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June Programs

June 4, 2016
Prince

SPR's Brian Lindsay with a career sampling from one of pop music's transformative figures.

June 11, 2016
The Hottest
Wax
Electrified 1970's soul from the Invictus and Hot Wax labels run by Holland/Dozier/Holland, including Honey Cone, Chairmen of the Board, Laura Lee, and Freda Payne.

June 18, 2016
The Blue Beat of Rock Steady
Ska
Rhythmic 1960's Jamaican pop from the pre-reggae era, including Alton Ellis, Laurel Aitkin, Phyllis Dillon, and a young Robert Marley.

When asked where he draws his inspiration for Johnson’s Improbable History of Pop, John had this to say, “I write and produce based on my interest in all forms of popular music. I've been listening to this "stuff" since in pre-school.” That seems to work well for John, who’s produced 625 shows since 1995. The show evolved out of an idea John had in December ’93. He did a few specials and the concept eventually gelled into the JIHOP of today. Outside of the studio, John recently retired from Boeing and enjoys golf, jogging and radio, especially the Saturday night lineup on KPBX. He and his wife Melinda have two daughters Korissa and Alicia, and 3 grandchildren.
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