In 1969 a group of students occupied the 9th floor computer center of Sir George Williams University (currently known as Concordia University) to object to racial bias in academic grading.  50 Years later we revisit this page in Montreal history through an event called Protest & Pedagogy.  Khalid M’Seffar of Funky Revolutions interviews Kaie Kellough, spoken word artist,  (& Soul Perspective Allum) one of the event organizers to discuss the events that shaped this incident. This piece explores racial tensions, student activism, Montreal Black history through the music of the era, through documentation of the event, personal connection and historic legacy .

Sunday Aug 19th The Goods Radio show went live from Casa Del Popolo for a  live interview with Andy Williams conducted by Doug Miller (co-host of Amandla, CKUT’s African News Programme since 1987). They go through Andy’s musical origins in  Derby, England, Jamaica, Toronto, Lennoxville  and now Montreal. He speaks of the music he listened to growing up and his insatiable hunt for sounds that are sweet to his ears.

(above picture Donnie Rossiter and Martha Marie Kleinham)

As part of CKUT’s 30th Anniversary Oral History project, we interviewed Martha Marie Kleinhans who was one of the key driving forces behind CKUT’s fm licence application and move to FM. She says that Concordia University was expected to get the licence because of their active ties to the local scene however, CKUT’s (McGill) application put a strong focus on community programming and she believes this is what worked in the end. She also said there was some internal resistance as programmers knew that they would be evolving to a different kind of radio station. She volunteered prior to the license and ran for station manager on the basis of delivering the fm licence. She was the first station manager at CKUT 1986-87.  She said she worked closely with Don Rossiter and had the help of McGill Legal Professor Dr. F.H. Buckley who said “they rejected my idea that they go All-Monkees, All the time.”

She and Donnie went around to various cultural communities with a large hypothetical grid and said “should we get the licence would you be interested in producing radio”.

“We got the licence based on a promise.” The rest is history.

Andrea Jane began listening to the CKUT radio show AACK as a teen.  When in University Alex Moskos walked into her class and did a presentation.  He mentioned volunteering opportunities at CKUT and before long she was filling in for Where’s the Beat , then became the Music Resource Coordinator and then Music Department Coordinator (2006 – 2011). She talks about the passion she had for the music library and some of the unexpected challenges she faced as Department Coordinator (like the time someone broadcasted a police scanner over the air!). She describes the listening experience as an eclectic mix and “just as you don’t know what your are going to hear when you tune in to CKUT, you do not know what your are going to encounter when you walk into the station”.

Ian Pringle was a Bookkeeper, then Spoken Word Coordinator from 1987-1991.

He discovered CKUT when he was a McGill student, assigned to do a piece on CKUT getting our FM license for the student newspaper The Tribune. Taken with the diversity and excitement of the station he became a volunteer and ultimately staff member.   In this interview he talks about the passion and commitment to diversity and the democratization of media. He also talks about the profound impact people like Martha Marie Kleinhans, Lisa Vinebaum, Christof Migone and especially hosts of the Homo Show, David Shannon and Donnie Rossiter had on him. He also recollects the infamous and historic turning points in the Queer Community, the death of Joe Rose and the Sex Garage raid, police brutality and community uproar.  

He went on to work internationally in communications and radio, and now resides in Ottawa.

Here are some links to the HIV/AIDS PSAs Ian mentions (warning: explicit content)

He describes what news gathering looked like during this period, receiving communiques in the mail, making cold calls  and organizing broadcasts on a bulletin board.  A time when people smoked a lot, right in the station, and embraced the misfits.

Stuart went on to cover news with Global News, CBS, SKY and is currently residing in Prague working for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Bryan Zuraw was at Radio McGill/CKUT from 1983-1997 as a volunteer, music librarian and music coordiantor.

He discusses what was going on musically at the time, musique actuelle, (the beginnings of Ambience Magnetique), college indie rock (pre-Nirvana), hip hop, dancehall reggae (when these genres really started to bloom)… the interest of community members to do radio (given that there isn’t an Urban radio station in Montreal)… establishing an identity and mandate for the station, maintaining a diversity of perspectives and benefiting from this process both personally and intellectually. And of course, conducting all station business (i.e. Steering, Programming, Committee meetings) in the hallway as there was no room to do so at CKUT. All of this was pre-internet. It involved writing to labels, researching magazines such as the Village Voice, OP (Option) Sound Choice, The Wire, newsletters and tape trading networks.  He also speaks on picking up the habit of waking up at 3am to make sure that someone is On Air, because if not, he would make his way to the station in the middle of the night.

