Keener 13

• Today in 1967, Cecil B. DeMille’s Ten Commandments was back in Detroit Theater. Dr. Zhivago was in it’s 10th week at the Bloomfield Quo Vadis and the Northwest Woods.
• Today in 1972, Tonight on TV, Carole Burnett’s guests were Vincent Price and Eydie Gorme on CBS. And Tom and Eddie take up karate on the Courtship of Eddie’s father. Jac LeGoff and John Kelly were still anchoring the 6 and 11 on TV 2 with Bill Bonds in the anchor chair at Channel 7. They would all end up together at ABC soon after.
• Today in 1977, A study produced by 35 business, government and academic leaders predicted a world war by 1981 if oil shortage trends continued. Even concerted efforts to conserve energy would not be enough to keep supply and demand in balance by the year 2000, the survey warned.
• Today in 1979, A Zippo lighter stopped a bullet that was headed for Detroiter Easter Walk’s chest. the 61 year-old was arguing with an unidentified driver at a National Bank of Detroit branch when he pulle a knife, inspiring the driver to pull a small calibre handgun and fire. A bullet lodged in the lighter, splitting it in two. Walk was treated and released at Harper Hospital.
• Today in 1982, Baltimore Sun columnist Matt Seiden lamented the May 6 cancellation of CBS’ Mary Tyler Moore spinoff Lou Grant. “It won’t be easy,” he wrote. “It was one of the few TV shows that did not appear to have been written for morons, madmen or future sex-offenders.”
• Today in 1987, Michigan Bell was touting it’s national calling card. “Why search for dimes when you can charge calls to your home or office?” the newspaper ad asked. Long distance calls averaged 30 cents a minute in 1987, that’s $7.60 for a ten minute call to mom in today’s dollars.

Continue reading “Keener Today – May 18” →

• Today in 1967, House Judiciary Committee Chair, Emanuel Cellar cast doubt on Michigan Governor George Romney’s eligibility for the presidency. Romney was born in a Mormon community in Mexico, Cellar said and did not enter the States until the age of six.
• Today in 1972, Bonanza fans were mourning the death of Dan Blocker. The actor who played the amiable Hoss Cartwright died of a pulmonary embolism over the weekend.
• Today in 1977, National polls revealed that inflation had surpassed joblessness as the nation’s primary concern. The majority of Americans preferred government programs to create jobs over tax cuts.
• Today in 1979, In a proposal heavy with presidential politics, Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy proposed national health insurance for every American and challenged his likely competitor, former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter to support it.
• Today in 1982, American Motors pleaded with the United Auto Workers for contract concessions after members roundly rejected the financially strapped auto company’s latest offer. AMC said it would have to close plants and cut jobs if a more reasonable deal could not be reached.
• Today in 1987, Art Van furniture was advertising 1/2 off contemporary living room furniture with sofas on sale for $39 dollars.

Continue reading “Keener Today – May 15” →

• Today in 1967, Detroit Police Commissioner Ray Girardin announced extra academy classes to deal with a shortage of police officers. Girardin said the department was 455 men short of it’s 4,853 staffing goal.
• Today in 1972, Pundants predicted that George Wallace would dominate the Tuesday Michigan Presidential Priamary in the wake of anger about cross-district bussing and a general distate for politicians. “Every dog has it’s day,” Wallace told an Upper Peninsula crowd. “And you’re having yours.”
• Today in 1977, “The Blackboard Flu” closed all Romulus schools in the wake of a breakdown in contract negotioations. Teachers unions were prohibited from striking but sick-outs had become common in Detroit area school districts including Dearborn Heights and Redford Township.
• Today in 1979, Gas shortages spread in Northern California as the fuel crisis deepened. Michigan supplies remained steady.
• Today in 1982, The United Auto Workers announced their intention to attempt to unionize General Motors white colar employes. Much of the impetus for the campaign came from disgruntled GM junior executives, UAW VP Martin Gerber said.
• Today in 1987, The Michigan House approved raising the speed limit on rural interstate highways to 65 miles per hour but ruled out a proposed band on radar detectors. Governor Jim Blanchard has vowed to veto any speed increase that doesn’t contain a ban on “Fuzz Busters.”

Continue reading “Keener Today – May 14” →

Once upon a time, radios were huge. They were built into rich, wooden consoles and had a plethora of bands to choose from. Some manufacturers included buttons with the names of the super power stations that covered multiple states. Those were the days when radio was what Television became, an appointment experience where you gave it your undivided attention.

As TV forced radio to rethink its business model music became central to the content strategy. Before consolidation gutted the creativity and competition within the industry, it was a daily fight for audience share. And when the first radios started to appear as standard equipment in automobiles, carefully positioned news, traffic and weather became a staple. Continue reading “Our Love Affair With the Transistor Radio” →

This week in, 1933, in Camden, New Jersey, the first drive-in movie theater opened. The price of admission was 25 cents for the car, plus 25 cents per person, and no group was charged more than one dollar.

