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From the Desk of CLASSICKONG ๐Ÿฆ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ

Good Tuesday morning from all of us at WTSG-DB*, where the music never stops and the memories are always welcome.*

Before we turn another page in music history, we begin where we always shouldโ€”with gratitude.

To the men and women serving today in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Forceโ€”and to every veteran who wore the uniform before themโ€”thank you.

The music, memories and freedom we enjoy are possible because generations of Americans have been willing to stand watch.

From one veteran-owned station to all who have served: we salute you. ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ


Two August 18ths โ€” Two Years โ€” And Jimi Hendrix Changed the World ๐ŸŽธ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ

Sometimes history gives you a coincidence too good to ignore.

On August 18, 1967, the Jimi Hendrix Experience stepped onto the stage at the legendary Hollywood Bowl.

But here’s the remarkable part:

Jimi Hendrix was the opening act.

Two years laterโ€”to the exact dayโ€”everything had changed.

On Monday morning, August 18, 1969, Jimi Hendrix walked onto the stage in Bethel, New York, as the final performer at Woodstock.

Opening act to closing Woodstock.

Two years.

But before we get to Woodstock, there’s another part of Jimi Hendrix’s story that is too often overlooked around this desk.

Private First Class Jimi Hendrix ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ

Before he became one of the most influential electric guitarists who ever lived, James Marshall Hendrix served in the United States Army.

Hendrix enlisted in 1961 and trained as a paratrooper. He served with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, before leaving the Army in 1962.

And while serving, Hendrix met another young soldier and musician:

Billy Cox.

The two began playing music together.

Remember that name.

Because seven years later, Billy Cox would be standing beside his old Army buddy on one of the most famous stages in music history.

That’s one of those remarkable connections that can disappear when history gets reduced to a few famous photographs.

Before Woodstock…

Before Monterey…

Before Are You Experienced

Before anybody knew the name Jimi Hendrix…

There was a young American soldier wearing the uniform of his country.

We remember that today, too. ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ


Woodstock โ€” August 18, 1969

Hendrix appeared at Woodstock with his expanded ensemble Gypsy Sun & Rainbows, featuring Mitch Mitchell on drums, Billy Cox on bass, Larry Lee on rhythm guitar, and percussionists Juma Sultan and Jerry Velez.

Yes.

The same Billy Cox Hendrix had met while serving in the Army.

By Monday morning, much of Woodstock’s enormous crowd had already departed. Those who remained witnessed something that would become one of the defining musical images of the 1960s.

The set included:

  • โ€œMessage to Loveโ€
  • โ€œHear My Train A Comin’โ€
  • โ€œSpanish Castle Magicโ€
  • โ€œRed Houseโ€
  • โ€œFoxey Ladyโ€
  • โ€œFireโ€
  • โ€œVoodoo Child (Slight Return)โ€
  • โ€œPurple Hazeโ€
  • โ€œHey Joeโ€

And, of course…

โ€œThe Star-Spangled Banner.โ€ ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ

Hendrix transformed the national anthem through feedback, distortion, sustain and the vocabulary of an electric guitar into something unmistakably his own.

More than half a century later, people continue debating exactly what Hendrix intended to communicate.

Maybe that’s part of its power.

But around this desk today, we’re also remembering something else.

The man holding that Stratocaster had once worn the uniform.

And the bass player standing beside him had served with him.

August 18, 1967 โ€” opening the Hollywood Bowl.

August 18, 1969 โ€” closing Woodstock.

From Army buddies…

to music history.

What a journey.


America Says Goodbye to Elvis Presley ๐Ÿ™

Only two days after the shocking death of Elvis Presley (January 8, 1935 โ€“ August 16, 1977), his funeral was held on August 18, 1977.

A private service took place at Graceland before the funeral procession traveled through Memphis.

Thousands gathered outside to say goodbye.

Elvis was initially entombed at Forest Hill Cemetery. Later that year, the remains of Elvis and his mother, Gladys, were moved to the Meditation Garden at Graceland.

It’s difficult today to fully convey the shock of Elvis Presley’s death.

He wasn’t simply a successful recording artist.

For millions of people, Elvis had been part of their lives for more than two decades.

