Russell Wells' '72 Beaker Street

Russell Wells had originally donated this 1972 'scoped aircheck to A. J. Lindsey for his blog...we're bringing it back.

I'd LOVE to find all this music and meld it back into the 'scoped airchecks....


(or download here)
Thanks to Russell Wells, friend of this blog!



BudS. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Another Warehouse Ad

Back a few posts, (aircheck listed as August 14, 1971)  Clyde Clifford was running an ad for the above groups appearing at A Warehouse in New Orleans...the problem is, the ad was mentioned August 13th and 14th!  Nonetheless, here is a poster of the event, featuring Ten Years After and Edgar Winter's White Trash... enjoy!

Thanks to Bobby Wahl again for allowing us to bring these goodies to you!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

We Inturrupt This Series....

For a plea from Kenneth Hawkins:

Kenneth HawkinsFebruary 16, 2015 at 8:46 AM

Does anyone out there have any Beaker Street shows on tape or disc they can share with me? I have a whole bunch of B.S. shows on MP3 from 1970 to the very last show of 2011. I would particularly like some of those shows from the 60s if anyone has them? Let me know what you all have. THANKS!

 

KENNETH: get in touch with me A.S.A.P., lets see what you have... my e-mail address is: staceys4@hotmail.com

 

Bud

Beaker Street with Clyde Clifford - June 1-2 1972

It's Summer 1972, and here is Beaker Street on the skywave as received in Evanston, Illinois.  It brings back a lot of memories for me.

I grew up in Evanston (a northern suburb of Chicago), was an active DX-er, and I was fascinated by this powerful, exotic station from Arkansas that boomed in every night on 1090.   The signal was sometimes almost as strong as our local big city rockers, WLS and WCFL.  But Beaker Street sure didn’t sound like anything on the air on AM or FM in Chicago!  The underground rock music with the southern blues, folk and country influences, Clyde Clifford’s laidback style, the “Head” music bed under his raps – it was all such a strange, spooky, interesting mix.  I can’t count the number of nights I stayed up late to listen, keeping the volume low so as to not wake up anyone else in the house.  As a young man who was fascinated with radio and so eager to work in the business, Beaker Street and KAAY were radio magic to me. 

This is a full 3-hour show I taped the night of June 1-2, 1972, 11pm-2am, telescoping the aircheck along the way (sorry, there is no untelescoped version).  The signal fades up and down, but as you’ll hear it’s pretty good skip reception most of the time.  The aircheck ends with the intro to Beaker Theater and Clyde’s dry, funny description of what was to come.   

This show has been posted previously in two parts, but this is first time the entire show is posted in one single file.  Bud Stacey says this aircheck may well be the best and most representative of the original Beaker Street, and I agree.  The music is a rich mix of artists that includes:

Hour 1:  The Flock, McKendree Spring, Nick Drake, Eric Clapton, Grateful Dead, Robert Johnson, Leon Russell, Judy Collins.

Hour 2:  Hawkwind, Daddy Cool, Steppenwolf, Joyous Noise, Vigrass & Osborne, Bloodrock.

Hour 3:  Dust, Bloodrock, Arlo Guthrie, Foghat, The Chambers Brothers, Spooky Tooth, Mason Proffit. 

The commercials are great, too.  It amazes me how someone could to go to A Warehouse in New Orleans and hear such tremendous music for just $4! 

Listen to this show in a dark room or on a dark road at night to best capture the mood.   Thanks Clyde, for all the entertainment and music discovery you provided for us young people growing up in the Midwest. 

(or download here)

Greg Barman

Another Great Ad From Beaker Street

Something just occurred to me today...when I was listening to the January 1, 1972 aircheck, I thought about the ad where The Allman Brothers, Vince Vance & The Valients and REO Speedwagon played an encore concert that night, since so many people weren't able to make the concert New Year's Eve (12/31/71).  I thought of our friend Bobby Wahl and The Warehouse tribute site, wondering if there wasn't some more memorabilia there... lo and behold, there was a poster of the concert!

Bobby is constantly improving the site, so you MUST go there and check it out, if you haven't recently!  http://www.blackstrat.net/  Clyde Clifford ran these ads (and many more) well outside KAAY's local area, because the station's signal covered so much ground- it was like a worldwide shortwave station!  So many people flocked to The Warehouse, I believe, because of KAAY's/Clyde's airing the ads.

