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Charles at Zuma Beach, CA • Charles in college play
(Letter just received on Facebook from a former BCN listener:)
Chuck!
As I sit here watching the seemingly omni-present Tom Bergeron on Dancing with the stars, I reminded of his humble beginnings on Evening Magazine in Boston. And that makes me think also of Robin Young, his co-hostess. I met Robin a few years back at a birthday party here in Oregon for a mutual friend. (Steven Cantor, who was Pat Metheny's college roommate and early producer). I was delighted to meet Robin, as I had watched Evening Magazine in the 70's and 80's growing up in Hanover, Mass.
Which brings me to this. Her date was a fellow whom she met through you. He had, among other things, given you kayak lessons in Hawaii. He said, " we met through Charles, who I guess was a DJ in Boston." I corrected him, and let him know that you were THEEEEEeeee DJ in Boston. But it was nice to hear that you were enjoying a nice retirement.
Which brings me back to Tom Bergeron, and Robin Young, and all the other people I grew up watching back in Boston. Seeing Tom move on in television, a medium that has evolved remarkably over the past 30 years, I am sadly reminded that radio hasn't seemingly improved. My friends debate me on this subject --citing my complaints about the damage Clear Channel has done to original local programming, and the lack of real genius in the pop/rock genre. Inevitably, when someone from Boston is in the room, they know why I'm down on modern radio : "Let me guess, you grew up listening to BCN."
So thanks.
Like millions of other teenagers in the 80's -- perhaps now displaced in some distant city,( like me) --I want to thank you for sharing your talent, and for being a giant figure in the heyday of great radio. In the morning, my shitty little clock radio would wake me for school. But when you're 15-years-old and Athena from the Who is on the radio alarm, or New Year's Day by U2, you don't really notice the mono speaker.
Are your old radio shows archived anywhere on the web? I'd love to listen to some old stuff. There's nothing comparable today. And so it's come to this: I'm sitting around at night watching, of all things, Dancing with the Stars and Tom Bergeron.
My kingdom for the Big Mattress. Any time of day.
Stay well, Chuck. And again, thanks.
.dr
Comments
Schwing! Who's the hottie?
Posted by: choolie | March 31, 2009 3:52 AM
"Charles in college play" in 1776. (Sorry Charles! Somebody had to say it.)
Posted by: Bob | March 31, 2009 4:16 AM
Your letter echoes my sentiment to a "T." I truly miss BCN every morning while driving to work.
The current crop of DJs and so-called "radio hosts" just aren't cutting the mustard. I'd almost rather tune the dial to what I all "soulless radio" (stations with names like "Mike, Dick or Frank FM") than listen to their "guess what I had for breakfast" drivel or some over dramatic, politically soaked ravings.
Posted by: Ken W | March 31, 2009 7:12 AM
Like .dr, I had a shitty clock radio with the flip-type numbers that always broke. Back then, it wasn't about the time on the clock, it was about the time I had listening to the Big Mattress. .dr noted Athena. For me it was Turning Japanese. Thanks, Charles continuing to give us your insights.
Posted by: Primer Gray | March 31, 2009 7:42 AM
God, who is that handsome man???!!!
Posted by: h | March 31, 2009 2:19 PM
Miss you, Charles!!!
Posted by: Debbie | March 31, 2009 3:46 PM
i grew up listening to BCN.
that's why i know fm radio now sucks.i would love to listen to reruns of charles, max, periento (spelling, wtf). but it's up to charles to make that happen.so charles how about it?
Posted by: john | April 1, 2009 6:23 AM
Charles, is that really you? Wow!!!!
Posted by: Yvonne Christian | April 1, 2009 6:13 PM
Hi Charles. I too was a teen listener of the big mattress and Duane Glasscock in the 80s. In fact you woke me up on my 18th birthday. College radio is the only way to go. Be well.
Posted by: dave | April 3, 2009 8:45 AM