• Today in 1977, A University of Michigan Doctor presented his research paper on the concept of cold water drowning before the American Lung Association in San Francisco. Dr. Martin Neimiroff revived 18-year-old, Brian Cunningham of Jackson the youth had been submerged in an icy pond for 38 minutes. Eleven hours later, Brian Cunningham opened his eyes, gave his crying mother what doctors called “a rude gesture” and went back to sleep. After 11 days, he went home with no physical or mental impairment. Brian Cunningham became an Electrical Technician and died in Palm Bay, Florida at age 60.
• Today in 1979, Mary Pickford, Hollywood’s first movie queen, died of a stroke at the age of 86. At the pinnacle of her movie career, Pickford was the highest paid actress in Hollywood. Fellow silent screen star, Buddy Rogers, Pickford’s third husband was with her when she died. They had been married for 41 years.
• Today in 1982, an emotionally disturbed gunman took four hostages at KOOL-TV in Phoenix, Arizona, demanding airtime so that anchor Bill Close could read a rambling 20 minute statement live. Falcon Crest was interrupted at 9:30PM for the unusual broadcast, after which Joseph Billie Gwin surrendered to police. He was later declared insane and was incarcerated until 2006.
• Today in 1987, NPR’s All Things Considered audience was getting used to two new voices, replacing long time hosts, Susan Stamberg and Noah Adams. News executive Robert Siegel and science reporter Renee Montagne took over the 16 year old program and despite a few love letters to the former anchors, have been receiving favorable reviews.

Continue reading “Keener Today – May 29” →

One year ago today: English playwright William Shakespeare reported to have died after receiving COVID-19 vaccine by Argentine news channel Chanal 26 (case of mistaken identity, the Bard died in 1616)

Today in Detroit History:

• Today in 1967, the price of picnicking and camping in Michigan parks was expected to rise as the legislature began to debate rate increases for the 1968 season. The 50 cent daily entrance fee was expected to double to one dollar while a seasonal windshield sticker, currently costing a buck was likely to triple in price to $3 dollars. The money would underwrite a $10 million dollar revenue bond to improve and maintain Michigan’s network of parks and recreation areas.
• Today in 1972, Singer Al Martino was set to appear at the Montgomery Ward stereo and record department on Saturday at the Tel-Twelve store. Martino’s career got a boost from his appearance as Johnny Fontaine in The Godfather.
• Today in 1977, A three-year-old Hubbartston boy went for a joy ride in his mothers car, alternately pressing the accelerator and sterring the vehicle until the car fliped into a ditch. When confronted by a rescuer, Michael Delbert Ward indignantly said, “I was driving.” Ward wanted to take the family dog for a spin. Neither he nor the dog were injured.
• Today in 1979, upcoming shows at Cobo Arena included Journey with opening acts Graham Parker and Rumor, Peter Frampton with Chris DeBurgh, and the Average White Band was set to appear at the Punch and Judy Theater. Ticket prices ranged between $9 and $11 dollars a head.
• Today in 1982, The biggest measles outbreak in two years hit Dearborn High Schoolk. Twenty-eight suspected cases were identified with five other related cases diagnosed in the city’s junior high and elementary schools. Those who balked at a nationwide immunization drive were told to stay home. The measles shot was introduced in 1963 but officials reported a significant number of Americans were still resisting immunization 19 years later.
• Today in 1987, Detroit Free Press Business Writer, Rick Ratliff, reported that thousands of Detroiters were hooking personal computers to something called a “Modem” which allowed users to connect via telephone to computer bulletin board systems to share files and converse. “With the right hardware,” Ratliff wrote, “a vast world opens up, a world invisible to people without the gear.”

Continue reading “Keener Today – May 27” →

Today in Detroit – May 26

• Today in 1967, The Wayne County AFL-CIO and a restauraunt union asked the Detroit Common Council to issue an ordinance to force Detroit drive-in restaurants and theaters to hire police to control “hot-rodders, riffians and trouble-makers”. The Drive-In Restaurant Owners Association attacked the idea during a public hearing, saying it violated the drive-in”s constitutional rights.
• Today in 1972, CBS was the only network not to have a talk show at 11:30. While Johnny was hosting Bill Dana and Barry Sullivan and Dick Cavett was in his ABC run with singer Melba Moore and actor Don Knotts, Channel two played the 1964 blockbuster “Becket”, with Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole, followed at 1:30am by the Bowery Boys 1951 outing, “Let’s Go Navy.”
• Today in 1977, Forced retirement ruffled the feathers of Kentucky Fried Chicken king Col. Harland Sanders. The 86 yrear old said, “I’m dead against it.” He testified along side actress Ruth Gordon and actor Will Geer before the House Select Committee on Aging, which was considering mandatory retirement ages for both government and business.
• Today in 1979, news outlets were reporting the worst air disaster in US history, after an American Airlines DC10 lost an engine and crashed moments after take-off, killing all 270 persons on board. The FAA grounded all DC-10s in June and the aircraft ceased production several years later, tainted by safety and fuel efficiency concerns.
• Today in 1982, The US House of Representatives voted down a balanced budget bill favored by President Ronald Reagan, saying the plan relied on phony numbers and overly optimistic estamates of economnic growth and tax receipts for 1983. The administration also asked congress to raise the national debt celing to $1.25 trillion dollars. The debt ceiling today is slightly below $31.4 trillion dollars.
• Today in 1987, with the words “Hot Weather Hit” printed in bold above the title, the film Ishtar, starring Dustin Hoffman and directed by Warren Beaty was showing at 12 dertroit area theaters. Apparently the rest of the theater going world disagreed with the one positive sentence lifted from Janet Maslin’s review in the New York Times. Ishtar is considered one of the worst movies ever made.

Continue reading “Keener Today – May 26” →

Today in Detroit

• Today in 1967, The Detroit Police Officers Association, in the midst of contract negations took out a quarter page ad in the city’s newspapers asking “How does it feel to be held up? Stick around and find out.” The ad went on to say that better police protection cost just four dollars per day per officer.
• Today in 1972, Warren city officials were taking heat for voting unanimously to double their pay, despite federal rules prohibiting large pay raises during President Nixon’s economic freeze. Mayor Ted bates said senior employees had not had a raise in 15 years with “70 employees making more than the mayor.” Bates said the increases would not go into effect until submitted to and approved by the Federal Pay board.
• Today in 1977, Detroit mourned the passing of commentator Lou Gordon who died the previous morning at age 60. A weekend fixture on Channel 50, Gordon, who considered himself “The people’s advocate.” rose to national prominence when former Michigan governor George Romney made the famous “Brain washing” statement on Gordon’s program that observers felt ended his political career.
• Today in 1979, Flint’s Star Theater announced it’s summer lineup, including Battlestar Galactica star Dirk Benedict in Oklahoma, Paul Lynde in Woody Allen’s Don’t Drink the Water and Ed Ames in Man of La Mancha. All Whiting Auditorium tickets cost $8.98.
• Today in 1982, General Motors announced an agreement to sell Japanese built Isuzu automobiles in the US. Chairman Roger Smith cited labor costs as a key factor in the decision.
• Today in 1987, some of the movies playing on the big screen in Detroit included the Jim Cash and Jack Epps, Jr. penned Secret of My Success, starring Michael J. Fox, Ernest Goes to Camp, starring Jim Varney and Meadowbrook Theater was promoting their summer line-up including America and Three Dog night.

Continue reading “Keener Today – May 25” →