Remembering The Passed

The Vampire, The Band, And Watergate

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:44:58 -0500

Remembering Jonathan Frid. Tribute to Levon Helm. In memoriam Charles Colson.

Jonathan Frid was the first television soap opera vampire, Barnabas Collins, in ABC’s Dark Shadows. He was phenomenally popular but unfortunately typecast and never again received the acclaim of his first hit series. Levon Helm traveled from rural Arkansas to Canada to the heights of rock stardom with The Band, as their drummer/vocalist. He was the drummer that could make you cry and his voice and character gave The Band its unique personality. Charles Colson was one of Richard Nixon’s main operatives during the Watergate affair. He went to jail for obstruction of justice in the Daniel Ellsberg/Pentagon Papers affair and later became a prison reform advocate.

No Sleep till Brooklyn

Thu, 10 May 2012 19:36:52 -0500

Tribute to Adam Yauch. In memoriam George Lindsey. Remembering Moose Skowron.

Adam Yauch was one of the founding members of The Beastie Boys, one of the seminal hip-hop groups of the 1980’s. His fusion of hip-hop and music video represented a new trend in rock music and helped take the genre in new directions by the end of the century. George Lindsey will forever be known for one television character, Goober Pyle from The Andy Griffith Show. He was typical of the rural humor that made CBS so successful in the mid 1960’s. Moose Skowron was one of the great New York Yankees of the mid 20th Century. After his career was over he returned to his native Chicago, where he became a great baseball raconteur.

These Go To 11

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:48:49 -0500

Remembering Jim Marshall. Tribute to Fang Li-Zhi.

Jim Marshall created the amplifier that essentially made heavy metal rock possible. It was also the subject of one of the movie’s most famous parodies. Fang Li-Zhi was the Chinese dissident who inspired Chinese students across China in response to the Tiananmen Massacre and found asylum in the United States. He and his wife belonged to the cadre of brave dissidents who battled repressive governments in the name of democracy.

Nobody Ever Played The Instrument As Well As He Did

Wed, 2 May 2012 20:00:53 -0500

Tribute to Earl Scruggs. Remembering Henry Ruth. In memoriam Bert Sugar.

The instrument was the banjo and the player was Earl Scruggs. As fellow banjo player Steve Martin said, “Before him, no one had ever played the banjo like he did. After him, everyone played the banjo like he did, or at least tried”. Henry Ruth was a special prosecutor during the Watergate affair who explains the Saturday Night Massacre. Bert Sugar was the greatest authority on boxing who proclaimed Sugar Ray Robinson the greatest fighter he ever saw.

He Understood Teenagers, Rock And Roll, And Television

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:10:31 -0500

Remembering Dick Clark.

Dick Clark was the first person to understand how the emerging medium of television could present the new music of rock and roll to teenagers. Clean-cut and well-dressed, his boyish good looks and polite image reassured parents at a time when juvenile delinquency was a major national concern. American Bandstand helped integrate daytime television, brought new artists to the public’s attention, and entertained millions. Although he was nearly derailed by the payola scandal of the late 1950’s, Clark emerged as the consummate businessman who transformed New Year’s Eve on television and became one of America’s richest men based on his syndication deals

Bagels, Energy Drinks, And Joltin’ Joe

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:07:07 -0500

Remembering Chaleo Yoodvihya. Tribute to Murray Lender. In Memoriam Samuel Glazer.

A tribute to three inventors who revolutionized food in the 20th Century. Murray Lender took the bagel and mass popularized it. Chaleo Yoodvihya invented the first energy drink, Red Bull. Samuel Glazer changed the way we made coffee with his Mr. Coffee coffeemaker that he popularized by using Joe DiMaggio in a television commercial.

The Broken-Windows Theory

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:06:01 -0500

In memoriam Andrew Breitbart. Remembering James Q. Wilson.

James Q. Wilson was one of America’s leading thinkers and theorists and was once called America’s smartest man. H heeled develop the “broken-windows” theory which suggested that attention to small crimes that reduce quality of life in a neighborhood, like graffiti and broken windows, could reap large benefits in reducing more important crimes. Wilson wrote often and well, usually taking a conservative approach to societal issues. Andrew Bretibart was also a conservative, more of a “street theater” personality, but he had a major impact in expanding the role of the blogosphere in the discussion of political issues.