A little reality check about how far the women’s movement still hast to go when you get outside of the US. In Japan, Labor Minister Takumi Nemoto said high heels are a “necessary” accessory for women in the workplace, and companies should enforce dress codes.

Today in 1962, The Beatles met producer George Martin at Abbey Road Studios. He was not impressed, and said so, finishing his rant with, ‘Is there anything you don’t like?’ George quipped, ‘I don’t like your tie!’ Martin, charmed, agreed to work with them.

Today in 1954, Bill Haley and His Comets record Big Joe Turner‘s, ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll.’ It had a 27 week chart run, peaked at #7, and became the first rock record to sell a million copies. Here’s Big Joe’s rendition, performed live in 1954. Continue reading “What We’re Talking About – June 7” →

How Jeopardy! rock star James Holzhauer Finally Lost. And why didn’t the video clip leak sooner? Via The Atlantic.

Remember how you were always told to “cut back on salt“. Read this @WSJ article. You may be surprised.

Russians will see Elton’s Rocketman, but it will be heavily edited. Via Deutsche Welle

Password expiration is dead, long live your passwords. Microsoft backtracks on their guidance to regularly update your passwords. Here’s why. Via TechCrunch

How many steps do you really need to be taking each day to be healthy? It might be fewer than you realize. NPR has the latest research.

Continue reading “What we’re talking about – June 4” →

Another precedent set by ESPN.. College softball star Lauren Chamberlain posed nude for the network’s website. “I said yes for the girls around the world who might see the issue and see someone who looks like them — someone who’s thicker, bigger not as jacked as the typical athlete — and that could give them that boost to love their bodies.” Being older and heavier than I was when first on the air, I totally love this woman.

Will you be buying a Mega Millions ticket on Tuesday night? CNN says your chances of winning the estimated $475 million jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350. You have a better chance of being struck by lightning. Continue reading “What We’re Talking About – June 3” →

One thing hasn’t changed in broadcasting over the years: The sponsors drive the bus. Back in radio’s golden age, it was pretty overt.  The A&P Gypsies, Champion Spark Plug Hour, The Clicquot Club Eskimos, King Biscuit Time, (yup, just like the more recent King Biscuit Flower Hour), The Voice of Firestone and The Bell Telephone Hour, are all examples. As long form radio made the transition to television, some of the sponsor named programs came along.

On June 27, 1960, hoping to maintain its dominance in the soft drink marketplace, Coca Cola presented “The Coke Hour”, featuring a cast that the ABC network hoped would appeal to a teenage audience. Paul Anka, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Darin, Annette Funicello, Anita Bryant, Edd “Kookie” Byrnes and Bob “Maynard G. Krebs” Denver were the guests. The reliable Pat Boone was the host. Continue reading “Coke Time – When Coca Cola went after the Teen Audience in 1960” →

It became a catchphrase for a generation. We fade in on an underwater scene where a young man is chasing after a bathing beauty. When they surface, he’s shocked and embarrassed. “Mrs. Burke, I thought you were Dale!”

Caroline and Dale Burke were picked from 100 auditioning couples to talk about how Grape Nuts cereal keeps you looking so young, people will find it hard to tell mother and daughter apart.

“The day of our scheduled interview my daughter, Dale, and I dressed alike, clear down to our shoes, earrings, and wrist-watches,” Caroline Burke wrote in 2003. “By the time Mrs. Salter, the agency representative, left, we were pretty sure we had at least a chance to compete for this commercial. Lots of interviews and questionnaires and photo sessions later, we were told that we were among the top ten teams. They would call in two weeks. One day my son, Adam, who was six years old at the time, came dashing out into the backyard to where I was working in the garden. ‘Mom!!’ he shouted. ‘Phone! It’s New York!!’ It was three-fifteen in the afternoon. I don’t remember the date. ‘Caroline?’ a voice from New York asked. ‘Yes!’ I said. It was Paul McDonough, the Producer. ‘Congratulations!’ he said. ‘You won!'” Continue reading “Mrs. Burke! I thought you were Dale” →

Scroll down to hear our interview!

Keener original, Robin Seymour, has written a long awaited autobiography. “The DJ That Launched 1,000 Hits” is a fascinating read and a required addition to the library of every true Keenerfan. We caught up with Robin, now in his 9th decade of life, for a taste of the treasures to be found in his extraordinary memoir.

