We have a new system for blogging so this is a test. Just a test and some random blathering.
It's been a draining couple of weeks, mostly because of some late nights sprinkled into a two week battle with a cold, so I'm REALLY looking forward to a weekend of not doing much. The cold is pretty much gone now, and however much I would LOVE to go see the farewell tour with Judas Priest and Thin Lizzy in Seattle, no road trips for me this weekend. I can only take so much of my own life sometimes.
I can't believe that Judas Priest passed Portland as they bid farewell to touring. I played "United" from British Steel on Connect the Classics this week and it just made me sad that we won't have Halford and the rest of the guys clad in leather and screaming for vengence on stage to look forward to. The Scorpions are still on their farewell tour, so we might get a look at them again, but who knows?
I got out one Halloween decoration and called it good. Today I must get a pumpkin on the way home because I want the smell of carving that gourd and the fantastic seeds they produce. Nothing like home roasted pumpkin seeds. My cousin makes sweet cinnamon seeds, and I have to try that one.
Boy, after six weeks off recovering from surgery, when I came back to work I hit the ground running. I'm feeling SO much better now that it's hard to believe I actually lived a year and worked feeling the way I did. Bless you my Doctors, my surgeons, for putting Humpty Dumpty back together again.Â
It's the end of summer and we still have so much going on that I get to be involved with! Cool. Def Leppard and Heart are playing at the Sleep Country Amphitheater on Wednesday and we'll be there broadcasting before the show. Amy's all amped about going backstage. Me too. If you want to join us, maybe you should enter the KGON contest to do just that.
I'm a huge football fan, college football especially, and so far it's kicked my ass this season. I know, just the first week of games and all that, and I will root for BOTH Oregon teams until the Civil War and then I have to serve my Ducks, because I was one and raised one. But Beaver Believers, I'm with you until then! GO OREGON TEAMS! Also I'm an NFL fan and am so glad they worked out the squabble before we were left without a season.Â
Back to work, and then HELLO WEEKEND!Â
I'm so glad I'm back though. Thank you for all your wonderful calls and notes on Facebook saying that you're glad I'm feeling better! Let's rock the rest of the decade!Â
Love you ALL,
Iris
Being off the air for six weeks, I was wondering if it would be incredibly strange for me to be back on again. I was nervous, excited and had anxiety dreams about being on the radio and not having any songs that I recognized accessible to me. This is the typical radio nightmare. The other anxiety nightmare that I've had since I was in middle school, is where I would show up for the big test not wearing pants. Many people I've talked to have this dream in one form or another.  According to dream books it's about feeling unprepared. It never mattered how prepared I would be, I still had that dream. Now I dream that they've moved the station and I don't know how to use the equipment, or that the music I play is nothing I recognize, or that the records (yes...records. I'm that old.) all have white covers and are not in alphabetical order. Anyway, I made it through the show and it sort of was like riding a bike. I only fell off once.
Seriously though, thank you for all the wonderful calls I got today. Thank you to my friends who went to my various doctor appointments with me, brought me flowers, candy, cards, surprises, food, etc.  Thank you to Bob, Celestino, and Jose for the last part of the deck repairs at home. Thank you to my wonderful co-workers who didn't call me once for a work related question. Thank you to Jeff Mitchell who filled in for all that time and for his continued friendship. Thank you to the KGON managers for having faith that I would beat the health issues, and thank you to my team of doctors who made it happen. And most of all, thank you to my husband Marty who was the most amazing caregiver ever. When he took those vows decades ago, I don't think he really thought "in sickness" would be what it has for the past couple of years.Â
So, I'm WAY better than I've been in two whole years, and looking forward to seeing Def Leppard and Heart at the Sleep Country Amphitheater! I'm ready to rock!
Cheers,
Iris
Greetings from my home laptop computer while I sit in my favorite chair in the living room. It became my favorite chair almost 5 years ago when I was sitting at home recovering from cancer surgery. In the following 4 surgeries since then, it's really become my favorite chair. It's like sitting in a big leather gloved hand.Â
This last surgery is hopefully the LAST SURGERY EVER. I'm pretty encouraged actually. I don't want to get into the gritty details because talking about it makes even me squirm, and I've had to deal with it. Let's just say that I've learned more medical terms than I ever hoped to. I'm getting better and intend to be back rockin' the KGON airwaves on August 29th. Until then be good to Jeff Mitchell who is filling in with his usual professionalism and gusto. Thanks Jeff!
Time for lunch. More when I feel like writing and have something to say.
