Post by Travis on Jun 8, 2005 19:56:52 GMT -5
John Quincy recently uncovered some recordings that had once been a part of a Weird Beard Christmas special around '69 or '70. I generally did not listen to the radio on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, due to family activities, but I can remember one Christmas Eve when I did hear such specials on WAKY and one of the recordings is from that night.
One of the best Christmas stories I've ever heard is 'Why The Chimes Rang.' I'm always reminded of the story at Christmas and remember the first time I ever heard it. For years I've always believed that I first heard the story when the Weird Beard read it as part of his Christmas special on WAKY (possibly '69 or '70). I was close. John Quincy's restoration of Weird's Christmas special (the tapes had been in a flooded basement) revealed that the story had indeed been a part of the special, but that Weird did not read it. The story was actually recorded from a transcription and played as part of Weird's special.
I can't recall a whole lot from that night because I was around 15 to 16 years of age at the time, but it seems to me that each of the primary jocks did a Christmas special that night. I can remember hearing Johnny Randolph (on his special) actually talking about the specials and how the jocks were told that they could share their memories in any way they liked. The recordings would be played over Christmas to allow the jocks to be away from the station and with their families.
At the same time that Johnny Randolph was recording his special, Gary Burbank was in another production room recording his. Johnny actually remarked about how he could see Gary through the production room windows. He described Gary as having stacks of paper around him and that he was playing a guitar and singing into the mic. Later that night I heard Burbank's special and that is exactly what he had done. He sang parodies (probably related to Christmas) and played guitar. I don't recall any of the songs, but it's certain he made them up, himself.
I don't believe I heard everyone's special that night. Aside from Randolph, Burbank and Weird, I can only recall hearing some of Chris Lundy's special. I believe he had a young daughter (age 4 or 5) in the studio when he recorded his special. Together they did songs & stories about Christmas, and I believe he kept referring to her as Lay-Lay?
At this point... even I'm worried, so I'll exit here.
One of the best Christmas stories I've ever heard is 'Why The Chimes Rang.' I'm always reminded of the story at Christmas and remember the first time I ever heard it. For years I've always believed that I first heard the story when the Weird Beard read it as part of his Christmas special on WAKY (possibly '69 or '70). I was close. John Quincy's restoration of Weird's Christmas special (the tapes had been in a flooded basement) revealed that the story had indeed been a part of the special, but that Weird did not read it. The story was actually recorded from a transcription and played as part of Weird's special.
I can't recall a whole lot from that night because I was around 15 to 16 years of age at the time, but it seems to me that each of the primary jocks did a Christmas special that night. I can remember hearing Johnny Randolph (on his special) actually talking about the specials and how the jocks were told that they could share their memories in any way they liked. The recordings would be played over Christmas to allow the jocks to be away from the station and with their families.
At the same time that Johnny Randolph was recording his special, Gary Burbank was in another production room recording his. Johnny actually remarked about how he could see Gary through the production room windows. He described Gary as having stacks of paper around him and that he was playing a guitar and singing into the mic. Later that night I heard Burbank's special and that is exactly what he had done. He sang parodies (probably related to Christmas) and played guitar. I don't recall any of the songs, but it's certain he made them up, himself.
I don't believe I heard everyone's special that night. Aside from Randolph, Burbank and Weird, I can only recall hearing some of Chris Lundy's special. I believe he had a young daughter (age 4 or 5) in the studio when he recorded his special. Together they did songs & stories about Christmas, and I believe he kept referring to her as Lay-Lay?
At this point... even I'm worried, so I'll exit here.
Weird Beard's from Christmas '66. Where is Dude's? Or is it right in front of me?? 