No Daytona Beach or Ft. Lauderdale wildness for me this year. (That ship has sailed!)
My ten-day Spring Break is over. Time to get back in the classroom which is fine by me. The best part about being off like this is I had no agenda or schedule to follow. No ‘have to be here by this time and do this’, it was just a go with the flow deal. Still, I did get a few things done while off and here goes the list.
**I paid for and picked up my new season swim pass from the Elmhurst Park District. Since I spend so many days at East End Pool the price of $75 is more than worth it. It comes out to less than a dollar a day. Also, this year all season pass owners get 4 free passes to take guests to the pool. This was one of the suggestions I’ve issued to the Park District the last two years and now they’re rolling with it! The EPD has also come through with other changes I and others advocated for so it pays to make your voice be heard! Opening day is May 25th.
We’re less than 2 months away from the opening of another swim season at East End Pool.
**I renegotiated my Comcast cable bill and landed more channels and a 28 dollar cut in monthly fees.
**My snowblower (which I only used a couple times this winter) got its gas blown out and that beast is in dry dock until December.
**Months ago, the DMV sent me fresh new license plates and I finally switched them out with the old ones. This took about an hour because after 13 years of being mounted on my car, the screws that held the plates in were pretty rusted and messed up. Still, mission accomplished.
**I had my PC cleaned out of junk and scored updated spyware thanks to my good friend Luis of Alchemy Tech. Luis does all this remotely and it’s well worth the annual cost I pay to keep things running well.
**My garage needs a new side door and I met up with a local carpenter to get that plan into action. BTW, even the simplest new door isn’t cheap. Damn materials cost more than ever.
Al Flash finished up a new parody video to a tune I wrote for Channel 9 Morning Show weather ace Paul Konrad and it turned out well. We’re emailing it in for Paul’s birthday this week.
Al Flash and I put together a new tune for Paul Konrad, done to the old Genesis hit “That’s All.”
The TV Watch-
**I caught plenty of men’s and women’s NCAA March Madness games plus regular baseball with games that count started. I see the Cubs struggling to get to the play-offs and sorry but the White Sox are going to lose at least 100 games.
**The remake of “Roadhouse” starring Jake Gyllenhall stepping into the late Patrick Swayze’s iconic role should’ve been titled “Road Apple.” C- grade at best.
**I DID enjoy the nine part “American Rust” series which starred Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney. It came out on Showtime 3 years earlier to dismal reviews but I liked it to a grade of a ‘B.’
Mediocre reviews of this 9 part mini-series baffled me. I found “American Rust” to be well done.
**Comedian Dave Attell’s new Netflix special “Hot Cross Buns” was another good watch. That guy often goes rude and wrong and there’s nothing better.
**Musically, I know Beyonce’s “Carter Country” release is the big story in Nashville right now but I rolled with some jams from “Hixtape Vol. 3.” This is a collection of hits from the late great Joe Diffie that are re-worked with Joe swapping verses with singers like Clint Black, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Brooks & Dunn, Tracey Lawrence, the late Toby Keith and even Post Malone. Joe D passed away from complications of COVID 4 years ago but his influence on so many singers remain.
Clint Black & Larry Fleet get to join in on vocals with the late Joe Diffie as part of this Hixtape release.
So now we wrap up eight more weeks of regular school and then four weeks of Summer School and then on to our Summer break. Yes, I am counting the days!
NEXT BLOG- Great performances on the Howard Stern Show.
I sometimes share my love for established songs being covered by other artists. Well done or not so well done, it’s always interesting to hear a different singer or band’s take on a song we know so well by the originator. Here are a few more of my favorite covers.
“Driver 8” by REM and covered by Jason Isbell. This train song is my very favorite by the quartet from Athens, Georgia. Jason Isbell is a major REM fan and it shows in his take of this track which was originally issued on 1985’s “Fables of the Reconstruction” album.
“Drive” by REM and covered by Eddie Vedder. While I was lukewarm to most of 1992’s “Automatic for the People” record, this haunting track is one I never get tired of hearing. Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder does a solid job interpreting this cut adding his on the verge of a breakdown tone to it that I actually like better than the way Michael Stipe sang it.
“Shine”, originally recorded by Collective Soul and covered by Dolly Parton. “Better Now” will always be my favorite Collective Soul song but this one is well repped by Dolly from her 2001 record “Little Sparrow.” Dolly is finely backed up by country bluegrass group Nickel Creek as they countryfy and bluegrass this cut.
“Lost Highway” originally written and recorded by Leon Payne then made popular by Hank Williams Sr. and years later covered by Tom Petty. Outside of nursery rhymes, the first music I ever listened to was Hank Williams because that’s who my mom and dad loved and played on their stereo. Many years later, on a whim, the late great Tom Petty laid down this track with his players and it’s excellent. When the song ends, listen to Tom and his bandmates discuss the merits of “Lost Highway.” ‘Just fucking great.’
“Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” by Elton John and covered by The Who. This was The Who’s contribution to the “Two Rooms” Elton John/Bernie Taupin tribute record from 1991. One of the best lines Taupin ever wrote was “Get about as oiled as a diesel train” and Roger Daltrey belts it out just fine. I also like how Pete Townsend tossed in a segment of Elton’s oldie “Take Me to the Pilot” in the midst of this cover. Well done mates!
The current line-up of the Eagles comes to the United Center this week for two concerts. I won’t be at either show but I saw them live back in 1995. And a couple years before that I had a couple of meet-ups with Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey. Here’s an excerpt from those encounters with Glenn which will be found in my media memoir “Raised on the Radio” whenever it comes out.
Glenn Frey came to Q-101 when in town to play in a charity golf outing and promote his “Strange Weather” album. I grew up on Eagles music and was cautiously eager to meet him. I knew of all the strife within the band before they stopped working together in 1980 and wasn’t sure how he would be with us. In the past, all members of the Eagles were very leery of, and hesitant to talk to the media. It turned out Glenn was an excellent guest with us; maybe no longer being in the band and butting heads with the Don Henley and the rest of the guys put him in a good mood. He took calls and one listener even asked about the intestinal health struggles Frey dealt with for years with, and he openly talked about those problems.
One thing I noticed was the cadence in which Glenn Frey spoke during his interview with Robert Murphy. He was clear and deliberate in his conversation but with an engaging style. I tend to talk in a similar manner so I identified with and liked the former Eagle from the start.
When it came time to record a couple of promos for the Murphy show, Frey carefully looked over my typed lines in the production room. I asked if there were any problems and was told no, it was good copy. He was just measuring everything out to make sure he gave good reads. So yes, I’ve recorded in a studio with an Eagle.
Glenn Frey and yours truly after his visit with the Murphy in the Morning Show at Q-101. (We coordinated our blue jeans and gym shoes look)
Months after visiting us at Q-101, I saw Glenn play a concert at the Vic Theater. He did his solo hits and Eagles classics. Backstage after the show, again he was a pleasure to spend a few minutes with. I also made points with my date as he gladly took pictures and signed an autograph for her.
The intestinal problems Glenn Frey was so open to discuss with Murphy listeners ended up being part of what ended his life in January of 2016. Those issues along with rheumatoid arthritis and pneumonia did him in at the way too young age of sixty-seven. A number of celebrities I met over the years have since died, but Glenn’s passing was a tough one to take in. He was great with me in 1992 and I was thrilled to have seen the re-united Eagles in concert a couple years later.
I also admired Frey’s solo music. From the Chuck Berry styled rock and roll of “Party Town” (a song that never got its proper due) to the sax and horns Memphis sound of “The One You Love” and “True Love.” The acting he did in “Wiseguy” and “Miami Vice” along with soundtrack work for those shows was good, as was his role as the tough-negotiating Arizona Cardinals general manager in “Jerry Maguire.”
Backstage at the Vic Theater- Left to right- Record rep David Pearl, my date the lovely Joann, Glenn Frey and me with a concert t-shirt draped over my shoulder.
Over the years the Eagles have had their share of detractors; many citing Frey and Don Henley for being difficult and greedy rock stars. I choose to look past those stories and appreciate the music they brought us. Glenn’s hassles within the band be damned, he was first rate in my book and always will be. Rest in peace, Glenn Lewis Frey.
No Losing My Lunch- Early February marked a special anniversary for me. It was around February 5th or 6th of 1991 when I last vomited. I remember this because I producing the Murphy in the Morning Show at Q-101 at the time and it was a little over a week before our Valentine’s Day boudoir photo promotion. As the show started at 5:30 a.m., I had to run to the bathroom to get sick. After cleaning up, I thought I could make it until the show’s end. But half an hour later I made another dash to the men’s room and got sick again. This stomach flu sent me home for the rest of the show and the whole next day. In 20 years in radio, it was the only time I ever had to leave my post due to illness. So now my puke-free streak is at 33 years. Let’s see if I can do another 33 years.
Unlike Flounder in “Animal House”, I’ve remained puke free for over 33 years now.
Eyes Closed Shut- Whenever I get a haircut, I keep my eyes closed throughout the trimming. I think this goes back to the days when I had longer hair with bangs and a haircut would leave strands of cut hair falling in my face. Nowadays, I don’t open my lamps until the cutting is done and we’re ready for final approval from me to Brittany, my stylist at Sport Clips in Elmhurst.
