Studio Walls--November 6, 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 3, 1995—Toronto Raptors first game ever.

=Chuck Swirsky was their play-by-play man on TV. He told us all about that in this episode of Minutia Men Celebrity Interview.  

November 3—Michael Dukakis birthday

=The day Dukakis lost to George H.W. Bush was a dark day for comedian Dave Sinker. He just happened to do the best Dukakis impersonation in the country. 

November 3--The Cubs Win the World Series

=Because it happened after midnight in Cleveland, this is the actual correct anniversary (not November 2). My reaction to that day.   Author (and Cub fan) Scott Turow's reaction to that day. 

November 3--Catherine Johns birthday

=The former talk show host/newscaster was on our show a few years ago. Such a nice lady.  

November 4, 2014--Father Knows Nothing 

=In the days leading up to the release of the book, we released these bonus audio tracks

November 4—Take Your Parents to Work Day

=In 2002, John Landecker's dad had just passed away, so John brought his ashes to work on Take Your Parents to Work Day. It was a memorably hilarious moment.  

 

November 5—Art Garfunkel’s birthday. 

=Tommy Chong told us a great Garfunkel story in this interview. 

November 5, 1996—Clinton beats Dole in election

=If it happened in the 90s, I wrote a parody song about it. Our Landecker and the Legends song that election was called "Big Macarena." Will we play it on this week's show? 

 

November 6, 2001—Mickey’s Magical Christmas released 

=Johnny Kaempfer (age 3) memorably reviewed the film on the air. Will we play it on this week's show?

 

November 8, 2006—First Chick Fil A opens in San Diego. 

=Just another excuse to highlight our San Diego Chicken interview. 

November 9, 1989--Berlin Wall falls

=Author Lou Macaluso appeared on our podcast to discuss it.  

Studio Walls--October 30, 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.

October 27, 1973

=The Who releases "Love Reign Oer Me".  Loren Gold plays the keyboards for that every night when the Who goes on tour. He told us about it.  

October 27, 2018

=Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting. Mark Cuban told us that he knew people in that congregation. 

 

October 28—International Animation Day 

=We have audio from the day that our voice genius, Vince, got to play on the air with legendary cartoon voice over artist June Foray.

October 28—Jami Gertz birthday

=My brush with Jami is discussed in this episode.  

October 28, 2021

=I appeared on an Australian soccer podcast

October 28—Adam Bitterman birthday

=We interviewed the Chicago actor in this episode.  

October 28, 2023

=Matthew Perry died. Alex Kapp told us about Perry and what it was like being an actor on Friends.  

 

October 29—Quiet Riot singer Kevin DuBrow’s birthday. 

=Loverboy’s Doug Johnson told us what it was like touring with Quiet Riot. 

October 29--Denny Laine birthday

=We talked to the late Wings guitarist when we filled in at WLS-AM. 

 

October 30--Myke Cole birthday

=We had the best selling author on the show not just once, but twice.  

October 31--Adam Schlesinger birthday

=My brush with the late Fountains of Wayne songwriter is discussed in this episode.

October 31—Halloween. 

=Boris Karloff's daughter, Sara Karloff was interviewed by us in this episode.  

 

November 1, 1884—Leicester City plays first game ever 

=That reminds me of this podcast...

 

November 2, 2001—Monsters Inc released 

=Johnny Kaempfer reviewed it when he was 3. We have the audio.

November 2, 2006—The Arab/Israeli Comedy Hour debuts 

=Aaron Freeman (the Israeli part of it) was on our show. 

November 2—Kurt Elling birthday

=The jazz genius was on this episode of the show. 

November 2, 1980—The Kings/"Beat Goes On-Switchin To Glide: released.

=We talked to Mr. Zero himself on this episode.

Studio Walls--9-18-24

 

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.

Here are a few from the archives...

September 15, 1949—The Lone Ranger debuts on TV

=We created our own tribute to that show. We call it the Lone Rogainger. Will we play the audio this week?

September 15—Oliver Stone birthday 

=We interviewed Billy Hayes, author of Midnight Express. He worked closely with Oliver Stone on the screenplay to his book, and told us all about it. 