Iris
Okay, I admit it. My guilty pleasure is watching American Idol and dishing with friends at work and on the phone the day following the broadcast. It's harmless. I don't hurt anyone. Some of the kids are very talented, and others need to take a hike, but all it really is....is a TALENT SHOW. We've had these for years. It was not a big new idea when it first hit the airwaves, it was, like most things, a reworking of an old idea. Like the way Hollywood makes new movies out of either comic books, or old TV shows.Â
In school I remember talent shows. They were sometimes remarkable to us, like when the quiet nerd could actually kick ass and did a karate demonstration. Or the brother and sister who wrote and sang cool folksy songs and could play guitars. Or my friend who twirled fire baton. There was always a fun surprise and it was a reason to have assembly instead of another class. That was always a welcomed interruption.
Also TV has had talent shows for years. The one I remember the most was "Star Search" with Ed McMahon. My friend Gene Houck was on the show and won! Nothing wrong with a talent competition. Some of the winners will thrive like Carrie Underwood, and some will fade into the "where are they now" category in the years ahead.Â
So, here comes American Idol auditions to Portland, Oregon for the first time ever. Okay, how many "Portlandia" types will show up and be goofy for the cameras? How many will flip off the camera after a really rediculous and awful audition? How many traffic hang ups will result because of poor planning on the date of this thing? Yes, it's the same weekend as the big Waterfront Blues Festival, and even though it's across the river, it's always a nasty mess trying to get anywhere on that Friday before the holiday. Here's the press release we got here at the station this morning:
American Idol Auditions Come to Portland for the First Time at the Rose Garden Jul 2Pre-registration Jun 30 â Jul 1Who:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Open call audition for the eleventh season of AMERICAN IDOL
 When:             Thu â Sat, Jun 30 â Jul 2 â Varies
Where:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Rose Quarter â Rose Garden
What: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â PRE-REGISTRATION(Thursday, June 30 & Friday, July 1)
 - Wristbands will be distributed to auditioners during pre-registration (tables open Thursday and remain open until Saturday morning). Once auditioners obtain their wristbands, they will be asked to return to the stadium early morning Saturday, July 2 to line up for their audition.
 - Available press coverage includes: B-roll, photos, interviews with auditioners, their friends/family members and interviews/photos with an available AMERICAN IDOL producer (pending availability).
 - Media check-in for pre-registration will begin at 6:00 AM on both Thurs/Fri. Please note that these times are subject to change.
 AUDITIONS(Saturday, July 2)***NO MEDIA IS PERMITTED INSIDE THE VENUE DURING AUDITIONS***
So they want all the media until they get to the actual auditions and that's what we get to see in the first part of the show. When you have the really good with the really bad. I just want someone really great to come out of Portland and win. Hey, why not? Two 16 year old country kids got to the finals last time. I mean REALLY???? This time we need a rocker from Portland.Â
Can you sing? Can you sell it on stage? Then show up and do your city proud!
Everyone in the music business is tweeting or posting something about the passing of Clarence Clemons and while I only met the man in person...face to face...one time, I did see him on stage with the E Street Band many many times. When I heard about his stroke the week before, I thought that he would pull out of it. I honestly did.Â
He was bigger than life, and as Bruce used to say when introducing him on stage "It's the Master of the Universe," "Socrates of the Saxophone," "King of the World," "The Big Kahuna," "Prince of the City" and the "Duke of Paducah." Just one of those people who you think will never leave too early. I know the age of people isn't really relevant in these things, but he left us too early.Â
The E Street Band were going to go out on tour in the Fall, and now, who knows? I can't even imagine who they would replace Clarence with. Danny Federici passed in 2008 and was replaced, but Clarence was so hugely visible and nobody played with the power of the Big Man.
I didn't hear the news via any electronic media because it was a weekend and we had things to do around the house. I picked up the Sunday paper and was enjoying a cup of coffee when I read the story. It just hit me in the gut. Another one of those moments where you realize things have changed and you're not ready. I put on "Born to Run" and listened while doing things around the house with tears pouring down my cheeks. I don't like this kind of change.
But of course the music and memories live on. Thank God for that.Â
When people ask me what is the best concert I ever went to it's an easy answer. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the Portland Paramount in 1975. It was after the "I have seen the future of Rock and Roll" comment and after Springsteen had appeared on the cover of Newsweek and Time simultaneously. Four friends drove to Portland from Eugene to see the show and it changed our lives forever. No show has even come close to how I felt that night. I have a personal "Top 10" list of shows, but that show is so far above the rest because it was deeply moving, and took me to a place that no concert before or after ever did.Â
So, rest well dear Clarence. The world is missing you big time big man!