Bryan now lives in Los Angeles with his wife (ex CKUT programmer Kie Ross Zuraw) and is still finding strange music to vibe to.

Rev Jackson speaks of his love for gospel music (he grew up with Aretha Franklin).  Christopher asks him to contrast today’s “State of America” with that of the past.

Rev Jackson speaks of the humiliation of racism, the current “tug of war for the soul of america”, the dangers of “spending more money on militarism than on human rights leading to morally and spiritually bankrupting the nation”.  The importance of globalism – labor, capital, technology and human rights and states in the end it  is “character and caring – caring is the key – not limited to race, gender or religious persuasion.

Take a listen.

We also broadcast the origin story of  Venus Radio and interview Anna Leventhal about her experience hosting Venus and being the chair of CKUT’s Board of Directors.  We also play a bit of an interview with tUnE-yArdS (the entire interview is available in this time capsule).

As part of the 30th Anniversary Oral History special programming we interview Pat Dillon Moore aka The Dreadhead aka The Empress aka Sistah P, former host of Positive Vibes, former station manager of CKUT and current co-host of Bhum Bhum Time.

Pat tells us what it was like growing up in Montreal in the 70s.  We discuss race relations at CKUT, money, moving the station from McTavish Street to University street we recount the story of when our turntables got stolen and play lots of reggae music.

Eve Parker Finley Celebrates International Women’s Day in the Transiest way possible.  She profiles women such as  Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson gay activist in the time of Stonewall and co-founders of STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolution) and educates us on other women we should know including Miss Major Griffin-Gracy executive Director of the Transgender Gender Variant Intersex Justice Project.

Real radical radio and some music by Erica from the Bay Area – and Jess Manniquin-Head of Lonely Boa

Samaa Elibyari is a member of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women and has been doing programming at CKUT since 1997. CKUT Culture Coordinator, Tamara Filyavich, speaks with Samaa (the week after Trump announced the move of the U.S. embassy from  Tel Aviv to Jerusalem) about covering issues affecting the Muslim community for over 20 years.  She began with the radio show, Crossroads with Ehab Loteyef in 1997 while she was working at the Islamic Center. Then started the radio show Caravan .  She recalls being on the air the day after 9-11 and how this event focused and galvanized her objectives for the show.  She was/is alarmed at how reductive the mainstream reporting of this event  was and felt it important to talk about the effects of the sanctions in Iraq, the bias in U.S. policy towards Palestinians and the other issues that motivate young men to such extreme behavior.  She used her voice as a programmer at CKUT to counterbalance the bias against muslims which she sees as a “downward spiral against Muslims” both in the U.S and in Quebec.

Samaa took a hiatus from programming and a new team have formed with a new show entitled Montreal Arab Show that currently airs Fridays 2pm – 3pm.  Samaa continues to provide mentorship to this group and is a frequent contributor.

Special hour long episode of the International Radio Report in honor of 30 year on the air. Hosts Sheldon Harvey and David Asselin, are joined by past contributors Janice Laws, Gilles Letourneau, CKUT culture Coordinator Tamara Filyavich,  Alan Roberts and Zack Rynar. Clips from the very first broadcast and discussions about their shared fascination with RADIO.

Flyer slideshow

West Indian Rhythm’s Howard ‘Stretch’ Carr and Faithlyn Sankar talk to Lady Saw about infidelity, infertility and staying strong.  This was taken from the August 2015 live broadcast from the Montreal International Reggae Festival. Only CKUT can get interviews like this from renowned artists, its like they are talking to family.

Sex Garage was a loft party put on by Nicholas Jenkins.  The event was raided by policeman who took off their badges and proceeded to arrest and beat participants.  Linda Dawn Hammond took pictures of the raid and managed to get them to the La Presse and the Montreal Gazette.  An incredible story of homophobia and fighting back .

Duke Eatmon mega Prince fan will get to the concert no matter what!. Filling in for Butcher T’s Noon Time Cuts May 22nd 2015, Duke played 2 hours of Prince music and told us this story.

For one – there was a dj there.  Thanks to Pro-V (All Day Way Live Radio Wednesdays 3 – 5pm) on CKUT.

and people with Wu Tang Clan tattoos on the back of their neck

Perhaps the biggest event the station has every held?  It involved a number of new challenges.  Like how do you promote a lecture by a hip hop artist?

