The WHFS-FM Friday drive-time leadoff tune: “Party Weekend”
Note: In the same way WHFS ushered in the weekend with this tune each Friday afternoon back in the 80s, I’m doing the same thing on this blog. That’s why you see it here now. It’ll be up each Friday afternoon for the foreseeable future.
–dan
Happy Friday everybody!
I doubt that many of you spent much time around the Washington, D.C. media market in the 1980s. But if you did, and if you liked “alternative” FM music, there was one station, and one station only, that you likely listened to: The legendary WHFS.
It’s hard to describe, and to do any justice, to this revolutionary Bethesda-based rock music station (they later moved to Annapolis). It was founded by a radio innovator named Jake Einstein. They were low power from Bethesda and didn’t have a lot of reach, but had many, many diehard fans in that densely populated area.
WHFS was distinctive in many ways. It invented, at least in the DC market, the album-oriented or alternative format. Rarely, if ever, did it play any TOP 40. They were the only local radio station that played recordings by local artists, such as Root Boy Slim and The Slickee Boys, and the station had live interviews and performances with rock stars who visited town — they were always eager to sit down with DJ Damian (Einstein’s son) or Weasel (Jonathan Gilbert) or Bob Here or Cerphe (pronounced Surf) or some of the others.
Here’s a nifty, live-in-the-studio duet of “Willin’ ” by Lowell George and Linda Ronstadt the station broadcast back in 1975.
None of the WHFS deejays had the smooth, slick-sounding radio voices you heard on regular stations. Damian, who had been crippled in a car crash years earlier, often slurred his words. He sounded drunk, but it was actually due to the disability he suffered as a result of that accident. Weasel had a voice like Alvin the Chipmunk, only just a little lower — no lie. Bob Showacre (“Bob Here”) had a laid-back and easygoing voice that sounded like an announcer on National Public Radio (who had just smoked a joint). These guys often made public appearances at local clubs to introduce D.C. musical acts. They were DC-rock-scene celebrities.
In short, WHFS was the anti-station of Washington D.C. radio.
Einstein ultimately sold WHFS to a corporation that took it in a more commercial direction. Years later, it changed into a Spanish-language station. But he bought another station, rechristened it WRNR and repeated the formula — and it worked again. WRNR is still on the air, broadcasting from Annapolis. (Einstein, who died in 2007, sold the station in 1998 to Annapolis-area resident and “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak.)
Okay, here’s the point of all this: Every Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. WHFS always played the same set of 4, 5 or 6 songs (I can’t remember exactly how many it was). It started with Joe King Carrasco’s “Party Weekend,” moved on to The GoGos “We Got the Beat.” It included a Dead Milkmen song, “Instant Club Hit (You’ll Dance to Anything)” and some others as well.
You’d be heading home from work, stuck in D.C.-area traffic, tired after a hard week, and that set would come on the radio and change your mood and your energy level and get you bopping and ready for anything that was going on that weekend.
So here’s the lead-off tune, folks. Have a great weekend!
November 12, 2010 - 4:00 PM
I loved HFS! I forget that it’s not there and still automatically turn the dial to 99.1 when I’m up that way. I am then sorely disappointed.
I no longer listen to regular radio, but I remember the days of drivetime routine playlists and you are right about the memory.
Let’s see…the 80′s…most of those pictured appeared to be late teens and early 20′s so those that are still around and not institutionalized are maybe 60′ish. And these are the people you cound say have been running (or ruining) the country for the past 20 years. And it is the same group that has popluated the planet with offspring that cannot provide for themselves in large part because mom and dad were never able to control them. Those kids are now having their own…but they are back living with Grand ma and pop AND showing higher degrees of autism. Yeah baby, party time! Pour me another drink, I’ll just call in sick tomorrow. Don’t need that freaking job anyhow cause Obamma is gonna take care of us.
Wow Al…people who were in their 20s in the 80s are now (20 years later) “60ish”? Instead of pointing your fingers at other people, you might consider counting on them.
Good thing Obama’s going to “take care” of you…you could probably use it.