I'm looking forward to this Friday because of the Jethro Tull concert at Edgefield. This season at Edgefield has been sadly lacking in Classic Rock artists, and after the past few seasons I've gotten pretty spoiled going to the venue. It's been years since I saw a full on Jethro Tull show so that's good too. I saw Ian Anderson's show at the Schnitzer with the Oregon Symphony last year, and it was really good. Ian Anderson is such an intelligent man and I'm so lucky to have interviewed him a couple of times. Here's a link (I think...they keep changing things on our website so who really knows) to the podcast interview.Â
Mostly I just like to go to Edgefield. I love the venue. I love the art. I love the food. So this year, one show for me, so I'm looking forward to this Friday.
I'm also planning my night of Rush at the Sleep Country Amphitheater, which I also adore because my friend Keevin works there and always takes care of me. I plan on making it to the Doobie Brothers and War show there as well.Â
After that, it's a crapshoot. I go in for surgery....again....on July 13th, so there's massive recovery time and if summer ever arrives for a long stay, I'll be enjoying my deck at home. Maybe.  The deck that we built 15 years ago is sadly slumping with rotting beams. We've had 2 guys come out and look at it, none of which have returned with bids. I'm losing hope for my backyard recovery. Â
Oh well, I'll enjoy what I can before I go under the knife again. If I don't get fixed this time, I'm just giving myself up for scientific experiments like in Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life." Just don't ask for my liver.
In an earlier blog, I was talking about Daltry's tour of "Tommy" in the UK and trying to figure out a way to afford a trip to see the show, and then the news came that he was coming to Portland! My wish came true! One of many wishes, but I'll take it.
My infatuation with Roger Daltry started when I saw a poster in my favorite record store on Cannery Row called Odyssey Records. It was one of those great old vinyl vaults with lots of posters, black lights, incense, oils, rolling papers, and R. Crumb art that would disturb most parents at the time. It was a haven for me. I could spend HOURS in there, inhaling that sweet smoky perfume, listening intently to everything that was selected for in-store play, wondering if I would ever dare to buy that great poster of Dennis Hopper from "Easy Rider" flipping off the camera, and trying to be way cooler than I actually was. The poster of The Who featured Townshend in the front, but I was drawn to that blue-eyed lead singer.
Fast forward to the summer of 1970 when the film chronicle of "Woodstock" came to the Steinbeck Theater, also located on Cannery Row. The performance of The Who was something that lived in my dreams for years to come. Roger wearing that fringed jacket with no shirt and ripped abs...oh the things I would dream for years to come.Â
Fast forward again to my first job in Eugene and the release of the album "Ride a Rock Horse," his solo album. The cover alone was enough for me. Good thing I liked the songs too. I played it a lot at KFMY. Then came the move to  Portland, Oregon, home of the Memorial Coliseum, where I would finally see The Who live in concert! It's ironic that I lived in the city where The Who played that legendary set at Monterey Pop and I didn't see them until I moved to Oregon. Ah well, it all worked out. I've seen them several times now, and yes, even when Keith Moon was still with us. I'll never forget the wake at Gloria's house after we heard the news of his death. We were devastated.Â
I'm glad they carried on through the years and that my son got to see them at the Rose Garden Arena last time they performed here in Portland. I won't miss a Who show. Love them. A lot. And I've never met any member of The Who.   It's time.Â
My friend Nancy Walton actually had the coolest experience of working with Roger Daltrey when he was doing a showl for The History Channel called "Extreme History with Roger Daltrey" in Montana. She told me some great stories about what a great "man's man" he is. He even gave her the recipe for his favorite potato soup, which she sent out in that year's Christmas letter. I still have it in a place of honor in the kitchen.Â
I hope he is open to meeting with industry types backstage at the show this October. I hope I wouldn't say anything stupid, but I can't guarantee that. He's such a hero to me, and just keeps getting better with age. Rock on Roger. See you in October, even if it is just from the seats at the Rose Garden Arena.
The first time I saw Eric Burdon in concert was at the Hollywood Bowl. He was rolling our "Eric Burdon Declares War" as the title of the act. Headlining was Canned Heat, and also on the bill were the following bands: John Lee Hooker, Sugarloaf, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and the MC was none other than Wolfman Jack. It was an all day event in 1971 and it was after Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson had died of a drug overdose at the age of 27. Yes, another one who "went to heaven at 27." Anyway, my boyfriend at the time, Ross, and I went to the show. We didn't have a ticket, but bought one for $1 and someone else gave us a ticket, so we both got in for ONE DOLLAR! Crazy. Those were the days my friend, when miracles happened and concert tickets cost less than the handling fees do now. So, with the sweet memories of that wonderful concert swimming through my brain, when the weather was warm, wine and smokes were shared with complete strangers, and anything seemed possible...even world peace...I thought I'd share this video of Eric Burdon and War from around that time. Oh, and I need to mention that War will be appearing with The Doobie Brothers at the Sleep Country Amphitheater on Sunday July 10th. I will be there. Hope you are as well.
Classic Rock