The Four Most Dreaded Words In The English Language

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:50:42 -0500

In memoriam Mike Wallace.

“Mike Wallace is here”. Mike Wallace’s career spanned most of the television era. He was the master of a new style of television interview – probing, aggressive, and occasionally hostile. Throughout his career, he learned to make politicians, heads of state, corporate CEO’s, and just about everyone else fear his call. He perfected his style in his long tenure at CBS’s “60 Minutes” and every television journalist owes a debt of gratitude to the groundbreaker, Mike Wallace.

Call To Duty

Wed, 4 Apr 2012 20:17:54 -0500

Tribute to Lynn “Buck” Compton. In memoriam Jimmy Ellis. Remembering Robert Sherman.

Lynn “Buck” Compton served his country as a soldier and a jurist. In World War II, he was part of the “Band of Brothers” E Company that marched through France and Germany. Later in life, he was the Los Angeles prosecutor who obtained the conviction of Sirhan Sirhan, the murderer of Robert Kennedy. At the height of the disco craze in the 1970’s, one of the country’s most popular groups was the Trammps, fronted by Jimmy Ellis. Finally, Robert Sherman, along with his brother Richard were the main songwriters for Walt Disney and they wrote the memorable scores for, among others, Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Montreal’s Only Expo In The Hall Of Fame

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:02:19 -0500

Tribute to Gary Carter. In memoriam Renato Dulbecco. Remembering Elyse Knox.

Gary Carter was the greatest player who ever played for the Montreal Expos. The Expos were the first Canadian franchise, formed in 1969 and the team existed until 2004 when they became the Washington Nationals. Carter was their Hall of Fame catcher and he later went on to play for the great New York Mets teams of the 1980’s. Renato Dulbecco was one of the great virologists of the 20th Century and he won the Nobel Prize in 1975 for his work on reverse transcriptase, which was to prove invaluable in the AIDS epidemic that would soon emerge. Elyse Knox was a beautiful B-picture actress, who has an amazing show business pedigree.

Knowledge

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:02:04 -0500

Remembering Sherwood Rowland. In memoriam Encyclopedia Britannica.

For 244 years, Encyclopedia Britannica has been the ne plus ultra of reference materials. Now the print version has succumbed to the digital age and we lament its passing. Sherwood Rowland was a Nobel Prize winning chemist who discovered that CFCs a prime component of aerosols and coolants would disintegrate and erode the ozone layer protecting the earth. His work was groundbreaking in the link between man-made chemistry and the environment.

A Modern-Day Cassandra

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:52:41 -0500

In memoriam Roger Boisjoly.
Roger Boisjoly was the Morton-Thiokol engineer who warned that at cold temperatures the O-Rings would not seal properly on the Space Shuttle Challenger. His warnings were ignored and in January 1986 the Shuttle exploded shortly after takeoff, killing seven astronauts. The Commission appointed to investigate the tragedy ultimately vindicated Boisjoly, in large part due to the brilliance of Nobel Prize winning physicist, Richard Feynman. Boisjoly spent the rest of his life lecturing on workplace ethics and scientific responsibility.

The Other Future Rock And Roll Star On The Ed Sullivan Show That Night

Fri, 9 Mar 2012 22:38:44 -0600

Tribute to Davy Jones

Davy Jones was a 17 year-old playing The Artful Dodger in a scene from Oliver on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, the night The Beatles debuted in America. When Davy heard the now familiar girls’ screams, he knew what he wanted to do with his life. He became part of The Pre-Fab Four, The Monkees, actors playing rock and rollers. Yet with the best back-up musicians and songwriters behind them, they turned out some of the most underappreciated music of the 1960’s. From the young actor I Oliver to a worldwide heartthrob, Davy Jones remained the consummate audience pleaser.

Love, Peace, And Soul

Fri, 9 Mar 2012 21:47:52 -0600

Tribute to Don Cornelius. Remembering John Baker Jr.