Sweet Treats & More– If I’m ever going to shape up physically, I need to stop rolling thru the drive-thru at Stan’s for their red velvet doughnuts. Those sweets are like chewable heroin!
Stopped Up. My kitchen sink’s pipes need a cleaning out so I called the good people at Dhamer Plumbing for service. I grew up with Jim and Jerry Dhamer as their family’s house was right behind ours. Jerry was senselessly murdered back in 2006 and that crime has yet to be solved. However, the family business continues to thrive and is celebrating 50 years of plumbing services. For the past year or so I’ve been clearing my clogs by boiling a huge vat of water and dumping that in my sink. It DOES clear the drain but I get clogs starting up two weeks later.
Time for some pipe cleaning in my kitchen sink.
Watch out for that hole. Whenever I get my oil changed at Jiffy Lube, I always let the workers there roll my car into the service area. I have this unexplainable fear of driving into the open spot on the floor where they do their work. Also, I’m not real crazy about getting my wheels in the right groove when going through car washes.
Pool It. We’re less than three months away from the opening of East End Pool and the summer swim season and I can’t wait to see my ‘summer family’ again. East End Pool is a family friendly place and everyone dresses appropriately for the warm sun and refreshing water.
With that said, I wish that famous models and actresses would lose the wearing of thong bikini bottoms that are shown all over the show-biz websites. We get it, you have a cellulite and pimple free turd-cutter, now stop.
Look, I’m as much a woman watcher and admirer as ever, but that butt floss look just smacks of desperation or as the kids would say, “Looking too thirsty.” We can blame this decades long booty fetish on Jennifer Lopez and those godawful Kardashians but haven’t we seen enough of bare ass cheeks? As I’ve said before, that string up the crack looks so uncomfortable and worst of all, unsanitary.
I could not voice enough support for this fashion sign.
Finally, two weeks ago I pre-sold my writing about the late great Glenn Frey. With the Eagles coming to town next week, I’ll post up the blog that shares the couple of times I got to fly in the same orbit with the Eagles co-founder.
So far, the new season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” has been weak. Three episodes in, about 40 minutes per show and all I’m seeing and hearing are pointless confrontations that are not funny and LOTS of yelling. This smacks of desperation on the part of Larry David and his cast. This 12th season is the show’s last one and to be honest, even season 11 was just so-so. David should’ve closed out with season 10 when he opened his own coffee shop to spite a rival.
The late great Carl Reiner once said sitcoms should run no longer than 5 seasons. After that, the originality and the comedy run dry. In most cases, I totally agree. As much as I was a fan of the “Seinfeld” show from the get-go, the last season of the series was awful. I reviewed the plots of that final season and out of 24 episodes, only 5 were good in my opinion. There were many plots where Jerry and the gang had turned into the Lucy show with slapstick situations that barely got a chuckle from me. Many a sitcom has run out of laughs but have still gone on. M*A*S*H, “Friends” and “Big Bang Theory” are prime examples of shows that stayed around too long because they were so popular but no longer entertaining. Forget about ‘jumping the shark’, sitcoms have a limited shelf life and after that time has elapsed, that shark is dead in the water.
So far the first 3 episodes of the final season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” have been pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty bad.
On the subject of TV, I’ve heard all good things about the latest season of HBO’s “True Detective” which just wrapped up. I need to catch up on this one and hope all the positive reviews are true.
Two TV stars delivering great stuff right now are Jon Stewart and John Oliver. Stewart has returned to doing “The Daily Show” on Mondays only and his first two appearances have been stellar. His on target skewering the ages and feeble minds of both President Joe Biden and Donald Trump was aces work. Wickedly funny and smart, Jon Stewart makes me look forward to Monday nights.
This past Sunday, John Oliver returned from hiatus to his “Last Week” show and was hilarious as ever. Oliver caught up to subjects like the trials of Donald Trump, the Republicans who ran and left the race for President and a special mention and mocking of Chicago’s infamous “Rat Hole.” Then John did a thought provoking and accurate ripping of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Oliver has put out a sincere offer to pay Thomas 1 million dollars a year for the rest of his life IF he retires from the bench in the next 30 days. There was more to this takedown of Thomas and if you get a chance to catch it on reruns this week, by all means do so!
I can’t make up my mind on the attractiveness of “Euphoria” actress Sydney Sweeney who is now seen in movies and even the Rolling Stones video for their song “Angry.” (Like she cares what I think.) Ms. Sweeney does have a smoking hot body (can I still say things like that?) but her face often shows odd expressions that are less than appealing. Hey no matter. She is all over red carpets, commercials and happens to be the most in demand blonde bombshell next to Margot Robbie.
Blonde bombshell Sydney Sweeney wowed the folks at the People’s Choice Awards.