How do you deal with online tickets?

The event was hosted by Stephen “Zip” Hennesey (host of Ill Groove Garden Sunday night 11pm – midnight on CKUT).

And we pretty much packed the place.

Gza was Generous.  He read a prepared speech that connected the dots between chess, physics, being relevant, hip hop, love, the meaning of life and more.

A bunch of people lined up to ask questions.

Here’s Zips recap on Ill Groove Garden Sun April 6th

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/ckut-time-capsule/id1305350605?mt=2

Links to some coverage we got;

The Main

Montreal Gazette

Mtl Blog

McGill Tribune

As you may have heard, CKUT had a pretty great party to celebrate our 25 years on air. One of the highlights was a unique rap written & performed live by Logic Johnson, host of Listen You Smell Something. It was a one-time only performance but it’s too good to not share. Check it out!

Venus Radio started in 1996 by Laura MacNeil, Delphine Foo and Erin MacLeod.  The show is run by a collective of hosts and “explores women’s impact on music and the impact of music on women in various jobs, stations  and positions in life” (show proposal Nov 1996).  The show went on to win many #1 Best Radio Show in the Montreal Mirror/Cult Montreal readers poll and is well known for its infamous Radiokee where Montreal musician came to the station to sing their hearts out and raise funds for CKUT.

Below is a bit of oral history – the story of the origins of Venus radio.

Produced by: CKUT-Dee LeCompte

While imprisoned in the 1960s, Dorothy Proctor was experimented on and forced to electric shock, sensory deprivation, and even LSD-25. Many years after being released, Proctor began her investigation on the experiments that were done to her and countless others in the 1960s and 70s. She later went on to sue the Canadian government for their support of such experiments and won her case in 2002. This clip reveals Proctor’s views on the case, Correctional Service of Canada, and the stigma female prisoners receive.

The interview was conducted by Dee LeCompte host of the radio show Prison Radio which began airing on CKUT 2006 (and is still on the air).

Produced by: Ronit & Melanie

Turn up your volume ’cause this audio’s O-L-D! In this clip two women, part of an all-dyke Montreal skating crew, talk about what it means to be a female skater. What do you do when you love the hardcore scene and skateboarding, but are totally sick of standing on the sidelines and watching the boys skate? What do you do when a man walks by you skateboarding and tells you a real woman should be wearing red lipstick and standing by her boyfriend’s side? Start a skateboarding crew of your own!  As a result of Skater Dykes, these skateboarding ladies feel empowered even when faced with discrimination from passersby and male skaters. WARNING: featuring some delicious sonic gems from X-Ray Spex + spreading love for thrash, punk & hardcore. 

Download audio here

Interview with Valerie Scott

Produced by: CKUT

Former sex worker, Valerie Scott, discusses the obsession the public has with sex while still being reluctant to speak about the need to educate on safe sex practices. She rebukes the stigma that prostitutes spread STD’s.  Scott explains why apprehending all sex-workers or making prostitution legal while requiring weekly health checks would not stop the spread of STD’s.

Interview with The Sugarcubes

Produced by: Lorrie Edmonds

Members Einar Benediktsson and Magga Örnólfsdóttir talk with Lorrie about their uncertainty as The Sugarcubes, their publishing company Bad Taste, the music scene in Iceland. Their life on tour is one that amuses them – everything from the hotel rooms to the limousines! They also explain how money has become the drive for the band. Listen to find out more what they truly mean.

Download audio here

Only two episodes have survived, but you can listen to them here:

Episode 1, aired November 7, 2012:

Episode 2, aired December 5, 2012:

The attached cover’s are CKUT alumni – Detroit Burns (the baby) and Prym Tyme, CKUT Production coordinator in the 90s.

In this clip Pat Dillon aka Sistah P is speaking to Reverend Gray.  They discuss the student strike, Trevor Martin, and being ticketed for being black in Montreal.

On Tuesday February 8th 2012 a group of approximately 25 McGill students occupied the 6th floor of the McGill Administration Building.  This was done as a result of the decision by McGill Administration to not recognize the results of a referenda questions posed by CKUT 90.3fm and QPIRG McGill.  The occupation lasted six days.  A group of approximately 60 students also occupied the ground floor and the space outside the building.

