Whole Lotta Shakin' 25 Anniversary Celebration March 28, 2009

CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF ROCK N' ROLL RADIO

Whole Lotta Shakin" - since 1984: 4 hours of music inspired by the rock 'n' roll explosion of 1955-1966; featuring Rockabilly,Greasy R&B, Instrumental, Surf, Twist, British Invasion, Garage Rock, Novely & a bit of '77 style Punk rock for good measure; from the mid-50's to todays rock 'n' rollers that carry on the tradition!

Whola Lotta Shakin’ – a Brief History…

A chance meeting at a Chesterfield Kings gig at Scorgies in the early 1980s had 16-year old community member at WITR Mick Alber and Mike Murray talking records. Before long, Mick proposes a 'Friday Night Filet' radio show featuring 1960s British Invasion and garage pop groups. When ‘Friday Night Filet’ is launched in early 1984, it nets a great response, particularly from WITR Program Director, Hal Horowitz. In fact, Hal suggests adding a one-hour psychedelic music show on Sundays. This too becomes a reality in March 1984 and 'Psychedelic Sundae' features its first song - the Amboy Dukes’ version of 'Baby, Please Don't Go'. Visitors to the show during its first year include Rochester's Absolute Grey, as well as the Insiders’ Walt O'Brien. In addition, Dickie Peterson and Paul Whaley of Blue Cheer stop by, as they were in town recording a heavy metal LP.

In 1985, it was time for a name change, and ‘Friday Night Filet’ became ‘Boss Beat’, the suggestion of local DJ Del Rivers, who won the name change contest. The playlist was opened up to include mid-sixties surf, beat, rhythm & blues, and more. Del Rivers joins the cast, and drummer Brian Goodman of Cousin Al and the New Generation, the Insiders and the Projectiles is a frequent guest. Just two years later, the format is further expanded to include all types of rock 'n' roll from the 1950s to the 1980s. Another name change results in 'Whole Lotta Shakin', and the show now includes a weekly ‘Del's Corner’ segment and an obscure song of the week.
Over the next decade, studio guests include Dan Frank, Brian Goodman, Greg Prevost, Andy Babuik, Dave Anderson, the Projectiles, the Hi-Risers, Uncle Sam, Squire of the Subterrain, Swing Set, Cousin Al, The Isotopes, Krypton 88, St Phillips Escalator, Rocky Velvet, the Frantic Flattops (the blizzard of '93 hit, which prevented Ronnie Dawson from being on the show), Rochester 1950s Legend Jerry Engler, local 1960s Garage bands The Invictas, The Quirks, & The Young Tyrants, Absolute Grey, Gary Trainer & Mark Schwartz of New Math, Stevie Boy, Luke Warm, and others. The Pawns (Walt O'Brien, Ken Peters, Bob Janneck & Steve Louden) played live on the 6th anniversary show. Phone interviews included Charlie Gracie, The Charms, Love Me Nots, Gary Lewis, and Jim Diamond, among others.

Being live on the internet has garnered listeners as far away as Australia and Japan, and Mike now regularly receives music from Aussie and European Garage & Surf groups because of the website and streaming audio.

Official Website: www.bopshop.com