Whatsamatter K? Need to find someone to criticize and your hubby is not around, or does the comment too closely fit you or yours? It was not intended to be a math formula but just for the sake of humor let me give you the picture. “20′s” could be 20 or it could be 29. IF it were 29 then “20 years later” would make them 49. BUT it is NOT 20 years later.(A serious math error on your part.) In fact it is right at 30 years later, so that puts them right at 59…which is pretty near to 60ish. Of course if they were only 20 then they would be right at 49…but if we split the 20′s in the middle and say they were 25 then 30 years later they are 55. For the sake of anything short of a doctorial thesis my view is 60ish is fairly accurate but if you want to call them 50ish that’s fine with me. What remains is that they are guilty of the transgressions of which I make a general mention (I could add a lot more too).
It also strike me you are exhibiting the “take care of me” syndrome. I am so happy to say I have existed quite a few years and no one has taken care of me since maybe some time prior to being 20ish myself. And it pleases me even more to add that I envision, unlike most, no one will need to take care of me for the future. Quite unlike the bulk of the population. Now, put down your beer, turn off the race and get ready to go to work. ME? Why I’m having a beer, watching the race and not worried about work.
Kristen
The only thing Obama is worrying about is a popularity contest for his next great award…..
Sounds familiar
The new government’s first acts were to propose an armistice with Germany and to abolish private ownership of land and distribute it among the peasants. Banks were nationalized, a supreme council was established to revive the dislocated economy, and workers’ control over factory production was introduced.
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin may sound better to you than listening to the radio also I’m 40ish not 60ish.
I know what a dead end sign looks like do you?
Al-
So there’s all of this:
“Let’s see…the 80′s…most of those pictured appeared to be late teens and early 20′s so those that are still around and not institutionalized are maybe 60′ish. And these are the people you cound say have been running (or ruining) the country for the past 20 years. And it is the same group that has popluated the planet with offspring that cannot provide for themselves in large part because mom and dad were never able to control them. Those kids are now having their own…but they are back living with Grand ma and pop”
…which in your view adds up to this:
“AND showing higher degrees of autism.”
Would you like to provide some evidence that any of what you listed in the above fever dream of a paragraph has anything to do with autism? I’m looking forward to this, since the actual evidence is overwhelming that the rise in autism rates is due to better surveillance and a broadening of diagnostic criteria, not an increase in the conditions themselves.
“Yeah baby, party time! Pour me another drink, I’ll just call in sick tomorrow. Don’t need that freaking job anyhow cause Obamma is gonna take care of us.”
I’m amazed that you didn’t yell at us to get off your lawn.
Static Lines-
Could you please point me to a website or other source with guidelines establishing income levels for “peasant”. I’m not sure where I am and I want to know if my property is going to be taken or if I’m going to get some.
GET OFF MY LAWN! PICK UP YOUR BEER CAN!!
And take your dog AND HIS POOP with you!
(Happy now?)
OH, BTW Jason, the notion that better diagonistics are behind the growing trend of autism IS one point of view. But there are other opinions, many of which are found in professional educators (if there is such a thing) who deal with these kids in the class room and that notion has everything to do with growing generational dysfunctionality in the home (and in society in general). What exactly is the role of drugs and booze in young people who have kids is not clear but it is suspect. Another point is that it’s politically incorrect to simply call a kid retarded…it may inhibit their future development…same goes with “just plain crazy”…not nice to say that either….so lets get a “proper term”…how about autistic! Not that it is not a serious problem and in need of attention, but this, specifically, has nothing to do with my initial post.
Yes, Al, I got your point. Your math sucks and you don’t get out much. If you don’t think 2009 isn’t 20 years after 1989… Enjoy your race.
Static… If Obama has declared an “armistice” with Germany, it certainly hasn’t gotten much press…probably because I don’t watch much Fox. Whence the rest of the drivel, I have no idea.
I have a post somewhere on here about the Obama obsessers going to their “happy place” for the next couple of years. I recommend it.
HFS was the ONLY station to listen to in the 80′s! I lived in Baltimore from the early 80′s until the mid 90′s. My dial (and at that time, it was a dial) was set to 99.1. Remember “The Daily Feed” and “Now Hear This”? How about “The Alien”?
Depeche Mode, The Psychedelic Furs, The Romantics, The Cure, Duran Duran
Haven’t thought about those days in quite a while. Thanks for the memory nudge!
Good times…. good times….
