Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2018 06:37:39 -0400
From: Chris Mathis <cmathis@brothersgibb.com>
Subject: The event that ended my radio career
At the height of the Bee Gees’ remarkable disco-fueled popularity, Barry,
Robin and Maurice Gibb dominated radio station playlists in a way not seen
since the Beatles’ prime.
Disco’s popularity from 1975 to 1979 sparked a fierce backlash. Some radio
stations sought ratings by promoting Bee Gees-free weekends and disco album
burning events. It took a couple of decades away from the limelight before
the group was recognized for its musicianship.
I witnessed a small part of the era as a weekend disc jockey at an AM-FM
station. The AM side played pop, and the FM side was country. I knew little
about popular music in either genre but faked it as best I could. The
appearance of authenticity — no matter how fraudulent — is important.
The other record spinners recorded their on-air shifts to critique their
own performances. I couldn’t because I was embarrassed by the sound of my
own voice. I told the others about it, which led some to recommend a career
change. They weren’t necessarily teasing when some said I had a bedroom
voice … that could put everyone to sleep.
The event that ended my radio career occurred during an overnight shift
from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. I had inadvertently left a Bee Gees long-play record
on the floor and rolled over it with the announcer’s chair. The program
director felt it was purposely done as a statement against Bee-Gees’ disco.
But it was simply carelessness on my part, which could be remedied by
volunteering to go to Musicland to purchase another album.
Musicland — the first one opened in Minneapolis in 1955 – was a cathedral
for record buyers during a heyday that lasted through the 1990s. Changing
times caused a financial collapse that Best Buy hoped to turn around in
2001 when it purchased the company. Although LPs have made a comeback,
Musicland as it was once is no more.
I purchased my first album from Musicland, which was the Doors’ classic “LA
Woman’’ album. I acquired a second-hand stereo and turned the bedroom into
a shrine for the late Jim Morrison. The music that tumbled downstairs and
reached Mother’s ears drew a sharp response.
“What is all that caterwauling,’’ she said, adding that it sounded like a
couple tomcats fighting.
Her musical tastes better fit polka masters the Six Fat Dutchmen and
Frankie Yankovic. I was among those who appreciated “Who Stole the Kishka?”
and “In Heaven There is no Beer.’’ Still, the Doors’ psychedelic ramblings
ran much deeper. Mother tolerated, but never full accepted the music or the
desire to mimic Morrison’s curly long locks.
She was aided and abetted by the town barber, who felt shoulder hair length
threatened the pillars of democracy and the wearer’s future. Long hair, he
insisted, meant certain baldness later in life. Crewcuts and a little dab
of Brill Crème was sufficient for all.
Musical tastes change. I’ve learned what a kishka is and have come to
appreciate the Bee Gees for their harmony. I have become the old dude who
tries but doesn’t appreciate what Mother would consider caterwauling in the
hard rock that Sam likes.
Sam, who is young and still blessed with good hearing, purchased a ticket
to the Metallica concert planned for September in the Target Center.
The situation came to a head a couple weeks ago when Metallica announced it
would make a September stop at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The ticket
cost more than $100, which in younger times would have resulted in a
lecture about spending money wisely. The current situation pegs a wish to
be young again.
Indeed, youth should not be wasted on the young. I would gladly seek and
hopefully find the fountain that Ponce de Leon sought in the
mosquito-infested Florida swamps.
Back to topDate: Tue, 27 Mar 2018 13:03:33 +0000
From: FREDERICK SOVA <fsova@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: The event that ended my radio career
Went to Jim Morrison's grave in Paris in 1992. Quite an experience. People there drinking
and music blasting every day. Met a couple from Texas there. Never forget it.
________________________________
From: Words@brothersgibb.com on behalf of Chris Mathis
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2018 6:37:39 AM
To: Words List Member
Subject: [Words] The event that ended my radio career
At the height of the Bee Gees remarkable disco-fueled popularity, Barry,
Robin and Maurice Gibb dominated radio station playlists in a way not seen
since the Beatles prime.
Discos popularity from 1975 to 1979 sparked a fierce backlash. Some radio
stations sought ratings by promoting Bee Gees-free weekends and disco album
burning events. It took a couple of decades away from the limelight before
the group was recognized for its musicianship.
I witnessed a small part of the era as a weekend disc jockey at an AM-FM
station. The AM side played pop, and the FM side was country. I knew little
about popular music in either genre but faked it as best I could. The
appearance of authenticity no matter how fraudulent is important.
The other record spinners recorded their on-air shifts to critique their
own performances. I couldnt because I was embarrassed by the sound of my
own voice. I told the others about it, which led some to recommend a career
change. They werent necessarily teasing when some said I had a bedroom
voice that could put everyone to sleep.
The event that ended my radio career occurred during an overnight shift
from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. I had inadvertently left a Bee Gees long-play record
on the floor and rolled over it with the announcers chair. The program
director felt it was purposely done as a statement against Bee-Gees disco.
But it was simply carelessness on my part, which could be remedied by
volunteering to go to Musicland to purchase another album.
Musicland the first one opened in Minneapolis in 1955 was a cathedral
for record buyers during a heyday that lasted through the 1990s. Changing
times caused a financial collapse that Best Buy hoped to turn around in
2001 when it purchased the company. Although LPs have made a comeback,
Musicland as it was once is no more.
I purchased my first album from Musicland, which was the Doors classic =93LA
Woman album. I acquired a second-hand stereo and turned the bedroom into
a shrine for the late Jim Morrison. The music that tumbled downstairs and
reached Mothers ears drew a sharp response.
What is all that caterwauling, she said, adding that it sounded like a
couple tomcats fighting.
Her musical tastes better fit polka masters the Six Fat Dutchmen and
Frankie Yankovic. I was among those who appreciated Who Stole the Kishka?
and In Heaven There is no Beer. Still, the Doors psychedelic ramblings
ran much deeper. Mother tolerated, but never full accepted the music or the
desire to mimic Morrisons curly long locks.
She was aided and abetted by the town barber, who felt shoulder hair length
threatened the pillars of democracy and the wearers future. Long hair, he
insisted, meant certain baldness later in life. Crewcuts and a little dab
of Brill Crme was sufficient for all.
Musical tastes change. Ive learned what a kishka is and have come to
appreciate the Bee Gees for their harmony. I have become the old dude who
tries but doesnt appreciate what Mother would consider caterwauling in the
hard rock that Sam likes.
Sam, who is young and still blessed with good hearing, purchased a ticket
to the Metallica concert planned for September in the Target Center.
The situation came to a head a couple weeks ago when Metallica announced it
would make a September stop at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The ticket
cost more than $100, which in younger times would have resulted in a
lecture about spending money wisely. The current situation pegs a wish to
be young again.
Indeed, youth should not be wasted on the young. I would gladly seek and
hopefully find the fountain that Ponce de Leon sought in the
mosquito-infested Florida swamps.
"Words & Music", Fans Of The Brothers Gibb ( Bee Gees )
http://www.brothersgibb.com
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End Words@brothersgibb.com message digest 03/27/2018 15:01 (#2018-538)