WBCN Last Gasp: Ken’s Big Top Ten list from July 16th, 1993…
Ken’s Big Top Ten List, July 16th, 1993.
You know, as hacks bloggers people who write stuff on Al Gore’s homepage, I’m not the greatest. This “new” post hits that point home, as I was under the drunken assumption that I posted it on August 10th. Cherrybomb: FAIL!
Anyway, this WBCN memento from my days as a glorified intern/producer/DJ wanna-be is my favorite. Here’s why…
WBCN DJ “Captain” Ken Shelton gave me my first break in radio. The time we spent together in the studio, and the opportunities The Captain provided me account for some of the most memorable moments in my brief broadcasting life. Shelton was a consummate radio pro with a grasp of musicology that always astounded me. He was one of those people that if you hummed a few bars of a song (off key, no key, low-tone groaning, it didn’t matter), Captain Ken wouldn’t only tell you the name of the song, he also knew who did it and what year it came out. Shelton was radio’s Name that Tune Houdini. He was so good at it that some listeners seemed to enjoy trying to stump the great Radio Captain. During my 4 /12 year gig with Shelton, I don’t think anyone ever did.
One of my fondest memories of working with The Captain was the time he refused to play one of the programmed songs on his ‘BCN play list. The main offender was Aqualung by Jethro Tull. Shelton, a 20+ year radio veteran at the time, saw the 6:31 abomination and went rouge, skipping the 1971 snoozer completely.
It might be hard for you to understand, but I look to that moment when I need a strong dose of “fuck you, Johnny” inspiration. And I need that a lot.
Thanks for the memories Captain Ken, it was an honor being your first mate back in the day. Oh, one last thing…
Jethro Tull can suck it.
Related Cherrybombed stories:
Very Cool!!!
It was…
Tull would have been a better alternative than the snoozer from 2-6.