Customer Reviews

Local DJ: A Rock 'n Roll History

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Local DJ should be required reading for any rock 'n roll fan of any genre. Starting with the Beatles and working his way through the 60's and 70's, Cavanaugh spins a potent web of sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll as he saw and lived it. Based mostly on his experiences as the "local DJ" of powerhouse radio stations WTAC and WWCK, both ranked #1 nationally during his tenure, it's hard to believe that in the tiny town of Flint Michigan, so much happened in rock history.

It took me a while to read this book because I had to read everything twice to make sure I was actually reading what I thought I had just read.

Let me explain.

So here is concert promoter Cavanaugh, years ago, faced with whether or not he should book an unknown Australian band to play in Flint. Peter Cavanaugh is a scary judge of talent. For there, that night, for the first time in America, a band called "AC/DC" took to the stage. The opening act? The MC-5. It doesn't get any more Rock N' Roll than that.

I was born too damn late.

Because with each turn of the page (I couldn't put the book down) bigger, badder, and bolder stories unfold from a magical time which will never be repeated.

Like the night he booked a louder, more raw version of the Beatles. Their name was a bit confusing but Cavanaugh took a chance on them. They were from England so they had to be good, right? Their drummer got drunk and drove a "borrowed" Cadillac right into the hotel pool. Such would be the adventures when you book "The Who" for their first US appearance.

And as you read the stories -- and they get better and better with each passing chapter -- you start to realize that Dick Clark was more like a DJ version of Pat Boone compared to Cavanaugh. American Bandstand? Gimme a break, Cavanaugh was booking The Who and AC/DC for their first US shows!

And what local DJ would be complete without knowledge of radio frequencies, like the time he captured a GM executive on his car phone, taped what was little more than endless profanity, and held the world's largest corporation by their ball bearings threatening jokingly to release the tape?

For southeast Michigan natives, this book will blow your mind. For Rock fans, prepare to read what Rolling Stone magazine wished they could have covered.

To Peter Cavanaugh, rock legend. I hope the movie version comes out soon.

Wow...I was a teen coming of age in the late '60s and early '70s in the southeast Michigan area. It was a fertile fertile hot hotbed of local rock and GREAT local radio. WTAC in Flint was an incredibly cutting edge force playing and promoting the best of national and international acts, but especially providing exposure for the likes of a young and up and coming Bob Seger, the MC5, Dick Wagner and the Frost, ? and the Mysterians, the Rationals, Iggy and the Stooges...it goes on and on. My impressionable musically hungry head was taken by Peter C. and later WABX in Detroit. What a scene...you really had to be there. I've been looking and waiting for such excitement, creativity and energy ever since. Peter C. lays it all out, all the excitement, all the innovation, all of the mind expanding, life changing scene was recalled and illuminated from the producer's vantage point. Great work Peter C. of a great and legendary time for local radio and local rock and roll! 5 stars ++.

Local DJ captures THE defining era of rock&roll history--the 1950s through the 1990s.. Reading the book is like spending a few hours at an old Irish bar, listening to great stories that are more intriguing than fiction because they are REAL. It's a great trip down memory lane, or a way to vicariously live the life you WISH you'd lived.

If you did not grow up in Genesee County/Flint, Michigan, didn't listen to WTAC (or WTRX, WAMM), don't know what Wild Wednesdays,Super Sunday's or Sherwood Forest is, you won't get full enjoyment out of this book. Great memories for us Baby Boomers who were there.

Very hard to put down. If you appreciate rock & roll, you won't be disappointed. If you grew up in that era in Michigan and appreciate rock & roll, it's mandatory reading.

Highly recommend this book for anyone that grew up listening to Peter C like I did and lived and breathed Michigan Rock N Roll ! Also recommend to anyone who loves Michigan rockers like Bob Seger,Ted Nugent etc. Very good reading. Just sorry it took me so long to leave a rating.

This book was a gift to me and after several pages, I dropped everything else and went cover to cover in a day! Peter C. reveals much of the story behind Michigan's great music scene of the late 60's and early 70's. Besides some fascinating tales, Peter also portrays an insightful look at life. If you were there, close, or even just intersted in one of rocks greatest eras, this book is a must read. Well done, Peter C. !

This book is the essential guide to the local rock scene in a time capsule. It is funny, rocking, edgy and rebellous the way rock should be!