By gosh, here's another one:

The ad for the encore concert ran many times in the early A.M. hours of Beaker Street on this particular aircheck...remember hearing them in the post a few back?

From time to time, I'll sprinkle a bit of history here and there, hopefully for your enjoyment, to augment the experience of the airchecks!

Alas, I never made it to The Warehouse; I worked all the time I wasn't in school and college.  There was little time for play.  I was able to make concerts in Mobile, AL, Pensacola, FL and Gulfport, MS, because I could drive back home in a reasonable time and not lose too much sleep.  I regret that I never made it to New Orleans.

THANKS SO MUCH to Bobby Wahl, the master of The Warehouse tribute website!  Give it a visit and leave Bobby a note telling him you saw this here and how nice his site is looking- it just keeps getting better and better!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Clyde Clifford Interview about Beaker Street

This is a re-post of one of the few interviews that Clyde Clifford has given about KAAY and Beaker Street.

In 1995, Clyde Clifford did this phone interview with Jim Snowbarger, a self-described radio nut, electrical engineer, KAAY fan and internet radio producer/host in Marshalltown, Iowa.  Jim sent me a copy of the interview several years ago and gave his okay to pass it along to this blog.

The interview lasts about 29 minutes and Clyde talks about:  The beginnings of Beaker Street;  how the spooky background music bed came about; whether the KAAY transmitter site was haunted; the transmitter studio equipment; the last Beaker Street show on KAAY in 1985; his Beaker Street shows on FM in 1995; his day job at UALR; and why he's still unflappably happy.


(or download here)
Greg Barman

Beaker Street August 14, 1971

Here is another Beaker Street that Dave S. was able to glean from A.J.'s blog before the players broke...after Jethro Tull's "My God", notice the more familiar "Cannabis Sativa" background music?

The Dr. Pepper commercial harkens back to better times, in my opinion.  Music was MUSIC, not the synthesized versions we've gotten used to today.  I love the nuances of multiple voices and actual instruments!


(or download here)
I am grateful to Dave S. for his rescue efforts, and to Greg for helping repost everything here!

Do you like us bringing back these memories?  Please leave us some comments!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Beaker Street 4/13/1971 Part C

Here is Part C of April 13, 1971.  We hope you have enjoyed this series!


(or download here)
OK, more Beaker Street audio to follow!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Beaker Street 4/13/1971 Part B

Here is the 2nd portion of this aircheck...there may be some overlap from Part A.  Some great music- Clyde had such a great way of bringing diverse music together.


(or download here)
Part C to follow- don't touch that dial!  (Like I didn't think you would....)

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

We Inturrupt This Series For...

...goodies from Kevin Thornton!  Since we still have a little football season left, and because of the results of the latest Arkansas/Texas game, Kevin sent these bumper stickers along for us to enjoy!

As per his words: "Hey Bud, thought you and the readers of the Mighty 1090 blog would like these "Beat Texas" stickers from the radio station circa early 1980s(?). Kevin Thornton"

You betcha, Kevin!

 

 

Thanks, Kevin!!!  Any and all pictures, memorabilia, etc. is graciously accepted for addition to the blog for the enjoyment of all KAAY/Beaker Street fans!  Thank you, Kevin!  Bud S (staceys4@hotmail.com)

 

Beaker Street 4/13/1971 Part A

And we continue with Clyde Clifford and Beaker Street into 1971!  We thought it was high time (no pun intended!) that we brought back some post from A. J. Lindsey's blog (http://kaay1090.blogspot.com/).  When we got this blog going, I thought it was too early to reproduce any postings from A. J.'s blog, because it might produce boring repetition.  Now, seemingly, this blog is in the forefront and it has been several years since many of us found his blog- and it has been seven years for me personally, that I've contributed to it.

Thanks to computer guru and professor Dave Schmidt, and his love for the station, he was able to capture what we needed before the players "broke" on A. J.'s blog; there is still some active players there, but you have to dig for the link.  However, through Dave's computer knowhow and Greg Barman's audio and computer expertise, these recordings come back to life!