Some background: independent student groups are required to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with McGill University.  This contract covers such things as use of name, insurance requirements, conditions of fee transfer, amongst other things.  In our history, these negotiations have been difficult for a multitude of reasons.  In 2012, McGill University required all student groups to withdraw the name McGill from their name and in addition, they moved the collection of fees and the ability to opt out of fees on to an online system entitled Minerva.  Certain groups within the Student Society of McGill University wanted to provide students with the ability to opt out of fees to increase accountability and to allow students who opposed the service provided by that particular group to withdraw their financial support.  However, some student groups were concerned that given the simplicity of opting out online it would lead to blanket opting out and would result in a significant financial hit impeding the services which they are mandated to provide.  These student groups provide services largely for minority or marginalized individuals and the funds that support them are not meant to be viewed as user fees.

The online opt outs forced student groups into perpetually campaigning for their fees and resulted in some ugly divisiveness on campus.   There were numerous initiatives and groups trying to raise awareness and create debate about what kind of campus McGill students wanted.

All of this tension on campus eventually culminated in the occupation of the Administration Building.  The occupation took place without the knowledge of CKUT and QPIRG McGill.  It also came at the time of  massive student demonstrations throughout Quebec against the raising of tuition by the province.

It is difficult to state definitively what the occupation accomplished.  CKUT is no longer called McGill Radio; instead, we are Radio CKUT.  We have to run an existence referendum, during which students are asked if they want to continue having a radio station on campus, every five years and students can still opt out of CKUT’s fees online.

However, there is no denying the resurgence in student activism and the struggle for equality and diversity on campus and in the station that the occupation inspired.  Education should be a right and student groups are an important part of that education.  We are all still learning.

Links Galore:

6th Party Radio Documentary CKUT McGill Daily Feb 2012

Media Co-Op

Media Coop Resignation Party

McGill Daily 2012

McGill Daily Morning After

Mob Squad McGill Daily Reflects 2017

Rabble.ca

CBC

Produced by Joe Winer, engineered by Marc Montanchez & Amber Goodwyn. Photo by Spencer Gilley.

https://archive.org/compress/none_given_1745-9990/formats=VBR%20MP3&file=/none_given_1745-9990.zip

This radio art “Rock Story” was produced by Louise Burns in 2010.  The text is from a letter she intercepted while working at PolyGram Records in the early 80s.  It is based on a piece of fan mail to the group Kiss, written at the time when the group decided to perform without their traditional makeup (1983 – a decision the eventual went back on). This decision upset much of the Kiss Army.  This fan mail is the basis for the text.  It is performed by Tia Ouimet, Louisa Sage, Detroit Burns and Fortner Anderson as the voice of God.  It aired on If You Got Ears and is intro’ed by Alex Moskos.

https://archive.org/compress/Live_At_CKUT_on_Montreal_Sessions-9974/formats=VBR%20MP3&file=/Live_At_CKUT_on_Montreal_Sessions-9974.zip

Hilarious Radio ad by Louise Burns and Alex Moskos

“The year was 2007. MySpace was the coolest, an ancient melon had been discovered in Japan, Avril Lavigne had just released her third album, and Facebook was worth less than $15 billion. And a young performer named Merrill Garbus was beginning to get a name for herself as tUnE-yArDs, playing around Montreal and her native Vermont”

“We on Venus had noticed her iconoclastic and theatrical performances, her fierce songwriting, and her DIY ethos. We invited her to our show when tUnE-yArDs was only a few months old. Listen below for an interview, a live performance (including three unreleased songs!) and a guest DJ set from Merrill. We think it’s really cool to see where she was at back then, when she was just starting to put together the project that would eventually take her to the top of the indie charts and critics’ lists (and it’s fun to hear our embarrassing 2007 baby voices). We hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we loved having her as a guest.”

The “we” referred to is Catherine McInnis and Anna Leventhal (host from 2000- 2013).

Produced by: CKUT

Show: Native Solidarity News

In this clip, we hear audio recording from a service in remembrance of the 1990 Oka Crisis. Will Nicholls, former CKUT host of the show Indian Times, spoke during the service. He recounts his experience as host and the dark humor he used in order to survive the repercussion of the Oka Crisis. He explains the reasons for the end of the show as due to the unexpected response by some CKUT listeners along with the harsh realities of racism he experienced personally and as a reporter.

Mumia Abul-Jamal Case and History

Date: June 19, 2005

Produced by: Dexter X

In its original recording, Mumia’s sister Lydia Barashango and a member of the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abul-Jamal group are interviewed. The interview looks into the journalist’s life from childhood, to the day he was charges with the killing of a Philadelphia police officer, to the then current rallies calling for attention to Mumia’s case. They examine what Mumia’s case signifies for other death-sentenced prisoners.

