WVBR’s
Rockin’ Remnants
The
History of Rockin’ Remnants:
Rockin’ Remnants was
started on WVBR by George Clare, circa 1972. It was
originally conceived as a doo-wop show, although some
rock ‘n ‘ roll and rhythm ‘n’ blues artists were played.
The show was on and off
the air during the mid- to late 1970s. John Rudan first came on as a producer in
1974, and did his debut show in April of 1975 (the first song he ever played on
Rockin’ Remnants? “Paint it Black” by the Rolling Stones).
In January 1980 the show
was permanently reinstated on the air at WVBR with JR as the host. He has been
the main host since then, although he’s partnered with an illustrious line-up
of co-hosts, including Bobby Comstock, Jr., Josh Blackler and, now, John Simon.
Who?
Long-time
host John Rudan
started at WVBR back in 1974 as a student intern. His voice has been heard through the years on many of
‘VBR’s shows (doing regular
shifts, voicing radio ads, hosting Blues and Album Rock shows, even doing a stint on
the Sports Round-up team…), but he’s currently concentrating on
“Remnants” and Sunday’s “Vinyl Departure.”
[click on photos for a sound clip of the deejay!]
John
Simon is the “new guy” on the team, co-hosting since
August of 2003. His love of the music of the Rockin’ Remnants era began when
he was growing up on New York City’s
What?
The best of the ‘50s, ‘60s and
‘70s. Requests welcome at 273-2121.
When?
Every Saturday night from 5-8 p.m. on
93.5 WVBR-FM, Ithaca (with streaming
audio on www.wvbr.com).
Where?
Broadcasting from WVBR’s East Hill
studios at 957B
F.A.Q:
Q. – What
is that music that starts your
show each week?
A. – Cat
Mother & the All-Night Newsboys’ Good
Old Rock ‘n’ Roll [summer of '69; #29 on Billboard’s
Hot 100, produced by none other than Jimi Hendrix].
Q. – Why
do you play the whole thing each week?
A. – It
gives us a chance to “cue up” our first record, line up the backing tracks
for our talk breaks, adjust headphone levels and mic height, check the paperwork
and studio log and set the mood for the show - "when I was just a
little boy you know my one and only joy was listening to that good ol' rock 'n'
roll!"
Q. - What
is that music that ends your show each week?
A. – It’s
"Sleepwalk"
by Santo & Johnny, #1 for two weeks in the summer of 1959.
Q. – Just
what is that music you play under your talk breaks?
A. – Among
them, you’ll hear:
*
"Yellow
Jacket" by The Ventures [1962]
* "Surf Rider" by The Lively Ones [1963]
*
"Out of Limits" by The Marketts [1964]
*
"Apricot
Brandy" by Rhinoceros [1969]
*
"Stuck
In The Mud" by Miles Grayson [1970]
*
"Always
There" by Ronnie Laws [1976]
Q. – Do
you really still play vinyl records on the air?
A. – Absolutely!
We have 2 turntables and 3 CD players at our fingertips, and we use ‘em all.
JR is especially interested in playing true 45 edits from 45 rpm records.
JS has been on the hunt for newly-remastered Stereo Oldies since the very
beginning of his tenure.
Q. – Who
does the engineering for you?
A. – We
do everything ourselves -
pick the music, play the tunes, keep track of all the levels, answer the
phones, dig up the requests, keep a
running log of what we play, set up the commercials, read the weather….
There’s a lot to keep track of, and we tend to play those short (2:34) songs,
so if we sometimes seem harried on the phone, you now know why!
Q. – Who's behind the mysterious voice that says "Rockin' Remnants remembers 1967," or "Rockin' Remnants, only on WVBR-FM?"
A. – The voice of our Remnants liners belongs Jon Taylor, who was at WVBR from 1981-84... He had a great voice and worked in radio production in NYC for about 5 years after leaving Ithaca.
Q- Where
do you find all those amazing facts we hear week in and week out?
A – Joel
Whitburn’s “Top Pop Singles” and “Billboard Hot 100 Charts”; Pat
Spotlight
Year: Each week we start the show
by focusing on a particular week in the Rockin’ Remnants era (1955-1979) and
playing the hits from that week’s Billboard “Hot 100” Chart. The
“Spotlight Year” is a kick-off point for each show, and we'll re-visit it
several times during the rest of the show. Here's a typical monthly snapshot:
12/16: Spotlighting December 1962 [Big Girls Don't Cry by The 4 Seasons]
12/23: "JR's Jukebox, Vol. II" - 3 hours of vintage 45's from John Rudan's personal library!
12/30: Year-end free-for-all. JS ties up loose ends, bids farewell to James Brown and plays your requests
01/06: Spotlighting January 1958 [At the Hop by Danny & The Juniors]
The
45 Corner: Coming to you at about
6:35 (or 7:35 if it’s a tune from the ‘70s), we spotlight a piece of vintage
vinyl that may tie in with the Spotlight year or simply deserves a closer
listen. Listen carefully and you’ll hear the scratchy sound of the original DJ
“45 edits,” rare 45s and “b-sides,” and maybe a long-lost 45 that
shoulda been a hit. A must-listen every week!
45 Corner for 7/08/06: Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry * DJ 45 version
45 Corner for 7/15/06: Girl Group Extravaganza: one big, long "45 Corner!"
45 Corner for 7/22/06: Happy by The Sunshine Co. AND by Blades of Grass
45 Corner for 7/29/06: Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young [45 edit]
45 Corner for 8/05/06: I'd Rather Go Blind by Etta James ["Tell Mama" b-side]
The
Seventies at 7: Each week, we wind
down the show with an hour of tunes from the ‘70s. It was a time when the
records were getting longer (as FM radio began to integrate onto the AM charts),
and there’s often a little more room to breathe in this final hour. There’s
still plenty to mix it up with, though: Southern Rock, Disco,
Singer/Songwriters, Progressive Rock 45s, Philly soul,
John Simon "Hang 'Em High" promo: listen now
John Rudan "We got the hits" promo: listen now
John Simon "Do you like good music???" promo: listen now
John Simon "Oscars Weekend '06" promo: listen here
Want to hear an entire show???
Catch John's critically-acclaimed Black History Month Show from February 2, 2008 by clicking this link:
More Radio Photos:
Rockin' Remnants was awarded "Specialty Show of the Year" honors at the annual Year-End WVBR Banquet in May of 2006. Thanks to our friends and colleagues!
John Rudan in the studio before the renovations.
John Simon On the Air May 13, 2006
