Solid Gold Saturday Mornings

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! ♥️

01/03/2025

Good Morning, Retro Radio.

It has been a rough week in 2025, and we’re only a few days into the new year. Just this past week, we lost Wayne Osmond of The Osmonds and just this morning we lost someone that was part of my childhood growing up.

Britt Allcroft - She was a TV Producer famous for bringing the iconic Thomas The Tank Engine to our screens. She was also responsible for having Ringo Starr of The Beatles become the series’ first ever narrator and helped to build Thomas into an international success. I can remember some of my first Thomas VHS tapes that had George Carlin as the narrator, which proved that she had the drive and the passion to making it an incredible show with famous names, picturesque sets and lovable characters with the help of series author Rev. Wilbert Awdry and director David Mitton.

I’ll miss you, Britt. Thank you for a lifetime of memories and for caring so much ♥️

TV producer was behind the launch of the 1984 series ‘Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends’

01/03/2025

My dear brother Wayne passed away peacefully last night from a stroke. I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit him in the hospital before he passed.

Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me. He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone.

I'm sure I speak on behalf of every one of us siblings when I state that we were fortunate to have Wayne as a brother.

Even though we are separated in this mortal life, I know that by the grace and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will have the opportunity to be with Wayne for eternity.

I love you, Wayne.

Your brother forever,

Donny

01/03/2025

01/01/2025

I don’t know how this almost slipped by me, but hopefully I’m not too late.

Happy heavenly birthday to the Queen Of Disco - Donna Summer!

She is, hands down, one of my favorite singers of all time. I love disco music so much and hearing her voice just effortlessly sing her songs is such a blessing. I always loved her disco songs in particular because she took the time to think about how each part would sound. She was never satisfied with it just being a regular disco track with a disco beat, which is why her music feels different and unique with every song.

My favorite albums as of late have been the “Four Seasons of Love,” “Live And More,” and the “Once Upon A Time” albums. If you ever want to hear how powerful and beautiful her voice is, I highly recommend both albums to listen to.

Happy Birthday, Donna! If I could turn back time I would see your show in a heartbeat! ♥️

01/01/2025

Happy New Year, Retro Radio!

I hope 2025 brings you more incredible memories and good fortune. It’s the start of a brand new year, and just like the last one I hope you make the most of it and enjoy the world around you.

Just a little something cool to show you. After the clock struck midnight, I played my first record of the year. Now, of course, being a Paul McCartney fan you would’ve thought I would play a Paul record. However, I could think of no other Beatle to bestow that honor to than Ringo. So I played Ringo’s “self-titled” album from 1973 on my Audio-Technica “Soundburger” (appropriately nicknamed ‘The Yellow Submarine’).

Happy New Year! See you all on Saturday!

- Ryan Vincent

12/31/2024

A happy belated birthday to the legendary Otis Wilbury himself - Jeff Lynne!

You know him as the frontman to Electric Light Orchestra and was part of the biggest supergroup in music history known as the Traveling Wilburys. This group also featured George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty! In addition to being a prolific songwriter, he’s also produced some of the biggest projects for other artists such as George Harrison’s “Cloud Nine” (1987), The Beatles “Anthology” Series, and Roy Orbison’s final studio album “Mystery Girl” with the posthumous hit “You Got It.”

Happy Birthday, Jeff! All the best and many more!

12/30/2024

in 1945, Davy Jones of The Monkees was born!

Yes, Mike Nesmith and Davy share a birthday today! Born in Manchester in the United Kingdom, Davy started out in the Broadway scene in the production of “Oliver” as the Artful Dodger.

When he joined The Monkees, he would go on to write and sing in hits such as “I Wanna Be Free” and, perhaps in his most iconic singing part, “Daydream Believer.” Often, Davy would share backup singing duties with Micky Dolenz and the two of them would join Monkees songwriting duo Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart in a “supergroup” named Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart.

He would go on to star is other TV shows such as The Brady Bunch and The New Scooby Doo Movies. People in my generation, however, might know him from his brief cameo in a Spongebob episode where the Flying Dutchman is sent to “Davy Jones Locker” where Davy throws old, dirty socks at him (pictured below).

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Davy! You will always be my favorite and we miss you dearly! ♥️

12/30/2024

in 1942, Mike Nesmith of The Monkees was born.

Adding a bit of country to the lineup, Nesmith was not just a great singer but a talented songwriter. He would go on to write some of The Monkees most iconic hits such as “Papa Gene’s Blues” and “Sweet Young Thing.” He even wrote Linda Ronstadt’s first hit titled “Different Drum” which was created to The Stone Poneys (Ronstadt’s group at the time).

Today, we wish him a happy heavenly birthday! I hope he’s singing up there with Davy and Peter. We miss you, Mike! ♥️