Andy Moore (previously of Dog Face Hermans) speaks about the Ex’s DYI philosophy and the the influence of Eastern African music . He also talks about the departure of longtime member Luc Ex in 2002.

Eric Theriault host of CKUT music department interviews him for the radio show New Shit.

One More!

How many Languages ?

Interview with 7 Year Bitch

Date: April 1995

Produced by: Penny

Show: CUTS

The all female Seattle band talk on their problem with being labeled a Riot Grrrl band, their experiences after the death of their guitarist, and some of the incidents while on tour in Europe and the American South. Listen to the origins of the band’s most lyrically intense songs “Dead Men Don’t Rape“. The band explains their on-going struggle to have people critique them for being an all female band rather than their lyrics or music.

Download audio here

This was a promo that aired on CKUT for an event to launch his book “Diary of A Trademark” at the Stornoway Gallery in Montreal 1994 The other voice is that of DJ Mike Williams

Bonus content Ian Stephens ode to Mr. Barry White.

Roll Call – Shout Outs

Host – Fluxy & Prym Tyme alongside Johnny Black

Biga up my girl on the South Shore – Uptown – chillin’ pon da corner – Fi louse
Your voice is always kicking waking me up all the time – Mega mix master Prime Time CAN’T SLEEP Swans Scandolous
Mo Mo – CDP Possie
Respect to Road Warrior – Smokey LDG Justice coming from Big D outta da Bronx
I & I Sound Crew – The West Island Crew & DJ Rage Chirade

You can’t go to sleep !
Miss Stop Traffic herself – Shelley – Big up Virgo Crew and Black Harmony
Shout to Chris – I’m up and have serious thoughts about you –  from Wendy Ann –
LP – Love Partying Baby
Shout out to Trinni Shelly- everything kickin in from Richard
New Dehli – via satellite (huh???)
Message to Montreal crew – We Ethnic people have to stick together – too much violence out there – united we stand violent we fall
Big up all Scat Man from Skitty Rankin
Free plug – Check the out-there brothers – Club Texas
This is Cesar from Laval big up my brother John Bobby Greg Mark Big up Laval Possie

Big Up CKUT

Reggae-spect

Interview with Ian Mackaye of Fugazi

Date: September 12, 1993

Produced by: Tien Lee

Ian Mackaye elaborates on Fugazi‘s reasoning on making “unconventional” decisions such as charging $5 to see them while still playing at recognized venues such as Metropolis. He goes over the history of the band’s line, music, and his original hopes for the band. The classic Mackay interview ends with a critique on the music reviewers and explains his emotional response to the “lazy” journalism music writers seem to indulge in.

Download audio here

Interview with JALE

Date: 1993

Produced by: Penny

Show: CUTS

Bassist Laura Stein calls the station for an interview right before heading out on the band’s very first Canadian tour. She confesses to missing practice for thinking the band was a joke. While still in art school, Stein naively talks about the band’s future plans for the following summer.

Interview with Clair Culhane

Date: November 1992

Produced by: CKUT

Clair Culhane explains a few reforms to the Canadian prison system. She goes over the bill that allows the media to attend hearings of inmates. For those inmates looking for early releases based on their good behavior while in prison, Culhane points out that media would cause unnecessary commotion against such prisoners and their families. She also informs on judges’ right to decide when inmates would be eligible for parole based on impressions from their trials.

Interview with the Dog Faced Hermans

Produced by: Penny

Show: CUTS

Members of the Scottish band visit the station to explain how their origins in classical music led them into the indescribable noise known as the Dog Faced Hermans. Singer Marion Coutts explains how being in an almost unconscious state helps her be able to deliver such energetic performances. Quite the opposite, percussionist Wilf Plum explains why he feels pressure while performing live. The interview also includes a rare live performance!

Download audio here

Special on Lydia Lunch

Date: May 1992

Produced by: Penny

Show: CUTS

An entire show dedicated to the multitalented artist Lydia Lunch. Best known for singing in Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, Lunch moved from music to spoken word and even writing, directing, and staring in a number of films.  Host Penny reads from an interview with Lunch from the anthology Angry Women. The interview displays Lunch’s opinions on women, politics, and even love. Also read is a critique on Lunch included in the fanzine Maximumrocknroll in April 19, 1989.

