Solid Gold Saturday Mornings

02/03/2025

66 years ago in 1959:

The world lost three rock and roll stars: Buddy Holly (22), Ritchie Valens (17), and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson (28). In what had become known as “The Day The Music Died,” these three incredible performers passed away in a plane crash during a snowstorm in the early hours of February 3rd in a field in Clear Lake, Iowa, along with the pilot Roger Peterson (21).

Whilst I enjoy the music of Buddy and The Big Bopper, I think Ritchie’s death might have hit me the hardest. Of course, all of this happened well before my time but I identified with Ritchie because he was a young hispanic boy who just wanted to rock out and be a star. I remember feeling that same way when I started playing guitar, and I am grateful for the life that I have been given everyday so I can remember such a bright star in the sky.

02/03/2025

Even more celebration in The Beatles camp!

I bet you didn’t even know about this (and to be fair neither did I). John Lennon’s Mind Games Box Set has one the Grammy award for “Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Packaging.” Big shoutout to the Lennon Estate, and if you were lucky enough to get your hands on this box set you can definitely see why.

02/03/2025

The Beatles continuing to make history in 2025!

Now And Then winning “Best Rock Performance” gives the Fab Four their 8th Grammy overall! Whilst the song did lose out to Kendrick Lamar for “Record Of The Year,” I have no doubt that Paul, Ringo and everyone involved are absolutely excited to see John’s work get the recognition it deserves.

Accepting the award on behalf of the band and Giles Martin was Sean Ono Lennon, who said in his speech:

“Play The Beatles’ music to your kids. I feel like the world can’t afford to forget about people like The Beatles.” ❤️

The Beatles

01/31/2025

Hello, Retro Radio!

It’s that time of the year where we kick off our annual WFDU February Fund Drive! Please donate online at wfdu.fm to keep your favorite oldies station on the air for another year. We have some great premiums for you to enjoy and a special meet-and-greet event later in the year. Check out the station website for more details.

Tomorrow, in honor of the 66 anniversary of the “Day The Music Died” I will be doing a feature presentation at 8 AM EST in place of our weekly countdown as we remember the lives of Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson.

I know a lot of you look forward to the weekly countdowns. Rest assured, we will have one next week as scheduled!

As an “added attraction,” at 7:30 AM EST, we will see which three stars topped the charts in the UK, Canada and USA on February 3rd, 1959.

Listen LIVE from 6 AM to 10 AM EST at wfdu.fm, iHeartRadio, tune-in, Audacy and more, or on our WFDU app. Our feature presentation will start at 8 AM EST.

See you tomorrow!
WFDU
#1959

01/25/2025

Good Morning, Retro Radio!

It’s time to vote for this week’s AT40 Pick Hit! Your options for this week are as follow:

1. Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
2. Out Of Touch - Daryl Hall & John Oates
3. The Heat Is On - Glenn Frey

Comment below with your vote, call (201)-692-2012, or email your votes with your requests at [email protected].

Listen LIVE at 8am EST for the countdown at wfdu.fm, 89.1 on your dial, or on our WFDU App.

May the best song win!
WFDU

01/24/2025

Good Morning, Retro Radio!

After the arctic blast that’s keeping the snow on the ground, let’s see if I can warm you up at the end of a frigid month!

At 7:30am EST - We go back to the year 1965 to see which songs three songs topped the charts in the UK, Canada and USA.

At 8:00am EST - We jump 20 years back to future to the year 1985 for this week’s Top 8 @ 8 countdown brought to you by Casey Kasem’s American Top 40!

As always, check back here at 6am EST for your chance to vote for this week’s AT40 Pick Hit.

Listen LIVE 6am EST to 10am EST on wfdu.fm, 89.1 on your dial, or the WFDU app!

See you tomorrow!
WFDU

01/18/2025

Good Morning, Retro Radio!

It’s time to vote for your WABC Pick Hit of the week! Your options are as follows:

1. I’ll Never Fall In Love Again - Dionne Warwick
2. The Rapper - The Jaggerz
3. Always Something There To Remind Me - R.B. Greaves

Comment below with your vote, call (201)-692-2012 or email me at [email protected] along with your requests.

Listen LIVE at 8am EST for the countdown at wfdu.fm, iheart.com, 89.1 on your dial, or on the WFDU app.

May the best song win!
WFDU

01/17/2025

Hello Retro Radio!

Let’s get ready for another Solid Gold Saturday Morning!

At 7:30am EST: We go back to the year 1971 to see which three song topped the charts in the UK, Canada and USA.

At 8:00am EST: We say ‘good morning’ to the All-Americans at 77 WABC for this week’s Top 8 @ 8 countdown!

As always, check back here tomorrow morning at 6am EST for your chance to vote for this week’s WABC Pick Hit.

Listen LIVE from 6am EST to 10am EST at wfdu.fm, iheart.com, 89.1 on your dial, or on the WFDU app.

See you tomorrow!
WFDU

01/13/2025

Happy , Retro Radio!