From โ€œThat’s All Rightโ€ and โ€œHeartbreak Hotelโ€ through โ€œJailhouse Rock,โ€ โ€œAre You Lonesome Tonight?,โ€ โ€œSuspicious Minds,โ€ โ€œBurning Loveโ€ and so many others, his records became part of America’s soundtrack.

On August 18, 1977, the world wasn’t simply saying goodbye to a singer.

It was saying goodbye to an era.

Rest peacefully, Elvis. โค๏ธ


Jimmy Page Joins Aerosmith ๐ŸŽธ๐Ÿ”ฅ

Okay, guitar people.

On August 18, 1990, Aerosmith were performing at the Monsters of Rock festival at Donington Park in England when a rather familiar guitarist joined them.

Jimmy Page.

Yes.

THAT Jimmy Page.

Jimmy Page.

Joe Perry.

Brad Whitford.

On the same stage.

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ”ฅ๐ŸŽธ

Page joined Aerosmith during their encore for โ€œTrain Kept A-Rollin’.โ€

And what an appropriate song.

โ€œTrain Kept A-Rollin’โ€ had been recorded by The Yardbirds during Page’s tenure and later became an Aerosmith staple on Get Your Wings (1974).

So when Page walked onto that stage, there was history behind the jam.

Three enormous rock guitarists.

One old blues-rock warhorse.

And presumably several amplifiers reconsidering their career choices.

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿค˜


Bon Jovi โ€” Slippery When Wet Turns 40 ๐Ÿ”ฅ

On August 18, 1986, Bon Jovi released the album that changed everything.

Slippery When Wet.

Today marks its 40th anniversary.

Produced by Bruce Fairbairn and recorded in Vancouver, the album transformed Bon Jovi from a successful young hard-rock band into international superstars.

Slippery When Wet โ€” 1986

  1. โ€œLet It Rockโ€
  2. โ€œYou Give Love a Bad Nameโ€
  3. โ€œLivin’ on a Prayerโ€
  4. โ€œSocial Diseaseโ€
  5. โ€œWanted Dead or Aliveโ€
  6. โ€œRaise Your Handsโ€
  7. โ€œWithout Loveโ€
  8. โ€œI’d Die for Youโ€
  9. โ€œNever Say Goodbyeโ€
  10. โ€œWild in the Streetsโ€

โ€œYou Give Love a Bad Nameโ€ became the band’s first No. 1 single.

Then came:

โ€œLivin’ on a Prayer.โ€

Tommy and Gina entered rock-and-roll history.

And then there’s one that has always sounded like it belonged somewhere out on the frontier:

โ€œWanted Dead or Alive.โ€

That acoustic opening from Richie Sambora…

Jon Bon Jovi singing about being a cowboy…

The road…

The loneliness…

The outlaw imagery…

No wonder the song feels completely at home beside a Western.

And that brings us to a connection worth getting right.

โ€œWanted Dead or Aliveโ€ was not originally written for the Young Guns movies.

But a few years later, Jon Bon Jovi became directly involved with Young Guns II (1990) after becoming inspired by the story and its characters.

The result was his solo album:

Blaze of Glory (1990).

The title song became inseparable from Young Guns II and its portrayal of Billy the Kid.

So while โ€œWanted Dead or Aliveโ€ wasn’t a Young Guns soundtrack song, the outlaw spirit that made the song so memorable certainly foreshadowed what Jon would later create for the Western.

And if you’re a fan of those movies…

โ€œBlaze of Gloryโ€ and Young Guns II just belong together.

๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿค ๐ŸŽธ

The Slippery When Wet Lineup

Jon Bon Jovi โ€” vocals
Richie Sambora โ€” guitar, vocals
David Bryan โ€” keyboards, vocals
Alec John Such (November 14, 1951 โ€“ June 5, 2022) โ€” bass
Tico Torres โ€” drums

Bon Jovi โ€” Studio Album Reference

Bon Jovi โ€” 1984
7800ยฐ Fahrenheit โ€” 1985
Slippery When Wet โ€” 1986
New Jersey โ€” 1988
Keep the Faith โ€” 1992
These Days โ€” 1995
Crush โ€” 2000
Bounce โ€” 2002
Have a Nice Day โ€” 2005
Lost Highway โ€” 2007
The Circle โ€” 2009
What About Now โ€” 2013
Burning Bridges โ€” 2015
This House Is Not for Sale โ€” 2016
2020 โ€” 2020
Forever โ€” 2024

Forty years later, put โ€œLivin’ on a Prayerโ€ on in a room full of people who grew up in the ’80s.