Child radio actor disk jockey television star, rock band manager, marketer, infomercial trailblazer and author; All of these apply to the renaissance man that is Robin Seymour. At the time of our visit, Robin was in his 90s, one of the last living connections to the original staff members at Keener’s predecessor, WKMH (Lee Alan, Dave Prince, Paul Cannon, Bill Phillips, Ray Otis and Jim Sanders and Bob Green are other notable names). His memories of a career that spans over 8 decades were still sharp, as is his recollection of a pivotal conversation with WJBK legend Ed McKenzie. The man who portrayed the station’s popular “Jack The Bellboy” said to the teenage weekend part timer, “So you think you want to make radio a career? Don’t. You will always be on the outside looking in.” Continue reading “Robin Seymour Remembers” →

We’ve been featuring some awesome cover bands recently. Leonid & Friends, Tim Akers & The Smoking Section and The Fendertones are three good examples. Leonid’s dead on recreation of Chicago’s hits captures even the most discerning purist. Check out “25 or 6 to 4“. Tim Akers band actually improves on the tunes they cover. Check out “Uptown Funk” and “Shake It Off” to see what I mean. And the Fendertones homage to the Beach Boys, while not exactly hitting the mark, comes close enough for us to sing along. They weren’t afraid to look deep into the Beach Boy cannon to record rarities like “Monkey’s Uncle” from the Disney film of the same name. In this visual generation, watching the video production is as much fun as listening to the music.

Take a listen to the four selections in today’s Much More Music section and see parts of their performances don’t remind you of somebody else y0u know well.

Quick Takes:

Apple sets March 25 as the date for its “special event”, likely announcing streaming and news services. Via @CNBC

HBR’s take on what big consumer brands can do to compete in the digital economy.

“Do your homework then trust your gut.” How leaders at the top make big decisions. Via @jacobsmedia

Fatal distraction: Tech’s worry as D.C. bares fangs. Via @axios.

On This Date In History:

1956: Dow Jones closes above 500 for 1st time (500.24)
1965: The Beatles finished the filming of the movie Help! in the Bahamas.
1965: James Darren was a guest voice (as “Jimmy Darrock”) on the season finale of The Flintstones on ABC-TV.
1968:  The Rolling Stones began recording “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” with their new producer, Jimmy Miller, at Olympic studios in London.
1972:  NHL great Gordie Howe retires after 26 seasons
1973: Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In airs its final episode on NBC-TV

Released on This Date:
1965: Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs – Wooly Bully
1967: The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground & Nico
1973: Stevie Wonder – You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
1975: Parliament – Chocolate City
1978: Bob Dylan – Masterpieces
1979: Peaches & Herb – Reunited
1980: Billy Joel – Glass Houses
1981: The Rolling Stones – Sucking In The Seventies
1985: Kool & The Gang – Kool & The Gang At Their Best

Happy Birthday to:
(1922) Jack Kerouac (d. 1969)
(1931) Herb Kelleher (d. 2019)
(1940) Al Jarreau (d. 2017)
(1941) Barbara Feldon
(1946) Liza Minnelli
(1948) James Taylor
(1949) Mike Gibbins (d. 2005)
(1950) Jon Provost
(1957) Marlon Jackson

Much More Music:
They sound just like…

1968: “Sally Had a Party” – Flavor: This Washington, D.C. area garage rock band released three singles on Columbia Records. The firs, “Sally Had a Party” (b/w “Shop Around”), became a regional hit that scraped the national charts. It peaked at #18 on Keener in August of ’68. It’s organ licks smack of Spenser Davis’ “Gimmie Some Lovin”. (Video)

1971: “Fresh as a Daisy” – Emitt Rhodes: His debut at LA’s famous Troubadour was concurrent with an earthquake, prompting his ABC/Dunhill Records PR team to take out an add with the tagline, “That wasn’t an earthquake, that was Emitt Rhodes opening at the Troubadour!” “Fresh as a Daisy” never charted on Keener, but Emitt’s sound-alike resemblance to Paul McCartney lead to a 2010 documentary entitled The One Man Beatles. (Video)

1991: “Mustang Sally” – Andrew Strong: We’ve met some people who thought that Andrew Strong WAS Wilson Pickett. Written and first recorded by Mack Rice in 1965, The ode to Ford’s innovative sports car gained greater popularity when Wilson Pickett covered it the following year. This Irish singer took his version to a whole new level in the 1991 film “The Commitments” (Video)

Today’s Quote Worth Re-quoting: “I wish my bed was as comfortable when I go to bed as it is when my alarm goes off.”

One More for the Road: Speaking of Elton John. The Edgar Winter Group, stole a bit of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” for this track from 1974’s “Shock Treatment”. “River’s Risin” peaked at #33, but in our view was worthy to be included in our Keener power playlist.  (Video)

55 years ago today, Detroit was digging out of an unexpected 4 inches of snow. Doesn’t seem like much for those of us who have endured northern winters these past few years, but the Motor City was blanketed just before the morning rush and the road crews couldn’t keep up.

1964 was also an Presidential Election Year and on this date, Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge upset presumptive Republican nominee Barry Goldwater as a write-in in the New Hampshire Primary. New York Governor, Nelson Rockefeller came in a distant third.

