COUNTRY MUSIC “OUTLAW” ∗ Born June 15, 1937 in Littlefield, Texas; began playing guitar at age 8 ∗ Worked as a disc jockey at KVOW in Littlefield; then KDAV and KLLL in Lubbock ∗ Met Lubbock native Buddy Holly in… Continue reading
| RADIO | Despite losing audience share, classic rock KSLX slipped into first place according to the latest metro Phoenix radio ratings from Nielsen Audio. That unusual feat was made possible by three-time champ “The Mountain” suffering a whopping loss… Continue reading
#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Windy” by the Association, skyrocketing from #17 last week, knocking out the Young Rascals’ classic “Groovin’” (#3). So many great songs were out in Summer 1967. Among them, just in the top 10: “She’d Rather Be With… Continue reading
“AMERICA’S GREATEST ARCHITECT” ∗ Born June 8, 1867 in Richland Center, Wisconsin; mother was a teacher; father, a preacher and musician; family moved frequently (Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Iowa) before settling back in Madison, Wisconsin ∗ Attended high school in Madison,… Continue reading
#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “It Don’t Come Easy” by Ringo Starr. This was his first solo hit after the Beatles, but he had lots of help: George Harrison produced it and played the distinctive guitar part; Stephen Stills was on piano;… Continue reading
FLEETWOOD MAC’S GYPSY ∗ Born Stephanie Lynn Nicks on May 26, 1948 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix; her parents were both Arizona natives ∗ Learned to perform from her grandfather A.J., an aspiring country music entertainer, who brought her… Continue reading
THE “OUTLAW” QUEEN ∗ Born Mirriam Johnson on May 25, 1943 in Phoenix; mother was a Pentecostal minister, father was a race car driver ∗ Began singing and playing piano at age 11 at her mother’s church; entered Phoenix area… Continue reading
#1 at KBBC/Phoenix: “Pinball Wizard” by Elton John, a rare non-single topping the radio chart. It’s from the #2 album, the movie soundtrack Tommy, based on the Who’s “rock opera” from 1969. Elton’s official single at the time, the former… Continue reading
“MR. OCTOBER” ∗ Born May 18, 1946, in Abington, Pennsylvania ∗ Attended Arizona State University on a football scholarship, playing the 1965 season under coach Frank Kush, whom he credits with teaching him to have the mental and physical toughness… Continue reading
SUN CITY FOUNDER ∗ Born May 17, 1899 in Fresno, California; dropped out of high school to become a carpenter’s apprentice ∗ Moved to Phoenix at age 28 to recover from typhoid fever ∗ Founded the Del E Webb Construction… Continue reading