Don Cornelius was the long-time host of Soul Train, a groundbreaking television show that starred black artists and featured black performers. Like its white counterpart, American Bandstand, a decade it was the voice of the youth of its time. It was also instrumental in bringing back culture and black to white audiences. In many respects, Don Cornelius and Soul Train were as much as a cultural touchstone as Dick Clark and American Bandstand. John Baker Jr. was a Congressional Medal of Honor winner from Illinois who was presented his medal during the Vietnam War. For his heroism he has a bridge named after him spanning the Mississippi River.

The Golden Daughter

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 21:18:12 -0600

Remembering Whitney Houston.

Whitney Houston had a gospel background, three-octave range and a musical pedigree. After she was noticed by Clive Davis of Arista Records, she became one of the biggest pop stars of her generation, selling millions of records and starring in movies. Her 1991 version of the National Anthem is perhaps the best-known rendition in history. Listen to her story with special emphasis on the relationship she had with her mother, Cissy Houston, the most important influence in her life

The Cut Man

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 20:33:36 -0600

Tribute to Angelo Dundee. Remembering Ben Gazzara.

Angelo Dundee was arguably the greatest fight trainer of our era. Known best for his work with Muhammad Ali, Dundee also trained some of the greatest champions of the second half of the 20th Century and was one of the most respected men in boxing circles for over 50 years. Ben Gazzara came out of New York City and made his name as an actor on stage, screen, and television. He perfected his craft and never craved stardom, though he had the talent to be one of the great stars of his day.

The Woman With The Most Versatile Voice and The Man Who Discovered Her

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:23:31 -0600

Tribute to Etta James. Remembering Johnny Otis.

There may have been better singers than Etta James, but none was as versatile. Her catalogue of material includes everything from blues and soul to country and standards. No one had more range in the type of songs they sang. Etta James was discovered as a teenager by Johnny Otis, a bandleader and singer himself who worked with many African-American acts. He also recorded one of the era’s great rock standards. Etta James and Johnny Otis died within one day of each other.

The Crown Jewel Of American Settlement Houses

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:11:59 -0600

Tribute To Hull House. Remembering Joe Paterno.

Hull House was founded in 1889 in Chicago by Future Nobel Prize winner Jane Addams and Ellen Starr. It served to assimilate immigrants into the community and provided training, education, and exposure to the arts. Thousands of people, rich and poor, benefited form the experience of Hull House, which is gone after nearly 123 years. Joe Paterno won more games than any coach in college football history and made Penn State a familiar name across the country. He was discharged as the result of a scandal, tarnishing an iconic career.

What Nature Could Not Do, Bankruptcy Might

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:45:56 -0600

Tribute to the Twinkie. Remembering Nicol Williamson.

A junk food of choice since the Depression, legend has it that Twinkies are indestructible. But the bankruptcy of Hostess may mean the death of the Twinkie. Listen to how many ingredients actually go into a Twinkie. Nicol Williamson was one of the finest actors of his generation, known for his fabulous performances and his sometime erratic behavior on stage.

But Who Was Playing The Violin?

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 20:11:22 -0600

Remembering Israel Baker. Tribute To Jimmy Castor.

Though Israel Baker was a concert violinist for over half a century, he is best known for a brief piece of music he played during one of the most famous scenes in cinema. Jimmy Castor started out in “Doo-Wop” and mastered different genres of music throughout his career including one of the great instrumental versions of The Christmas Song.

What Was Marilyn Really Like?

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 19:12:46 -0600

Tribute to Eve Arnold. Remembering Doo-Wop with Fred Milano and Garage Rock with Sean Bonniwell.

Eve Arnold was Marilyn Monroe’s favorite photographer and knew her quite well. Listen to her close-up impressions of Marilyn. Fred Milano was one of the “Doo-Wop” singers of the 1950’s from the Bronx who sang with Dion and the Belmonts. “Doo-Wop” disappeared around the turn of the decade in 1960 and was replaced a little over five years later by California “garage rock”, typified by Sean Bonniwell, the lead singer of the Music Machine, a prototype for bands of the next generation.

A Last Link To The Age Before Talkies

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 20:32:53 -0600

Remembering Frederica Sagor Maas. Tribute to Don Carter.

