What’s Happening – Via JJ Duling

Michigan License Plates Go Digital: Michigan drivers now have the option to purchase digital license plates for their vehicles. Reviver, the company who developed the plate says motorists will have the ability to connect their vehicles with services like registration renewal, vehicle location and security services. A battery-powered model will cost $19.95 a month while the monthly rate for a hard-wired version is $24.95. Michigan is the third state to authorize road use of the digital technology. (WXYZ)

Selling gas for less… than it costs: Jaswiendre Singh is losing hundreds of dollars each day after shaving nearly 50 cents off per gallon at his gas station to help customers weather skyrocketing fuel prices. The Phoenix gas station owner is selling around 1,000 gallons a day, and losing about $500 per day. “We are not here to make money right now,” he said. “I’m very happy to help the other people.” (Yahoo)

E.T and Jaws in IMAX: Steven Spielberg’s classics E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Jaws on Imax screens nationwide for the first time. E.T. will be released exclusively on Imax beginning August 12, in celebration of the film’s 40th Anniversary, with Jaws to be released on Imax and in RealD 3D beginning September 2. (Deadline)

Charlevoix mansion sells for $9.845 Million: A Northern Michigan lakefront mansion has been purchased at auction for a whopping $9.845 million dollars, making it one of the most expensive residential properties ever sold in the state. The 10,000 square foot home at 08425 Raspberry Lane sold for the highest resale price ever for a residential property in Michigan. Over $205 million in bids were received on the house in less than 4 days. (MLive)

Climate Change and Hot Sauce: Huy Fong Foods, makers of the Sriracha hot sauce with the iconic green cap and the rooster on the bottle, is warning of a shortage of its popular condiment this summer. That shortage can be attributed to weather conditions in a single region of Mexico. The weather issue began last year and has worsened this year, according to company officials. (LA Times)

We Like the Lincoln Lawyer: Netflix users returned a favorable verdict on The Lincoln Lawyer in its premiere week. The 10-episode season, based on author Michael Connelly’s acclaimed books premiered May 13, racking up 884 million minutes of viewing time in it’s first week. (Hollywood Reporter)

Keener Number Ones for this week in:

(1964) Memphis, Johnny Rivers
(1965) Mr Tambourine Man, Byrds
(1966) Little Girl, Syndicate of Sound
(1967) Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Frankie Valli
(1968) This Guy’s In Love With You, Herb Alpert
(1969) Get Back/Dont Let Me Down, Beatles
(1970) Ooh Child, Five Stairsteps
(1971) It’s Too Late, Carole King

What’s Happening – Via JJ Duling

Life imitates art as astronomers receive a radio burst with some similarities to what Jody Foster heard in Contact: An international team of astronomers have heard a second persistently active fast radio burst. The intense, brief flashes of radio-frequency emissions, lasting on the order of milliseconds have not revealed a message, like the famous repetitive burst in the Jody Foster film, ‘Contact.’ But researchers hope to learn more about their origins as more are discovered.  (Space.com) Continue reading “Keener Today – June 10” →

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” →