I cannot tell you how much I depend on these guys- they have been a Godsend to me and us KAAY/Beaker Street enthusiasts.  David B. Treadway (who I call "The Voice Of Arkansas") once said, that the guy behind the mic gets all the credit- or the blame- but it's the people in the background who are the real heroes...so thank you, Dave and Greg!

ONWARD!  The audio came to us in three parts, so we'll present them as such.  I forget the original presenter, so, if you recognize this, please leave us a comment- we are thankful for each and every aircheck and studio copy that comes our way!


(or download here)

Next, Part B!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

April 3, 1971 Beaker Street Mistakenly Marked "4/13/71"

I found another Beaker Street in the "A. J. archives" that Dave S. recovered...thought we'd share it with you!

This is mismarked "4/13/14", but is really from about April 3, 1971.  There was mention somewhere that there was a mismarked aircheck on the 13th- this must be it.  Greg Barman noticed that there was an Alice Cooper concert slated for April 10 advertised, so it couldn't be 4/13...and, a little over 22 minutes into the aircheck, it changed to a different show...so, we don't have a date for the ending part of this aircheck....


(or download here)
I don't know why, but I enjoy this particular aircheck...must be the music selections.

Thanks, Greg & Dave!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

New Year's Eve on Beaker Street! Dec 31, 1971 (into 1972) - Second Half + A telescoped version

This is the second half of the Beaker Street show from New Year's Eve 1971.   It's already past midnight and into 1972 on this aircheck, and Clyde Clifford is having a good time playing the tunes, talking with listeners hundreds of miles away, and enjoying some awfully good eggnog with strong nutmeg.   The aircheck is untelescoped with a few gaps here and there.

Parts 3 & 4 -- Discography:
The Guess Who - Friends of Mine
Iron Butterly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Deep Water Reunion - Cindy's Cryin'
King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King
Black Oak Arkansas - Lord Have Mercy On My Soul/When Electricity Came to Arkansas
REO Speedwagon - Gypsy Woman's Band
Grateful Dead - Uncle John's Band
The Incredible Broadside Brass Bed Band - The Great Grizzly Bear Hunt

Here are parts 3 and 4:

Part 3

(or download here)

Part 4

(or download here)

For those of you who are mainly interested in the programming elements, here's a telescoped version of the entire aircheck:


(or download here)
Happy New Year everybody! from The Mighty 1090 KAAY Blog.


Greg Barman

New Year's Eve on Beaker Street! Dec 31, 1971 - First Half

Here's some Beaker Street to help you get in the frame of mind for New Year's Eve.  It's a NYE Beaker Street show from December 31, 1971, going into the wee hours of Jan 1 1972.   I don't know who originally recorded this show, I got it from another collector with no additional information but it sounds like a local aircheck.  Thank you, whoever recorded this, it's a great show!   The aircheck is divided into 4 segments, covering most of the 3 hour show, and mostly untelescoped with a few gaps.

Doing the show as usual from the remote KAAY transmitter site, It sure sounds like Clyde Clifford is celebrating the New Year, and I mean something beyond a countdown to midnight and Auld Lang Syne!  Long songs are the norm on Beaker Street.  But this night Clyde is playing some VERY long songs, like Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", and "The Court of the Crimson King" by King Crimson.  Listen to Clyde and see what you think.

Parts 1 & 2 -- Discography:
Alice Cooper - Black Juju
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Black Oak Arkansas - Uncle Lijah
Love Sculpture - Mars/Sabre Dance
Grateful Dead - Truckin'
T. Rex - Bang a Gong
Unknown - Auld Lang Syne
Don Ellis - Pussy Wiggle Stomp
Pink Floyd - Careful With That Axe Eugene
The Guess Who - Friends of Mine

The spots include A Warehouse in New Orleans.  The Allman Brothers and REO Speedwagon were playing there that weekend and tickets were only 5 BUCKS -- wow!  Other advertisers are Floyd's Record Shop, Jefferson Manor Apartments, Coca-Cola and Stag Beer. 

Clyde mentions listeners in Wisconsin, Missouri and Louisiana, and we all know there were plenty more.  Imagine thousands of people celebrating New Year's in their own way, with Beaker Street blasting thru the skywaves and rocking out of radios all over the place to bring in 1972 !  

