Bob Barry's Unearthed Interviews

It was exactly 60 years ago today that the Beatles came to play at the Milwaukee arena in front of 11,838 ecstatic fans! September 4, 1964, the Beatles were at the height of their fame at this point and their arrival in Milwaukee was met with a frenzy of excitement. Once they arrived at the Coach House Inn on 19th and Wisconsin Avenue, the Beatles were quickly ushered inside where they held a press conference in the afternoon. John Lennon was unable to attend due to laryngitis. At the Beatles highly anticipated concert, the mostly female audience, was treated to an exciting lineup of warm-up acts. The night kicked off with the Bill Black Combo, then Clarence Fogman Henry, the Exciters, and finally, Jackie DeShannon rounded out the lineup. In a previous podcast, Jackie told of how she had to arrange her set to please the crowd. After the warmup acts, I thought the Beatles would be taking the stage. They were not in the building, and I had to stall for 15 minutes. The Beatles then put on a legendary performance at the Milwaukee arena. Their set in order included: The fans for the most part had behaved well up until the day the Beatles were scheduled to leave Milwaukee. They knew that they may never come back, so this was their last chance. The Beatles appearance in Milwaukee was a historic moment for the city, and the memories of that night still live on for those lucky enough to witness it. The impact of the Beatles’ music continues to be felt to this day as they remain one of the most iconic and influential bands in music history.

Ray Scott was best known for his play-by-play broadcasts of the Green Bay Packers, along with Tony Canadeo. He was one of my all-time favorite sports announcers. With the CBS broadcast team he worked with Pat Summerall. He called the 1965 World Series on NBC television with Vin Scully. He also called the Milwaukee Brewers telecasts in 1976-77. In this podcast he’ll talk about the Packers and give his thoughts on a book “Out of Their League” by former St. Louis Cardinals linebacker, Dave Meggyesy. It was a very controversial book badmouthing pro football. In the book he writes that pro football is a fraud, racist, with payoffs, drug abuse, and incredible violence. Ray Scott is in the Pro Football and Packers Hall of Fame. He was ranked 28th in the list of the Top 50 Sportscasters of All Time.

The Phil Donahue Show was the first talk show format that included audience participation. He was one of the most influential talk show hosts in television history. His show tackled controversial and taboo topics, giving voice to marginalized voices and sparking important conversations. From politics to social issues, no topic was off-limits, from women’s rights to LGBTQ rights. Phil Donahue was a trailblazer, giving voice to the voiceless.

Until 1976, Dennis James appeared on television more times than any other TV star. He was the first person to raise more than $750 million for United Cerebral Palsy. He hosted the Cerebral Palsy Telethon for 47 years with Paul Anka, Florence Henderson, and others. Dennis started out in radio at WAAT in Jersey City and then WNEW in New York City. On television he worked on “The Price is Right,” “Let’s Make a Deal,” and “Truth or Consequences.” Dennis guest starred on “77 Sunset Strip” and “Fantasy Island.” On the big screen he appeared in “Rocky III” and others. He was the on-air spokesperson for Old Gold cigarettes and Kellogg’s cereals.

A number of witches were on my show throughout the years, but none as famous as the Wicked Witch of the West, played by Margaret Hamilton in the movie “The Wizard of Oz.” While filming, she was burned on her face and hand during a fiery exit from Munchinland and out six weeks before returning to the set. Margaret told the producer there would be no more fire scenes for her. She did not sue, thinking she’d never be hired to do another film. Hamilton did some radio work and had a part on three episodes of “The Addams Family.” When she appeared on “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood” she attempted to convince the children not to be afraid of the wicked witch.

When you think of Paul Winchell, you think of a ventriloquist, comedian, and actor. But, did you know that Paul invented the mechanical artificial heart? He hosted the Paul Winchell show on TV and appeared on “The Brady Bunch,” “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “The Beverly Hillbillies.” He was the voice of many characters on TV cartoons, including Tigger for which he won a Grammy for his performance in “Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too.” His famous dummies Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff are in the Smithsonian Institution. In school his art teacher allowed him to receive credit for creating a ventriloquist’s dummy and that got him started on his career at age 14.