The 1994 HFS-tival is still the greatest concert I ever attended. 15 bands for 15 Bucks. Thanks for the memories. Can I expect a blog entry on the The Dead Milkmen’s song Right Wing Pigeons soon?
My apologies for the delayed response, in all honesty, I forgot about this thread.
Al-
“OH, BTW Jason, the notion that better diagonistics are behind the growing trend of autism IS one point of view.”
It’s the only point of view for which there is any credible evidence. The input of professional educators might be interesting, but if it’s not in the context of rigorous science, it’s worthless.
“Another point is that it’s politically incorrect to simply call a kid retarded…it may inhibit their future development…same goes with “just plain crazy”…not nice to say that either….so lets get a “proper term”…how about autistic!”
That would fall under “broadening of diagnostic criteria”. Which again goes to the point that the collection of behavioral disabilities known as autism has not increased, only the recognition of them.
WOW!!!! Thank you for bringing back some *great* memories, Dan. I’m glad we finally agree on something
HFStival used to be amazing. I’ll never forget watching Iggy Pop, Flaming Lips, INXS et. al. in the raging July heat at RFK. I’ll have to look for an internet feed from WRNR.
Thanks for starting my weekend off with a smile.
Cute idea Dan, good things bear repeating.
My life is richer for learning that somewhere out there is a band named “Dead Milkmen”.
Saw the Dead Milkmen and King Missile in Blacksburg back in 1990. Awesome show! Big Lizard in my Backyard is still one of my favorite albums of all time.
OK, so the sunshine today made Friday the 13th a good one! Livin’ for the weekend, Party on.
Party-on Garth….
OMG Al, way to turn what should have been a fun thread into an idiotic ideological diatribe. Guess you never have fun with anything, do you?
It sounds like Al might be living his nightmare (in #3) to me. It’s not one I would choose for anybody. Perhaps we should have sympathy……
what a great station and playlist. The DJs were awesome, and cerf is still in the DC area.
thanks for the reminder Dan, of good times past.
I love having this up every Friday…it gives us 60-somethings and our autistic children something fun to listen to.
HFS was a great station and championed some great music. Roanoke should consider itself lucky to have the new The Music Place 101.5 that’s keep the tradition of eclectic playlists alive. It deserves our support.
Haven’t thought about HFS in a while. I was up there in the early 90s and it was my station of choice. I even struck up a friendship with their late night DJ, Neci.
I have an MP3 somewhere of the END of WHFS… one second it was playing regular alternative music, the next it was EL ZOL. Which in spanish means “Abrupt Change of Format much to everyone’s disapproval.”
Al obviously never has fun. What a sad commentary.
Dan,
Since when does the Friday driveoff tune come on Saturday?
You had me worried, I thought I might should have been at work.
I’ve read the stream this afternoon. Al seems to have had a bad day. I hope it gets better.
The North Carolina equivalent was WQDR in Raleigh. Where else would you hear Jethro Tull’s “Thick as a Brick” album played on a radio station? Their announcers sounded like laid-back Morning Edition personnel.
BM,
I must have skedded it from the wrong date by mistake. It was supposed to come up Friday afternoon. Sorry!
After the initial shock, it was not a problem Dan.
Dan, please post it again in about 16 hours.
I need another Friday!
The age of high wattage independent stations like WHFS are pretty much long gone, but several of them still remain and thankfully are streaming their audio and publishing podcasts.
Check out NYC/NJ’s legendary WFMU at http://www.wfmu.org or KYSM in San Antonio’s weekly “The Casbah” and Sunday morning’s “Hammond Eggs” shows at http://casbah.podomatic.com/.
Good stuff.
Thank you so much for bringing back a bit of “the good ol days” for us, Dan! I was in high school, in Arlington, in the mid-eighties, and I had WHFS playing in the background the whole time!
So its Retro week on Facebook AND its Friday night which made me think of this song. Apparently my party weekend started at 4:00 and after a margarita, I cannot remember the other 2 songs that they always played. Please help.
Also, great memories from your post. I saw Root Boy Slim at the Psychedelly in Bethesda and I won a limbo contest at a Slickee Boys concert at the UMCP student union. Of course I was maybe 14 at the Slickee Boys Concert. They let me in because I had a “very” professional looking Fake ID from a very respectable establishment in Georgetown. Then again, we only had to “look” 18 back then.
