By Rick Kaempfer
STROUD'S ROCK N' ROLL RADIO
T
here are very few people in the world
who know more about rock and roll
music than Bob Stroud. He has been
part of the Chicago radio scene for nearly four
decades now (including the last twelve years
at The Drive, 97.1FM), and he's seen and done
it all. We caught up with him recently to talk
about the music and musicians he knows so
well.
IE: As a rock jock, you've obviously seen just
about every artist live in concert. What were
the best shows you've seen?
BS: Paul McCartney's show at Wrigley a few
years ago was one of the best. His show at the
United Center in 2002 or so was also great.
Roy Orbison was incredible too. I saw him at
always, and he had an attitude. All of a sudden he just turned on me. He said "Hey the
next time you're listening to this disc jockey
and you think he knows what he's talking
about – he's wearing a tie!"
IE: What are the best and worst years for your
feature "10 at 10" (10 songs from one year), in
your opinion?
BS: We focus on the years 1967 through 1989.
Because I'm a child of the 60s and 70s, obviously those are my personal favorites. I'm
always touting 1971. That was just an incredible year. The choices of songs from that year
are just ENDLESS. 1972 and 1973 for that matter, were nearly as great. When you get into
the 80s it can be a bit sketchy, but sometimes
Bob Stroud
the Riviera about a year before he died. It was
so cool to see the audience react and swell to
his operatic vocals, and when he was done
with the songs, as the audience cheered, he
put his hand to his hip and looked out at us
with an expression on his face that said "Yeah,
that was pretty cool, wasn't it?"
IE: What are some underappreciated bands
from the era of music you play at the Drive?
BS: One of my all-time favorite artists, Todd
Rundgren. I don't think he got the kind of
mass acceptance that he could have and
should have gotten. He could have been the
next Elton John, but that was not who he was
or where he was. He took a more eccentric
path, and a lot of it just wasn't radio friendly.
The guy is so extremely talented, and it's too
bad that not enough people appreciate that.
IE: Who are your favorite female rock and
rollers?
BS: The first name that comes to mind is Joni
Mitchell. I just think she's in a league of her
own. I'm also a huge Laura Nyro fan.
IE: What about one hit wonders?
BS: I love Crabby Appleton and their song "Go
Back". The leader of that band is named
Michael Fennelly, and he's a really talented
musician who never got the breaks he should
have gotten.
IE: Have you had any memorable brushes
with rock and roll greatness?
BS: I met Brian Wilson several times. I was at
his house in the suburbs. That was cool,
although Brian isn't always there, if you know
what I mean. I've met McCartney several
times and he was everything that I hoped Paul
McCartney would be. I can tell you the worst
one…Chris Robinson from the Black Crowes.
He was a complete dick on the air. I can't
remember exactly how it spiraled out of control. I was being my nice charming self as
20 illinoisentertainer.com july 2014
the years surprise me as being better than I
remembered. For instance, I did 1988 the other
day, and I thought ‘Wow, I love all ten of these
songs!'
IE: Your other memorable feature is "One 45 at
1:45". You really sound like you're having fun
when you do that.
BS: I am. I get to experiment a bit with songs
we don't play too much. But part of the appeal
for me is also that I'm actually playing a 45
RPM record. If you go to my Facebook page, I
post a photo of the 45 every day after I get
done playing it. It's become appointment listening for a lot of listeners.
IE: Are those your own personal 45s?
BS: Yes they are. They're all in a cabinet, alphabetized.
IE: Are there any prized 45s?
BS: I have a few picture sleeve 45s that I got
signed by the artists. I got Jimmy Webb to sign
the picture sleeve of "Macarthur Park" by
Richard Harris. I got John Phillips to sign a
Mamas and Papas picture sleeve. Donovan
signed one. I also still have the first four 45s I
ever bought.
IE: Do you remember what they are?
BS: Of course! "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" by
Neil Sedaka, "Sherry" by the Four Seasons,
"Alley Cat" by Bent Fabric, and "Monster
Mash" by Bobby Boris Pickett. They cost 69
cents each.
IE: What does Bob Stroud listen to when he's
not at work?
BS: A lot of different things. Last night I was
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