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SPR Reimagined
Johnson's Improbable History of Pop
Saturdays 7:00-8:00 p.m. on SPR News
Hosted by John Johnson

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.

  • Blaze Foley
    Folk-country singer/songwriter is profiled in a 2009 encore presentation with guest Frank Delaney of SPR.
  • Bobby Robinson Story
    Selections from six decade career of record label owner Bobby Robinson from Harlem, NYC.
  • Tim Hein's Amazing Phonograph Machine
    Guest Tim Hein of Spokane plays vintage 78's for us on his windup Victor phonograph built in 1910.
  • Blue Eyed Northern Soul
    Unexpected favorites from the U.K.'s Northern Soul Scene by artists usually thought of as strictly pop performers.
  • Homer Joy, part 2
    Late Spokane country singer/songwriter's music and story is remembered by daughter Stephanie Joy-Marko and her mother Lois Melville.
  • Dave DuPree, Cary Beare, and Bob Burdett
    Gotham
    Three founding members of popular late 1980's Spokane band share their sotry and sounds with us.
  • Greg Beumer and Keri Reese
    True Faced
    Guests Greg Beumer and Kari Reese share the sounds and inside stories of their 2010 collaboration.
  • Ron Lloyd, part 2
    Walla Walla born singer/songwriter Ron Lloyd returns with his son Bryan Lloyd to share highlights from his six decade career.
  • The Michigan Box
    Small label rock and roll, gospel, honky tonk, bluegrass, garage rock r & b, and more from the Wolverine State.
  • Driftless Dreamers of the Cosmos
    Highlights from latest release in Numero's Cosmic American Music series plus other goodies.