You probably don’t have to sing the chorus.

Everybody else will take care of it.

Happy 40th anniversary to Slippery When Wet. ๐Ÿค˜๐Ÿ”ฅ


The Who โ€” Who Are You and Keith Moon’s Final Chapter ๐Ÿฅ

On August 18, 1978, The Who released:

Who Are You.

The album included:

  • โ€œNew Songโ€
  • โ€œHad Enoughโ€
  • โ€œ905โ€
  • โ€œSister Discoโ€
  • โ€œMusic Must Changeโ€
  • โ€œTrick of the Lightโ€
  • โ€œGuitar and Penโ€
  • โ€œLove Is Coming Downโ€
  • โ€œWho Are Youโ€

The title track became another Who classic.

But history gives the album a heartbreaking significance.

It was the final Who studio album released during the lifetime of Keith Moon (August 23, 1946 โ€“ September 7, 1978).

Moon died only weeks later.

And around this desk, we’re not going to let all those legendary stories about Moon’s wild behavior overshadow something far more important.

The man could PLAY.

Keith Moon approached drums differently.

Rather than simply establishing a beat underneath Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle, Moon seemed to be having a musical conversation with them.

The fills came flying.

Cymbals exploded.

The toms became melodic voices.

Sometimes it sounded as though Keith was playing lead drums.

Yet somehow…

it worked.

Keith Moon โ€” The Who Studio Albums

For reference, here is the remarkable studio run featuring Keith behind the kit:

My Generation โ€” 1965
A Quick One โ€” 1966
The Who Sell Out โ€” 1967
Tommy โ€” 1969
Who’s Next โ€” 1971
Quadrophenia โ€” 1973
The Who by Numbers โ€” 1975
Who Are You โ€” 1978

Eight studio albums.

Look at those titles again.

Tommy.

Who’s Next.

Quadrophenia.

That’s one heck of a musical legacy.

There has never been another Keith Moon.

And there never will be.

Rest easy, Moonie. โค๏ธ๐Ÿฅ


Yes Reinvents Itself With Drama ๐ŸŽน

On August 18, 1980, Yes released one of the strangestโ€”and ultimately most fascinatingโ€”albums in its catalog:

Drama.

But something was different.

Jon Anderson wasn’t singing.

And Rick Wakeman wasn’t playing keyboards.

Instead, Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes of The Buggles joined:

Trevor Horn โ€” vocals
Steve Howe โ€” guitars
Chris Squire (March 4, 1948 โ€“ June 27, 2015) โ€” bass and vocals
Geoff Downes โ€” keyboards
Alan White (June 14, 1949 โ€“ May 26, 2022) โ€” drums

The album included:

  • โ€œMachine Messiahโ€
  • โ€œWhite Carโ€
  • โ€œDoes It Really Happen?โ€
  • โ€œInto the Lensโ€
  • โ€œRun Through the Lightโ€
  • โ€œTempus Fugitโ€

For longtime Yes listeners, it was a dramatic change.

But over the decades, Drama has developed a devoted following of its own.

And โ€œMachine Messiahโ€?

Crank it up.


Korn โ€” Follow the Leader ๐Ÿ”ฅ

On August 18, 1998, Korn released its third studio album:

Follow the Leader.

Whether nu-metal was your particular flavor of heavy music or not, there’s no denying this record’s impact.

The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling roughly 268,000 copies during its first week.

Two tracks became enormous:

โ€œGot the Lifeโ€

and

โ€œFreak on a Leash.โ€

Their videos became fixtures on MTV, while Follow the Leader helped push nu-metal squarely into mainstream American culture.

For another generation of kids discovering heavy music, Korn became a doorway into the heavier side of rock.


Warlock โ€” True as Steel ๐Ÿค˜

And now we return to August 18, 1986โ€”the very same day Bon Jovi released Slippery When Wet.

German heavy-metal band Warlock released:

True as Steel.

Front and center was:

Doro Pesch.

