Five Years, 1200 Shows, and Some Great Memories

By Dennis Elsas

On Monday, August 14th, 2000 I did my first 2-6pm show on WFUV. After many years working up the dial in commercial radio, I wasn't quite sure how I would fit into the unique non-commercial world of 90.7 FM. Well, five years and over 1200 shows later, it feels like a great fit.

From the first day, the enthusiastic feedback I've received from listeners new and old has been most gratifying. Working with a terrific group of dedicated co-workers, the WFUV experience has been better than I ever could have imagined. With freedom and flexibility in programming my show, I've been able to do the kind of creative radio I enjoy the most. Here are just a few of my favorite moments from the first five years.

• Ben Folds (December 2001) This session in Studio A was Ben's first visit to FUV and our first chance to meet. We explored his then recent decision to go solo while he performed songs, both old and new, on the piano. The chemistry was good and subsequently I hosted his live performance from the Museum of TV and Radio and wound up appearing as the MC on his two live albums. [Listen - Windows Media 32K]
  
• Simon and Garfunkel Reunion (September 2003) I've always believed that in radio (and life) you shouldn't be afraid to ask "what if".  When I learned that Paul and Art would be announcing their reunion and tour at a Bottom Line press conference, I saw a great opportunity for the station and our audience. Within 72 hours I had persuaded the various parties that this could be a special event on the radio, and WFUV became the host for this nationwide broadcast. [Listen - Windows Media 32K]
  
• Clarence Clemons (February 2004) I've had a long relationship with various members of the E Street Band, and it was wonderful to revisit with Clarence. He brought his saxophone and his own Temple of Soul band for a live performance and chat in Studio A. I was also pleased to finally get him to tell the full story behind "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" and the "night the Big Man joined the band." [Listen - Windows Media 32K]
  
• "It was Forty Years Ago Today - the Beatles Invade America" (February 2004) This was a subject that I had always wanted to explore in depth. With the help of George Bodarky and Chip Cristarella, I produced and hosted a one-hour documentary which went behind the story of how the Beatles got to New York in 1964 and what happened when they did, using rare broadcast highlights of the period and new interviews with folks who helped to make it happen. We were very gratified recently to win the NY State Broadcasters Best Documentary and a NY Festivals World Medal for the special. [Listen - Windows Media 32K]
  
• Peter Wolf (September 2002) The longtime lead singer of the J.Geils Band visited our studios for the first time to introduce a wonderful solo album and return to his Bronx roots. With Peter as my co-DJ, we explored a wide variety of musical genres, and Peter shared his memories of John Lee Hooker, Gram Parsons, Mick Jagger and many more. His love and knowledge of the music shone through as we spent over an hour in conversation and vinyl. [Listen - Windows Media 32K]

Listen to Dennis on Monday, August 15 from 2-6 pm to hear some of the highlights, visit these shows in the WFUV Archives with the links above, or poke through the rest of the Archives list here.