IN ALL MY YEARS DOING THIS, writing this, thinking back and forward, I will not soon forget Alex Bennett. Moreover, people will always still ask me about the veteran Bay Area radio/TV (primarily radio) personality; one of the most compelling, enduring, broadcast figures in the history of the region.
Bennett, now 80, is till working in NY; he hasn't slowed down, in fact his personal and professional life is still raging full steam ahead in the vast Harlem apartment where he and his wife live and where Bennett does his widely popular podcast on Gabnet several nights a week.
This is a sample.
Bennett, you may recall, began his Bay Area career with many stints on KMEL, "The Quake", "Live 105" and lastly, KNEW, when that station had a short-lived run in the early 2000's as a talk format.
Bennett's reign in San Francisco included both his uber-successful run as FM talk giant and a locale for up and coming comedians --a venue that blossomed comedians into star status and vaulted Bennett into national regale and one of the most popular and highest-paid broadcasters in the Bay Area.Bennett managed to live a lavish life style and was a centerpiece in Bay Area media and comedy-club culture. His "Breakfast with Bennetts", still to this days, are one of the most successful broadcast franchise in Bay Area radio and beyond.
Bennett is also one of the very few radio personalities to interview John Lennon. It was that interview back in the day that he catapulted into a successful radio run; one that he often mentioned at his KMEL span and made him the envy of the industry.My own impressions of Alex was that of a spectacularly complicated man; a person rich with talent and enterprise often torn with his own life issues good and bad. He was notoriously cranky and at times, difficult to work with--most artists worthy of such admiration usually are. Bennett was no different. His native NY irritant was also his greatest asset. As long as you were in on the ride, Bennett never disappointed.
His 80's run in SF was at a time when local comedy ruled and where comics plugged their shows and Bennett was able to create and manage a huge livelihood. The comedy club promotors loved it and Alex made a grand living talking about it. His radio show, no matter the locale, was appointment listening.
PLEASE SUPPORT 415 MEDIA; help me maintain the Bay Area's only independent, 24/7 media blog, produced, written, and completely organized by yours truly --415 Media is funded 100% by reader donations and subscriptions.
PLEASE make a contribution--simply scroll down the right side of the blog to the "Pay Pal Donate Button"--click on the button and follow the prompters--it takes less than a minute and you don't have to have a Pay Pal account to contribute. All donations are secure and confidential. Any dollar amount is appreciated.
I will PERSONALLY CALL and/or EMAIL you THANKING YOU for your donation(s).
Outstanding thumbnail of Alex Bennet and his impact on the local market. I hope we see his like again in San Francisco but that is doubtful
ReplyDeleteWho is that sitting on Alex's lap in the Lennon photo?
ReplyDeleteThe girl with no bra and nips on display? I bet she's all natural!
DeleteAlex helped me in my free-lance Journo career, writing many, many reviews and insights into "The Alex Bennett Show" on Live 105. My HOTT ASS Asian gf and I would slep the infamous Blueberry Fritters to him and staff on early mornings *(never receiving a thank you from his cunt prog director...) but always enjoyed HIS cutting edge of Radio, Comedy and Talk Radio, the way it was MEANT to be heard (and seen, if you were in his live studio audience). Alex, I miss you, boi!!
ReplyDeleteI was 14 and living in Queens in 1969 when Alex debuted on WMCA, as the "Radical lefty" in a trio of talk hosts they had hired. He quickly became one of my radio idols. 20 years later I moved to SF and re-discovered him on Live 105. I understand he's as cranky as ever.
ReplyDeleteSon of Bennett! (A one time Live 105 slogan often seen on BART trains) Can't forget that he was one of the rare ones to befriend John & Yoko while at KMEL. I vaguely remember his years at The Quake. Live 105 was when the Bay ended up permanently respecting him.
ReplyDeleteBack in his native NYC, Bennett has every right to be cranky. The city is taking care of itself, and the state is assisting, but other than a ship and a few other supply chains, the feds have pretty much let the Big Apple rot on, despite one Lieutenant General's all out efforts (Kudos to Todd!). Go Get Em, Alex!
I sat in on a few of his morning shows on Live 105, got to meet Anka Radakovich, Brian Setzer. His stint on Live 105 was really good radio, kind of like catching lightning in a bottle. Probably won't hear anything close to that ever again. Also, had a crush on his sidekick Lori Thompson, bumped into her a few times shopping at the Lucky's in Foster City in the early 90s.
ReplyDeleteAlex (nee Bennett Schwarzmann) is a native of San Francisco, and grew up in Marin county. Yes, he was initially successful in NY radio (with many stops prior) before coming back home to the Bay Area. The Live 105 days were great radio. Unfortunately, Live 105 decided to syndicate Howard Stern, which began the slow demise of the station. His week night streaming show can be found as a podcast ('The Ramble'). Despite his age, he's still engaged and is a good listen. Miss him here in the Bay Area.
ReplyDeleteI always remembered seeing the bus ads, "He's Happy, He's Rested, He's Medicated,"
ReplyDeleteI used to listen to Alex every day. Glad he's still kicking it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice words and memories.
ReplyDeleteAlex, you defined an era, for listeners, for COMEDY, for all the things you stood for and did. I can only wish you'd let me adopt you (but hell, THEN you'd have to move to Elk Grove, CA. You can call me your devoted Eye-talian sunn ... :-) miss you, boy.
DeleteI tuned in for the guests...and Joe Regelski
ReplyDeleteHoward Stern owes much of his career to Alex.
ReplyDeleteI don't take requests! As a high school student in the early 80's there was none more hip than the Benster as Lori used to call him. Cutting class to sit in the studio at the Quake was very cutting edge back then, if you were lucky, Warren Thomas or Bob Rubin would be in studio.
ReplyDeleteFor as much as he made such an imprint on the SF Comedy Scene, Alex is one of the best interviewers I have ever heard. The best interview he may have ever done was in the late 80's was with Louis Farrakhan... instead of a Jew interviewing an Islamic leader, it was a genuine and warm exploration of LF's humanity. For an amazing view of a legendary radio career, check out Alex's 'Life In the Passing Lane'... a 69-chapter (and growing) audio book on GABNET.NET... with very personal stories only a Legend can tell.
ReplyDelete