ROCKOLLECTIONS: REMEMBERING PETE FORNATALE AND FM RADIO PT.2 END

I was thinking while monitoring the playback that if you have never listened to my Rockollections show, this may just be the one you might want to sample.

It is a perfect example of what I try to do on a weekly basis, contains all the elements I humbly use to try to surprise and entertain you, and would be a fine way for us to get acquainted.

Continuing with Pete Fornatale and those early days of FM Rock Radio, he was very passionate about the Music- and among his favorites were Poco, the Beach Boys and songs about Radio.

DJ's come from around the country to work in New York City.

Again Pete was different- he was homegrown, he was one of us, with all the memories and experiences that come with that unique upbringing here.

He wrote books too, and I will read an inscription in one he wrote to me in his book "Back To The Garden: The Story Of Woodstock"- apparently I wasn't feeling well in May 2010, couldn't have been too bad cause I don't even remember it now, lol!

But I was very flattered by one particular thing he wrote to me...from the master to the apprentice!

In this episode, I will be playing a new song by the Beach Boys from an album due to come out in June.

It would have delighted him on a couple of levels.

And for only the 3rd time EVER, I will play a lengthy poem I fittingly first heard Pete play on the Radio.

It is called The Ballad Of The Sandman by Mike Agranoff.

It always gets a response, mostly from people who recall those early FM days in the 60's, but also from a surprising number of younger folks who heard about them and wish they had been around for the experience.

At any rate, once you hear it, you will never forget it!

Pete came full circle, ending his career at WFUV where he started, but now a seasoned (and paid) professional.

His last show was April 14th, 2012 and he did 4 hours on the 100th Anniversary Of The Titanic (sound like something I would do, lol?).

We'll hear what he played as a final set and how he ended the show, never knowing it would be his last.

He was only 66, didn't smoke, do drugs, wasn't overweight, maybe had a wine with dinner...he was Italian after all, lol!
Just shows you it's all a crapshoot- you can be a health nut or someone who doesn't give a crap, or like most of us somewhere in between...think it makes a damn difference?

There are fewer than a half dozen people I listen to intermittently on Radio, terrestrial or internet- you can make that one less now.

One of our DJ's is indeed missing...one of our creative greatest...FOREVER!

Rest In Peace Pete!

You were one of my heroes.

Here's the farewell link, but I have a feeling he'll be popping up again here, at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/2273

Mike

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Comment by Mike Pell on June 8, 2012 at 6:26pm: RJ,

I agree about the movie.

I'd watch it...and root for The Sandman all the way!

I love rebels!

Comment by RJhog (Admin) on June 8, 2012 at 7:19am: It still would make a great movie.

Comment by Mike Pell on June 8, 2012 at 1:04am: RJ,

Yes, I guess not that much music because of the length of that wonderful poem about how good the Radio could be...if it would DARE!

I too would have had a difficult time deciding the Golden Pell between Mike Agranoff for The Ballad Of The Sandman and the Kinks' Around The Dial.

But I would have made the same call because the poem is so emotionally brilliant!

I'll send it, and the Kinks if you'd like.

While I agree somebody should make a movie out of the Sandman, I must break it to you.

There is no recording of that show because it wasn't an actual show.

Agranoff created a composite of all the DJ's who did similar things on FM Radio and were fired, even in some cases with the authorities breaking down the door.

There was no Paul Sandman, but he represents symbolically everything that made FM so great in the 60's...and at stations like WNEW-FM well beyond then and into the 80's.

Agranoff tells his story so well for those who remember those days , and even those who don't, that it goes right to the heart and is completely believable.

Like I said, there were many Paul Sandmans out there who left with their integrity.

That was for them!

Thanks for the listen, writing, and didn't mean to mislead you- it might as well be a true story because in most places you still aren't allowed to pick what you play, there was only a small pocket of time,

Mike

Comment by Mike Pell on June 8, 2012 at 12:04am: Jon,

You should have gotten it by now.

Hope so.

Delaware ain't close...well maybe compared to Oregon, lol!

RJ is alive & well!
Mike

Comment by RJhog (Admin) on June 7, 2012 at 4:34pm: Great way to wrap the tribute up Mike. That was very enjoyable. Not that much music, but for good reason.

Golden Pell is easily awarded to Mike Agranoff for The Ballad Of The Sandman (althought I do like that Kinks song). My only question is, how in the world is that not a movie? It's a terrific story and somebody should make a movie out of it, complete with the music he played that night. I'm not sure if you alluded to this or not, but is there a recording of that show? Just curious.

Comment by Jon on June 6, 2012 at 6:47am: Nah, go ahead and send it, don't worry about the size.

We'll be in Delaware at the end of July, so I'll be "near".

Rjhog is around, he's playing catch up. Poor boy!

Comment by Mike Pell on June 5, 2012 at 11:59pm: Jon,

Yeah, that poem by Mike Agranoff is fantastic, always gets a great response.

Ether is really just the airwaves, where sound is transmitted.

Oddly I mentioned Rheingold beer the other night, I was talking about a friend who loved it, lol!

There was no better song to end with than that one by the Kinks!

I love the Kinks, and Give The People What They Want is one of my two fave albums by them, still have the vinyl copy.

Oh, the other is Village Green Preservation Society, lol!

I saw them 2nd bill to Robert Palmer- loved them and left after 2 Palmer songs, lol!

Even with minimal music, this is my favorite show all because of that poem. And thinking about it, I wish there were stations that did play something like Glenn Miller that, say, Black Sabbath, etc. etc. Think I've mentioned this before, but it needs to be done CAUSE I LIKE IT.

Hahahaha...I like it too!
I am trying to do my part- played Glenn Miller on my Telephone Anniversary series.
And Black Sabbath can always be squeezed in at Halloween, lol!
So my show is in the spirit of the Sandman, anti-radio because radio sucks!
You're going to stop by New York City?
Funny thing, I think I am going to Rhode Island this summer, for real, lol!
Where's RJ, think I lost him?
Thanks for listening, writing and if you want I can try sending you that poem if it is not too big for email,
Mike

Comment by Jon on June 5, 2012 at 5:00pm: Wow, that poem was absolutely awesome . Not a big one on poetry am I, but that was great stuff. Help me out though...what is it about ether? What am I missing?

When was the last time you heard someone mention Rheingold beer? Damn!

The Beach Boys song is very good (thanks to you, first time I've heard it!) and I am on the floor that you picked that Kinks song. Fit in quite well! That album has a special place in my heart as well, that's the first concert I ever went to when they were supporting the "Give The People What They Want" album, and the opener was....Bryan Adams.

Even with minimal music, this is my favorite show all because of that poem. And thinking about it, I wish there were stations that did play something like Glenn Miller that, say, Black Sabbath, etc. etc. Think I've mentioned this before, but it needs to be done CAUSE I LIKE IT.

Hell, we're going to be around Rhode Island in July...I'm going to stop by!