Six members of “Parents Against Encouragement of Violence” picketed the 61st American Toy Fair in New York City. Among the toys on display were cap pistols (remember them?), miniature tanks and bazookas. I wonder how those parents would react to today’s video games?

An ad in today’s paper in 1964 promoted a 10 day jet tour package to Hawaii on Trans World Airlines, including accommodations at a Waikiki Beach Hotel for just $449.00. If that sounds cheap, in today’s dollars, it would be $3,661.17.

Elvis Presley‘s film, “Kissin Cousins“, was rolling into its second week at number one at the Box Office. (Trailer)

The Beatles held down the top 3 spots on the week’s Billboard Hot 100, a record that Adele recently broke after 55 years.

#1: I Want to Hold Your Hand – The Beatles
#2: She Loves You – The Beatles
#3: Please Please Me – The Beatles
#4: Dawn (Go Away) – The 4 Seasons
#5:Java – Al (He’s the King) Hirt

Quick Takes:

Jeopardy ace, Ken Jennings, on the “irreplaceable” Alex Trebek. via @NYTimes

What Google wants to know about you. Via @Axios

Why we need AI; Audience Intelligence: “Knowledge is power. Audience Intelligence – radio’s AI – is a superpower. It goes to the heart of how the smartest, most strategic radio broadcasters will innovate their way to a successful future, despite the headwinds, hardships, and challenges. “ ~@jacobsmedia

Today In History:

1967: “Yesterday” by the Beatles became the most covered version in history with 446 versions since the Fab Four released it in 1965.

1968: Otis Redding‘s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” is certified Gold, three months after his death in a plane crash.

1969: The Jackson 5 signed with Motown Records.

1970: In addition to The 5th Dimension‘s Record of the Year win at the Grammys for “Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In.” Blood, Sweat & Tears is nominated for a record 11 awards, win three, including Album of the Year. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young win Best New Artist.

1971: Jim Morrison leaves for Paris to reorient himself emotionally and creatively and to avoid the jail sentence given to him in Miami. He will never return to the US.

1994: The Supremes receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2016: Keith Emerson, the keyboard player and primary music composer in Emerson, Lake & Palmer, dies of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at age 71.

Albums Released on This Date:
1968: Manfred Mann – Up The Junction
1970: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – Déjà Vu
1972: Harry Chapin – Heads And Tales
1974: Chicago – Chicago VII
1975: Alice Cooper – Welcome To My Nightmare

Happy Birthday to:
(1903) Lawrence Welk (d. 1992)
(1926) Ralph Abernathy (d. 1990)
(1934) Sam Donaldson
(1947) Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge)
(1950) Bobby McFerrin
(1952) Douglas Adams (d. 2001)
(1957) Cheryl Lynn
(1971) Johnny Knoxville
(1989) Anton Yelchin (d. 2016)

Much More Music:

1947: Happy Birthday to Vanilla Fudge lead singer Mark Stein born in Bayonne, New Jersey on this date in 1947. His band made its name covering soul hits in psychedelia. The band has been cited as “one of the few American links to what soon became heavy metal. The Nice, Deep Purple, Yes, Styx, Led Zeppelin, and Uriah Heep all site Vanilla Fudge as an influence.  “Set me free, why doncha babe..” (Video)

1965: Tom Jones scored the first of 16 No.1 songs in the U.K. with “It’s Not Unusual”. He eventually recorded less, preferring the more lucrative Las Vegas stage. Jones and his idol Elvis Presley met in 1965 at Paramount, when Elvis was filming Paradise, Hawaiian Style. They became lifelong friends, spending more and more time together in Las Vegas and duetting until the early hours at Presley’s private suite. (Video)

1970: The 5th Dimension win the Record of the Year Grammy for “Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In.” Written for the 1967 musical Hair by James Rado and Gerome Ragni (lyrics), and Galt MacDermot (music). Bill Holman arranged the music, which was recorded by the Wrecking Crew. The actual recording is something of a “rarity”; the song was recorded in two cities, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, then mixed together in the studio. (Video)

Today’s Quote Worth Re-quoting: “If you put all your strength and faith and vigor into a job and try to do the best you can, the money will come.” ~Lawrence Welk

One More for the Road: I have to admit that the second half of today’s “one for the road” got old pretty quick. “I’ve Seen All Good People” has its fans, but the repetition of the hook became tiresome. Not so with the opening movement, “Your Move.” The lyrical metaphor of chess as a descriptor of a love affair mixes well with the acoustic guitar opening, the swelling keyboards and background chorus. In the modern world of on-line messaging, I’ve purposely miss-heard the John Lennon reference, “Send that instant karma to me” as “Send an instant comment to me.” Across the sands of time, this one endures as a classic that never gets old. (Video)