Oops, I meant to say that I was 14 at the Root Boy Slim concert. I was legal at the Slickee Boys. Guess that’s why I am still in my 40′s… Who is “Al”, and why does he not get some cohol. He clearly needs some.
The early HFStivals were the best. Anybody remember the one where we had pizza box frisbee?
Oh and cracking up about King Missile. Detachable Penis was hysterical.
well, back to the Party Party Weekend for me. Hope all of yours are fun!
Lynn,
Another song was “We Got the Beat” by the Bangles and a third was by the Dead Milkmen. I can’t recall the exact name of the song, but the chorus went: “You’ll dance to anything….”
I also saw Root at the Psychedelly (were you there for the 5th anniversary concert — wild time!).
I bet you I was at that Slickee Boys show too. I loved those guys!
Al should write about something he is more familiar with, such as unemployment and living in his parent’s basement.
Dan, I don’t care if it is Saturday morning….I appreciate the video and the fun post. Unfortunately, you do have some bloggers that turn everything into their particular rant. Have a great weekend!
Thanks Dan, love the Bangles and the Dead Milkman. Not sure which song you mention but I love Punk Rock Girl and Bitchin’ Camero always made me laugh. I don’t think those were “the” songs though.
There were 3 songs though that Weasel played every Frantic Friday at Five the first being Party Weekend. That was time to crank the volume and pop the top on the convertible no matter what the weather.
I did remember a second one and as soon as you hear it you will I’m sure remember it. It is Dave Edmund’s “Here Comes the Weekend”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_ADCbFOaAQ
The third song is still just on the outside of the reach of my memory, but for some reason I keep thinking of the Flintstones and Spanish. If you remember let me know, if I figure it out I will let you know.
For those that are not familiar with it, Roanoke now has an outstanding alternative/Americana/indie station at 101.5 the music place. Give it a listen! Their website has streaming audio that is great to listen to at your computer while you work or surf. You’ll find it at: http://1015themusicplace.com/
OK, I am told that they also played the Flintstones whistle but the last song was NRBQ – Its a Wild Weekend.
Dan, this explains your speeding and no seat belt ticket! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Oh the days i remember driving up to DC in the 90s – and just waiting till i could pick up 99.1 when I got closer on I66… I was crushed heartbroken and wanted to cry when it switched formats.
Now they are online streaming as HFS2 and at 94.7 AND the CBS Radio App for the iphone.. great memories.. they even play live recordings from past festivals and a lot of live versions..
But what i miss the MOST is Z101 here in Roanoke… it was almost like HFS had a cousin living here..
http://www.sphere.com/nation/article/paul-harveys-friendship-with-j-edgar-hoover-exposed/19328214
From the sublime to the ridiculous.
I always thought Harvey and his Bunn-O-Matic were creepy.
Bill and Scott, Thanks for the station link and the App tip!
Kristen, What does Paul Harvey have to do with WHFS???
Nothing Lynn, just a weird radio related story. It seemed so bizarre but this was the closest to a radio related topic we have.
Its really nice.. I have enjoyed streaming HFS on my iphone at work – great 90s music.. live versions.. sort of a time warp (must refuse RHPS refernces now)
I am happy now – lol
Ok, I finally listened to this. Somebody was channeling his inner Devo.
Realist,
You had to be in the DC area when it was happening, back in the 70s and 80s. The station’s owner was a genius and the radio he created was a cultural phenomena. The Friday drive-time set was on most car radios driven by 20-somethings, and without fail presaged a great night of young/single partying.
Oh no, I know. This particular song just struck me as really Devo-esque. I’ve run across a bunch of Joe Kings stuff before but hadn’t heard this song, he bleeds over quite a bit into the whole rockabilly tattooed dirtbag hotrod and motorcycle thing.
Hi Dan and Realist,
I’ve been out of touch as I ran away from home to escape winter. Sadly, I’m back and its still winter. Darn that groundhog!
Anyway, Dan is absolutely correct, listening to WHFS’s Friday mix always presaged (that’s not a word I have used very often but I am going to now!) a great time. Lets say it was a harbinger of the binger. OK, that was bad but I couldn’t resist.
Anyway, I think Realist is either 5-10 younger or older than those of us who enjoyed the HFS Friday line-up. Just for fun, how old are you Realist. If you tell, I’ll tell you my age plus my salary and weight, all the forbidden data.