This infamous personality was born Elva Miller. You might remember Mrs. Miller, the one hit wonder. She was born tone deaf. She had two records on the Billboard charts, “A Lovers Concerto” and “Downtown.” As a joke, Capitol Records released her first album as “Mrs. Miller’s Greatest Hits.” She was not happy with the way she was treated, as you will hear in this podcast. Her voice was compared to the sound of “roaches scurrying across a trash can lid.” If you didn’t like her, you can place blame on disc jockey Gary Owens, from “Laugh-In” for discovering her.

This man set a Guinness world record as the most watched man on television. Maybe you remember David Hasselhoff from the soap opera “The Young and the Restless.” He played Dr. Snapper Foster. He was Michael Knight on “Knight Rider.” The girls loved him as lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in “Baywatch.” He has also starred in the musicals “Chicago” and “The Producers.” And he was a judge on “America’s Got Talent.” And David was a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars.” He and Kym Johnson were the first to be eliminated. Hof’s biggest musical claim to fame was a huge success in concerts but did not make it on the radio. Did you ever hear of “Looking for Freedom?”

Today’s podcast features more nostalgia from the sixties. At that time there was a very popular TV sitcom “Leave it to Beaver.” On the show Ken Osmond played Eddie Haskell, Wally Beaver’s best friend and, at times, his worst friend. He appeared in many of the 235 episodes. Ken also appeared on the television in “Lassie,” “Ozzie and Harriet,” “Petticoat Junction” and “Happy Days.” He later joined the LAPD, working as a motorcycle officer. In 1980 he was hit by three bullets while in pursuit of a car thief. A bullet proof vest saved his life.

For this Fourth of July, what’s more American than hot dogs? And what’s more hot dog than Oscar Mayer wieners? And I swear, after you finish this podcast, you’ll be singing the catchy Oscar Mayer wiener song all day long. The spokesperson for this famous meat company commercial was George Molchan. The Oscar Mayer plant headquarters was in Madison, Wisconsin. George would travel around the country in the Wienermobile and give away little plastic wiener whistles, shaped like a hot dog, with the company logo on them, and when blown, could whistle the Oscar Mayer song. Of course, we asked George to sing the song.

In the late 50s and early 60s a lot of you watched the very popular “Gidget” movies. Television, film actor, and TV director James Darren was the star of these films, along with co-star Sandra Dee. He played the part of Moondoggie. James was also in “The Guns of Navarone” and “Because They’re Young.” And on TV, he was in “The Time Tunnel” and the police drama “T.J. Hooker.” On WOKY, in the 60s, we were playing his hits “Goodbye Cruel World” and “Her Royal Majesty.”

If you were a game show fan in your youth, you’ll remember Garry Moore. It was on this day in 1952 that the TV panel game “I’ve Got a Secret” premiered. Garry hosted that show and “To Tell the Truth.” He also had his own program, “The Garry Moore Show.” At that time, he introduced comedienne Carol Burnett. After the show ended, Burnett became a star on her own with “The Carol Burnett Show.” Moore started his career as a radio announcer on WBAL in Baltimore. His popularity on the game shows led to a cameo appearance in a film with Doris Day, named “It Happened to Jane.” Garry also made some radio monologues for Decca Records, including “Hugh, The Blue Gnu” and a triple speed reading of “Little Red Riding Hood.”

Tom T. Hall wrote twelve no. 1 hit songs including a no. 1 pop crossover hit “Harper Valley PTA.” It won a Grammy, a CMA award, and inspired a movie and TV program of the same name. Even though the song sold in the millions, he only made about $90,000. He had other hits you might remember including “I Love” and “The Year that Clayton Delaney Died.” Tom was born in Kentucky and organized a band called the Kentucky Travelers. He enlisted in the Army and while performing in Germany he wrote songs about his experiences. He also worked as a disc jockey for a few years, but don’t hold that against him. Tom wrote songs for Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, and Alan Jackson. He wrote a song for Johnnie Wright, “Hello Vietnam,” that was used in the war movie “Full Metal Jacket.”

