Studio Walls--December 4, 2024

 

A weekly update/preview of my latest podcasts, and a look back at some of my previous audio work from this week in history over the past 40+ years.

December 1, 2021—Slowjamistan founded

=We interviewed the Sultan of Slowjamistan in this episode. 

 

December 2—Dan Butler birthday

=Dan played Bulldog on the TV show Frasier. We interviewed him on this episode. 

December 2, 2010—Alka Seltzer brings back Speedy character

=This time with Debbi Derryberry as the voice. She is also the voice of Jimmy Neutron and the aliens from Toy Story, and yes she did all three voices for us in this episode.

 

December 3, 1987—Heavenly Bodies opens in Elk Grove

=Yes, we did a radio ad for the strip joint. Maybe we'll play it in this week's episode. 

 

December 4, 1998—Debut of Blitzen the Unloved Reindeer 

=I dreamt the words to this song while I was John Landecker's producer, and yes it's weird. But we did record it. I have a soft spot in my heart for it.

December 4, 2018—Rick and Tommy in New York for Orbital concert 

=My son Tommy is an EDM critic on YouTube with tens of thousands of followers. A few of them recognized him and approached him in the audience of the Orbital concert in Brooklyn. Proud moment for ol' Dad. Here we are in Times Square.

 

December 5, 1999—Stuart Little released 

=Four year old Tommy Kaempfer reviewed it on the Landecker show. Hmmm. Maybe that whole critic thing was inside him the whole time. 

December 5, 2017—Ken Bone appears on Bill Maher

=Ken told us what that whirlwind part of his life was like on this episode.  

December 5—Alex Kapp birthday

=One of George's girlfriends on Seinfeld. The one who wouldn't accept his breakup. She was on this episode of Minutia Men Celebrity Interview.

 

December 6, 1969—Altamont concert. 

=Chip Monck was the lighting director, and told us a pretty memorable story about Mick Jagger.  

December 6, 1917—Finland declares independence. 

=The most famous Finn, Ismo, was on our show.   

December 6--Dwight Stones birthday

=The 1972 Olympian was an early guest on Minutia Men.  

December 6--Janine Turner birthday 

=My story of meeting her was told in this episode. It involves Wrigley Field.  

 

December 7, 1981—The original Cavern Club in Liverpool excavated so that original bricks can be re-used in new Cavern Club. 

=It had been torn down for 8 years. We talked to the current Cavern Club Beatles. 

Studio Walls--November 20, 2024

 

A weekly update/preview of my latest podcasts, and a look back at some of my previous audio work from this week in history over the past 40+ years.

November 17, 1964—Beatles release "I’m a Loser"

=Buckinghams guitarist Carl Giammerese talked to us about his band's hit-making cover of the Beatles classic.  

November 17, 1973—"Heartbeat is a Lovebeat" hits #1. 

=We interviewed the lead singer of the song, Tony Defranco 

November 18—Mickey Mouse Day. 

=In 2002, Johnny Kaempfer reviewed of Mickey’s Magical Christmas on the John Landecker show. 

November 18--Kevin Nealon birthday

=My brush with Kevin story is told in this episode. 

November 18, 1983—Christmas Story released. 

=We interviewed the kid who played Scut Farkus: Zach Ward. 

November 19, 1995—Toy Story released.

=Debbi Derryberry is the voice of the aliens. Cool story of how that came to be is told in this interview. 

November 19, 2021—Mick Rock passes away

=We interviewed the legendary rock photographer just a year or two before he passed. The link to that interview is below.

November 20, 2010—First class inducted in Chicago Literary Hall of Fame.

=CLHOF Founder Don Evans gave us minutia about some of the Hall of Famers 

November 20--Joe Walsh birthday

=My Joe Walsh story is told in this episode.  

November 20--Bo Derek birthday

=My Bo Derek story is told in this episode. 

November 21, 1985—Feud of Steve & Garry/Larry Lujack live on the air.

=Catherine Johns witnessed some of the mayhem and told us about it. 

November 21—Harold Ramis birthday

=He cut an audio ad for our AMISH Chicago Advertising firm.

November 21, 2021—Tribune profiles Ugly Buildings Tour with Mike.

=That article inspired us to interview him.  

November 21, 1931—Release date of “Frankenstein” 

=Boris Karloff's daughter Sara came on the show to tell us all about her father, the star of that film. This week also marks the birthday of both father & daughter (November 23)

November 21, 1874—Aston Villa founded 

November 21, 1885—Southampton founded

(Two more reasons to listen to this...)

November 22--Mick Rock birthday

=The late great rock photographer had some incredible stories. 

November 22--Howard Sudberry birthday

=We interviewed Howard in this episode. :

November 22—Rodney Dangerfield birthday. 

=Comedian Larry Reeb told us a memorable story about his comedy pal Rodney. 

Studio Walls

   Every week I send my Minutia Men Co-Host Dave Stern a list from our audio archives for this week's Studio Walls feature. These are the possibilities for this week. Which one will he choose?

*November 14--Actor DB Sweeney's birthday. (Listen to our interview here)  

November 14, 2014—Jane Byrne passed away. Landecker & The Legends did two different songs about her. (AUDIO)

November 14, 2010—Tangled released by Disney. We interviewed the lyricist of that film, Glenn Slater.  (Listen here)

November 14—Jimmy Piersall birthday. The late Chicago White Sox announcer was a colorful guy. Two different guests on Minutia Men told us great stories about Jimmy. Eric Soderholm and Rich King 

November 15, 1989—Comedy Central debuted. Ryan Beck was a long-time contributor, and we spoke to him on our show.  

November 15, 1940—The town of Niles Center changed it's name to Skokie, IL. Brendan Sullivan told us a great Skokie story

November 16, 2008—Mortal Kombat released, debut of Richard Epcar as Raiden. He told us all about it.

November 17, 1964—Beatles release "I’m a Loser". Carl Giammerese of the Buckinghams told us the story of their cover version of the Beatles song. 

November 18—Mickey Mouse Day. 3-year-old Johnny Kaempfer reviewed Mickey’s Magical Christmas. (AUDIO)

November 18, 1983—The original version of the movie Christmas Story was released. Zach Ward, the actor who played bully Scut Farkus, appeared on our show. 

November 19, 1995—Toy Story was released. Debbi Derryberry told us the story of how she came up with the voice of the Aliens from that film.

November 19, 2021—Mick Rock passed away. We were lucky enough to talk to the famed rock photographer a few years ago.