Adam Ant was guest DJing at KROQ Pasadena Los Angeles on a Saturday July 22nd, 1989. and I had written him a letter prior to this show letting him know I was spending the Summer at my parent’s cabin in Lake Arrowhead among other things. Here is the funny story about this recording.
Whenever Adam was headed to the KROQ studios, I would write him a letter to say hello and catch up and congratulate him on his work. We did it by pen and paper at that time. And since it was the weekend, I didn’t expect or even ask to go to the studio to assist or hang out. I also think I had a Summer job at the time as well.
On my birthday, I remember being at the cabin and playing pool and hanging out with a friend. I kept trying to get KROQ on the radio,, but since I was in the mountains reception was really bad. No digital networks at that time. The phone rang and it was my brother, who really never called me – ever (we would see each other at my parent’s house etc…). But he called to wish me a Happy Birthday! I was shocked to say the least. I am the last of 8 kids in our family and this type of thing – calling each other for birthdays just didn’t really happen. So I asked….How did you remember?
He said, funny you should ask. He went on and explained that he was sitting in his house reading a book, and for some reason just decided to put it down and turn on the radio. And as he did just that, he heard Adam’s voice on the radio and dropped a cassette into his stereo system and started recording the show with Adam as guest host. He was listening along to his intros and stores, and then Adam popped on air and introduced Iggy Pop – Lust for Life and dedicated it to me as he wished me a Happy Birthday.
I just about fell over! I knew I was missing the show, but to have someone accidentally turn it on and record it? I was thrilled! So excited to get that copy. My brother thought the whole thing was pretty odd and funny as well. But that’s how things went. Just magic.