 

September 16, 1857—"Jingle Bells" is published. 

=We have audio of two-year old Johnny Kaempfer singing it.

September 16, 1993—Frasier debuts on NBC

=Dan Butler, who played Bulldog on the show, talked to us about what it was like being on that show.  

September 16—Richard Marx birthday. 

=Believe it or not, Marx is good pals with Tubes lead singer Fee Waybill. Fee told us about it in this interview.  

 

September 17--Bobby Skafish birthday

=The great WXRT and WLUP jock phoned in to this episode.  

September 17--Anne Bancroft birthday

=I told my story about Anne in this episode. 

 

September 18--June Foray birthday

=My story about June, the voice of Rocky the Squirrel and many other cartoon characters, is in this episode. 

September 18, 1965—I Dream of Jeannie debuts. 

=We have Ron Santo audio talking about Jeannie

September 19—Adam West birthday

=Comedian Mike Toomey shared his excellent Adam West impersonation in this episode.  

September 19, 1985—Jim McMahon comes in and throw 3 TDs vs. Minnesota

=One of the greatest games in Bears history. We were thrilled to talk to Jim about it in this interview.  

September 19, 2010—Boardwalk Empire debuts. 

=Actor Paul Calderone was in that series, playing a killer. We talked to him about that, and his scene in Pulp Fiction in this episode.

September 20, 1976--AC/DC releases Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

=Nearly 50 years later we had jazz singer Kurt Elling on the show, and he unveiled his jazz version of that song. 

September 20, 1980--Erehwon founded

=Erehwon was our first client ever for AMISH Chicago Advertising. Would you like to hear the radio ad?

September 20, 2009--Rick interviewed on WGN 

=This was about the Waitle Nex Yeare ad I mentioned on the blog last week. We still have the audio.

September 20, 2022—Suspect by Scott Turow is released

=We talked to him about the book that week. 

September 20--Tim Clue birthday

=Tim's a great comedian and we were excited to have him on the show a few years ago. He later helped me out by being a last second fill-in as keynote speaker for the Chicago Writers Association. That's Tim in the middle with the CWA board.

September 21--Bill Murray birthday

=My Bill Murray story is in this episode.  

September 21--Chuck Jones birthday

=My Chuck Jones story is in this episode.  

September 21--Bill Kurtis birthday

=This entire episode is an interview with the legendary newsman.  

Studio Walls--June 5, 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.

The most recent episodes...

Here are a few from the archives...

June 2--Arlo White's birthday

=The slightly pathetic story behind this photo of Rick and NBC Sports announcer Arlo White is told in this episode of Minutia Men.

June 2, 1972—Cheech and Chong release Big Bamboo

=Tommy Chong tells us the story of the breakout hit from that album, Sister Mary Elephant. 

 

June 3, 2012—Longmire Debuts

=We interviewed one of the stars of that show, Louanne Stephens in this episode of Minutia Men Celebrity Interview.  

June 3—Tony Curtis birthday

=I met him, and told that rather odd story in this episode. 

June 3, 1892--Liverpool Football Club was founded. 

=The season finale episode of Free Kicks (above) includes my tribute to Liverpool.

 

June 4--Dr. Ruth Westheimer birthday

=My story of meeting with Dr. Ruth is told here. It happened 40 years ago.

June 4, 1996—Princess Diana visits Chicago 

=I wrote a song about that visit for Landecker & the Legends. Will we play it this week?

 

June 5, 1970—Vehicle by Ides of March released. 

=The man who wrote that song, Jim Peterik, and Rick played it live on this episode of Minutia Men Celebrity Interviw. 

 

June 6--Larry Lujack birthday

=Larry and his longtime Animal Stories sidekick Snot Nosed Little Tommy called in to John Landecker's show in the mid-90s, and it was a memorable appearance. Will we play the audio this week?

June 6, 2008--Debut of We Can Wait 100 Years

=My song about the Cubs 100-year drought.

June 6—Insect Appreciation Day 

=Dave and I once wrote a Quick Kill Pest Control ad together. It's actually pretty good. 

