This week, our pop community mourns the passing of Jim Prell. Jim was a dedicated music fan and an incredible supporter of independent artists, and he proved that time and time again on his radio show The Music Authority. I can't say that I really knew Jim all that well, but I knew him well enough to consider him a friend.
Although both Jim and I had a deep connection with the Syracuse new wave and power pop scene of decades ago, I don't think I met Jim until 2014. That was the year that Dana and I helped present the first Bright Lights! Syracuse New Wave Rock 'n' Roll Reunion Show, bringing back a number of the great 'Cuse bands from that era and witnessing as they plugged in and bid the silly concept of aging (or worse, maturity) to get stuffed. It was a magic, magic night, and I can't prove this, but my Swiss cheese memory insists that Jim flew in from his home in Florida to be a part of that evening. A bright light again!
Jim returned to the 'Cuse for subsequent Bright Lights! shows in 2016 and 2017, and his enthusiasm was unwavering and infectious. Later, he was kind enough to tell us that This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio was one of his inspirations in doing The Music Authority, though I'm pretty sure his passion for rockin' pop sound would have led him to create The Music Authority no matter what. I was hoping to see him again this fall, at a live music event being planned as a memorial for Paul Armstrong, guitarist for the Flashcubes and the single person most responsible for kick-starting the Syracuse New Wave scene that Jim and I cherished so much. Jim should be at that show. Hell, Paul Armstrong should be at that show, along with Ducky Carlisle. Scott Cornish. Jack Lipton. Norm Mattice. So many others, all departed from this world we know. Our list of losses grows and gathers weight.
Our memories stand, and no weight will stop us from standing tall. We will reminisce out loud, and we will celebrate the bonds that brought us this far. As Paul Armstrong sings with the Flashcubes: All I want to do is reminisce with you.
Godspeed, Jim. We thank you for the days. And this is what rock 'n' roll radio sounded like on another Sunday night in Syracuse this week.
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl airs Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse at SPARK! WSPJ 103.3 and 93.7 FM, streaming at SPARK stream, and on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO.
You can read all about this show's long and weird history here: Boppin' The Whole Friggin' Planet (The History Of THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO). You can follow Carl's daily blog at Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do).
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS are always welcome.
Carl's new book Guitars Vs. Rayguns!! Short Stories And Other White Lies is available! Read about it here. Autographed copies of Carl's previous book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) are available here, and you can still get Carl's previous previous book Gabba Gabba Hey! A Conversation With The Ramones from publisher Rare Bird Books. If you like the books, please consider leaving a rating and/or review at the usual online resources.
KLARK KENT: Away From Home (BMG, Klark Kent)
THE HIGH FREQUENCIES: Subterranean Homesick Blues (Jem, VA: Jem Records Celebrates Bob Dylan)
NRBQ: Blues Stay Away From Me (Sundazed, Workshop)
--
www.qijiege.com
ReplyDelete