Speaking of Margot Robbie, who’s acting and producing talents I admire, I tried three different times to watch the “Barbie” movie and only made it thru the first ten to twenty minutes before giving up. I’m not saying “Barbie” is a bad film, it’s just not for me.
Movie wise, until the Oscars happen on March 10th, there’s not much in the way of new films to look forward to. One of the recent bombs released last week was “Madame Web.” How bad is this flick? Since Valentine’s Day, its box office totals are only at 15 million dollars. To make things worse, “Madame Web’s” star Dakota Johnson admitted to not even seeing the finished product on screen. Here’s a tip to the folks at Marvel and DC Comics, the super hero movie genre is dead as Dillinger. Time to come up with something new and original.
Terrible reviews and anemic box office numbers spell doom for Madame Web and probably the whole superhero movie genre. Time to give that a rest.
This past Saturday I attended an emotional memorial service for my dear friend Tom Hassler. It was two months to the day since he left us. Ever the smart and practical one, Tom’s wife Linda let the holidays and the post-holiday time in January run through before having this mass. As I’ve noted before, Tommy sure married the right woman. The service was beautiful and it was so good to see Tom’s family including his brother Pete and many friends as we honored his life. It was a relief to comfort each other and reflect on our buddy. Tom and Pete were the first two best friends I ever had and nothing will ever change that. I love them both and always will.
R.I.P. Tom Hassler. A great guy gone too soon.
On to brighter news. The recent Super Bowl saw me winning one of my two bets, so breaking even is better than losing. Villa Park’s Crazy Pour Sports Bar is where I place my legal wagers. Still, I don’t bet often. To quote the late great Bears linebacker Doug Buffone, “He who gambles lives in shambles.”
Crazy Pour is where I go to place my legal bets.
Netflix has an excellent new documentary that true crime fans will love. It’s called, “Lover, Stalker, Killer.” Its twists and turns are pretty wild!
Music Notes– Two months ago, I got clued into Texas native Sarah Jarosz thanks to her appearance on CBS Saturday Morning. Sarah’s folk style/Americana music reminds me of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s works from the early 90’s. Still, Jarosz has her own originality with the just released “Polaroid Lovers” album bringing us songs like “Jealous Moon” (I love that song title) and “Runaway Train.” Check out these tracks and notice Sarah plays an eight string guitar which is a little unusual.
On March 29th, three days after he turns 55, Kenny Chesney is releasing the “Born” album. It’s his first set of new songs in four years and a major stadium concert tour will follow starting in April. The first single, “Take Her Home” is a winner, ditto for the video.
One of Kenny Chesney’s good pals and former concert mates Tim McGraw is set to start his own road run next month. The “Standing Room Only” tour matches him up with Carly Pearce and will play in arenas across the country including a May 31st show here at the United Center. Recently, McGraw issued clips of him doing an acoustic set in New York with one of the highlights being a new take on his early 90’s hit “Don’t Take the Girl.” This version is even more tender and heartfelt than the original release.
Got some different happenings and thoughts rolling around in my coconut so here we go.
One more time I want to share that the music documentary “Immediate Family” is an excellent watch. Catch it for 8 bucks on Amazon Prime or see if your local library has it on DVD to check out. Musicians Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, Waddy Wachtel and Leland Sklar have played on more major hit songs from the 1970’s to the present than anyone can count. They’ve recorded and toured with stars like James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Don Henley, Phil Collins, Stevie Nicks and many others. The film shares details of each of their remarkable music careers. This group has recorded their own music and my current favorite of those cuts is “Skin in the Game” which offers excellent advice to aspiring musicians and to anyone starting out in any profession.
Another good watch is the six-part Netflix series “Griselda” which covers the rise and fall of infamous cocaine drug lord Griselda Blanco. Sofia Vergara plays Griselda (and is much more attractive than the real Griselda) Much of each episode is in Spanish so you read subtitles. There’s loads of action, sex, money and oh yes, drug use. They note a quote from known drug kingpin Pablo Escobar who said he was never scared of any man in the drug business but he DID fear Griselda.
GRISELDA IS A GOOD WATCH ON NETFLIX.
I GOT A WEAK BACK. I GOT IT ABOUT A WEEK BACK. Just as we transitioned from out of the snowy sub-zero weather and to the rainy thaw that followed, I came down with the worst lower back pain of my life! I braved it out on 1/24 but had to call in sick the next day. I’d never been so hobbled in my life but was able to score an early morning doctor appointment on that sick day. My doctor ordered muscle relaxers and a prescription strength pain reliever. Within a couple of hours after taking my first doses, I was doing better and made it back to the classroom on Friday. Being totally pain free since Saturday night, I’m off both meds. These pills are opioids and people get addicted to that classification of drugs because they continue taking them even when they’re not in pain. The prescriptions are now in my medicine cabinet and will only be used when if and when it’s absolutely necessary.
