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.

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.

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!

BFYP-the First Five Years nominated – Global eBook Awards 2011

It’s true! Blast from Your Past! Rock & Roll Radio DJs: the First Five Years 1954-1959 is in the running for an award in the Entertainment category of Dan Poynter’s Global eBook Awards competition. Want to support the DJs of your youth? Please vote here.

Dan Poynter of course, is THE definition of independent author, having self published since 1969. As the prominent guru in the industry, it’s only natural that he be the first to offer an awards program in this new independent publishing platform. Kudos to Dan.

You’ll find lots of other wonderful ebooks to vote on there, as well, in nearly every popular genre, so dive on in … it’s an avid reader’s paradise. But don’t forget to stop first, at the voting site for Blast from Your Past! … the First Five Years. If you don’t have your very own copy yet, it’s available to buy or download a sample at Amazon. Enjoy the moment … again!

The First Five Years (1954-1959) were the best!

Blast from Your Past! Ebook-first five years 1954-59

Enjoy the moment ... again!

Coming soon!

What’s coming soon, you ask? The ebook: Blast from Your Past! Rock & Roll Radio DJs – the First Five Years, 1954-1959.

The ebook edition is based on the full-throttle version:

Blast from Your Past! Rock & Roll Radio DJs who ROCKED Your World! 1954-1979, Vol. I, due for release in 2011.

But the ebook edition is for you wild-n-crazy kids from the era, who don’t want to wait to relive the fun, nostalgia and rebel yells of some of the DJs spinning the platters that matter.

I’ve been working on this book for more than two — OMG — nearly three years. Yep, I can attest to the fact that writing a book is NOT a get-rich-quick scheme. I am the epitome of the starving artist, but having oh, so much fun in the writing of this first of several books on our country’s Rock & Roll Radio DJs.

More than 40 DJs were interviewed and never-before-told stories even came from the most prolific writer of the bunch, “Cousin” Bruce Morrow (NY). “My” DJs are scattered throughout America in large and small markets that include KISN in Portland, Oregon, Chicago (of course), Philadelphia (no doubt!), San Diego, Los Angeles, and many points up, down and around the country. Think Ron Riley, Jim Stagg, Ken Chase, Shotgun Tom Kelly, Lee Gray, Rich Brother Robbin, and many, many more! Dedicated to the consummate DJ, Wolfman Jack! Foreword by Lonnie Napier, Wolfman’s 25-year friend and business vice president.

When you ask if “your” DJ’s name is in the Table of Contents you might be disappointed — believe me, I cringe when I can’t answer yes — but I’ve learned that there are waaaaay more than 40-something DJs who mattered to the teens and tweens of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. So — Vol. II will follow quickly on the heels of this first offering — and I already have contacts for at least half of that book. We did love our DJs.

The ebook of the first five years, 1954-1979  is almost ready — give me another several days; though hopefully, I’ll navigate the waters sooner. When it’s up and ready for you to peruse and purchase, you’ll be the first to know! Besides the DJs’ stories, you’ll relive with me some of the events, philosophies, and craziness that shaped our era. Especially in this first five years, as I reached deep down and dredged up memories — and what I couldn’t remember I researched! — and blended it all together with the DJs’ tales of scenes behind the microphone. Oh, baby, you know what I like!

Have questions? Care to contribute to either the full-throttle version, or soon-to-be comments area of the website? (www.BlastFromYourPast.NET) Have at it! Love to hear from you. In the meantime, if you visit the website you’ll note two invitations — one to sign up for the Fuzzy Dice Newsletter, so you’ll receive updates on the BFYP projects and release dates — and one to take a memory-laden Rock & Roll Radio survey that might get you a free copy of the full-throttle edition. Have fun!

Rock on!

LinDee