In 1979, WBCN was purchased by
Hemisphire Broadcasting who let go several
longtime employees who they determined
“non-essential.” Hemisphere president Michael Wiener
fired 19 of 37 employees and refused to deal with
the union. He wanted to trim”excess fat” while
keeping the “core of the station.”News
director/dissector Danny Schechter was out the door,
but folks like Charles Laquidara, Mark Parenteau,
Matt Siegel, Tracy Roach, and Tony Berardini were kept.
This set off a local controversy in Boston that
resulted in the entire airstaff walking
off the air striking in protest. During the walkout,
WBCN stayed on the air with substitute DJs imported
from several out-of-town Hemisphire sister stations.
The protest got local media coverage and the attention
of several well-known Boston-based music acts,
including The Cars, Aerosmith, and Boston, who got
behind the protest. When several large advertisers
pulled spots, and the union filed a challenge to
Hemisphere’s license, pointing out that by forcing
the staff out on strike, Hemisphere had created a
situation where it couldn’t provide the public service
it was required to, Hemisphire relented, the fired
staffers were rehired and the DJs went back on the air.
The protest was over. (It was also rumored that
Hemisphere’s FCC lawyers had vetoed the course of
action advised by Hemisphere’s labor lawyers.)
On March 9, three weeks into the strike, Hemisphere
agreed to the last of the union’s terms and the strikers
voted to return on Monday, March 12 of 1979, just
in time to celebrate their 11th Birthday on the 15th.
Charles Laquidara played “Superman” by the Kinks
back to back for an entire show in celebration.
More at the door here at 104.
Here’s a collection of material I gathered back
the day the strike ended from a cassette I
named at the time WBCN’s Back !
Except for the 1st song by Sass, the original
playlist of songs from that broadcast has been
segued into re-recordings to ensure a
better sound quality for this podcast of one of the greatest
moments in progressive radio rock history.
ENJOY The Flashback !!!!!!
Click Here Below >>>>
http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1998
Charles Laquidara on the morning of
the 1st show after strike
“Radio” by Sass
WBCN News - WBCN Strike results
“Still The Same “ by Bob Seger
Problem Of The Day - Sound bite from a scab
“Back In The Saddle” by Areosmith
On air with Charles Laquidara
“Do You Think I’m Sexy” by Rod Stewart
Matt Siegel & the Studio Rowdies taking phone calls
“I Had Enough” by The Who
Mark Parenteau on air
“Don’t Worry About The Government”
by The Talking Heads
“Miss You” by The Rolling Stones
“Santuary” by J. Geils
Very short shot of Darrell Martinie
Tracy Roach on air
“I Think Were Alone Now “ by Lena Lovith
On air Charles & Matt Siegel with contestant on Mishigas
“Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles
Charles introduces the Big Mattress Song Of The Week
“Walking In The Rain” by Flash In The Pan
“BCN’s Back” Animal House song parody
Hemisphire Broadcasting who let go several
longtime employees who they determined
“non-essential.” Hemisphere president Michael Wiener
fired 19 of 37 employees and refused to deal with
the union. He wanted to trim”excess fat” while
keeping the “core of the station.”News
director/dissector Danny Schechter was out the door,
but folks like Charles Laquidara, Mark Parenteau,
Matt Siegel, Tracy Roach, and Tony Berardini were kept.
This set off a local controversy in Boston that
resulted in the entire airstaff walking
off the air striking in protest. During the walkout,
WBCN stayed on the air with substitute DJs imported
from several out-of-town Hemisphire sister stations.
The protest got local media coverage and the attention
of several well-known Boston-based music acts,
including The Cars, Aerosmith, and Boston, who got
behind the protest. When several large advertisers
pulled spots, and the union filed a challenge to
Hemisphere’s license, pointing out that by forcing
the staff out on strike, Hemisphere had created a
situation where it couldn’t provide the public service
it was required to, Hemisphire relented, the fired
staffers were rehired and the DJs went back on the air.
The protest was over. (It was also rumored that
Hemisphere’s FCC lawyers had vetoed the course of
action advised by Hemisphere’s labor lawyers.)
On March 9, three weeks into the strike, Hemisphere
agreed to the last of the union’s terms and the strikers
voted to return on Monday, March 12 of 1979, just
in time to celebrate their 11th Birthday on the 15th.
Charles Laquidara played “Superman” by the Kinks
back to back for an entire show in celebration.
More at the door here at 104.
Here’s a collection of material I gathered back
the day the strike ended from a cassette I
named at the time WBCN’s Back !
Except for the 1st song by Sass, the original
playlist of songs from that broadcast has been
segued into re-recordings to ensure a
better sound quality for this podcast of one of the greatest
moments in progressive radio rock history.
ENJOY The Flashback !!!!!!
Click Here Below >>>>
http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1998
Charles Laquidara on the morning of
the 1st show after strike
“Radio” by Sass
WBCN News - WBCN Strike results
“Still The Same “ by Bob Seger
Problem Of The Day - Sound bite from a scab
“Back In The Saddle” by Areosmith
On air with Charles Laquidara
“Do You Think I’m Sexy” by Rod Stewart
Matt Siegel & the Studio Rowdies taking phone calls
“I Had Enough” by The Who
Mark Parenteau on air
“Don’t Worry About The Government”
by The Talking Heads
“Miss You” by The Rolling Stones
“Santuary” by J. Geils
Very short shot of Darrell Martinie
Tracy Roach on air
“I Think Were Alone Now “ by Lena Lovith
On air Charles & Matt Siegel with contestant on Mishigas
“Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles
Charles introduces the Big Mattress Song Of The Week
“Walking In The Rain” by Flash In The Pan
“BCN’s Back” Animal House song parody