Happy 50th Anniversary-The Kingsmen’s “Louie Louie”! BFYP’s Mike Korgan, Producer

Memories, Music & Mike!

It’s International “Louie Louie” Day!* “OK! Let’s give it to ‘em … right now!”

Alright, granted, I’m writing this less than two hours before midnight (beer in hand), but I posted early this morn on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter – what?! You didn’t see it?!

And here, I thought everyone followed Blast from Your Past … Riiiight … like everyone follows your social networks, too. Wow, we are all soooo self-absorbed these days. I’ll follow you, if you’ll follow me. LOL!

Let’s trip down Memory Lane to a simpler kinda life. What a magical musical time, the Sixties.

Moving Out … Moving Up … Movin’ On

However you want to say it, I’m outta there! Made a move from an apartment over a 24/7 highway to a quiet, residential, tree-lined neighborhood. Ahhhhh … silence is truly golden.

I hate moving. Who doesn’t? The act itself is agonizing – and more so, the older you are. “Dem bones” don’t like that much backbreaking activity!

It wasn’t a totally positive move, but one that needed to be made; and now that I’m mostly settled, I can feel the music of moving … in so many songs … for so many different reasons. Join me on a romp down BFYP’s Memory Lane as we find all kinds of musical reasons to move out, move up and move on …

WFDU-FM’s The Vintage Rock & Pop Shop ROCKS!

Yipes! So much for resolutions, vows, priorities … whatever name you want to give those first-of-the-year dedications to organization and turning over New Year leaves.

I blew it already – totally missed January’s article! Ah, the story of my life. I’ve missed a lot of fun while trying to deal with life’s frustrating anomalies.

BUT fun is IN for February! Blast from Your Past is having another special to help support The Vintage Rock &Pop Shop – the fun and entertaining 1950s/’60s nostalgia show hosted by Ghosty on WFDU-FM!

New Jersey’s Farleigh Dickinson University operates WFDU-FM 89.1, a public broadcast radio station, on which several shows are featured. February is their annual fundraising month, and to keep Ghosty’s show on the air for another year, we need to head on over and donate to the cause – let’s keep Rockin’ On!

Wolfman Jack Turns 75, National DJ Day & Half-Price Books!

New York’s “Cousin Brucie” began his pre-1960 radio career at ZBM/Bermuda. It was an eye-opener for both of them.

Before Ron Riley became everyone’s fave DJ at WLS/Chicago, he suffered through stints as “Polka Ron” (WKRS/Waukeegan) and “Smiley Riley” (WAPL/Appleton). Oh, we were so sappy back then.

DJ Frosty Mitchell’s 1950s Swing Club on Iowa TV.

But we had fun! Join us in hilarious reverie with Blast from Your Past! Rock & Roll Radio DJs: the First Five Years 1954-1959 in an enhanced and expanded ebook edition (Amazon), and half price signed print books from the Blast from Your Past website. Let’s turn back the clock and revel in behind-the-microphone stories of fifteen early Rock & Roll Radio DJs!

In 1954 newbie television’s vice-grip tightened on radio’s audiences, stole its shows, and introduced color. But a fresh attitude bubbled under radio’s airwaves. Then it happened – the unmistakable beat burst its bubble and Rock & Roll rescued Radio!

Fifty-nine years later we not only celebrate National Disc Jockey Day* on January 20^th, but the very next day we get to reminisce about the antics and airchecks of Wolfman Jack, the consummate Rock & Roll DJ, as we commemorate what would have been his 75^th birthday! (January 21^st)

Who did you listen to besides Wolfman Jack, Ron, and Cousin Brucie? Check out BFYP’s “Book 1” Table of Contents – you’ll likely see at least one other name you’ll recognize. And if not, I guarantee you’ll still enjoy the trip down Memory Lane as we review the trials, tribulations and triumphs of a revolutionary five years in music history. Take a peek!

Let’s explore a little DJ history …

Blast from Your Past’s Boomer Gift Guide – Let’s Rock!

As much as I’d like another eleven months before the Holidays take over, that isn’t going to happen. Sigh. And though I refuse to decorate or shop for Christmas until Thanksgiving Day, I shall not deprive you early-bird shoppers from great new Blast from Your Past Holiday Gift Packages!

