Naming themselves after a misheard lyric in the Stooges ‘1970’; Sydney’s Radio Birdman burst onto the Australian rock scene in the mid '70s.
“Out of my mind on Saturday night, 1970 rolling in sight, radio burnin' up above, beautiful baby feed my love all night…” — the Stooges
I misheard that lyric for at least twenty years myself. Doesn’t matter, “Radio Birdman” is a better band name anyway.
Early word of the craziness of their live shows spread like wildfire and it’s from here that their cult following grew. Playing at ridiculously high volume, their shows at various pubs and clubs across Sydney could be heard from down the street. Publicans would cut their power, and they’d just get extension leads and plug back in. — Cyclic Defrost
An ode to Hawaii Five-O from Radio Birdman’s debut album, Radios Appear (the international version, released one year after the domestic Oz version with a different track list).
.
‘Aloha Steve and Danno’ (1978)
.
Lead guitarist Deniz Tek was the driving force behind Radio Birdman. He has a great story. Left Ann Arbor as a teenager to attend medical school in Australia (he was too young to be accepted here). After returning to the USA during the early 80s, he became a surgeon in the US Air Force. He continues to play music to the present day.
There’s an episode of The Vinyl Guide podcast featuring Deniz Tek. He’s thoughtful, well-spoken and tells good stories. I'd regularly listen to that podcast during my commute in the pre-COVID days. Highly recommended; check out the episode list.
I’m sure you’ve seen videos where live footage is matched up with studio recordings. Those are often a bit “off” if you watch closely. ‘Descent into the Maelstrom’ is exemplary; like a trailer for a great concert movie.
This song goes on your “driving on the highway at night” tape immediately before ‘Radar Love’.
.
‘Descent into the Maelstrom’ (1977)
.
While it’s not unusual for groups to write self-referential songs (see: the Monkees, the Clash, the Gories) or to write songs about older musicians (Elvis, etc.), it is unusual for a group to write a song referencing one of their peer. Brisbane’s Fun Things paid tribute to Radio Birdman back in 1980 with the Birdman knock-off ‘When the Birdmen Fly’.
*** MONTANA ALERT ***
Dr. Deniz Tek, ER doctor, Billings, MT. (4/5 stars in US News & World Report Doctor Ratings). I believe he retired a couple of years ago.
.
‘Non-Stop Girls’ (1977)
.
WHO’S TALKING TO WHO?
Jimmy Kimmel: Gwen Stefani, Dr. Sanjay Gupta (R 3/15/21)
Jimmy Fallon: Maya Rudolph, Christopher Meloni, 24Goldn
Stephen Colbert: Emmanuel Acho, Gina Yashere (R 3/10/21)
Seth Meyers: Sacha Baron Cohen, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Ash Soan
James Corden: Chrissy Teigen, NEEDTOBREATHE
SPOILER WARNING
A late night gathering for non serious palaver that does not speak of that night’s show. Posting a spoiler will get you brollywhacked. You don’t want that to happen to you. It's a fate worse than a fate worse than death.
.
Golden Earring ‘Radar Love’ (1973)
.
LAST WEEK'S POLL: LOONEY TUNES: THE NEXT GENERATION
Foghorn Leghorn 24% 5 votes
Marvin the Martian 5% 1 vote
Roadrunner 29% 6 votes
Sylvester 14% 3 votes
Tasmanian Devil 10% 2 votes
Tweety 5% 1 vote
Yosemite Sam 0% 0 votes
Wile E. Coyote 14% 3 votes
.
Thee Mighty Caesars ‘Wily Coyote' (1985)
.