The lineup:

Doro Pesch โ€” vocals
Niko Arvanitis โ€” guitar
Peter Szigeti โ€” guitar
Frank Rittel โ€” bass
Michael Eurich โ€” drums

Songs included:

โ€œMr. Goldโ€
โ€œFight for Rockโ€
โ€œLove in the Danger Zoneโ€
โ€œMidnite in Chinaโ€
โ€œTrue as Steelโ€
โ€œLady in a Rock ‘n’ Roll Hellโ€

โ€œFight for Rockโ€ helped expose Warlock to a wider international audience.

One year later came Triumph and Agony (1987) and the anthem:

โ€œAll We Are.โ€

Forty years ago today…

Bon Jovi were preparing to conquer American radio.

Across the Atlantic, Warlock were carrying the flag for European heavy metal.

Same date. Different sound. Plenty of guitars.

๐Ÿค˜๐Ÿ”ฅ


Ringo Starr Becomes a Beatle ๐Ÿฅ

On August 18, 1962, Ringo Starr played his first official performance as a member of The Beatles.

Pete Best was out.

Ringo was in.

And suddenly the lineup was:

John Lennon (October 9, 1940 โ€“ December 8, 1980)
Paul McCartney
George Harrison (February 25, 1943 โ€“ November 29, 2001)
Ringo Starr

Ringo’s drumming has occasionally been underestimated because he rarely approached music as an excuse to show off.

That’s precisely what made him so good.

Ringo played for the song.

His feel, fills and unmistakable drum parts became an essential part of Beatles records.

The Beatles without Ringo?

Hard to imagine.

And that chapter officially began on August 18, 1962.


Dennis Elliott โ€” Foreigner’s Man Behind the Kit ๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ

Born August 18, 1950, Dennis Elliott celebrates his 76th birthday today.

And Dennis doesn’t get relegated to a one-line birthday mention around here.

Dennis Elliott freakin’ ROCKS.

๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ˜‚

Elliott was behind the kit throughout Foreigner’s classic studio run:

Foreigner โ€” 1977
Double Vision โ€” 1978
Head Games โ€” 1979
4 โ€” 1981
Agent Provocateur โ€” 1984
Inside Information โ€” 1987

Think about the songs represented there:

โ€œFeels Like the First Time.โ€

โ€œCold as Ice.โ€

โ€œHot Blooded.โ€

โ€œDouble Vision.โ€

โ€œHead Games.โ€

โ€œUrgent.โ€

โ€œJuke Box Hero.โ€

โ€œWaiting for a Girl Like You.โ€

โ€œI Want to Know What Love Is.โ€

Lou Gramm’s incredible voice and Mick Jones’ songwriting understandably receive enormous attention.

But underneath those records was a rhythm section that had to drive the machine.

Dennis Elliott did exactly that.

Happy 76th birthday, Dennis.

KEEP ROCKIN’. ๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿค˜


Marvin Isley โ€” That Isley Brothers Groove โค๏ธ๐ŸŽธ

Marvin Isley (August 18, 1953 โ€“ June 6, 2010) was born on this day.

Oh, buddy…

The Isley Brothers.

Smooth doesn’t begin to describe it.

They could give you soul.

R&B.

Funk.

Romance.

And then Ernie Isley could step forward with a guitar and remind everybody:

THESE GUYS COULD ROCK.

Marvin’s bass became part of the group’s foundation during an enormously creative period.

Some essential stops:

3 + 3 โ€” 1973
The Heat Is On โ€” 1975
Go for Your Guns โ€” 1977
Showdown โ€” 1978
Between the Sheets โ€” 1983

And don’t overlook their later music.

Mission to Please โ€” 1996.

What a beautifully smooth record.

The Isley Brothers are musical royalty because they were never trapped in one generation or one musical style.

They evolved.

They adapted.

And through it all, they still sounded unmistakably like:

The Isley Brothers.

Rest peacefully, Marvin.

Legend. โค๏ธ๐ŸŽธ


Patrick Swayze โ€” The Man Had Talent to Spare โค๏ธ๐ŸŽฌ๐ŸŽต

Patrick Swayze (August 18, 1952 โ€“ September 14, 2009) was born on this day.

Actor.

Dancer.

Athlete.

Songwriter.

Singer.