Devo was very trendsetting and was well before this time period, although their music and art is still classic today. Much of the 80′s music drew from their style and sense of humor which I love! Tattoos weren’t so much a part of it which is why I think you may be younger.
I will admit that I don’t think I have ever heard another JKC song other than this one. Its definitely Rockabilly, but I don’t see the dirt bag, hot rod, motorcycle thing at all. If anything, these are the people that became Jimmy Buffett fans 10 years later. Rebels in a safe context but definitely a lot of fun!
I can’t wait till we have a song to usher in a weekend that’s hot and sunny.
Well, this is the first weekend where it’s been somewhat ‘warm’, though not sunny.
Thanx Dan!!! memories of wbls or maybe wbli on long island on a fri afternoon, what a trip.
oh and Al, i dont agree w/ Dan on just about anything, but we can still have a little fun together, after all thats what makes America great.
I’ll take it. Happy Friday!
Have a good weekend all!
I knew that my wish for a hot sunny weekend would come true eventually.
Enjoy the weekend people!
Thank you Kristen, and I hope you have a great one too!
Can we please get a decent radio station in Roanoke, IE. A real Oldies Station. 93.5 isn’t doing it for me. Nothing after 1968.
60.”Can we please get a decent radio station in Roanoke, IE. A real Oldies Station. 93.5 isn’t doing it for me. Nothing after 1968.”
Everyone we get fails..dont know why..love them oldies!
Is it just me or does the initial video still shot accompanying this topic look as if there is something intimate going on? Maybe my mind is just in the gutter after some of the previous posts…
Dan,
I really don’t care for your columns or your opinions much (if and when I read them), but I did enjoy reading this one on-line! I was in NoVa in the early 80′s to 90′s and hardly ever listened to anything else but WHFS. Sometimes the music would get a little too “punk”, and Weasel’s voice could get on your nerves, but what a great mix of tunes and artists. You never knew who whould show up in their studio either. Much better than listening to DC101 and the Greaseman or Howard Stern all the time (like everyone else seemed to be doing at the time). I used to run cassette tapes all the time at night to see what good mixes I could come up with for my own tapes. I do like “The Music Place” here in Roanoke and listen to that all the time now. Reminds me a lot of WHFS (without a lot of the punk and 80′s trash that I really didn’t care for anyway)!
Now Dan will go and get a big head and stuff.
Every Friday, about this time, I look at this post and it takes me back to my younger, party days in Baltimore, in the 80′s. I spent lots of weekend nights on Water Street, in Fells Point, and the Cross Street area. The bars and the music scene were great; there was the 8X10, The Horse You Came In On, Cat’s Eye Pub, Bertha’s Mussels, The Depot, Maxwells, The Marble Bar, Club Charles, Sissons, Hammerjacks.
Man, those were such fun days…
Sounds like Lynda K and I have trodded some of the same turf.
Fells Point is the real deal. And Bertha’s Mussels rocks!
But did you ever sport a famous green “Eat Bertha’s Mussels” bumper sticker? Or how about the “I got CRABS at …” (can’t remember the name of the place…)
I remember the Greaseman. All the kiddies loved him. I thought he was stupid. I believe he got fired for something or other.
Okay Nancy Pelosi says issuing unemployment checks is the best way to create jobs. Sandi/Kristen/gdad/Dan – can you explain the economics involved with that comment?
Tony,
Oldies. Progressive jazz. Hell, any kind of jazz. Anything other than country whine and c-rap. I’m in that “Loved Hank, can’t stand Junior” generation.
Where are Duane Eddy and Cozy Cole now that we need them?
I listened to “The Best of Bill Haley” the other day. Incredible. The musicians can actually play more than two chords and it’s possible to easily understand every word. Looking back, it’s difficult to understand, in view of today’s “music”, why early rock and roll was very controversial.
Dan,
I remember that station. I used to spend a lot of time in DC in the 80′s…what a time that was; march and protest during the day and party all night…I remember it well.
Sidney Vaught
Roanoke, VA
I have to add, I found a DVD copy of “Thank God, It’s Friday” at the Dollar General last week for 8 bucks. I remember watching that movie when it was played to death in the early days of HBO…remember when HBO came on at 5:00 PM and went off around 2:00 AM? We’d watch that movie every time it came on.
