Johnson's Improbable History of Pop
Saturdays 7:00-8:00 p.m. on SPR News
John Johnson conducts a tour of the obscure world of early rock and pop music. The 95% of records that never got commercial airtime have a home, Johnson’s Improbable History of Pop features those artists who fell through the commercial cracks.
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Northwest alt rock singer/songwriter Brock Johnson shares highlights from his three decades of recordings with various bands. We'll also hear samples from his recent debut solo album.
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A selection of patriotic marches. war time songs, and other flag wavers from 1908-1925 as played from 78 rpm's on the vintage Victorola of our guest Tim Hein.
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Vintage recordings from influential group who set bluegrass, folk, honky tonk, and country styles to Christian themed lyrics. They were a important transition group between the Louvins and Stanleys of the 1950s and the Contemporary Christian (CCM) of the 1980's.
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Samples from Yakima's Tell International, a custom recording label run by Jerry Merritt. They issued more than 70 eclectic works over a two decade span (circa 1964-1986).
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Arkie Shibley's "Hot Rod Race" was a national country hit in 1951 for the long time Post Falls resident. His son Fred Sibley shares his memories of his father's music with us in a encore presentation first aired
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Spokane singer/songwriter discusses his career as a rising national country star fresh out of North Central High School in the 1950's. An encore presentation from 1999.
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Highlights from a recent U.K. compilation disc of vintage American garage rock with a punk attitude circa 1964-1967. This is what happened during the transition from Louie Louie to Flower Power.
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Guest Mike Grabicki of SPR's Music Cafe is our guest with an eclectic selection through the decades from the true King of the Blues.
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Guest Duane Becker shares his archive of sounds and inside stories from Spokane's remarkably durable country music scene. We'll hear samples ranging from the 1950's into the 2000's, many from previously unreleased live stage performances.
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A selection of lesser known gems culled from across the decades by quite possibly the most influential pop performer.