Gotta be careful with taking opioids for pain. Nobody wants to end up a pill dependent mess like Elvis.
POOL IT! Season passes for the Elmhurst public pools go on sale February 1st. The renewal price has gone up again, but considering I spend much of my summer at East End Pool, it comes down to paying less than a dollar a day for pool privileges. Once I re-up my pass online this week, I’ll take a drive to the now empty pool and look around a bit. All the time I’ll be thinking, “It won’t be long until I’m in the water and hanging with my summer family.”
Won’t be long before we’re back in the water. Katy Perry is cordially invited to be my guest at East End Pool.
STOLEN PHONE STORY. Speaking of the pool, two summers ago my dinky little flip phone was stolen out of my car while I swam. I was pissed off and had to cancel my cell service and order a new dinky flip phone. Well, this past weekend I was vacuuming my car and when jostling around under the passenger seat, guess what I found? My old ‘stolen’ flip phone! In July of 2022 it must’ve slipped off my console to under that seat and I assumed it was ripped off. Looking at my sad little phone I realized it’s time to upgrade to a better communication device, not an I-Phone but some kind of decent android piece.
LOST & FOUND, MY DINKY FLIP-PHONE.
THE SUPER BOWL IS SET. So it’s the 49ers vs. the champion Chiefs for Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas. Last year’s big game saw me win over $100 bucks in wagers and I’m still pondering what money and bets to play. I’m leaning towards the Chiefs winning over the 49ers and betting on the ‘over’ of 47 and a half points.
BROCK PURDY & PATRICK MAHOMES. I’M GONNA ROLL WITH #15 AND HIS CHIEFS.
This blog is longer than what i usually post. When you’re friends with someone for over 57 years, there’s plenty to say.Tom Hassler passed away on Sunday December 10th after a short but intense battle with cancer. We will be honoring Tom’s life at a memorial service next month. This blog is dedicated to Tom, his fantastic family and all the friends who were lucky enough to know him.
My first two best friends in the world were Tom and Pete Hassler.
We first met in the summer of 1966 when our family moved to Elmhurst, right across the street from the Hassler family. I was 5, so was Pete and Tom was 9, about to turn 10.
So many activities and events bonded us together like super-glued Legos. Quickly it was us playing wiffle ball in our backyards, playing catch in the street, running bases, playing army with toy guns and also with little plastic toy soldiers in the Hassler’s sandbox and the huge sandpile in our back yard. That sand pile was the spot for an above the ground pool we had for a summer before all of us began swimming at York Commons pool. I remember our post-swim bike races from the pool to home with Tommy always coming in first and me and Pete vying for the silver and bronze medals.
In the fall, Pete, Tom and I would play tackle football in my backyard. We wore helmets and Hutch brand shoulder pads. My red jersey number 35 would crash and hit with Tom’s #23 and I think Petey wore # 56.
At age 9, Wiffle ball in my backyard was the first bond we three had with the other Swain-Mitchell Street boys made up of Steve Bouse, Dennis Rudolph, Andy Spicer and Gerry Dhamer. Steve ‘Harvey’ Charvat would link up with us shortly thereafter. That summer my mom was canning all sorts of foods in our kitchen and would spread homemade jelly on hot rolls and biscuits and dish those eats out to us ballplayers between games. Tommy was the wiffle homerun king in our backyard and I was a close second. Although I was the first of us to hit 100 homers in that backyard ballfield.
Tom played for the Orioles in the Elmhurst Baseball league and years later Petey and I would follow playing for the orange and black O’s.
Baseball, baseball, baseball! Tom Hassler was our baseball mentor. I learned some about the game from my sister Marianne who was a bit of an athletic tomboy until she got to middle school. From Tommy I learned not just how to play ball but the HISTORY of the game. Yes, I knew big names like Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle was but through my friend I learned more about players like Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Honus Wagner, Hank Greenberg, Elston Howard, Bill Skowron and countless other stars from the past. Much of this was done with Tom and me playing his All-Star Baseball Game. I quickly got my own game like his and we even once sent away for more player discs that we split up in a draft.
Tom’s lifelong love for the White Sox is a whole other story. What passion he had for the pale hose! I used to laugh at how he’d travel out to Sox Spring Training games then come back with rosy forecasts for the south side ball club and nothing but doom for the north side Cubs. Ha! I’m so glad that in 2005 he got to see the Sox win it all. A huge relief and cause for major celebration.
Playing 16 inch softball was another love of Tom’s. From age 17 with the Hi-jackers to the Sultans to other teams and contests. I’d get dizzy just trying to keep up with all the places Tom went and the clubs he played for.