 

June 7, 2001—Johnny Kaempfer recording session

=What did Johnny record when this picture was taken? You might find out this week.

June 7, 1922 (State Farm founded)

=Nicole Butler is the actress who plays She Shed Sheryl in the State Farm television commercials. She was a surprisingly good guest on this episode of Minutia Men. 

 

June 8--Aaron Freeman birthday

=The NPR star is also the star of this episode of Minutia Men Celebrity Interview.  

June 8, 1966—Twister in Kansas. 

=Bill Kurtis was a college student doing his first TV gig when he announced: “For God’s Sake Take Cover”. It helped launch a legendary TV career. He told us about it in this episode.  

Studio Walls--May 15, 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.

This week's Minutia Men podcast is entitled, "Dad, wanna have a catch?"

This week's Free Kicks is called "Madrid Magic"

Here are a few from the archives...

May 12, 1955—Sam Jones No-Hitter

=We have the audio from that day here.   

May 12, 1970—Ernie Banks hits his 500^th homer.

=The audio & video of that are here.

May 12, 1996—Bridget’s first Mothers Day

=We have the audio of her on John Landecker's show talking about that day. Will we play it this week on the podcast?

May 12, 2014—WGN Walk of Fame unveiled.

=This has become a bit of a joke because WGN moved their studios, and then removed the walk of fame from the sidewalk outside the old studio. Nick D came on our podcast to make fun of it. 

May 13--Mark Giangreco birthday

=Here's the interview we did with him shortly after he left television. 

May 13, 1930—Schick gets patent for first electric razor. 

=Actor Jonathan Stoddard explained to us how to use an electric razor to get that 4-day growth look. 

May 14, 2000—Mothers Day

=Johnny Kaempfer sings Happy Mothers Day. He was 2. Will we play the audio this week on the show?

May 14, 2004—Geico Caveman ad premieres

=John Lehr was that original caveman, and he appeared on our show to talk about it.  

May 14, 1998—Frank Sinatra dies. 

=Tom Dreesen was one of his pall-bearers and he talked to us about that.

May 14, 1907—Johnny Moss birthday. 

=Who is Johnny Moss, you ask? Well, he was the first World Series of Poker winner (1970). We talked to one of his proteges, Tristan Wade 

May 15--Richard J. Daley birthday.

=Shermann Dilla Thomas talked to us about him and his relationship with the crime bosses of Chicago at that time.

May 15, 1960—Don Cardwell no-hitter.

=Yes, of course we have the audio and video. 

May 17, 1934—Ronald Wayne birthday

=Ronald once owned 10% of Apple. You don't want to know what he sold it for. He told us the story in this episode. 

May 18, 1882—Burnley Football Club formed 

=Just another reminder to listen to Free Kicks with Adam & Rick.

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. 

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?

*October 30 is Myke Cole's (author) birthday. We had him on MMCI twice. Here and here.  

*November 2, 2001—Monsters Inc was released. Johnny Kaempfer reviewed it for the John Landecker show (AUDIO)

*November 2, 2006—The Arab/Israeli Comedy Hour debuts. We had the show's co-creator Aaron Freeman on our show and he told us all about it. 

*November 2—Jazz vocalist Kurt Elling celebrates a birthday. He had a memorable appearance on MMCI.  

*November 2, 1980—The Kings song "Beat Goes On-Switchin To Glide" is released. We talked to the man behind that song, Kings member Mr. Zero.  

*November 3—Michael Dukakis birthday. The saddest man in America on the day Dukakis lost the 1988 election was Second City's Dave Sinker. We talked to him about that.

*November 3—Cubs win world series just after midnight in Cleveland. Scott Turow describes his reaction to that day

*November 3--Catherine Johns is celebrating a birthday. We had a nice chat with Catherine a few years ago.  

*November 4, 2002, John Landecker brought his father's ashes to work for Take Your Parents To Work Day. Comedy ensued.

*November 4, 2014, Father Knows Nothing bonus audio tracks were released. You can still listen to them here.

*November 5, 1996—Clinton beats Dole. Landecker & The Legends had a song about that election. (Big Macarena AUDIO)