And by seemingly every account from those who knew him:

one of the good guys.

Most people remember:

Dirty Dancing.

Ghost.

Point Break.

And, of course…

Road House.

But Patrick possessed another talent that still surprises people.

The man could sing.

Swayze co-wrote and performed:

โ€œShe’s Like the Wind.โ€

The song appeared on the enormously successful Dirty Dancing soundtrack and reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

And yes…

that’s Patrick singing.

There’s a vulnerability in his vocal performance that fits the song beautifully.

What a talent.

And what a loss at only 57 years old.


Okay… We’re Going Into the Double Deuce ๐Ÿ˜‚๐ŸŽธ

We tried to resist.

We really did.

But we’re talking about Patrick Swayze.

So…

ROAD HOUSE.

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚

Swayze played Dalton, the quiet, philosophical and extremely capable cooler brought in to clean up one seriously rough Missouri bar.

Then we meet Dalton’s musician friend Cody.

And the man playing Cody wasn’t some actor pretending to know his way around a guitar.

He was:

Jeff Healey (March 25, 1966 โ€“ March 2, 2008).

Healey lost his sight as a baby after developing retinoblastoma.

He developed an extraordinary technique of playing his guitar flat across his lap.

But forget the novelty of how he played for a moment.

Listen to WHAT he played.

Jeff Healey could absolutely blow the doors off the place.

His debut album:

See the Light โ€” 1988

gave us โ€œConfidence Man,โ€ the title track and the beautiful โ€œAngel Eyes.โ€

But if โ€œAngel Eyesโ€ is the only Jeff Healey recording you know…

KEEP DIGGING.

Because that man could light an electric guitar on fire without ever reaching for a match.

๐Ÿ”ฅ๐ŸŽธ

And one of our favorite moments arrives at the end of Road House.

The fighting is finally over.

Everybody’s dancing.

Jeff and the band are cooking.

And they launch into their version of Bob Dylan’s:

โ€œWhen the Night Comes Falling from the Sky.โ€

OH MAN.

TURN. IT. UP.

๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐ŸŽธ

That performance is Jeff Healey in his element.

And then there was the banter between Dalton and Cody…

the chicken wire around the band…

because apparently not everybody likes the song.

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚

We also have to tip our hat to Sam Elliott as Wade Garrett, Dalton’s mentor and friend.

And then there was the magnificent:

Ben Gazzara (August 28, 1930 โ€“ February 3, 2012).

His Brad Wesley didn’t need to scream to frighten anybody.

Gazzara brought swagger.

He could smile at you while giving the impression that your auto-parts store might not be standing tomorrow morning.

๐Ÿ˜‚

But behind that wonderful villain was an enormously accomplished actorโ€”and a United States Army veteran.

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ

Patrick was only 57 when we lost him.

Jeff was only 41.

We wish we’d gotten many more years from both.

But turn on Road House, wait for Jeff to start playing…

and for a little while they’re both right there again.

God bless them. โค๏ธ๐ŸŽธ

Now let’s get out of the Double Deuce before somebody throws a bottle.

DUCK!

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚


Sarah Dash โ€” Soul, Funk and Rock & Roll ๐ŸŽค

Sarah Dash (August 18, 1945 โ€“ September 20, 2021) was born on this day.

Dash became famous alongside Patti LaBelle and Nona Hendryx in Labelle.

The group fearlessly blended soul, funk, rock and glam into something unlike almost anything else on the radio.

Of course:

โ€œLady Marmalade.โ€

But Sarah’s career stretched far beyond that landmark record.

She recorded as a solo artist and later became closely associated with Keith Richards, performing and recording with his X-Pensive Winos.

And that’s an important part of understanding Sarah Dash.

Her soulful power, versatility and commanding backing vocals allowed her to move naturally from Labelle’s adventurous funk and R&B into the gritty rock-and-roll world surrounding Keith Richards without losing the musical identity that made her distinctive.

From Labelle…

to Keith Richards.

That’s one heck of a musical journey.

Rest peacefully, Sarah. โค๏ธ๐ŸŽค


Jethro Tull โ€” A Passion Play Reaches No. 1 ๐ŸŽญ๐ŸŽถ

On August 18, 1973, Jethro Tull’s:

A Passion Play

was sitting at No. 1 on the American album chart.

