May 10, 1982 WABC Radio Drops Music For Talk

It was 35 years ago today that WABC changed its format from rock to talk.  From 1960-82 it was the premier top 40 station in the nation with classic personalities including Harry Harrison, Ron Lundy, Dan Ingram and Cousin Brucie.  In the early 80s, more people listened to music on FM since the quality is so much better.

Back in those days, WABC was the dominant radio station in the New York market, but obviously, times change.  I just think that over the years talk radio has become too political and promotes the conservative point of view.  I rarely if ever listen to talk stations.

All I Really Want to Do by Bob Dylan in Nellie's Egg Commercial

All I Really Want to Do by Bob Dylan is in this commercial

I guess he doesn't mind since he must get a good royalty for the use of his song in a commercial.  You don't have to be a Nobel Prize winner to have your song used in a TV commercial.

We See the Mets Lost 7-0 to the Marlins Amid a Matt Harvey Controversey

This morning we heard that the Mets suspended Matt Harvey for three days without pay for violating team rules.  No specifics were given, but there was all kind of speculation on social media.  The Mets recalled Adam Wilk from AAA Las Vegas to pitch today.  He didn't do well as he allowed 6 runs and 8 hits in 3 2/3 innings including 3 home runs (2 by Giancarlo Stanton).  There were some extenuating circumstances as Wilk had to take an overnight flight to get to NYC in time for today's game.  There was no excuse for the Mets poor hitting as they could only get one against Miami pitching.

Since this was a day game there were many young kids in the stands.  I just can't understand why parents take them to the game when it is obvious that they are not interested.  Seeing these kids restless and just standing around and blocking people's views was just distracting.

Game Summary

Dylan Photo Exhibition, Photos of Subway Graffiti, and Hudson Yards

On April 21 I posted in this journal that I became aware of an exhibition of photographs of Bob Dylan taken by Ted Russell from 1961-64.  Today we finally made it to the Steven Kasher Gallery on West 26th Street.  It was a special treat for Lee since he saw for the first time the 34th Street-Hudson Yards station on the #7 line.  We saw that exhibit but were surprised to see another display of photographs of subway graffiti by Martha Cooper.  Back in the 1970s, the subway yards were open and graffiti inside and outside subway cars was extensive.  From there we visited a few other art galleries in the area.  We then walked on the Highline back to the Hudson Yards subway station.

Interview with Pete Fornatale A Few Months Before He Passed Away

I found a link to this interview on Facebook today.  Hopefully, I will find time to watch it tomorrow morning.  I had the pleasure of meeting Pete at the Long Island Radio Expo in April 2010

I Have To Remember to Watch This Video About Joel Whitburn

Joel Whitburn is an American author and music historian based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin who founded Record Research Inc. in 1970 and put together a team of researchers to examine in detail all of Billboard's music and video chart.  Over the years he has edited several books summarizing music chart data.  Over the years I have bought some of his books and have referred to them while listening to terrestrial or internet radio.

Ken Kaiser whom I met once at an oldies meet and greets posted on the Oldies Message Board the video seen above which is a video tour of Joel's fantastic record archive.  It is 34 minutes long and I just have to listen to it.  It is so hard to find the time during baseball season to watch it, so I am posting it on my blog so I'll know where to find.  Hopefully, this weekend I'll find the time.

All Beatles Channel Coming to SiriusXM

I really enjoy SiriusXM for the variety of music that it provides.  I never had a special radio for it as I only subscribe to the internet version.  I listen on my laptop and iPhone.  I can send the signal from the phone to a Bluetooth speaker.  I was pleased to find out today that there will be an all Beatles channel coming on May 18th.  I will certainly listen to it a few times a week.  There is only so much time in a day to listen to the radio.

Article in Rolling Stone.