It was Tommy who gave me my name of ‘Mick.’ I was known as Mike until about age 7 or so when my older friend said he was going to start calling me Mick. I asked why and he said, it was for Mickey Cochran who was a great catcher for the old Detroit Tigers. I liked Mick better than being called Mike and rolled with it. My family went with this too and each year on the first day of school I had to bring a note from my mom asking teachers to call me Mick instead of Mike and they were fine with that. My nickname “The Hawk” evolved a couple years later.
Hockey- Did we all get into hockey! Tommy was the first of us to put on skates; then he wobbled and staggered on the ice rink we had in my backyard. Pete and I followed being on the blades and did so at York Commons pool in the winter and house league hockey at the YMCA. Pete and I were teammates on the last year we played at the Y, often times paired up as defensemen. I remember the time we were playing on the Dhamer’s backyard rink. Tom caught a puck to the face that gave him a huge black shiner that almost closed up BOTH of his eyes.
Tom, Pete and I were and remained huge Blackhawks fans watching road games on black and white TVs, wearing Hawks red sweaters (Tom wore # 7 for Pit Martin, Petey #2 for defenseman Bill White and I wore #18 for Andre Lacroix, later Denis Savard would wear # 18 and that was better for me) We went to Hawk games at the grand old Chicago Stadium. Tom and some of his college pals would eventually get 2nd balcony season tickets for games in the early 80’s. It was Tom and Pete who taught me the history of former Blackhawk Wally Gunzo and from there we were buying our hockey gear at Gunzo’s Hockey Shop in River Forest. That store was hockey equipment heaven!
Years later, Tom would introduce me to his Pikes fraternity brothers and we’d travel up to Rockford to play hockey at a rented indoor rink. I even went out to DeKalb a couple of times without Tom to link up with those same frat boys for more hockey. Through Tom I met his Pikes buddy Scott (Scooter) Stavrakas and Barry Rozner. Barry would go on to a great career as a sportswriter and when working as a producer for Chicago radio stations I would on occasion call Barry to have him be an on-air guest.
One last hockey memory- In my college years, me, Tom, Petey and my pal Mark Vasko went to a Hawks-Flyers game while we were off on Spring Break. After the Hawks win, Tom spotted Styx guitarist James Young hanging out in the concourse. He pointed Young out to the 3 of us and kept saying, “You’re Styx! You’re Styx!” I don’t think James Young heard Tom but Petey kept laughing at Tom’s being a little star struck by this sighting. To this day, whenever I hear a song by Styx, I recall that brief encounter with James Young and Tom chanting “You’re Styx!”
Then there’s music. Whoa boy, lots of music! I distinctly remember through Tom, learning about and getting into the sounds of Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Uriah Heep and the deep cuts of Elton John’s double album “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” He and Steve Bouse were the first in our group to actually go see concerts in person. The rest of us would follow in the coming years.
In his late teen years, Tom took an interest in my sister Marianne. Mary dated other guys but it seemed a natural fit for she and Tom to link up at some point. They went to at least one concert together, Tom remembered it as featuring Wishbone Ash. While I could be wrong, I think his first romantic kiss was with my sister Marianne. They even carved their initials in the wet cement on the sidewalk in front of our house. You can still make out the TH & MK on that pavement.
I remember when he turned 16, seeing Tom drive off in his busboy clothes to work at Stevens Steakhouse along with Steve Bouse. Both Steve’s mom and my mom worked as waitresses at Stevens so there was a connection there too. Mom always said Tom and Steve were great employees. Tom would share with us some Greek terms he picked up and experiences at what was at the time, Elmhurst’s finest restaurant.
To this day, we Swain-Mitchell boys laugh at the memory of watching many Bears home games in the Spicer family basement. Tommy was a big part of those get- togethers and we’d commiserate at how awful many of those teams in the 70’s really were.
Later years- Late in his time at Northern Illinois University Tom met the love of his life. He introduced his girlfriend Linda to us at a birthday beer bash he hosted at his parents’ house. Wow and hey now! From the get-go Linda was a super sweet and lovely woman and it was obvious she and Tommy would spend their lives together. I recall Linda buying Tom a bird he named Max. It took a few years before their engagement would happen and my reaction was, “What the heck took him so long to propose?” It broke my heart that I could not attend their wedding but I ran a DJ business and had a big event to do on the same day that Tom and Linda said “I do.”
Tom and Linda’s family. The Hassler family was made up of daughters Devin, Kendall & Logan, son Jackson and foster child Carson who was adopted by Tom and Linda. Not to mention the many other foster children they took in and cared for over the years. Just amazing family happenings.
Many years ago, as the Hassler brood was expanding, Tom’s mother would update my mom and I on how things were going. Mrs. Hassler was in awe of her son’s home life. She would often say to me, “Michael, did you ever think Tom would have this kind of a family?” My answer was always, “I never thought it would be like this but he loves it, so great for him!”