Frederica Sagor Maas was a screenwriter for silent movies featuring among others, Clara Bow, one of the biggest stars of the 1920’s. She was one of the last people alive to work prominently in silent films. Meanwhile in post World War II America, bowling caught on with the American public and nearly every neighborhood and community had a bowling alley. Don Carter was the best and most telegenic bowler of the generation.

The Most Famous Female Abstract Expressionist And The Most Famous Non-Human Primate

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 19:50:47 -0600

Remembering Cheetah (maybe). Tribute to Helen Frankenthaler.

When the death of Tarzan’s faithful companion, Cheetah, was announced the world mourned the world’s most famous non-human primate. But was it really Cheetah who died? Also, Helen Frankenthaler who became a disciple of Jackson Pollock and eventually the leading female Abstract Expressionist of her time.

The Man Who Destroyed Hollywood And Then Had It Destroy Him

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:38:48 -0600

Remembering Bert Schneider.

Bert Schneider was a Hollywood Golden Boy. But he was also an iconoclast. Schneider started out in television by creating the Prefab Four, The Monkees. He then turned to films and in 1969, as one of the producers of Easy Rider, Schneider was instrumental in overseeing the death of the old studio system. In The New Hollywood, it was directors, not studios who held the power and Schneider became one of the power brokers. Despite having everything - wealth, power, family, and good looks- Schneider’s rise was short-lived as he ultimately succumbed to the temptations Hollywood offered and died in obscurity.

The Poet Of The Velvet Revolution

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:25:32 -0600

Tribute to Vaclav Havel. Remembering Christopher Hitchens. The death of Kim Jong-Il

In 1968, the Soviets brutally suppressed a Czechoslovak uprising. Vaclav Havel led the movement that finally ended the Communist rule in Czechoslovakia 21 years later. He was the man most responsible for bringing freedom to the Czechs. Listen to BBC reporters who remember him. Christopher Hitchens was one of the world’s most articulate and controversial writers. He held a particular animus for Communist North Korea, which he discusses in an interview. Ironically his death coincided with that of the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-Il.

The Best Second Banana And The In Crowd

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:04:36 -0600

Tribute to Harry Morgan. Remembering Dobie Gray.

In film and television, Harry Morgan played the “second banana” for a half-century and no one did it better. From Westerns to comedies, his versatility showed through and made him familiar to millions. He is best known for two roles - Officer Bill Gannon of the LAPD working with Sgt. Joe Friday, and Col. Sherman Potter of the 4077th, the commanding officer in MASH. Dobie Gray was a pop/soul/ rock singer who recorded an iconic hit in the 1960’s, The In Crowd and another in the 1970’s, Drift Away.

The Daughter Of Man Of Steel

Thu, 5 Jan 2012 18:31:06 -0600

Remembering Svetlana Alliluyeva. Tribute to Ken Russell.

Svetlana Alliluyeva was the daughter of Josef Stalin and she shocked the world when she defected to the United States in 1967. She was used as a political pawn by the United States and then by the Soviet Union when she returned there in the 1980’s. She left the Soviet Union again and came back to America. Despite the fact she was the daughter of arguably the world’s most powerful man, she never found happiness on her own and died largely forgotten in Wisconsin. Ken Russell was one of Britain’s great directors, responsible for Women In Love and Tommy.

Two One-Hit Wonder Women

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:49:22 -0600

In memoriam Shelagh Delaney. Remembering Andrea True.

While Shelagh Delaney was still a teenager, she wrote one of the most influential plays of the 20th Century. The hard-core realism of the drama was symbolic of postwar England in the 1950’s and coincidentally inspired a hit song in America and England. Andrea True was an actress in pornographic movies who found herself stranded during political turmoil in Jamaica. She used her time and money to make one of the 1970’s biggest disco records.

Ribbons And Bikinis

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:17:14 -0600

Remembering Lee Pockriss. Tribute to Evelyn Lauder.

Before Lee Pockriss wrote his iconic song, the one-piece bathing suit was still standard swimwear at the beach. His song forever changed fashion at beaches all over the world and, as filmmaker Billy Wilder figured out, gave rise to a new form of torture. Evelyn Lauder, who married into the cosmetics family, made her own mark by helping create the pink ribbon campaign for breast cancer awareness.

