Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears stopped by WFUV’s studio A to introduce us to some of their “Garage Soul” which caught a lot of buzz in SXSW.  The interview with all their songs will be played on the Whole Wide World starting at 7 PM.  Joe and Rita discuss Star Trek and “Yacht Rock.”

Starting tomorrow, and continuing throughout the summer on Fridays, the Morning Crew is going to play what you want to hear. This will be our first “Freeform Friday” of the summer and we’ll be playing lots of different and new stuff that YOU want to hear. So start sending us your requests - either here on the blog, by clicking here or via email (morning@wfuv.org) - and we’ll pack as much of your music as we can into our show to get your day started right.

Michael Jackson fans, does this look familiar?  At least he didn’t copy the Farrah Fawcett poster.

Like Elvis before him, Michael’s eccentricities were indulged, his talent overshadowed and his death - while shocking - is somehow not unexpected.  What a sad state of affairs.  At age 50 (!)  Jackson was readying a comeback tour that might have returned his mighty talents to the spotlight and to their proper place in the culture.  Instead, we are left to consider his legacy, his bizarre behavior and the music he will never share.  As always, your thoughts are welcome here — and in our Question of the Day, we’ll play a set of songs selected by you.  It’s the least we can do.

Iggy pop is releasing a Jazz record?!  That got us to thinking about other Musical Genre Jumpers.  Add your two cents here about musicians who have switched gears and wheather or not it works.

Very funny Bonnaroo coverage from Triumph the Insult Comic Dog on the new Conan Tonight Show and Part Two

That lucky dog gets to say things we just can’t.

Lots of NY area concert fans are distressed to learn about the closing of IMAC (the  Inter-Media Arts Center) in Huntington after 36 years. The reason given…it’s grown “too old, too flawed and too decayed” to operate.  It reminds me how I felt about the Bottom Line’s closing. back in 2004.

So many special memories… Bromberg, Joan Armatrading, Keb Mo, Phoebe, Snow  Jonatha Brooke, etc. I’ll never forget tango-ing across the back of the stage with Jonatha while Michael Rothbard was making announcements.  (Talk about being upstaged!)

The room always had good sound, good sight lines, and a great vibe. And Michael, who loved the music, was always the mensch. He and Kathy are excited by the next (still vague) chapter, so we should be glad for them, even if we feel the void. Doors close, let’s hope doors will open, too…

Josh Ritter “The Curse” (in-studio on WFUV) NEW!!
Josh Ritter stopped by WFUV and chatted with Claudia Marshall about his special performance tonight at Central Park! If you don’t have plans for this evening, check out the free show tonight with Josh Ritter and The New York Pops at Central Park Summerstage!

p.s. the sun is shining again in NYC!

As we celebrate (or mourn) the switch from analog to digital television, the Morning Crew wants your thoughts on related songs or artists…Let us know!

Know any rockers that have spent some time in the clink? Give us some ideas…