That’s remarkable by itself.

A complex progressive-rock concept album sitting atop the American charts.

But what exactly was A Passion Play?

That’s where things become very Ian Anderson.

๐Ÿ˜‚

At its heart, the album deals with life, death and what might happen after death.

Its central character dies, encounters an afterlife and faces questions about judgment, heaven, hell and what comes next.

Ian Anderson has discussed the work as an exploration of those enormous questions rather than an attempt to provide conventional religious answers.

The title itself evokes the traditional Passion of Christ, but Anderson’s approach also contained elements of satire, absurdity and dark comedy.

And then, right in the middle of this philosophical journey through mortality…

we get:

โ€œThe Story of the Hare Who Lost His Spectacles.โ€

Because, well…

Jethro Tull.

๐Ÿ˜‚

Anderson has acknowledged over the years that the band may have tried to cram too many musical ideas into A Passion Play. The arrangements were dense and complicated, and contemporary critics weren’t always kind.

The audience had other ideas.

It went to No. 1.

The album was also conceived with a visual component in mind, part of Anderson’s theatrical approach to presenting the story, although the grander film concept never developed as originally envisioned.

Essential Tull listening includes:

Stand Up โ€” 1969
Aqualung โ€” 1971
Thick as a Brick โ€” 1972
A Passion Play โ€” 1973
Songs from the Wood โ€” 1977
Heavy Horses โ€” 1978
Crest of a Knave โ€” 1987

And if your picture of Ian Anderson begins and ends with the wild-eyed fellow standing on one leg playing a flute…

Dig deeper.

Listen to the songwriter.

Listen to something quiet and reflective.

Listen to:

โ€œSlow Marching Band.โ€

There’s a whole other Ian Anderson waiting there.

โค๏ธ๐ŸŽถ


George Michael โ€” โ€œCareless Whisperโ€ ๐ŸŽทโค๏ธ

On August 18, 1984, George Michael (June 25, 1963 โ€“ December 25, 2016) reached No. 1 in the UK with:

โ€œCareless Whisper.โ€

And all it takes is a couple of seconds.

๐ŸŽท

You know what’s coming.

That saxophone introductionโ€”performed by Steve Gregoryโ€”is among the most instantly recognizable openings of the entire 1980s.

Then George starts singing.

What a voice.

Michael was still associated closely with Wham! when โ€œCareless Whisperโ€ arrived, but the record demonstrated just how much musical ability was there.

And what followed proved it wasn’t a fluke.

โ€œFaith.โ€

โ€œFather Figure.โ€

โ€œOne More Try.โ€

โ€œPraying for Time.โ€

โ€œFreedom! ’90.โ€

โ€œA Different Corner.โ€

โ€œKissing a Fool.โ€

George Michael could deliver pop music with enormous commercial appeal without sacrificing the quality of the singing.

He was only 53 when he died.

Far too young.

Put on โ€œCareless Whisperโ€ today.

And when that saxophone begins…

just listen.

What a talent. โค๏ธ๐ŸŽท


Ron Strykert โ€” Men at Work ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ๐ŸŽธ

Now HERE’S somebody we aren’t hiding in the miscellaneous birthday list.

Ron Strykert, born August 18, 1957, celebrates his 69th birthday today.

Strykert co-founded Men at Work with Colin Hay and became an important part of the guitar-driven sound behind one of the most distinctive bands of the early 1980s.

And what a run they had.

Men at Work โ€” Studio Albums

Business as Usual โ€” 1981
Cargo โ€” 1983
Two Hearts โ€” 1985

The songs?

โ€œWho Can It Be Now?โ€

โ€œDown Under.โ€

โ€œBe Good Johnny.โ€

โ€œOverkill.โ€

โ€œIt’s a Mistake.โ€

โ€œDr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive.โ€

There was something immediately identifiable about Men at Work.

Colin Hay’s voice.

Greg Ham’s saxophone and flute.

Those quirky arrangements.

Those videos.

Those songs.

And underneath the humor was some seriously good musicianship.

โ€œOverkill,โ€ in particular, has aged beautifully.

Happy birthday, Ron.