The Real-Life Rocky

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:59:55 -0600

Tribute to Joe Frazier. Remembering Andy Rooney.

Joe Frazier was one of the greatest, and most underappreciated heavyweight champions of the 20th Century. His rivalry with Muhammed Ali was one of the greatest in all of sports and their three fights are all legendary. Some have called their third fight, The Thrilla In Manila, the best fight in boxing history. Andy Rooney was one of television’s most popular commentators for over thirty years on the long-running CBS 60 Minutes.

The Man Who Changed The Way We Communicate

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:04:37 -0600

Tribute to Robert Galvin. Remembering Matty Alou and Bob Forsch. In Memoriam Sid Melton

Robert Galvin led Motorola for forty years as an innovator and the genius behind many of the communication devices we take for granted today. He was instrumental in the development of the walkie-talkie used in World War II, the televisions that people watched in the second half of the 20th Century, and the first mobile phones. In many respects, he paved the way for later innovators like Steve Jobs. Matty Alou was a fine slap-hitting outfielder who once played outfield in the Major Leagues with both his brothers. Bob Forsch once pitched a no-hitter and he and his brother remain the only brother combination to do so. Sid Melton was a comic foil on television and the movies for decades and created some iconic comic sidekicks.

A Man Of Words

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:00:39 -0600

Tribute to Norman Corwin. The death of Mohammar Qaddafi. Remembering Fred Leka

Norman Corwin wrote for some of radio’s greatest programs, including the memorable program done for CBS to mark the end of World War II. Writers such as Robert Heinlein and performers such as Orson Welles admired him. Listen to William Shatner tell of the respect accorded Norman Corwin. Two Libyan victims talk about the murderous dictator Mohammar Qaddafi. Finally Fred Leka who wrote one memorable tunes played at sporting events everywhere.

Just Win, Baby

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:25:37 -0600

Tribute to Al Davis. Honoring Dennis Ritchie. Remembering Diane Cilento. In honor of Roger Williams.

In the development of the modern National Football League, Al Davis had as much influence as anyone. He was a coach, general manager, talent scout, and commissioner. But his primary legacy will be as the owner of his beloved Oakland Raiders. As the developer of UNIX operating system and C programming language, Dennis Ritchie had an enduring influence on computer development. Diane Cilento was the beautiful, talented Australian actress who was married to Sean Connery and worked opposite Paul Newman and Albert Finney. Roger Williams was a popular pianist who climbed to the top of the charts with his instrumental hits.

The Man Who Revolutionized Four Industries

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:20:18 -0600

Tribute to Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs, the visionary genius who fused art and technology in his creations, revolutionized personal computing, film, music, and the telephone. The products he created filled the void in creating and consuming content worldwide. Those products made Apple one of the world's greatest businesses because he knew the things consumers wanted before they knew themselves - and then he set out to design those things. Listen to the story of the man whose work was a labor of love.

From Small-Town America To Life’s Fast Lane And Back Home Again

Thu, 3 Nov 2011 19:23:59 -0500

Tribute to Pete Gent

Pete Gent lived nearly everyone’s fantasies- portrayed by one of Hollywood’s handsomest leading men, high school and college hero, pro football player, writing the Great American Novel, and a hit movie screenplay. But his is a cautionary tale and the fast lanes of pro football and Hollywood turned out to be punishments, not rewards. Listen to the story of one of the era’s most talented writer/athletes who died in relative obscurity back in his rural hometown

Glass, Pizza, and Soaps

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:51:13 -0500

Tribute to Steuben Glass. Honoring Ray’s Pizza. Remembering All My Children.

There was a time when it seemed as every suburban household in America had at least one piece of Steuben Glass. With the closing of Steuben Glass manufacturing, that era has passed. Residents of, and visitors to, Manhattan are familiar with Ray’s Pizza. The original Ray’s (the actual original, no capital “O”) has closed, leaving countless imitators in its wake. Soap operas began on radio and went through at least one generation on television before one of the most popular soaps of the Baby Boomer generation appeared – All My Children. After more than 40 years. It goes the way of all its characters.