To celebrate the day, coinciding with the release of the Yellow Submarine soundtrack by The Beatles on this day, here is a closer look at the Yellow Submarine sticker I put on my Audio Technica “Soundburger” record player. It itself has now been affectionately dubbed the “Yellow Submarine” as well.

Share some of your favorite stickers down below!

01/13/2025

in 1969, The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” soundtrack album was released! If you know me, you will know that this is album along with the movie is what got me into the Beatles.

While the film has been heralded as an incredible time capsule into the 1960s, and a masterpiece when it comes to the art style, The Beatles themselves didn’t originally like the idea of them being cartoons. Since the production company and producer were the same ones that had worked on the original cartoon television series, they were very skeptical about the project.

In fact, the new songs (with the exception of the title track) were considered “throwaway songs,” which gives you an idea of their mentality going into this project. However, once they saw the film, their attitudes soon changed and the new songs soon became classics in their own right.

On the back of the UK release of this album, it mentions nothing about the film or the album, but instead features reviews about the previously released “White Album.” on the back of the US release, however it features a summary of the “history” of Pepperland as well as character bios underneath (like me copy featured below).

01/11/2025

Good Morning, Retro Radio!

Time to vote for this week’s WNBC Pick Hit! Your options for this week are as follows:

1. Theme From “Mahogany” - Diana Ross
2. Sing A Song - Earth Wind & Fire
3. Evil Woman - Electric Light Orchestra

Comment below with you choice, call (201)-692-2012, or email your vote along with your requests at [email protected].

Listen LIVE at 8am EST for the countdown at wfdu.fm, iheart.com, 89.1 on your dial, or the WFDU app.

May the best song win!
WFDU

01/10/2025

Good Morning, Retro Radio!

The wind is whipping up a Winter Melody, but WFDU is here to keep you toasty and warm.

At 7:30am EST - We head to the year 1969 to see which three songs topped the charts in the UK, Canada and USA.

At 8:00am EST - We visit the contemporary sound of 66 WNBC in the year 1976 for this week’s Top 8 @ 8 countdown.

As always, check back here around 6am EST for your chance to vote for this week’s Pick Hit.

Listen LIVE from 6am EST to 10am EST on wfdu.fm, iheart.com, 89.1 on your dial, or the WFDU app.

See you tomorrow!
WFDU

01/08/2025

I will never not share a Donna Summer post! Also, another set of photos showcasing her fashion!

01/08/2025

in 1935, we remember Elvis Presley on his Birthday.

A boy born in Missouri who wanted to be a star. His singing voice and signature moves was part of a cultural shift in American music, bringing his style of rockabilly and rock and roll to new heights. He also starred in a collection of films before launching an incredible comeback that saw him become the icon of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Happy Birthday, Elvis!

01/08/2025

in 1947, the Starman fell to earth and from the glowing crater of which his asteroid landed rose the legend known as David Bowie.

Early in his career, he was known as David Jones (as was his birth name), but he decided to change it to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees. “Bowie” came from 19th-century American pioneer James Bowie after the name of the knife he popularized. Known for his artistic personas such as “Ziggy Stardust,” Bowie would go on to work with legends such as John Lennon, Luther Vandross and famously Queen for their international hit “Under Pressure.”

Happy Birthday, David! ♥️

01/04/2025

Good Morning, Retro Radio!

Time now to vote for the first Pick Hit of the year! Our options today are these iconic 1980s hits:

1. That’s What Friends Are For - Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder
2. West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys
3. Take On Me - a-Ha

Comment below with your vote, call (201)-692-2012, or email [email protected] with your votes along with your requests.

Listen LIVE at 8am EST for the countdown at wfdu.fm, iheart.com or 89.1 on your dial.

May the best song win!
WFDU

01/03/2025

Good Morning, Retro Radio!

It’s the start of a new year, and even though it’s been a tough start we can work it out and bring some much needed good vibrations to the first Saturday of the year!

At 7:30am EST - We turn back time to see which three songs rang in the new year of 1967 in the UK, Canada or USA.

At 8:00am EST - It’s a special 1980s rewind from the Billboard HOT 100 as we see which songs were Number 1 on New Year’s Day from 1980 to 1989!

As always, check back here at 6am EST for our first Pick Hit voting of the year!

Listen LIVE from 6am EST to 10am EST at wfdu.fm, iheart.com or 89.1 on your dial.

See you tomorrow!
WFDU

01/03/2025

in 1926, legendary record producer George Martin was born!

You know him as the man who gave The Beatles their first shot at EMI. From there, he has guided them on a “Magical Mystery Tour” through their entire discography of albums and even helped the likes of Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney during their solo years.

George Martin has also produced for the likes of Gerry & The Pacemakers, the folk group America, Cilla Black and Jeff Beck. He is affectionately known as “The Fifth Beatle” amongst Beatle fans all over the world, and was looked up to as father figure in the music business by the young Fab Four.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, George! Thank you for everything! ♥️