Probably too long ... but here's a recap!
I'm glad I waited a day before jotting down some thoughts...because today's post will be much different than it would be last night.
First..the "formatics":
The memorial was in a small church in Studio City ... designed for about 50 people, but can handle double that when you set up folding chairs. They needed the folding chairs!
Sadly, we're reaching the point where people from that cherished era are MAYBE still with us....maybe not. I also heard from many people who wanted to be there, but are in the throws of caring for people in their family where health is failing. If we're still around and people you like are still with you and in good health ... consider that a good thing!
Charlie Van Dyke, now ordained minister, did a great job of officiating. A great combination of Drake Radio insider and some reflections of his faith seemed to make it natural he was right guy for the job! And as I have told many folks, it's kind of more credible to hear the "word of God" from someone who apprently sounds a lot like him!
Our program was subtitled "The Drake Format" as it designated people from various perspectives who would share with us.
First was Bill Watson, Drake's declared right-hand man! He shared (at length) stories of how he and Drake started together, how they hired some key folks, and so forth. My take last night would have been to share the irony about Drake missives being to "focus and edit" and how Watson was antithesis of this ... yet on further my reflection was sympathy for a man who was sharing his last industry "hurrah" with us. For all the years he invested in our craft, I guess it's fair we give him 30 minutes to reflect....though his comments were finally "hooked" by the Rev. Van Dyke who leaned in to suggest "Drake is on the batphone...."
Bill Mouzis (KHJ Production/Engineering) shared perpsective of KHJ pre-Drake and post-Drake and how the station rocketed immediately with the impact. His insights annotated by Charlie Tuna, who shared the glee of receiving a call from Drake personally to join the "majors" in the RKO organization. Later, Jhani Kaye (KRTH PD) talked about the bridge of hearing and being energized by early KHJ and now carrying its mantra (and resurrection) forward and receiving a congratulatory call from Drake who offered to help with that mission any way he could.
Ken Levine (mostly known for excellent sitcom writing) shared his brief Drake career as one of few fired by Drake (KIQQ/LA)...and in a moment of comedic relief, said the firing was actually done by Bill Watson who "took an hour and twenty minutes to do it" (referring to Bill's lengthy eulogy!).
Gary Owens masterfully recalled Drakes pre-Drake (Paul Yarbrough) days and how they knew each other at that point (Gary knows EVERYONE!!), and as always, was hilarious in his delivery.
Les Garland (RKO PD, later MTV founder) was concerned about being able to recall Drake without getting emotionally caught up in the loss, and that was perhaps the most touching remark that reminded all we are there to celebrate Drake's departure.
A few comments from LARadio founder Don Barrett...and we were done.
Those represented in the room (and those who attended in spirit) were a remarkable assembly of radio's finest legends: KRTH current & former staffers Charlie Tuna, Van Dyke, Shotgun Tom Kelly, Jym Carson, Jhani Kaye, Kevin Smith, Johnny Hayes ... some cross-overs from KHJ/KFRC era (now voice talents) including Beau Weaver, Marc Elliot and many others from LA-area and beyond.
A personal aside from me...I was kind of hoping for a distraction on 12/3 as PSRBA was having annual holiday lunch, but after 11 years of volunteering for them they told me to "get lost" earlier this year! As I was leaving the church yesterday, I was very grateful to have found that distraction in the form of gathering with some of the finest minds and talents left in the business...and found myself once again very grateful for the amazing "coincidences" that fall into our lives.
Bill Drake was a very nice person ... and you wouldn't expect that from someone of his stature. He was genuinely interested in helping groom people to fill the coveted positions he could offer...when they were ready and available. Everything he brought to radio had a purpose in making the programming better. Some compare and contrast him with our own Pat O'Day ... yet those two people brought different things to the party. Drake improved the formatics and framework of radio, while Pat was always a promotions and marketing genius at making the image and feel of a station bigger than life. Those two minds together gave us so much of what made "those days" of radio something many of us reflect upon and treasure.
