John,

Tell the story of how you went to "California with Howard Stern and Robin, too".

I met Chef Jimbo at the Club Bene at Howard's first live appearance after he was fired, but you were backstage.

Happy 4th.

Frank

Well, this was back in '85, while Howard was still with WNBC and well before he was a household name. It was his first big remote extravaganza, a week-long series of shows from a swanky Hollywood hotel. A song parody contest was held to come up with ten guests for the trip. I wrote a parody of Howard's punkish theme song and it was good enough to win me a spot out of the thousands submitted. In fact, he used it to open his show every day. (I am currently receiving no residuals, though.)

It was a great trip filled with sun and fun and booze. Besides the five shows done poolside, during which the contest winners participated frequently (I sang a couple of my songs and did a commercial for the Beanstalk Restaurant, where I had dined a few times), we got to hang out with the Stern staff. I am remembering an especially rowdy party one night hosted by "Fat Al" Rosenberg and Gary Dell'Abate (details of which I am reserving for my memoirs). Howard pretty much kept to himself when not on the air, but Robin Quivers hung out a few times. I found her exactly as she is on the air: funny, brilliant and magnetic. We also got to meet and chat with some of the show's guests, which included Monty Hall, Eddie Haskell and Grandpa Munster.

I suppose the highlight of the trip for me was getting the hook from Howard while I was doing one of my tunes, which he declared sounded "like Joni Mitchell." Fred played a "howling dog" sound effect during it, and Robin advised me to not quit my day job. While my father later told me he'd heard it all and wanted to punch Howard "right in his big mouth," I assured him it was not only a funny bit but a personal honor. I don't think he ever agreed.

The week went all too fast but it was a blast and the occasion of many great memories. Thanks for asking, Frank.

P.S. As I have taken the day off and have some free time, I have included a few photos of the trip:


Here's me just before I got the hook.


I had to get out of the hot tub to take this shot. One of the few times Howard socialized.


From the left: "Fat Al," Fred Norris, myself, Ken Osmond, my pal Jim Clune.


Of course, it wasn't all hard work.

40 years ago today I started my first full-time job in the ladies' shoe department of Ohrbach's Department Store.
Actually, it was my second. Ceasar, that p---k, fired me after three days at the Sussex Avenue Shop-Rite the summer before. Something about not showing up for work.
Ohrbachs started me off at $1.10 an hour. We got paid in cash every Wednesday in a little envelope. Within 8 weeks, I got a raise to $1.12 up the corproate ladder. No security cameras back then.

Well, I don't know if you waited on me or not, but I went to Arts High, 64-68, and on the way to walk to the bus cut through Ohrbachs (okay, cut through every store) and always went up to the second floor shoe area. My sister actually clued me in to this, it was a balcony area, so cool. I think the expensive shoes were about $13.00, but they were very "mod" (which was the style). Wish I could get them now for $13.00. It was a very good store, remember it well. I worked in McCrory's basement lunch counter for 2 months or so, I think in 1968 (waitress). That was interesting but awful. Okay the memories are coming back...

John,
I just showed Fred this story about you and Howard Stern.
What songs did you do? The weird thing is he (Fred) thought about entering this thing to. But needless to say he didn't.

heyyy i didn't know you knew how to
roll cuban cigars HAHAHA!!! and by
the way is that a bottle of manischwitz
white creme concord?

Hi Joan. I played two songs: "Son of Zorro" and "Good Morning, Brooklyn," the one that reminded Howard of Joni Mitchell. Hi to you and Fred; looking forward to seeing you guys soon.

Rico, according to my journal, that was a bottle of California Pinot Noir. The leafy mixture was Cincinnati Off-White, as we called it.

ponders "off-white"

I remember your song like it was yesterday. I thought it was the best. I also remember "HEY STERN, you half-jew, I want to go to California with you" by some other guy.

John,
Did you have to take the pictures from this thread down? I wanted to show a friend at work who's a big Stern Fan the pictures. If you did, could you email me them at carin.cook@aig.com? My friend John would love to see them.
Thanks,
Carin

Hey where's the pictures?

I didn't take them down. My server must be doing maintenance or something.

Ahh there there they are.... hey you must have been very poor at the time. I see that you had to roll your own smokes..