I just finished updating the BFYP Boomer Gift Guide, and completed the pages for two exciting BFYP Custom Gift Packages that I hope you’ll think someone on your gift list can’t do without.

The first Gift Package has only FOUR available, so if you know someone who would love a replica Classic Car (scale model) and a copy of Blast from Your Past! Rock & Roll Radio DJs: the First Five Years 1954-1959 – along with a couple of other fun nostalgic items, click here to check them out.

I lucked into four cool Yafa Pen Special Edition Nostalgic Car collectibles from 2004 and paired them with a book, a reproduction Radio Music Survey and more, for only $27.95 (a $38 value). Choose from:
* 1955 Thunderbird convertible with royal blue metal-flake (remember those paint jobs?!)
* 1955 Thunderbird convertible in classic black
* 1957 “Fuelie” Corvette hardtop in hunter (Xmas!) green
* 1965 classic Mustang in hunter (Xmas!) green
Click here for more details, lots of pictures, and purchase your favorite. But hurry – when they’re gone, they’re gone! But there’s more gifting to be done …

The Many Faces of Wolfman Jack

January 21, 1938 ~ July 1, 1995
“Have Mercy, Baby!”

Wolfman Jack 1972 TV Time magazine

It’s Halloween month and no one loved Halloween and howling at the moon more than Wolfman Jack.

Some people are just larger-than-life. They exude personality and charisma in a way that makes many jealous and others swoon.

Frank Sinatra. Elvis. The Beatles. Sean Connery. Tom Cruise. (Oh, all right …) Justin Bieber. (I know they’re all guys … but guys don’t generally “swoon” over charismatic celebs … like Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, or Katy Perry.)

Radio DJ Jim Higgs with Wolfman Jack circa 1972

And then there was Wolfman Jack.

The Past is not always Pleasantly Nostalgic

You know, I try to keep things light on this blog – Blast from Your Past is all about looking fondly back at your youth, favoring articles that hopefully evoke a smile or two.

However, in light of the past week’s Colorado massacre, we are disturbingly reminded that looking back is not always pleasing.

The memories of the survivors will forever be tainted with the blood of that night. Whoever they were when they walked into that theatre is not who they are now – for better or for worse.

When Rock & Roll Rescued Radio

Can you imagine your life without radio? OK, well maybe these days you can. But fifty-plus years ago our lives were ruled by the airwaves—not the digital waves. There was no Internet … no Facebook … no (gasp!) Twitter. Not even television!

Radio was our source for minute-to-minute news, event information, entertainment, and of course, gossip. It was our connection to the world outside our homes, neighborhoods, and country.

Families gathered ‘round the ol’ Zenith console in the living room after supper (yes, after, not during). As tall as your little brother, it stood majestically in a smooth, burnished mahogany; a beautiful piece of furniture commanding the center of the room while your parents listened to the evening news. You struggled with your homework then slipped into your jammies. The family settled on the sofa for an hour of The Life of Riley. Ah, that was the life!

Give … Give … Blast from Your Past Giveaway!!

As a Goodreads.com member, I’m trying to learn all the ins-and-outs of their great promotional possibilities. I discovered their Giveaways last week and promptly set up a St. Patrick’s Day contest for Blast from Your Past!

What fun … readers looking for cheery, vintage entertainment will receive free author-signed copies of Blast from Your Past! Rock & Roll Radio DJs: the First Five Years 1954-1959. So tell me, do ya feel lucky?! Click and enter!

Enjoy the moment ... again!

Blast from Your Past – on the air!

New year. New life. New book …Happy New Year!

It’s no secret … I’m a closet DJ. Seriously, I hide in the closet, grab a shoe and hold it up like a microphone, and in my deepest “DJ” voice … “This is BFYP-FM broadcasting live from San Diego at the edge of the ocean!” LOL

Well, OK, I don’t really sit in the closet, and the shoe-thing would be kinda smelly, but I have been playing on the radio this year already. Where best to promote the first “surprise” book in the new Blast from Your Past ™ series? Why am I surprised? Because it isn’t the first book planned to roll off the press.