I was stationed in DC from 86-91, but do not know of this station, but I do know of “the Grease” – he was absolutely the best DJ I ever heard – and I was in my 30s – not a kiddie (still not quite 60-ish tho). The guy’s mind was incredible. I watched him do a couple of live shows (one at the Power Plant in Baltimore – remember that Dan?) and it was amazing after taking a call that within 2 minutes he’d have a whole routine worked up based on the call. He had so many charaters and so many voices – he wasn’t really a DJ but rather a stand-up comic in a booth – much like Johnny Carson was behind the desk. What great mornings those were with DC 101.
99.1 was the greatest!!! I used to listen to it all the time, it was great in the 90′s, too. And then one day I remember turning the radio on and hearing “la cucaracha” and was sorely dissapointed. Oh well, the times changed. We need an HFS (upbeat, non-maintstream radio station) here in Roanoke.
WHFS played my tune, Cookin in the Kitchen way back when in much thanks to Tom Grooms who was DJ there for the longest time. How we meet is a very long and funny story but Tom kept playing that tune. WHFS was a very cool radio back then and it was a great way to wake up and tune on those tunes. We were off the road for a while and ended up living in Fairfax Circle area.
Here is hoping cool FM stations somehow stay alive and keep going in these times.
Here ya go Libs – no Muslim implications here
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/26/AR2010082606353.html?hpid=moreheadlines&sid=ST2010082700364
DD…
Pelosi’s straight up logic? If the unemployed can’t buy anything, then the businesses who could eventually hire them won’t have enough business to have the need to hire any additional employees.
Still flawed logic, just like trickle down economics.
For job growth, businesses need incentives for hiring additional employees (and only when they hire additional employees). Broad tax cuts are incentive for CEO’s to pad a bank account and constantly renewing unemployment is incentive to stay on unemployment.
But ya know, whether Democrats or Republicans are in office, you’re not going to get that happy medium that will effectively create jobs.
Oakie Hokie, the Greaseman was in Jacksonville, Fl. at Rock 105 until recently. He does have a web site http://www.greaseman.org/ and will eventually find another radio station. He has some archived shows on his site.
Aaron you are correct. It doesnt matter what party you are in, small business owners will not hire until we can tell what the ‘new’ tax hikes are gonna be. I am getting letters in the mail daily from my insurance company showing hikes in premium due to the health care overhaul that has not even taken effect. Obama might think he is helping, but he is killing the small business community.. the giants are going to profit huge even though this is going to be repealed.. rediculous..
Steve, I have worked with insurance renewals for over 13 years and they almost always increase, sometime double digit % increases. Who was to blame for that before this reform?
Steve,
Change carriers every 2-3 years. That’s the game now. They lowball you to get you signed, then jack you up down the road. (An insurance broker explained this to me back in July). You’ve gotta switch to save.
“I am getting letters in the mail daily from my insurance company showing hikes in premium due to the health care overhaul that has not even taken effect.”
And this doesn’t seem a little strange to you?
Steve, does it occur to you that these rate hikes (that haven’t even taken effect) are all about them wanting more money and nothing to do with Obama?
This was an interesting thread for a longtime DC area resident and HFS fan to read through. Back in the day it was 102.3FM and the studio was on Cordell Ave in Bethesda. I am getting ready to head off to the 2010 Festival today but I remember the first one I attended (not #1 in Fairfax) but the one in Upper Marlborough with Graham Parker and They Might be Giants. Should be fun and Merriweather is a great venue (not quite RFK or Ravens Stadium). I do remember the Friday set list– (I still have the Party Weekend single on vinyl). Wasn’t the Beastie Boys’ “Fight for your Right to Party” one of the tunes Weasel included in that set?
Yes, DC Tom, “Fight for Your Right (To Party) indeed was one of the numbers in the set. Thanks for the reminder!
Does a anyone have a set list?
Dan,
I stumbled on your blog and have a few shards of my early WHFS memories for you.
