Vintage Radio Station Photo

Remembering the Great DJ Charlie Tuna   Charlie Tuna's real name was Arthur W. Ferguson. He adopted the Charlie Tuna moniker while working at KOMA in Oklahoma City in the mid-1960s, and it stuck with him throughout his legendary radio career.

Charlie Tuna was a legendary radio personality! He started his career in Kearney, Nebraska, but in 1966, he joined KOMA Radio in Oklahoma City, where he adopted the Charlie Tuna name. His energetic style and smooth delivery made him a standout DJ, and he later moved on to WMEX in Boston before landing at KHJ in Los Angeles in 1967.

He had an incredible career spanning decades, working at multiple stations and even hosting syndicated radio shows. His influence on radio was immense, and he was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1990.

April and May 2025 British POP Months 

British pop of the 1960s, often called the "British Invasion," was a groundbreaking musical era that introduced the world to iconic bands and artists. This period was characterized by the fusion of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and skiffle, creating a unique and influential sound. Bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Who, and The Hollies became global sensations and redefined popular music.

This era wasn't just about the music—it was a cultural revolution. British pop of the '60s played a huge role in influencing fashion, art, and social attitudes. From the catchy harmonies of The Beatles' early songs to the rebellious edge of The Rolling Stones, this movement captured the spirit of the time.

Billy J. Kramer, born William Howard Ashton, is an English pop singer who rose to fame during the 1960s as part of the British Invasion. Managed by Brian Epstein, who also managed The Beatles, Kramer achieved success with his backing band, The Dakotas. He is known for performing several Lennon-McCartney compositions, such as "Bad to Me" and "Do You Want to Know a Secret," which were not recorded by The Beatles2.

Kramer and The Dakotas had multiple chart-topping hits, including "Little Children," and they gained popularity in both the UK and the US. His career continued beyond the beat boom, and he remains active in music, performing and recording to this day2.

The Story Behind the Song 

"Leader of the Laundromat" is a parody song by The Detergents, released in 1964. It humorously mimics "Leader of the Pack" by The Shangri-Las, swapping the rebellious biker theme for a quirky laundromat romance. Written and produced by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss, the song became a Top 20 hit, peaking at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1965.

The lyrics tell the story of a guy who falls for a girl at the laundromat, much to his parents' dismay. The comedic twist comes when she tragically runs into the path of a runaway garbage truck—an absurdly exaggerated take on the melodrama of the original song. The parody was so spot-on that the original songwriters filed a lawsuit, though it was eventually settled out of court.

What was the first real Rock N Roll record.

The origin of rock 'n' roll is a hotly debated topic, but many historians credit "Rocket 88", recorded by Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats in 1951, as the first rock 'n' roll record. The song was produced by the legendary Sam Phillips—the founder of Sun Records—and featured Ike Turner’s band.

It blended rhythm and blues with the driving energy that would come to define rock 'n' roll. While earlier records contributed to the genre's formation, "Rocket 88" is often seen as the one that solidified the sound.

Yes, Jackie Brenston's "Rocket 88," recorded in 1951, predates DJ Alan Freed's coining of the term "rock 'n' roll." Freed, a Cleveland-based radio personality, is credited with popularizing the phrase in the early 1950s to describe the music he was playing on his radio show, blending rhythm and blues with a new, youthful energy.

While Freed gave the genre its name and helped bring it into mainstream culture, the roots of rock 'n' roll, as shown by songs like "Rocket 88," were already forming in the rhythm and blues scene. This makes the history of rock 'n' roll a fascinating mix of cultural influences and innovations!

Carrie Anne" is a 1967 pop hit by British band The Hollies, known for its catchy melody and rich vocal harmonies. Written by band members Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, and Tony Hicks, the song blends pop-rock with a slight Caribbean influence, thanks to its distinctive steel drum solo. A reflection on young love and admiration, "Carrie Anne" became one of The Hollies’ most beloved tracks and showcases their signature 60s sound.