The Original Voice of the Brewers Signs Off

Merle Harmon, the original voice of the Milwaukee Brewers, died Wednesday afternoon. Harmon, who was paired with Tom Collins on radio during the club's initial season, was the Brewers lead play-by-play voice when Bob Uecker joined the Brew Crew as a radio broadcaster in 1971.

Harmon began his big league career calling Kansas City Athletics games for seven seasons, starting in 1955, as that club's original voice following their move from Philadelphia. He went on to do play-by-play for the Braves during their final two seasons in Milwaukee, the Minnesota Twins from 1967 through 1969, the Brewers through the 1979 season, and the Texas Rangers from 1982 through 1989.

On the network level, Harmon handled the "Game of the Week" for ABC-TV in 1965 and for NBC-TV in 1980 and 1981. He worked the 1980 World Series for NBC. His broadcast experience included the National Basketball Association, Big Ten football and basketball and other college basketball games. He also handled New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs football games on local radio, as well as American Football League games for ABC.

In 1980, NBC hired Harmon to anchor the Summer Olympic Games in Moscow. The Brewers refused to grant him a leave of absence and he was forced to give up announcing their games. The U.S. wound up boycotting the Games that year.

From 1977 to the mid-90's, Harmon tended to his Merle Harmon's Fan Fair sports apparel and memorabilia stores, which started with three stores in Milwaukee and grew to more than 130 nationwide, including one I frequented in Mesa, Arizona.

Irving R. Levine Signs Off

Irving R. Levine, NBC's longtime economics correspondent, died Thursday at the age of 86. He was on the air from 1950 until 1995. Levine was known for his distinctive collection of bow ties, which he became his signature.

Levine also had a significant career beyond his economic reporting. He was the first American television correspondent allowed to live in, and broadcast from, the Soviet Union during the Cold War era. He also covered the building of the Berlin Wall, the 1960 uprising in what was then the Belgian Congo and the travels of Pope Paul VI to the United Nations, India and the Holy Land, among the first international journeys by a pontiff.

Interestingly, Levine began his journalism career as an obituary writer and reporter for the Providence Journal.

I was listening to The 70's with Steve Goddard today and heard an Elton John tune I hadn't heard in a long, long time. Mama Can't Buy You Love, a song Elton recorded with Philly soul producer Thom Bell in 1977, returned him to the Top Ten in 1979, but that year's Victim of Love was a commercial disappointment. Elton also launched a comeback tour in 1979 accompanied only by percussionist Ray Cooper.

My favorite Elton costume was his Donald Duck outfit. Interestingly, he looked right at home in a tutu, too. Go figure.

Behind The Music

VH1 is bringing back "Behind the Music" this summer. The first two subjects: Lil Wayne and Scott Weiland. I thought the first two would be Rihanna and Chris Brown. It just goes to show what I know.

The End of an Era

Here is the last song ever played at Super CFL...Life Is A Rock (But 'CFL Rolled Me).

Paul Harvey...Good Day

Radio legend Paul Harvey, whose news and commentary segments always ended with his distinctive sign-off, "Paul Harvey....good day," died today at the age of 90. Harvey died at his winter home in Phoenix, surrounded by family. No cause of death was immediately available.

Harvey never viewed himself as a newsman, even though some 18 million people tuned into his daily reports to hear his 15-minute take on the day's events. He got his start in radio in high school in Tulsa at age 14 when a speech teacher was so impressed with his voice that she took him to a local radio station, KVOO-AM and told the program director that Harvey belonged on radio. He began reading news, making announcements — and sweeping floors — and a year later began getting paid.

Critics blasted him during the tumultuous Vietnam War years in the 60s and 70s, but he made one of his most famous flip-flops on that war, declaring on the air to President Nixon: "Mr. President, I love you but you are wrong."

The idea of retirement never occurred to either Harvey or his wife, Angel, whom he married in 1940 and who was his producing partner throughout his career. When Harvey was 81 in 2000, his sole employer for all those years, ABC Radio Networks, signed him to a 10-year, $100 million contract. Rivals who had lost in the bidding told him they'd be back in 2010. Sadly, that opportunity will never come to fruition.