While stationed in DC I often listened to WHFS – I think it was on 102.3 at that time (1971-1975). A great station with out of the ordinary music. No playlists, just a feeling for playing what was topical (Nixon, Watergate, etc). They had a great set of DJs as you already mentioned. The guest list was random and fabulous. They often promoted concerts and had the inside line on when tickets would be available (I still have all my ticket stubs). Many of the concerts were held at DAR Constitution Hall – right next to the White House (a kind of political statement). I won a set of movie tickets from WHFS and got to visit the station in Bethesda to pick them up. They had a very cool (at that time) clear glass elevator that went to the second (?) floor offices/studio. Cerf often introduced many acts on stage. One I recall at DAR featured The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Bonnie Raitt with Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Cruddup (blues guitarist). WHFS made living in the DC area much more fun considering all the straight laced paranoid military types we had to deal with. I still have many tapes of on-the-air interviews and live performances that should be transferred to a newer medium if they are not already imprinted. Thanks for jogging my memory…
I too was stationed in D.C. with Richman in the early 70s. We often worked the night shift watching Air Force one all night long and listening to WHFS was like having a good friend to hang out with and make you laugh. It was playing non stop on the late shifts and it was wild to hear the the Who’s Who of 70′s rock come rolling into WHFS at 2 or 3 in the morning after a night of partying in Georgetown and visit their friends at the station. I remember one night when Lowell George rolled in with a very drunk Linda Ronstad. They were toasted and Linda just kept giggling which I thought was very endearing. The night that Lyndon Johnson died the station played like 10 versions of Happy Trails to You. What a hoot. I must say I listen to 101 here in Roanoke and it does remind of WHFS music wise but no one has the DJ’s that could touch the topical humor that was dished out by Weasel and Cerf on those late nights.Thanks for the memories.
Steve, you listened LIVE to the famous appearance by Linda & Lowell at the station? Damn!
Can’t believe this has been on here for a year already.
Music to share. Flo Rida – Club Can’t Handle Me. Crank it up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgM3r8xKfGE&feature=share
I love that song Henry..I have it on my ipod and play it when I’m housekeeping, and humiliate my children dancing to it.
I vote for a new Friday Drive-Time song… How about ANYTHING by the B-52s?
Here’s a good one to get your weekend started:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWEfmCvu8R8
It’s pretty much the best song in a few years.
Others:
Usher – DJ Got Us Falling In Love
Nelly – Just a Dream
91″.I vote for a new Friday Drive-Time song… How about ANYTHING by the B-52s?
Here’s a good one to get your weekend started”
I agree,but how about alternating week to week..I myself like blues and rock and roll..but it could vary week to week..of course it would be extra work for dan.And he cant handle the job now.
Lynda K, you… rock… I have that cassette album somewhere around here and remember well running out to buy that when it came out.
Also, my 7 year old knows almost every word to Love Shack… hahaha.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leohcvmf8kM
Ack, not the B-52s! I thought everbody made some sort of pact to stop listenign to them after college. Secretly I might have Greatest Hits on my itunes at work, no idea how that happened!
One of my favorite weekend songs is by another band with both chicks and dudes. Only one chick actually, but she’s Roanokes own wig wearing vixen Mary Huff. On what was perhaps one of the finest nights of my life, she once kissed me. Then she kissed my wife, which was even better haha.
Anyhow, this is “Daddy was a Preacher (Momma was a Gogo Girl)” by my friends Southern Culture on the Skids, wherein Rock makes me totally jealous of his guitar playing because he’s so much better than me.
http://www.youtube.com/user/BackwoodsFilms#p/u/16/FewzfHLo71E
Somewhere downstairs I think I still have a vinyl version of the B52s first album. Man did that get played in my room on Potomac Avenue in College Park!
“She drove a Plymouth Satellite,
Far faster than the speed of light.”
Realist, I too am a SCOTS fan. But for the life of my I can’t understand how you can like them and not like the B52s.
Creedence Clearwater Revival + B52s = SCOTS
Oh I don’t *dislike* the B52s Dan. I just heard them to death in high school and college. Like I said, thier greatest hits record is on my iTunes. I think it’s called “Time Capsule” or something.
Of course I’ve been listening to SCOTS nonstop for over 20 years now too I guess. But there’s just something that doesn’t get old about em. SCOTS are EVERYTHING that is good about rock and roll, country, surf guitar, you name it. A SCOTS live show is a flat out party, especially if you catch them in Raleigh. Plus at this point Rick is a bonafide guitar monster. He’s always been good, but his playing is pretty much incredible right now. And lastly, as kitschy (spelling?) as the B52s were/are, they aren’t gonna pull off Bananna Puddin’.