Susan Anton had a 35-year a career as a singer and actress. She received a Golden Globe nomination for “Golden Girl” and that led to a contract for her own variety show on NBC. She performed with Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Sammy Davis Jr., and Kenny Rogers. She also had a top ten country song “Killing Time.” Susan has appeared on “Baywatch,” “Law and Order,” “Night Court” and appeared more than 30 times on the Merv Griffin Show. But we seemed to be interested in the controversial Muriel cigar TV commercials she recorded.

What unusual tie does Vaughn Meader have to Milwaukee? Vaughn was a film actor, musician, comedian, and impersonator. He was best known for his number one album “The First Family,” a 1962 comedic take off on the Kennedys in the White House. “The First Family Volume Two” was also top 10. At the time volume one was the fastest selling album and won a Grammy for album of the year. Vaughn performed his Kennedy impersonation around the country, on TV and in nightclubs. And we played cuts from the album on the radio. When the president was assassinated in 1963, the album was pulled off the shelves and that part of Meader’s career was over. President Kennedy thought the album was funny, so on this the anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s birthday we bring Vaughn Meader and the first family to the podcast and he’ll tell us about that unusual tie to Milwaukee?

Bubba Smith was a defensive end in college and pro football. He was a star player for the Michigan State Spartans, one of six players to have his jersey retired by the university. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988. Bubba was the number one pick in the NFL/AFL draft. He was the Baltimore Colts starting left defensive end for five seasons, playing in Super Bowl III and V. It was in the 5th Super Bowl that he won his only bowl ring. His outstanding playing ability earned him a double-team. You might remember him from the TV commercials for Miller Lite with Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive star Dick Butkus. Bubba was best known for his role as Moses Hightower in the “Police Academy” movies. He published his autobiography, “Kill, Bubba, Kill” in 1983.

Did you ever think you would hear a Popeye podcast? Jack Mercer was a voice actor and one of his cartoon characters was Popeye the Sailor Man. He did Felix the Cat and others that he’ll talk about, and he’ll provide some samples. Jack also read the opening lines for the Popeye movie starring Robin Williams. Mercer’s first wife Margie Hines, was the voice of Olive Oyl.

Actress Terry Moore was married five times, six, if you include her disputed marriage to eccentric business magnate Howard Hughes. She received a reported $350,000 settlement from the Hughes estate. Terry was nominated for an Oscar in “Come Back, Little Sheba” with co-star Burt Lancaster. She appeared in many films and TV programs including “Peyton Place,” “Love Boat,” “Batman” and “Murder She Wrote.” Terry posed nude in Playboy magazine at age 55. She’ll discuss that experience.

Hugh Downs was a radio and TV broadcaster into the late 1990s. He was Jack Paar’s sidekick on the “Tonight Show,” co-host on the “Today Show” and anchor on “20/20.” Hugh was also the announcer on the “Kuka, Fran and Ollie Show,” “Sid Caesar Hour” and the game show “Concentration.” Downs was very much involved in public service, including consultant to the United Nations refugee programs and on the board of the U.S. Committee for UNICEF. On his last 20/20 appearance, he was one of the first public figures to say that marijuana should be legalized.

Who is more Milwaukee than Lawrence Welk? With his accordion and orchestra, played polkas plus light and bubbly “champagne music,” which laid claim to the bubble machine. He played many dance dates in Milwaukee, including George Devine’s Million Dollar Ballroom. It was there, as a youngster, my parents took me to see him, and they bought me an accordion. That didn’t last long, as I preferred to play baseball instead of playing the squeeze box. Welk recorded some of his records in Grafton, Wisconsin. Today those recordings are rare and valuable. Welk started out in radio and later his very popular “Lawrence Welk Show.” He mentions the threat of being canceled, but that never happened, and reruns are seen today on local TV. He had several hits including “Calcutta,” which was a number one record in 1961. Welk was inducted into the International Polka Hall of Fame and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He even appeared on Saturday Night Live. You might remember when Stan Freberg impersonated him in a recording called “Wunnerful Wunnerful.” Welk was not happy with Freberg’s mimic but ended up using it for the title of his book.