I remember listening to Harvey at lunch during the summer of 1976 when I was 15. He was part of the inspiration that cemented my decision to be in radio. Even though my career in that medium was brief, it was extremely fulfilling.

To Paul Harvey, thank you and Good Day.

Molly Bee

Molly Bee, who became an overnight country music star when she recorded the 1952 novelty hit I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, died in California this past Saturday from complications following a stroke.

Bee, in failing health for several months, was just 10 when she began her music career, singing the Hank Williams' classic Lovesick Blues on country star Rex Allen's radio show. Three years later, she released I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.

Bee went on to record a number of hit country songs throughout the 1950s and appeared in several musical comedies in the '60s. Although her star had begun to fade by the 1970s, she continued to tour and perform.

The World Did Not Come To An End

Congrats to the Steelers for pulling out a heroic last second victory against the Cardinals. Here's a song commemorate the Cards amazing season...



At least I didn't walk away empty-handed. I won the 26" LG TV given away during halftime of the game at the Hooter's in Ahwatukee, AZ. It's now my PC monitor.

One Last Bit of Housekeeping from 2008

Before we get too far into 2009, there's one final 2008 nugget I want to share. It's the Top 20 albums from Billboard's 200 and the Top 20 singles from Billboard's Hot 100.

The Billboard 200
1. As I Am, Alicia Keys. MBK/J/RMG.
2. Noel, Josh Groban. 143/Reprise/Warner Bros.
3. Tha Carter III, Lil Wayne. Cash Money/Universal Motown/UMRG.
4. Long Road Out of Eden, Eagles. ERC.
5. Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift. Big Machine.
6. Rock N Roll Jesus, Kid Rock. Top Dog/Atlantic/AG.
7. Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay. Capitol.
8. Now 26. Various artists. EMI/Sony BMG Strategic Marketing Group/Universal/Zomba/Capitol.
9. Carnival Ride, Carrie Underwood. 19/Arista/Arista Nashville/RMG/RMG/SBN.
10. The Ultimate Hits, Garth Brooks. Pearl.
11. Hannah Montana 2 (Soundtrack)/Meet Miley Cyrus, Miley Cyrus. Hollywood/Walt Disney.
12. Growing Pains, Mary J. Blige. Matriarch/Geffen/IGA.
13. Exclusive, Chris Brown. Jive/Zomba.
14. Sleep Through the Static, Jack Johnson. Brushfire/UMRG.
15. Black Ice, AC/DC. Columbia/Sony Music.
16. Death Magnetic, Metallica. Warner Bros.
17. Jonas Brothers, Jonas Brothers. Hollywood.
18. Coco, Colbie Caillat. Universal Republic/UMRG.
19. Spirit, Leona Lewis. SYCO/J/RMG.
20. High School Musical 2. Soundtrack. Walt Disney.

The Billboard Hot 100
1. Low, Flo Rida featuring T-Pain. Poe Boy/Atlantic.
2. Bleeding Love, Leona Lewis. SYCO/J/RMG.
3. No One, Alicia Keys. MBK/J/RMG.
4. Lollipop, Lil Wayne featuring Static Major. Cash Money/Universal Motown.
5. Apologize, Timbaland featuring OneRepublic. Mosley/Blackground/Interscope.
6. No Air, Jordin Sparks duet with Chris Brown. 19/Jive/Zomba.
7. Love Song, Sara Bareilles. Epic.
8. Love In This Club, Usher featuring Young Jeezy. LaFace/Zomba.
9. With You, Chris Brown. Jive/Zomba.
10. Forever, Chris Brown. Jive/Zomba.
11. Sexy Can I, Ray J & Yung Berg. Knockout/DEJA 34/Epic/Koch.
12. Take a Bow, Rihanna. SRP/Def Jam/IDJMG.
13. Viva La Vida, Coldplay. Capitol.
14. I Kissed a Girl, Katy Perry. Capitol.
15. Whatever You Like, T.I. Grand Hustle/Atlantic.
16. Disturbia, Rihanna. SRP/Def Jam/IDJMG.
17. Don't Stop the Music, Rihanna. SRP/Def Jam/IDJMG.
18. Pocketful of Sunshine, Natasha Bedingfield. Phonogenic/Epic.
19. Kiss Kiss, Chris Brown featuring T-Pain. Jive/Zomba.
20. Closer, Ne-Yo. Def Jam/IDJMG.