Here are the first two parts:
 
Part 1

(or download here)
Part 2

(or download here)

Greg Barman

KAAY DJ's Merry Xmas Message

A several of years ago, I had the great idea to get as many KAAY deejays to send in audio Christmas greetings; several were able to and Greg Barman mixed them with vintage KAAY Christmas audio spots.  We thought it would be appropriate that we bring it back!

Sadly, Jerry Sims, one of the "Sonny Martins", is no longer with us, but his spirit lives on in these and other recordings... so, please enjoy him and the other deejays in their holiday greetings to you all!  Roll it, Greg!


(or download here)
Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

JONNIE KING'S 2014 HOLIDAY FILM & DVD VIEWING LIST...

A Special "Hi" to all of our friends of  "The Mighty 1090/KAAY" !   For those of you who are new to our Blog, for almost every year since I started in Broadcasting I've created a Special Holiday Viewing List...and for 2014 I've expanded it !

It includes Movies, DVD's, Videos, and, some rare TV Episodes !  To see the COMPLETE list, simply Click-On the following Link and you're on your way:    http://www.jonnieking.net/gpage24.html

And, as that "Jolly Little Man In Red" says: "A Merry Christmas To All...Each And Everyone" !

Jonnie  www.jonnieking.net

                              

                                                               

KAAY Phil North on the weekend before Xmas 1970

"Phil North" (Eric Chase), because of his talents and voice, was said by one of The Greats to be "an amazing young man".  Many of us agree- he had "that voice"!  We pondered whether we had any more Christmas audio by any of the deejays of KAAY and I found this!  We'd posted it before, and agreed it was fitting that we bring it back...so enjoy!  This is from Saturday night, December 19, 1970:


(or download here)
I see Dave S. over there, dressed in his Santa suit and dark glasses, starting to sample the egg nog...I see Greg B. over there in HIS Santa suit, sampling the finger sandwiches...I'd better get MY suit on and dive into the goodies, too, before they're all gone...MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY!!!!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Beaker Street April 3, 1971 Part 2

I've had to do some listening and investigative work to try and decipher some of A. J.'s notes on his recordings.  I believe this is Part Two of 4/3/71...


(or download here)
There may be one or two 'scoped areas in this recording.  Hey, how about those concert ticket prices?

Thanks, Greg!

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Don Payne, Former KAAY Jock, Indiana Hall Of Fame

Don Payne, who passed away on this day in 2010, was the last deejay to air Beaker Street on KAAY, before "the suits" shut it down.  I have petitioned the Arkansas Broadcasters Assn. to do the same as the Indiana Broadcasters Assn. and induct him- so far, no response.

Don worked for KAAY and KLPO in Arkansas, and WZPL and WAZY in Indiana and was the Director of Engineering at WKRQ in Cincinnati, OH before coming back to Indianapolis, IN to be Chief Engineer for Radio One, for a TV station and four radio stations.

Don was also an Amateur radio operator, but we never got to speak over the air, due to his condition in his last days....

It is only fitting that we honor Don at this time, as we air Beaker Street airchecks.  I can hear his hearty laughter now, knowing he is in a better place.  Thank you, Don!

http://www.indianabroadcastpioneers.org/?q=hall-of-fame/william-don-payne

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)

Former KAAY News Director Ron Casteel, R.I.P.

Just got the word from Scott Charton early afternoon 12/9/14:

"Dear Bud,

Some sad news, the passing of former KAAY news director Ron Casteel, who also served as morning anchor in the early 1980's. Ron had been in declining health over the last two years. 

http://www.dulletrimble.com/mobile/obit.php?id=1459068&name=Ronald-Edward-Casteel&loca=Jefferson-City-MO

Scott Charton

Charton Communications

& Consulting"

 

Funeral services will be Friday, 11AM December 12, 2014 at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home...please see the link for more information.

 

Another Great, passed on into eternity.  Through Scott's information, I'd just found out Ron was also a Ham radio operator (N6CSS).  He was a very accomplished man; I will be trying to find the movie "Ground Zero" in which he starred.

 

Thanks to Scott Charton...see you later, Ron....

 

Bud S. (staceys4@hotmail.com)