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…

Highlights: How safe is our power grid? More Twitter talk about Internet Security. Big Jim Edwards’ famous Flirtations intro on CKLW. Rep. John Lewis and director Ava Duerbay on MLK Day. Cannabis as intellectual property? And much more music from Petula Clark, Edwin Starr, Richie Havens and Boz Scaggs. It’s…

Hello Americans! It’s Friday! Today’s highlights include Fred Jacobs on the life lessons learned from the Stephen Colbert Show, super short Hollywood marriages, 97 year old Prince Phillip totals his ride. Do we take away his keys? A name we heard often but never really knew, a Dick Van Dyke anniversary…