The Fathers Of Invention

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:22:38 -0500

Tribute to Wilson Greatbatch. Remembering Arch West.

Wilson Greatbatch and Arch West are responsible for two of the great innovations the mid 20th Century. Greatbatch, a brilliant inventor, developed the first widely used pacemaker. Patients worldwide owe their lives, and cardiologists worldwide owe their livings to Wilson Greatbatch’s invention. On a trip to the Southwest with his family in the early 1960’s Arch West determined that American tastes in food were changing and they would crave more spicy snacks. From this came the Dorito.

SDS

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:17:47 -0500

Remembering Carl Oglesby

Carl Oglesby was one of the most articulate members of the New Left in the 1960’s. Despite a wife, home, children, a car and a nice job, when the Vietnam War escalated he became president of the Students for a Democratic Society on the basis of his writings and speeches. At the end of the decades, the anti-war movement became more violent and revolutionary and he was ostracized by the group who took over, the Weathermen. In an unusual turn, near the end of his life Carl Oglesby became reacquainted with the America he had forsaken decades before.

Courage

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:54:45 -0500

Remembering Vann Nath and Cliff Robertson.

Vann Nath was an artist and human rights activist who survived the bloody purges of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia in the 1970’s. His courage and his accounts of his experiences in the notorious S-21 prison camps, where thousands died, are a testimony to his courage. Cliff Robertson was a wealthy Hollywood actor who won an Academy Award for Charly and portrayed John Kennedy in the movie PT 109. But he was a victim also, when he was an innocent bystander in a Hollywood embezzlement scandal. He stood up against the movie establishment and was blacklisted for four years. Listen to the story of these two courageous men.

The Man Who Played With The Man Who Played With The Devil

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 19:43:58 -0500

Tribute to David “Honeyboy” Edwards.

David “Honeyboy” Edwards was one of the last remaining blues musicians to play with the blues immortal Robert Johnson, who made his deal with the Devil at Crossroads. He tells of meeting Johnson, playing the blues in the Mississippi Delta, moving to “Sweet Home” Chicago and playing the blues all over the world. Listen to the story of David “Honeyboy” Edwards, one of the last of the original blues guitarists.

The Rodgers And Hammerstein Of Rock

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:32:57 -0500

Tribute To Jerry Lieber.

Jerry Lieber, and his songwriting partner Mike Stoller, have been dubbed “The Rodgers and Hammerstein Of Rock”. With good reason. They started out when no one was certain whether rock and roll was just a fad and proceeded to write as many memorable songs as any pair of songwriters in the 20th Century. Though Elvis was the main beneficiary of their tunes, their songs have been covered by everyone from Big Mama Thornton to The Beatles to Peggy Lee. Listen to the story and songs of Jerry Lieber.

You’re All I Need To Get By

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 21:00:07 -0500

Tribute to Nick Ashford. Remembering Marshall Grant

Nick Ashford came to Motown along with Valerie Simpson in 1966. Berry Gordy soon commissioned them to write songs for two singers he wanted to pair, Marvin Gaye And Tammi Terrell. Competing against such great songwriters as Smokey Robinson and the Holland/Dozier/ Holland team, lyricist Ashford and composer Simpson created some of Motown’s best songs for what became a legendary duo that ended tragically far too soon. Listen to the story of Nick Ashford. Marshall Grant was part of the Tennessee Two, the back-up musicians who provided Johnny Cash with his distinctive sound. Hear about the early days of The Man In Black

Two Military Heroes

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:57:34 -0500

Remembering Col. Charles P. Murray, Jr., and Albert “Doc” Brown

The Congressional Medal Of Honor is the highest medal that can be bestowed in the American military. Col. Charles Murray was one of the few to win it for his service in the European Theater in World War II right before the Battle of the Bulge. Albert “Doc” Brown was the oldest living survivor of the infamous Bataan Death March in the Pacific Theater of the War. Hear the stories of these two brave Americans who died recently

The Right Time, The Right Place, The Right Couple

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 19:17:56 -0500

Tribute to Elliot Handler. Remembering Bubba Smith. In Memoriam Gene McDaniels.

