Friday marks the one-year anniversary of the passing of Lee Rodgers, one of the greatest radio broadcasters and talk-show hosts ever.
His last broadcast was with me and I'm honored to have interviewed him. Here's the link, from Jan. 24, 2013. Scroll down to access it.
I often wrote that although my politics were vastly different than Rodgers I nonetheless made it a point to listen to him because of the quality of his show, particularly his KSFO morning show with Melanie Morgan and Officer Vic.
Rodgers was cranky a lot but his spectacular usage of the English language and overall broadcast guidance was appointment radio. He was, if nothing else, passionately consistent and his show was entertaining. He was a tremendous interviewer too with a commanding voice and on-air presence.
I knew that Rodger's health had been in decline days before he most graciously agreed to appear on my program and thus, was his utmost classy to the end.
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Like you I didn't agree with Lee Rogers politics, but I often listened to Lee and Melanie, I liked that Lee could also be critical of republicans, he didn't just get on the air and repeated republican talking points. I listen to Sussman and Katie for about 10-20 minutes maybe 2 times a week. It is unbelievable how bad that show is now, no class, no substance, just a lot of noise, and stupid juvenile props, canned laughter, sound of toilet flushing (a genius idea at breakfast time) who listens to this crap?
ReplyDeleteNew and present talkers, get hold of Lee's old shows, listen and learn how to interview people, how to inform and entertain people. I miss his virtual daughter Melanie too.
ReplyDeleteDumping Lee was a BIG mistake for KSFO.....losing Mel and OV a BIGGER mistake.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a reason they play the flushing noise. It's the new KSFO theme song.
I'm a consultant so I travel quite a bit. Yes, I know Brian's a good guy. I know he came from humble roots, so they say. Fine...but guess what? Any number of hosts I can think of off the top of my head could mop the floor with Brian Sussman. Jay Severin would chew on him like a dog. Mark Davis would roll him into a ball and use him for a curling stone.
DeleteThe Bay Area deserves better than this. Seriously.
Mark Davis use to have a syndicated show on KSFO sunday morning, I use to listen and often found his shows interesting, even though I didn't always agree. He didn't just follow the republican talking points, but then Bush was president, and the republicans was still somewhat sane. I listened to Spencer Hughes they other day, who I normally don't care for, however he has some viewpoints, which drives most KSFO listeners crazy, mainly gay rights and gay marriage, it makes for interesting radio, it sounds like most listeners to KSFO has a hard time with anyone having a different viewpoint then themselves. What exactly do you mean that Brian is a good guy? Yes, I'm sure he is nice to his family, probably donates to charity, and I know he has one or two adopted children, and since I'm adopted myself, it is something I admire. However, he gets on the radio 5 days a week, for several hours, and spews hate, intolerance, tells half truth and at times out right lies. His hatred of Obama is so over the top, and out of touch with reality, it defies common sense. I have no respect for him. If he does not believe what he says, he has no soul, and is a fraud, if he believes it he still has no soul, and he calls himself a Christian I believe.
DeleteHey, Anonymous...I don't like Obama either. He's trying to transform us into something we were never intended to be.
DeleteThere are 160+ Electoral votes in states where most people believe what Brian and I and others I know all believe. But here's the deal: We don't live in the United States of San Francisco. We live in the United States of America. Big difference there.
You had better hope John Cornyn's bill providing for Federal reciprocity of concealed carry doesn't pass. Here's a scenario I want you to keep in the back of your head. Bill passes. Two good old boys from suburban Dallas are out here visiting and make their way to a restaurant that happens to be in the Castro. They get sloppy drunk, start talking loudly and make some remark about homosexuals. Someone hears it and grabs a baseball bat. Bubba reaches under his shirt, pulls a .45 caliber pistol at close range and blows the guy's head off. In Texas, it's self defense. Here...yeah, people would get their panties in a wad but if it's Federal law there ain't much you can do. It is what it is.
I want you to think about that.
As far as the discussion about Brian goes, my opinions stand. Mark Davis and Jay Severin and any one of a number of hosts don't stammer around like he does. He's a real amateur. I've met him. Nice guy? Yes. A top flight radio personality for a market this size? No way.
are you responding to my blog at 10:38, if so I don't understand your reply. Where did you get the idea I don't like Obama, I do.
DeleteI need some help probably from Rich. Apparently the early morning male host on KSFO had a meltdown yesterday from a caller named "Brian". The host? replayed it to day and I recognized the voice as somebody that calls sports shows of both KNBR and the Game... a very articulate young man who sent the host on a LOUD rampage RE Obama and other stuff.
ReplyDeleteIs there a back story there? Thanks in advance Rich.
There probably is no actual story per se. You could be right, this caller may be the Traveling Annoyer. Doesn't matter, Brian will oberdramatize a slumber party if he thinks it makes a good 50 second commercial tease. That's all the rant and raving and wing flapping is about, theatre, plain and simple
DeleteHas it been one year already? Good God time flies. This was one of the few good shows you had on KSCO/KOMY before your show's demise. Looking forward to your weekend show!
ReplyDeleteI still miss him. He was the best. You are correct that he was an excellent interviewer.
ReplyDeleteRich, I know it's a vastly overused cliche but they just don't effing make them like Lee anymore.
ReplyDeleteReally sobering that Lee passed away soon after your interview. BTW, did you ever interview Jim Eason?
ReplyDelete