79
Obama might think he is helping, but he is killing the small business community.
He doesn’t think he’s helping. This is by design. Like his close friend and ideological cohort, Bill Ayers, 0bama wants to cut America down to size, punish us for all our transgressions.
I hated the hard rock crap. In college, some idiot would always be blasting “Back in Black” out the window early in finals week. It’s like, “You know, a**hole, not everybody is done with exams”.
You youngsters are nuts. Let’s try something like “Skokian” (sp?) by Bill Haley & the Comets. Or maybe “See You Later, Alligator”. Or a true classic, “Rock Around The Clock”.
I like this one too….it has the same energy as FloRida’s song…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q51GNQjl8Gk
It seems like songs are being written today specifically to fist-pump to. Even being from NJ, I wasn’t aware of the fist pump until that show.
Mark, that Love Shack song is addictive…we even use the term as a nickname of endearment around here. Weird, yes.
Dan@97
How can you like SCOTS and not the B52s? Are you kidding? At a SCOTS show they make girls wiggle on stage and throw fried chicken legs at you. You don’t see that every day.
Love SCOTs, B52′s, REM. Does anyone remember a college band from Charlottesville, Skip Castro?
I remember Skip Castro, and Root Boy Slim & the Sex Change Band, The Slickee Boys.
One of that era’s bands still comes through here 2x a year: The Nighthawks. They cost $10 or $15 at the door, which is WELL worth it.
MMM.. Love Shack is one of my favorites (It’s actually the ring tone on my cell!)
Jack… I agree with your idea to alternate songs/artists. I like ALL types of music.
Here’s a bit of what I’ve been listening to lately:
Little Feat, Buddy Guy, Beatles, Sinatra, Eminem, Bee Gees, Michael Bublé, Nina Simone, Roomful of Blues, Van Morrison, Sugababes, Raul Malo, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, The Ting Tings, Shelby Lynn, Talking Heads, Jamie Cullum, Little Jackie, Eric Bibb, Sugarland…etc, etc…
Pandora Radio is the best… I love the way you can choose the types of music you want to listen to. I listen all day.
Michael,
We were at a party a couple of years ago where Skip Castro played. It was an anniversary party, and he’d played the reception back then. So they brought him back for the anniversary!
I’d never heard of them before then, but they were great.
Lynda, Pandora is great….I keep my phone hooked up to a speaker on my desk all day and listen. What a great app.
Catfish Hodge, too!
Yes Lynda Pandora def rocks.
Here lately I’ve been turned on to Band of Horses:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH8QICzCO8g
Another good one by BOH…
http://www.google.com/url?url=http://ilike.myspacecdn.com/play%23Band%2Bof%2BHorses:Factory:158443944:s67778246.15811696.1828500.0.2.283%252Cstd_68d940c443ad49a98bddcce2146ca76f&rct=j&sa=X&ei=NargTKufMsOqlAen_aCWAw&ved=0CBgQ0wQwAA&q=band+of+horses+factory&usg=AFQjCNGfNFghNKpm0t47d8iJMWYOIC89iQ&cad=rjt
Well, since we’re all just throwing out good weekend music now, here’s one from the wayback days by Son Volt. I think this came out in 93 or so? Son Volt was one of two bands that rose from the ashes of the mighty Uncle Tupelo, the other and perhaps better known one being Wilco.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpcB2xsXRv4
And here’s another good one that the thread about McCoy Falls made me think of. This came out right about the time I got my first BMW, I can’t count the number of times we rolled to the river with the sunroof open, this CD cranked up and $20 worth of Beast Light in the trunk. (In 1993, $20 would buy a LOT of Beast Light, I think it was $4.98 a case then.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFlPdHt1Gk
Weasel broadcasts from WTMD Towson University 89.7 FM Friday Nights and Saturdays @ noon
hhttp://wtmd.org/radio/ hhttp://www.wtmd.org/player/index.html
i think the songs in on order were NRBQ – It’s A Wild Weekend,Dave Edmunds Band – Here Comes The Weekend and Joe King Carrasco and The Crowns – Party Weekend