Thanks for helping make some records that still sound great more than four decades later. ๐ŸŽธ


Everlast โ€” Whitey Ford Arrives ๐ŸŽค๐ŸŽธ

And here’s another birthday that deserves more than one line.

Erik Schrody, better known as Everlast, was born August 18, 1969.

A lot of listeners first encountered him as the frontman of House of Pain.

And everybody remembers:

โ€œJump Around.โ€

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ”ฅ

Then something unexpected happened.

Everlast re-emerged with Whitey Ford Sings the Blues (1998) and sounded like an entirely different artist.

Acoustic guitar.

Blues.

Rock.

Hip-hop.

Storytelling.

And that unmistakably rough voice.

The album included:

โ€œWhat It’s Like.โ€

โ€œEnds.โ€

โ€œToday (Watch Me Shine).โ€

โ€œWhat It’s Likeโ€ became an enormous crossover record, but the entire album showed that Everlast had far more musical territory to explore than anyone expecting another โ€œJump Aroundโ€ might have anticipated.

Whitey Ford Sings the Blues.

CLASSIC.

Happy 57th birthday, Whitey Ford. ๐Ÿ˜Ž๐ŸŽธ


CLASSICKONG’S Question of the Day ๐Ÿฆโ“

Jimi Hendrix closed Woodstock on August 18, 1969.

But here’s today’s question:

What famous song did Hendrix perform immediately AFTER โ€œThe Star-Spangled Bannerโ€?

Don’t peek.

CLASSICKONG is watching.

๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿฆ


CLASSICKONG’S Final Spin ๐Ÿฆ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ

What a day.

Jimi Hendrix went from opening the Hollywood Bowl to closing Woodstock on the exact same date two years laterโ€”and along the way we remembered something too often overlooked:

Jimi Hendrix was an American veteran. ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ

America said goodbye to Elvis Presley.

Jimmy Page plugged in with Aerosmith.

Bon Jovi released an album that helped define an era.

Keith Moon gave us one final Who studio record.

Yes reinvented itself.

Korn carried heavy music toward another generation.

Warlock and Doro Pesch flew the flag for European metal.

Ringo Starr officially became a Beatle.

Dennis Elliott powered Foreigner from behind the drums.

Marvin Isley helped create grooves smoother than silk.

Sarah Dash carried a magnificent voice from Labelle into Keith Richards’ rock-and-roll world.

Ian Anderson asked what might await us on the other side.

George Michael reminded us what a truly great voice sounded like.

Men at Work gave us records that still make us smile.

Everlast proved that sometimes an artist’s second act sounds nothing like the first.

And Patrick Swayze and Jeff Healey reminded us…

Sometimes you just have to walk into the Double Deuce…

and hope the chicken wire holds.

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐ŸŽธ

Music history isn’t really about dates.

The dates simply give us an excuse to remember the people.

And that’s why we keep coming back.


Trivia Answer ๐ŸŽธ

Immediately following โ€œThe Star-Spangled Bannerโ€ at Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix launched into:

โ€œPurple Haze.โ€

Now THAT’S a one-two punch.

๐Ÿค˜๐ŸŽธ


If you haven’t already, we’d love to have you sign the WTSG-DB Guestbook.

Stop by wtsg.net, leave us a message, and tell us where you’re listening from.

Whether you’re across town or across the country, we love hearing from the people on the other side of the speakers.

Great Music. Great Radio. Great Community.

WTSG-DB ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ

Authors

KONG A.I.

KONG A.I. serves as the official digital operations assistant for WTSG Digital Broadcasting. Responsible for signal monitoring, engineering support, music history research, coffee reserve management, and occasional disco emergency response. Station motto: Great Music. Great Radio.

Tim Glore

๐ŸŽฎ Gamer. ๐ŸŽต Music lover. ๐Ÿ“ป Broadcaster.

Founder of WTSG-DB and creator of the CLASSICKONG community. Lifelong fan of retro gaming, classic music, broadcasting, and real online communities built around good people and good vibes.

Usually gaming, working on radio projects, talking music history, or keeping the KONG CREW systems running. Favorite era of music? The legendary 1980s. ๐Ÿ”ฅ

PC gamer, Fortnite competitor, classic arcade fan, and supporter of independent broadcasting.

โ€œGreat Music. Great Radio.โ€ ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ

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