NFC Championship Game Memorabilia

Here is my ticket stub and parking pass from this past Sunday's NFC Championship Game:


And another tune that surely echoed in the minds of even the most ardent Cardinals supporters:

Hell Just Froze Over...

I was at yesterday's NFC Championship Game when the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 32-25. As a lifelong Packers fan, I adopted the Cards as my second team because I live in The Grand Canyon State.

As I was driving away from University of Phoenix Stadium, I thought about the song that best described what the Cards had just accomplished. A couple of the choices were obvious--"We Are The Champions" by Queen and Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'". Neither seemed right.

Then it hit me. All the critics and oddsmakers said the Cards never had a chance. They were 3 point underdogs to Atlanta, 10 to Carolina, and 3 1/2 to Philly.

Only one song would do:



The Cards started out the season as a 45-1 shot to win it all. Even the initial spread has Arizona as 7 point dogs to Pittsburgh. Thank you for the disrespect and motivation.

"The worst playoff team in NFL history" is one victory away from securing the Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl XLIII. Let's "SHOCK THE WORLD!"

*Note--That is NOT me in the picture. It's Cardinals' fanatic "Mad Jack" Corson of Chandler.

WLS

For those of you who enjoy WLS from it's Top 40 days, here's a 1978 demo featuring a number of The Big 89 jocks. This golden gift includes Larry Lujack, Tommy Edwards, and the late Yvonne Daniels, among others.

Thanks to my friend jb @ The Hits Just Keep On Comin' for the clip.

Happy New Year 2009!

I couldn't think of a better way to ring in 2009 than a holiday cut from an album by one of the Beatles, George Harrison. His 1974 album Dark Horse has been in my collection since it was released. My favorite tune is the title track.

However, during Christmas and New Year's, I'm partial to side two, track one: Ding Dong; Ding Dong. If you've never heard it, I know you will enjoy it.

Harrison is not the only big name on this song. He has recruited an all-star cast, including drummers Ringo Starr and Jim Keltner, who played under the pseudonym Buster Sidebury on both of the Traveling Wilburys albums; Gary Wright on piano; Klaus Voormann, who designed the Beatles' Revolver album cover and played with Manfred Mann, on bass; founding member of Foreigner, Mick Jones, and himself on guitars; Alvin Lee, former frontman for Ten Years After, on electric guitars; and Tom Scott on horns. Sir Frank Crisp is also credited as Spirit.

Let's make 2009 a kick-ass year!

A Near-Purrrrrrfect Woman Reaches The End Of Her 9 Lives

Sultry sex kitten Eartha Kitt passed away today. Renown for her 1953 version of Santa Baby, Kitt portrayed Catwoman on the mid-60s TV show Batman, replacing Julie Newmar.

Once called the "most exciting woman in the world" by Orson Welles, Kitt earned her first certified Gold record with the 1984 disco hit Where Is My Man. She also won Daytime Emmy and Annie Awards and was nominated for Emmy and Tony Awards during her distinguished career.

Kitt wrote three autobiographies – Thursday's Child (1956), Alone with Me (1976), and I'm Still Here: Confessions of a Sex Kitten (1989). In 1960, she was presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

A Christmas Gift For You

My latest acquisition is a 1964 sealed LP, A Christmas Gift For You From Philles Records. It's a Phil Spector-produced album featuring his entire Philles Records roster, including Darlene Love, The Ronettes, The Crystals, and Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans.