Speaking of family, when Mr. & Mrs. Hassler were pretty much homebound in their later years, Tom would come by every week to bring groceries and take them to church. Tom was a huge World War 2 buff and I’m sure that interest started when he was young and learned of his father’s service in Europe. Tom was very proud of his dad’s time in the U.S. Army.
For several years, when the Elmhurst Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot started and ended near the corner of York and Valette, I’d invite Tom and his kids to stop by my house for a post-race visit. In my living room, there’d be Tom, Jackson and Carson and at least one of the girls. We’d spend some time talking about their 5K run and I’d get updates on how the kids were doing in school and their other activities. Living alone after my mom’s passing, these visits were a much looked forward to part of my Thanksgiving holiday.
When the Swain-Mitchell boys would get together at the Brick House in Downers Grove for fellowship, beers, food and watching sports, Tom would never fail to share the latest on his kids who were now all adults. College majors, jobs they had, places they moved to, you name it, Tom told us all about them. He was so proud of all his kids and I admired the parenting he and Linda did for their kids. Great people tend to raise great people and that is certainly the situation here.
Back in April of last year, when Tom was diagnosed with brain cancer, every one of us from the old neighborhood rallied around him with prayers, messages and hope for a positive outcome. We’d get updates from Tom and then from Linda. Eventually it became apparent things were not going to work out as we hoped. I am SO glad I got to see my friend one more time, on the last day of October. He was in home hospice care and in a deep sleep. Yet Tom lightly responded to a few of the memories I shared at that time. He had other close friends do the same during his home care.
And throughout all of this cancer ordeal, Tom’s wife Linda was his constant support and dedicated caregiver. Tommy deserved the best lifetime companion and he got that with Linda.
As far as what I can say to Linda and the family Tom leaves behind, it’s hard to make any sense of his passing. However, over the years, when I eulogized my father, my mother and my sister, there is a quote I spoke that brought me some comfort. It came from the liner notes of John Mellencamp’s 1985 “Scarecrow” album which was dedicated to his recently deceased grandfather. “There is nothing more sad or glorious than generations changing hands.” For me, the goal was to eventually minimize the sadness and appreciate the glorious.
Back when our boyhood pal Gerry Dhamer was murdered in 2006, I wrote up some Swain-Mitchell boys memories that covered some of the above listed stories. That missive was passed around to Gerry’s friends and family. Back then I cited the last line from the movie “Stand by Me” that remains as true now as it did back then. “I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?”
Well for me, that friendship started at age 5 when I first met and played with the Hassler brothers Tom and Pete. Tom was our guide and informal mentor who delved into many of life’s experiences before any of us. Things like playing organized baseball, having a paper route, getting a driver’s license, working part time jobs while in school, going away to college and starting a career in business. Not to mention raising a fine family and progressing through the years. Tom is leading us again as he has left this world before us. We all miss him already but with any hope and good will, we’ll see each other again.
God bless you, Tommy. Thanks for all you were to me and so many others. We’ll never forget you!
In just a few days, the calendar year 2023 ends and we move on to 2024. It’s a time to reflect on what went down in the past 12 months and it’s hard to give this year a grade or rating. It sure as shit was an up and down ride.
January didn’t start out well when I had to put Trouble, my beloved 17 ½ year old kitty cat to sleep due to old age physical ailments. It happened the day after my birthday and was the right thing to do at the right time. I’ve been through the loss of other cats and dogs over the years but no matter how many times that experience happens, it NEVER gets any easier. This is the first time in almost sixty years that I’ve lived in a house without at least one pet.
This portrait of Trouble was sent to me by my friend Kelly Jourdan Duff. Best gift I got all year!
And yet, with the hurt of losing my furry family member, the outpouring of Facebook posts and the calls & emails I got about Trouble were a huge help. Many have offered assistance and encouragement in me getting another cat and I appreciate all that input. In 2024, I hope to adopt two kitties at the same time so they can keep each other company while I’m at school teaching.
My favorite picture of Trouble who photo bombs me. He was never far from my side.
The spring brought the sad details of my East End Pool swim pal Paul suffering a debilitating stroke. I visited Paul several times at an Oak Brook nursing care facility and have seen him at his more recent locale as well.
My East End swim buddy Paul in a recent photo at his nursing home. I visited him several times and need to get back and see him to talk more sports and music.
Then came the news that blew away me and my fellow Swain-Mitchell boys; that our childhood and close friend Tom Hassler had a brain tumor and needed surgery plus radiation and chemotherapy. He battled hard through the treatments but passed away on December 10th. Me and all who knew and loved Tommy are heartbroken. I’m so grateful I got to see him one last time back in late October. While my pal was in a mostly comatose state, he did react to some of the warm memories I shared. Tom’s services will be held after the holidays and I’ll have more to say about him at that time. I feel like a lost a brother.
