jfeliciano's Blog

Scott Regen,

If you happen to come across these lines I just want to say, here's a special 'thanks you' for all those memorable WKNR moments you shared with us on Keener 13.

Certainly, you left an indelible and lasting impact with many of us who never forgotten who Scotty Regen was, and personally, the 7PM to 10PM time-slot on WKNR radio was, for the most part that Dearborn radio station became an integretal part of my youth... it was during those teenage years, I began to listen to the SCOTT REGEN SHOW (in southwest Detroit, a scant 4 miles away from the WKNR studios) from June 1965, thru 1968.

Naturally, today it is what it is.

And while WKNR may have become a distant memory to some, the name Scott Regen is synonymous with the image instilled in our minds and hearts of the legend WKNR has since long become. And Scott Regen was just one good reason why we came to so love Keener 13.

Again, I thank you... Scotty Regen.

RockinRobert,

Someone had passed me along information that the photos are the property of John Freist and what you see is essentially only a portion of what he actually has, that he has an extensive collection as well on vinyl record 45s and 33 rpm lps.

Man, do I recall having picked up many, many of those WKNR Music Guides every Friday after getting out of class at Woodrow Wilson Junior High School located in southwest Detroit. I used to make the 4 block run on Central Ave., heading towards W. Vernor Hwy., on my way to Barringer's Music store at the corner of Vernor and Central then, and while I was there I recall Barringer's had many of those Keener hits at 69 cents apiece, this was in 1965-1966... all the while Kresge's (a few doors down on Vernor) always had their record 45s listed for 59 cents a record... always a dime cheaper, and, always on sale.

Also, at times after school, I used to head over to Cunningham's Drug Store on Vernor and Springwells, head straight to the magazine rack, every now and then I would pick up the latest issue of SONG HITS or HIT PARADER, and get caught up to the latest lyrics of all the hits I found myself groovin' along with on my transistor radio, along with Bob Green on Keener 13!

RockinRobert,

John Freist is doing well these days, pretty much active providing many of his music cache on CD, record albums and 45rpm collection and, you wil find him selling off many of these items on eBay as well. He also has an extensive Keener CD compilation he has put together on CD as well, for all those avid WKNR Keener fans only. You may contact him for listings and availability if you are interested.

And yes, you may obtain the rare and obscure 1965 Keener hit "The Man In The Glass" by 'The Undedogs', on CD, from John Freist. I recall having picked it up (on CD) at a Southgate record show several years back and John had so much to offer at that particular event, I was just simply amazed as to how much of those many rare, forgotten Keener gems (from his personal collection) we no longer hear on any oldies radio station anywhere, that he has! Obviously, again, he's the "go to" guy for anything that charted on WKNR and whatever else you are lookin for that was Keener.

In hindsight, in reference to "The Man In The Glass" prior to the band signing over to Motown (the VIP label) that cool song was distributed as a regional local hit (HIDEOUT RECORDS, Detroit) and probably, the title did not have much of any exposure outside of Detroit and Michigan, unfortunately. But "The Man In The Glass" did well on the top WKNR 13 playlist, having peaked at the number 9 spot on December 1, 1965. But that is probably the only reason why you won't find it anywhere with the link you provided, because "Man In The Glass" never made it big on the Billboard charts at the time.

But hey I still have my copy of "The Man In The Glass" (dark midnight blue label) on Hideout record 45.

Bob, it's too bad you missed some of the best WKNR DJs Keener had to offer after sundown. I loved listening to Scott Regen (a phenomenal listening arbitron 29 share by 1967) and of course, I could not wait till J. Michael Wilson and Rodney "The Wonder" Rodent to come on after him. But those nightime ratings number stood well (rated number one) despite their transmitter having dropped their wattage and listening pattern was 'lost'  on the east side of Detroit after sundown.

Insofar as the CKLW forum goes, I was surprised to see it been laid to rest, for reasons unclear to me(?). Anybody can lend any imput as to the real reason why the CKLW forum was shut down? I know at one time the site's moderator was having his difficulties trying to enforce strict forum guidelines. Jack (the 'CK site curator) had indicated personal frustrations there, some posters who would not abide by, nor respect, of any effort to continue the forum in a civil manner as was required, despite having warned if posters would not comply the forum may be removed.


But a little more on John Freist, right here:

http://www.honeydripper.net/johnfreist.html

Jim

Here's one I would have to add:

http://therationals.com/

R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
From OTIS REDDING (1965) to THE RATIONALS (1966) to ARETHA FRANKLIN (1967) in that order.

While the Rational version was always my personal favorite, Aretha's version was always R&B tops. Accordingly, it was 'Lady Soul' who sang it all to way from the bottom 26 spot (as debuted) on the WKNR Music Guide listed on May 8, and then the following week, Franklin's RESPECT jumped all the way up to the number 5 spot on the KEENER playlist and stayed there for two more weeks, thereafter dropping down a notch to number 6, on May 29, 1967... that my friend, is another WKNR 'Keener' vibration!

 Jim

RockinRobert,

While the WKNR call letters is currently retained by Cleveland's 850 AM frequency (Sportstalkradio ESPN), the possession of the legendary Dearborn call letters stilll there would essentially dilute somewhat the aura of retaining the "Keener" brand, if that were ever to be considered (not likely) on 1310 AM. As far as the resurrection of the "new" Keener 13 call letters WWKR in the late 70s, those same call letters can be found today on 94.1 FM in Pentwater, near Muskegon, Michigan, probably still blasting out those same old tired 'classic rock' hits over and over again.

I guess, and I'm only imagining on this, if that ever were to be, I'd have Scott Westerman and Steve Schram as operations/program directors and I'd have to have John Friest on board as the music director.

John Freist, a former-DJ on WOMC 104.3 in Detroit, has the most extensive and largest music collection on the entire planet and he has every track (all the rare and obscure hits) that ever charted on the WKNR playlist, from October 31, 1963 thru April 24, 1972. And of course, even if it were to go with an automated playlist (void of any jocks) even that would be a sensation... and, for any type of resurgence you would have to add in all those WKNR classic Ullmann and PAMS jingles we all heard on Detroit's Number One,  "Home Of The Hits.".

But hey I'm just dreamin' here, just dreamin'....

Scott, fantastic....
The one website I find myself virtually dropping in on a daily basis, well it's now forum friendly once again!

So collectively, let us make the most of this WKNR discussion process one more time. Let's all make the BEST of this given opportunity for a more creative, entertaining, and learning experience as we chime in on that one 60s Detroit radio magic we still cherish and love, Keener 13.

Jim

"...This is the place to be, we are, Keener!"
WKNR jingle, 1964