The back-up musicians read like a Who's Who in the music business at the time:

Horns - "Teenage" Steve Douglas, Jay Migliori, Roy Caton & Lou Blackburn
Guitars - Tom "Arbuckle" Tedesco, Bill Pitman, Irv Rubins & Nino Tempo
Pianos - Leon Russell, Don Randi & Al Delory
Bass - Ray Pohlman & Jimmy Bond
Drums - Hal Blaine
Percussion - Frank Knapp, Sonny Bono & Jack "Specs" Nitzsche
Strings - Jimmy Vidor Strings

Some interesting notes about the album and jacket cover:

- On the back cover, the "The" in Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans is both capitalized and not capitalized in several places.
- Sleigh Ride is listed on the jacket and album as 3:45. It's actually closer to 2:45.
- No time is listed for Silent Night on the jacket. On the LP, the time is 2:35.
- Marshmellow World is spelled with an "e" on the front cover and album. On the back cover, it's spelled with an "a".

I hope you enjoy these mid-60s classic Christmas tunes! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Side One

White Christmas - Darlene Love
Frosty The Snowman - The Ronettes
The Bells of St. Mary's - Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - The Crystals
Sleigh Ride - The Ronettes
Marshmellow World - Darlene Love

Side Two

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - The Ronettes
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Crystals
Winter Wonderland - Darlene Love
Parade of The Wooden Soldiers - The Crystals
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Darlene Love
Here Comes Santa Claus - Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans
Silent Night - Phil Spector and Artists

'Twas The Night Before Christmas...well almost

Over the years, I've collected many records, both LPs and 45s. In my collection, I have a few Christmas albums. My favorite is a 1964 MGM release of Great Children's Stories (CH-517) featuring 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, The Little Fir Tree, and The Night The Animals Talked.

I am particularly fond of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. The voice of the mouse belongs to popular character actor Bob Hastings. Hastings is best known for playing Lt. Elroy Carpenter on McHale's Navy, one of two Tommy Kelsey's on All In The Family, and General Hospital's Capt. Burt Ramsey. His younger brother, Don, has been a fixture on As The World Turns since October 1960, the month after I was born.

I hope you enjoy this album as much as I do.

'Lil Tommy Back Where He Belongs

Tommy Edwards returns to WLS-FM later this month, filling in for Dick Biondi. 'Lil Tommy will be on the air Monday, December 29, Tuesday, December 30, Friday, January 2, and Monday, January 5 from 7 to 11 p.m. (CST). I wonder if 'Ol Uncle Lar will make a surprise visit via the telephone?

Bob Barry Sighting

Milwaukee radio extraordinaire Bob Barry takes over the microphone at My 95.7 WRIT-FM from 3 to 7 p.m. (2 to 6 in Arizona) Saturday. The legendary deejay will share Christmas stories and interviews. BB is a must-listen.

The New 94.5 Lake FM

Milwaukee’s newest radio station, 94.5 Lake FM debuted at noon today. The soon-to-be WLWK replaces WKTI, which had essentially the same format for 32 years. That’s almost unheard of in radio, especially in this day-and-age.

Based on listener feedback, the design of the station is “unpredictable and fun to listen to.” Instead of being limited to just a few hundred of the same tired songs, 94.5 Lake FM will feature thousands of songs from the 60’s to today, including Pop, Rock, Top 40 and the timeless classics, all without jocks until after the first of the year.

You would be correct if you think this format sounds like an offshoot of “Jack-FM.” That’s exactly what it is. However, it's nothing like the format at the former 93.1 The Lake in Madison, which recently switched to hip-hop. R.I.P.

Election Day

Today is Election Day in America. Most voters only vote every four years. Why? That’s when we elect the President of the United States, our Commander-in-Chief.

Some are calling this election a historical day in American politics. However, is it, really? If Barack Obama wins, he becomes the first African-American President. Would an Obama victory be any more significant than John F. Kennedy becoming the first Catholic President? I guess that depends on your point-of-view.

Throughout our country’s history, the leader hasn’t always been the smartest or strongest. Often, not even the best looking, as evidenced by President William McKinley. The best leaders have been the ones who unified the populace against attacks from outsiders. Our current leader couldn’t tell his ass from a hole in the ground.

In 2000, 2004, and this year, I voted for the same individual for Chief Executive. This person is a strong leader possessing the ability to bring Americans together as one. This person is…ME!

Hail To The Chief, President Willie!!!