Don't Touch That Dial

Why is it always special to hear a song by a favorite band on the radio? I mean, if they are a favorite, you most likely own the song in question that is playing, right? Still, I guess it's a little magical to think that thousands (millions?) are listening and enjoying the exact same song at the exact same time.

Mass communication really changed the music business. Can you imagine a world without radio - let alone television? I've only had my satellite radio for a few weeks now and I have now idea how I went a lifetime without such a convenience.

If you have satellite radio, then you know you get a digital display of the song title and artist name right in your car - I love that! Anyway, I was listening to a CD on my way to work when I noticed that The Boneyard was playing Danger Danger. I have Danger Danger on CD and my iPod - and I had both in my car! Still, I stopped the CD I was previously enjoying and clicked on the radio. Suddenly, my car was filled with the happy sounds of "Bang Bang."

At that exact moment, millions of other Glam fans enjoyed a collective smile - it's very special to hear Danger Danger on the radio - even if you have to pay a premium to enjoy the experience.

Remember way back before Internet and satellite radio and you had to wait through commercials? Stations in the 80s and 90s were much better about playing more songs per hour. As broadcasting costs continue to spike, expect to hear even more ads on your traditional dial.  

Anyway, I remember listening to the radio when I would go somewhere in the car with my parents. I was young and addicted to MTV - so I could literally name every song and band that hit the air waves as long as the genre was rock or pop. I even remember one time when the Cincinnati-based DJ misnamed the title of a Poison song and I went a little berserk. The DJ said "That was Poison with your Momma don't Jive and your Daddy don't boogie." I corrected the mistake out loud, and my mom said it was just the same as saying "Your Momma Don't Dance." Thank you, but it was not the same! Still, I was listening to that song at the exact same time as thousands of other Poison fans. I was so inspired I went straight home and popped in my tape of Open Up and Say...Ah! I'll call that cyclical marketing.

Would you stop what you're doing just to listen to a favorite song on your FM dial? 

Comments

[Joe]

I love Hair Metal radio and The Boenyard..It's funny listening to the radio in the car and I'll yell 'HERE WE GO!!!" and crank up Motley Crue or other favorite bands of mine on the radio..Even though I own every album!! HAHAHA!!!..It's just a rush hearing your favorite songs on the radio..Great article Allyson..Take care and talk to you soon =).

[Joe]

The Boenyard*

[Rob Rockitt]

I have to admit the only time I turn on FM radio anymore is to see what Class X Radio is playing, otherwise I have the Boneyard on, at least in the car anyway.

They are a little guilty of playing too much Rush, and thats when I take advantage of Class X's great playlist.

[Joe]

the boneyard*..I just realized i made 2 typos in a row HAHA!!!..Too much hairspray back in the day probably =)

[red6ixx]

I tend to listen to Planet Rock here in the UK - its mostley 70's stuff they play but on the few occassions you do get to hear some Glam/sleaze i allways stop whatever it is im doing - unless its changing nappies and 'Rock out' somewhat. i have never heard my fave track on the radio - Motorvatin by Hanoi Rocks. If i heard that i dont know what id do - especially if i was drivin.

[Christine]

If a great 80's rock song comes on the radio, I usually stop what I'm doing to rock out. It's not often they play that stuff, so I enjoy it like a tasty treat. I would have freaked out if I heard Danger Danger on the radio! When I was a teen, I played their album so much, I'm surprised I didn't wear it out. I believe their new guitar player lives and works here in Columbus at a local music store. I know someone who used to take guitar lessons from him. As for satellite radio...I wish I had it. :(

[bigrobbo]

I heard Too Young To Fall In Love the other morning when I was headed to work. Good to wake up in the morning before my customary 11 cups of coffee :)

[aXe mAn]

My local rock radio station plays a rock mix, and they play a select amount of 80's rock. Like, Whitesnake, GnR, Great White, Motley Crue, Scorpions, Def Leppard, and others, And whenever they come on, I always CRANK IT UP! Although, I don't listen to my local radio much, mostly CD's and internet radio...KQLZ Pirate Radio in particular.

[Kenny Ozz]

I heard Poison's cover of "Cover of the Rolling Stone" on the radio yesterday morning and was freaking excited!

[Christian Graus]

I love the boneyard. I don't care what other people listen to, the beauty of radio for me is that instead of trying to choose what CD to spin, I get surprised by songs that I love, I never know what's next.

[BroJB]

Seems like a good time to mention this -- I host a radio show called "The Rock & Roll Clubhouse" here in Colorado every Wednesday at 1-3 mountain time (that's 3-5 PM eastern and noon-2 western). If you're in the area, it's at 88.9 FM, everywhere else, it streams live worldwide at KRFCFM.ORG

I play lots of glam, along with punk, metal, classic rock, rockabilly and whatever else my listeners request. Y'all are welcome to tune in and call during the show -- 970-221-5065 -- and make requests.

here's a recent playlist from a particluarly 80's heavy show (on this day, the band Bang Camaro came in the studio, and I gave them free run of my record collection. I usually go for deeper cuts, but if Bang Camaro wants to hear "Shout at the Devil", Bang Camaro gets "Shout at the Devil"....)

Bang Camaro - Push Push
Van Halen - I'm On Fire
KISS - God Gave Rock & Roll To You
Motley Crue - Shout at the Devil
Bang Camaro - Pleasure, Pleasure
Thor - Thunder on the Tundra
Motorhead - Motorhead
Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak
Bang Camaro - FYTFO
Stooges - I Got a Right
Hollywood Rose - Anything Goes
Scorpions - Rhythm of Love
Def Leppard - Photograph
Thunderfist - Break Me
Bang Camaro - Rock Rebellion
Ratt - Lay it Down
Lemmy & Ted Nugent - Tie Your Mother Down
Bang Camaro - Out in the Streets

More playlists and stuff at http://myspace.com/rockclubhouse

[Tommy]

>>Would you stop what you're doing just to listen to a favorite song on your FM dial?

No, because I'm usually driving whenever I am listening to the radio. =)

But I did get excited to hear the Beatles "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da" when I was flipping through the dial one time driving home from work. I like the song because it reminds me of the celebrity I tell people I most look like...Chris Burke, star of 90s TV show Life Goes On. (It's only funny to people over born before 1982.)