Our dryer has an annoying buzzer that frightens anyone who isn’t used to its piercing report. One of the first things I did when we moved in was to disconnect it. But there was a downside. The sound was a not so gentle reminder that the load was dry. Using…
Earl “Madman” Muntz made the front page of the May 27th, 1967 edition of Billboard Magazine, which reported the grand opening of his Detroit tape cartridge retail store at 15268 Gratiot Avenue. The former Kaiser-Frazer used car salesman was a marketing visionary, creating innovative products and selling them with crazy costumes and…
Remembering the original VW Beetle. Today in 1936 the VW Beetle was commissioned in Germany. Known as the “People’s Car” in the 1930s, the unique body style was designed by Ferdinand Porsche. The car had a rear engine, unusual for the time. Only small numbers were made before WWII halted…
There are few working DJs remaining who really know their stuff. Bob Berry is one of them. We’ve had many conversations about the minutiae of what makes a hit record. Mix Magazine’s Classic Tracks articles give tantalizing studio backstories that are great reads. Bob shared Greg Milner’s NYT opinion piece:…
1939 was a memorable year for classic films. Take a look at the list of top grossers and see how many you’ve seen. It was the height of the popularity and power of the studio system. Iconic stars were being born and burnished. The first “franchise” films were on the…
Up Front: What makes something go viral? We’ve all been talking about how cold it is up north. Yesterday, my buddy, Fred Jacobs had enough. Some would consider his tweet NSFW, or Not Safe for Work. But it instantly generated a ton of positive engagement. Interestingly, his friends in other…
When Talk Radio was truly entertainment. A generation has now grown up listening to the echo chamber of political opinion that passes for “talk radio” these days. But once upon a time, talk radio was enlightening, entertaining and attracted loyal followers in every market where it aired. Joe Pyne, John Nebel, Jean Shepherd,…
Today’s highlights: How long of a life is long enough? A power nap version of Air BnB. The Dude and Carrie Bradshaw star in a brilliant Super Bowl Ad for Stella Artois and Water.org. Bob Dylan meets his idol. John Malkovich behaves badly on screen. The man who edits Wikipedia.…
Today’s highlights: Woodstock knock offs. Colleges spy on applicants email habits. Cybercrime and the shortage of talent in the tech sector. Michael Caine on his first high, his worst role and the secret to a long marriage. Forever Stamps get pricier. How “Rent Live” wasn’t. Who the heck was “Acker…
Today: New Jersey bans a Lennon / Ono album cover. Opinion: The shutdown is impacting airline safety. Brian Epstein becomes the Beatles manager. Hulu lowers rates as Netflix raises theirs. Dead Man’s Curve, Warren Zevon, The Platters and Sly & the Family Stone. Quick Takes: How safe are our skies…