HERE IS A STATION ID LYDIA DID FOR THE RADIO SHOW AACK

https://archive.org/download/ADS02CKUT4thBirthdayBash1/ADS02CKUT4thBirthdayBash1_vbr.m3u

Interview with Hole

Date: 1991

Produced by: Penny Patterson

Show: CUTS

Live from Le Foufounes Électriques, the members of Hole take turns on the mic to share the thoughts on foxcore, token bass players, and Hollywood. They also discuss their sudden success as a band after being together for merely a year and a half at the point of the interview. Bassist Jill Emery also explains the dynamics of the band through their astrological signs.

Interview with L7

Date: 1991

Produced by: Penny

Show: CUTS

After playing their Montreal show, L7 joins CKUT host Penny to smoke and talk in the men’s bathroom of Foufounes Électriques. Bassist Jennifer Finch and guitarist Suzi Gardner give a rundown of their organization Rock for Choice which they founded earlier that year. They also explain the reason for writing their song “Everglade,” which at the time had yet to be released. Obviously they also talk mosh pits, pit decorum, feminist zines and all that good stuff.

http://soundcloud.com/timecapsule903/l7-talking-reproductive-rights

Download audio here

AND HERE 

Date: February 13, 1991

Produced by: David Blair

Show: Off the Hour

Joseph Norton, the Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council at Kahnawake, reviews the conflict of jurisdiction and policing between the federal government and the Mohawks. He explains the formation and reason for establishing the Peace Keeping Force. He concludes with what be believes the government should do in order to not give but to actually acknowledge the Mohawks’ autonomy.

Interview conducted by then  CKUT news programmer David Blair – currently David is CBC’s business reporter.

Download Audio here

Interview with Lights in a Fat City

Date: November 8, 1990

Produced by: Jeff

Interview by Kathy Kennedy

Show: Midnight Snacks

Members of the band talk about their culturally merging music largely based on the didgeridoo. Member Stephen Kent gives a run down on the instrument and its usage context within the band’s music. The ever evolving sound the band produces is determined on the environment the band finds itself in. Be it a top a mountain or in Foufounes Électrique , the sound always takes its needed form.

Interview with Lunachicks

Date: 1990

Produced by: Penny

Show: CUTS

Right before their show, Penny meets the women of Lunachicks. They discuss the technical side of being in a band by explaining the problems with the English record label Blast First and their naivety in believing companies’ empty promises. The women also talk about how they react to those people who insult them for being women playing music. Find out where the band would like their next shows to be!

Bryan Zuraw, CKUT’s Music Coordinator at the time, and CKUT Programmer, Julia Loktev (host of Curiouser and Curiousear) had the brilliant idea of having them perform live from our CKUT studios.  CKUT studios, at this time  were located in the basement of the Shatner Building of McGill University.  They had never met each other before and come from opposite musical worlds  – it’s going to be great right?

For those of you who don’t know the old studios were pretty tiny and the image of the rather portly Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and his entourage of tabla players and Elliott Sharp wielding his double necked axe is one to imagine (if anyone has pictures of this event please get in touch!).  Bryan also had to arrange for a translator which he managed thanks to McGill’s Middle Eastern Studies.  He also managed to rope in music host John Braithwaite (Jazz Amuck) to tech the whole thing . John Braithwaite is not a tech and remembers just winging it.  Here is Julia’s recollection ” I remember calling the promoters, and they were like, “Uhm ok, sure.” I don’t think they had any idea what we were proposing. We thought maybe he would come with just a couple of guys, but they showed up with like 15 people and their instruments. I remember looking at them coming in one-by-one through our narrow record library, and thinking oh my god they are not going to fit in that tiny studio! I’ve never seen the studio so packed. I think Elliott ended up wedged in a corner . But it was amazing! They were all totally so game and lovely. ”

Here is what Elliott Sharp remembers,

Finally – we have dug up and digitized the audio! Take a listen.

Public Enemy Interview with Chuck D

Date: January 1989

Produced by: RONNIE LUV

Show: Weekend Groove

Chuck D shares his opinions on the American government (George Bush! Remember that guy?), politicians, and history and the effects on Black America. Chuck D elaborates on “Don’t Believe the Hype” (1988) and on Public Enemy’s support for Minister Farrakhan who is mentioned in many of the group’s lyrics. In true Public Enemy form, he finishes off by explaining White supremacy, Black Power and how the two affect the group’s lyrical structures. Interviewed by Ronnie Luv original host of Weekend Groove

Download Audio Here

This is the show intro

Click here to download audio