Tom Hassler surrounded by dear pals at his daughter Kendall’s wedding. His brother Pete is in the glasses sitting behind him. Tom and Pete were the first two best friends I ever had.
2023 was more than gloomy health news. There was the birth of my second grand-niece Julia Nagy in the late summer. Big sister Eliza is a living doll and she adores her new sibling. My nephew Mike (named after me 33 years ago) and his wife Maggie are the most incredibly loving parents.
Cuteness overload with Eliza and baby sister Julia.
Another bright spot was my brother- in-law Jack marrying his longtime love, Lori. My sister Marianne was Jack’s first wife until she passed away in November of 2014. A few years later he started dating Lori. I am beyond thrilled for Jack and know my sister would want her surviving mate to move forward in his life, just as she did at age 27 when she lost her first husband Gary to cancer. Jack was such a devoted husband to Marianne and remains a fantastic father to my nephew Mike and niece Dei. His retirement years get to be happily spent with Lori & her kids, and of course his granddaughters.
Grandpa Jack Nagy and his granddaughter Julia. Love the joy on their faces!
As for me, things went well. School teaching at Parkland Preparatory Academy continues to be my passion and frequent challenge. (That’s what makes it fun) Seeing more of my kiddos graduate this past spring and here in December was beyond gratifying.
The summer swim season was a good one and I got to better know some of the lady ‘water walkers’ at East End Pool. Peggy B is one of those pool regulars and we both realized that she was one of my swim instructors at York Commons Pool 55 years ago. Since I haven’t drowned yet, Peggy did a good job!
I finished the final, final edit of my media memoir “Raised on the Radio” and am in the process of learning all I need to know about self-publishing to Amazon.
Bottom line- the year was a mixed bag of sad and bad news for people who mean much to me but there were some bright spots too.
So as 2023 prepares for its exit, I want to wish those of you who read my posts a safe and wonderful holiday season and a healthy and Happy New Year.
Last selfie (I hate that word) of the year.
FYI- I’ll be taking a few weeks off from blogs and catch up to you again in 2024.
It was ten years ago (December 18th, 2013) when Chicago radio legend Larry Lujack passed away from esophageal cancer at the age of 73. Despite being away from the media spotlight for several years while retired in New Mexico, news of his death was a big deal story back here. It was also a big topic for anyone who worked in professional radio across the country and were influenced by the self-proclaimed ‘Superjock.’ To this day, Larry is still remembered, revered and most of all missed.
The always charming and delightful Ole Uncle Lar…
Most of you know I was Larry’s producer at WLS AM for two and a half years until he retired for the first time in the late summer of 1987. Despite our professional separation, Larry and I remained in contact and close friends until he left this world. We’d conduct hour long phone calls to each other two to three times a year. I even spent several days staying with him and wife Jude in Santa Fe at his invitation.
I’d love to share loads of details of our working and post-working relationship but much of that will be read in my yet to be published media memoir “Raised on the Radio.” Larry would appreciate me holding back right now. Back when we worked together, before shows when I had personal happenings or comments to share with Larry he’d say, “Don’t tell me now, save it for the show!” Duly noted.
However, I can give you a few teasers. (As Lar would say, that’s good “Quarter hour listening maintenance.”)
I was a fan of Lujack’s since the age of twelve. My sarcastic humor and outlook on things often mirrored his. That’s what drew me to being an ardent follower of his radio show, first on WCFL and then when he returned to WLS for the second and final time.
Superjock Larry Lujack doing his thing on the air.
From age 16 on, I aspired to work in radio. However, being hired to be Larry’s producer, writer and on-air co-conspirator was NEVER in my playbook. As only a few people know, LARRY CAME LOOKING FOR ME. HE DID THERECRUITING!That whole crazy story will be shared in my book.
Of course, my book will also have loads of stories about my other three radio stops, at WCKG, WKQX, Q-101 with Robert Murphy and my decade at country music beacon WUSN, US*99. The road that took me to a twenty-year career in radio will also be in “Raised on the Radio.”
But back to the subject at hand, Larry Lujack. I so much miss the laughs we shared on those phone calls. I miss my friend and wish I could tell him one more time how he changed my life. I don’t know where things would have gone for me without him and to be one of the very few lucky enough to be in Uncle Lar’s inner circle until his passing remains a cherished honor.
I do believe in an afterlife and I hope to get to tell him those things when it’s my turn to leave this world. Until then, as Larry would say, “Save it for the show!”
Larry at home in Santa Fe. Always missed and never forgotten!