Elliot Handler and his wife, Ruth, realized one thing early in their marriage – as the Baby Boomers came of age in the 1950’s and 1960’s, they would want toys. The combination of Elliot’s inventiveness and Ruth’s marketing skills were the foundation of what became America’s greatest toy company. Also, hear about Bubba Smith, who combined football prowess with a magnetic personality. Finally, Gene McDaniels, an early 1960’s hitmaker, who went on to write one a #1 song in the 1970’s.

The Greatest Basketball Player You Never Heard Of

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 18:35:15 -0500

Tribute to Sherman White. Remembering Paul Meier. In Memoriam Gordie Duane.

The 1950’s were a more complex time than they are portrayed today. Sherman White was the best college basketball player in the nation in 1951. His future was full of promise when his career was derailed by the college gambling scandals of the era. Although he was never eligible to play professionally, he salvaged his career as a mentor to youth. Also in the 1950’s, Paul Meier developed a mathematical tool that is widely used in medicine today. Finally, Gordon (Gordie) Duane, who revolutionized surfing in Southern California in the 1950’s

We Choose To Do These Things Not Because They Are Easy, But Because They Are Hard

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:22:30 -0500

The Death of the American Manned Space Program. Remembering Jerry Ragovoy.

The American manned space program, which started in 1961 with the flight of Alan Shepard, is officially over. The program actually started nearly two decades before that at the end of World War II and was an ongoing source of drama during the Cold War as the United States and the Soviet Union tried to top each other’s feats. President Kennedy vowed to put a man on the moon before 1970 and the country carried out that mission. But now, with the launch of the last space shuttle, the American manned program is over. Listen to some of the history and some of the highlights. Also hear the story of Jerry Ragovoy, who wrote one of the most well-known songs in rock history.

The Most Influential First Lady Of The 20th Century

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:44:38 -0500

Remembering Betty Ford. Tribute to Sam Denoff, Sherwood Schwartz. In memoriam Rob Grill

Betty Ford probably influenced more lives through her efforts for breast cancer and substance abuse rehabilitation than any other First Lady in memory. Listen to her story. Also hear about two legendary television writers, Sam Denoff and Sherwood Schwartz. Finally, Rob Grill of the Grass Roots, one of America’s premier folk-rock bands in the late 1960’s.

The Man Who Would Be King In Vietnam

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:45:39 -0500

Remembering Nguyen Cao Ky. Tribute to G. D. Spradlin. Honoring Dan Peek.
In memoriam Amy Winehouse.

Nguyen Cao Ky emerged from the power struggle in South Vietnam after the Diem assassination in 1963. As the country’s nominal leader, he was essentially America’s last, best hope in Vietnam. He was not up to the task, fled when the Communists assumed power and lived out most of his life in Southern California. The Oklahoman G.D Spradlin was a superb character actor. Listen to him in one of his signature roles. Dan Peek helped found the 1970’s soft-rock group America. Amy Winehouse was one of the world’s most popular singers who died tragically at 27, like several other rock stars.

From Murder Inc. To Outwitting Murderers

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 20:49:57 -0500

Tribute to Peter Falk. Remembering Lorenzo Charles. In memoriam Fred Steiner.

Peter Falk created Lt. Columbo, America’s version of Sherlock Holmes. Despite his rumpled appearance, Columbo always put together the clues and found the murderer. Listen to the story of Peter Falk, who played other memorable roles including a deceptively shrewd CIA agent and a notorious Brownsville killer. Hear about Lorenzo Charles, who made one of the most famous baskets in NCAA history. Finally, a mention of Fred Steiner who wrote one of television’s most famous themes.

The Real Patsy Of The JFK Assassination

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 20:14:43 -0500

Remembering James Hosty. In memoriam Clarence Clemons

If there was a “patsy” it was James Hosty, not Lee Harvey Oswald. Hosty was the FBI agent assigned to investigate Oswald for Communist sympathies before November 22, 1963. When Oswald was apprehended for the assassination, everyone wanted to know why Hosty’s name was in Oswald’s address book and why Hosty had not reported Oswald to the Secret Service. Listen to James Hosty tell why. Also hear about “The Big Man”, Clarence Clemons, the colorful saxophone player for the E Street Band and a close companion to Bruce Springsteen.