Rock N' Roll Memory Time
This site is a tribute to George Lorenz and what better way to pay tribute to him than to let his listeners and his biggest fans share their stories of how The Hound influenced, entertained or brought them a measure of pleasure.
Here are the memories we've received posted in order of the most recent received...
Submitted by:
Dave Denberg
From:
toronto ontario m5r 3r2, ontario
Memory:
I listened to The Hound alone, and his show filled my world with wonderful music, fascinating characters (imagine buying a used car from "Big Bob and Pal Al"!), excitement, wonder and possibility. Obviously I knew this was a radio show and there were many other listeners, but The Hound spoke in a way which made it a very personal experience. I felt included in this amazing world he brought to life, and I could belong without needing to prove in some impossible way that I was cool, hip and special. It seems to me now that The Hound made this seem true of anyone he spoke of on the show as well.
Later on, when I met other people who'd listened to The Hound, I noticed that sometimes it would be the last person you'd expect to be touched by this show and this music. For myself, I feel the Hound reached something in me that I wouldn't have had access to in any other way at that time, or maybe ever if this hadn't happened. I'm deeply grateful to him for this, and for, I suspect, doing this for many others as well.
I feel I've been able to carry a bit of The Hound with me all these years, the love of the music of course, but also a certain attitude towards life and other persons. I will never forget him. Much thanks to Mike and his brother for creating such a fitting site to honor him, and to other people who've submitted memories, as they've brought so much back for me.
Submitted by:
Jack Horohoe
From:
Town of Tonawanda, New York
Memory:
I had the pleasure of getting my start in broadcasting working for the Hound.He had just gone on the air with WBLK. As a 21 year old kid, and fresh out of the Navy, I was hired by George to do all night news. More than 45 years have passed, so my recollections are somewhat dimmed, but I do recall working an air shift with a British guy named "Geoff" somebody. Geoff did jazz.
Frankly, we must have been the only ones listening. At that time there were very few FM radios. The only radios with the FM band were the large "Halicrafters" and few people had those. Cars at that time did not have FM radios. In fact, George actually sold FM "only" radios or gave them away to sponsors. He gave me one, so my girl friend could listen.
George was a very nice man and not at all what I expected him to be. I expected a jive talking hipster who was above it all. He wasn't that at all. Just a hardworking businessman and a legend who was trying to be an innovator.
I was fortunate to have crossed paths with George Lorenz. It was like being a little part of history.
Submitted by:
Jim Farone
From:
Newman Lake , Wa
Memory:
I grew up in Lakewwod,N.Y.in the1950's. I never would have known about real R&R if not for The Hound! We would listen to him on WINE TIME out of Kenmore N.Y. My buddy's Bruce Alhgren & John Berg would get right home from school to sit by the radio and "Dig" him. He was the first D.J. to play "Bip Bop Bip"by Pretty Boy. I wish there was a way just to say thanks for not letting me grow up an American Bandstand square. Also for telling us about Ross The Boss's record shop in Buffalo.
Submitted by:
Earl P. Bell
From:
Olympia Fields, Illinois 60461
Memory:
During 1955 and 1956, in my junior and senior years of high school, at 9 P.M. a group of us, every night, tuned in the Hound. We were living in a little eastern North Carolina town of Aulander, some 60 miles south west of Norfolk, Virginia. At the time, Aulander was a farming town of one thousand people located in the heart of tobacco country. We only had one T.V. channel broadcasting. It was Channel 3 located in Norfolk. We thought the Hound was the coolest. From his funky slow groove theme, the dog hollowing just before he came on to say "The Hound's Around!" He called just about everyone "A Real Cool Cat!" The man was our teacher and we were his avid, devoted students. Five of us, three boys and two girls, were serious, daily rock and roll dancers. All of us are alive and well. We will be attending a big high school reunion on Saturday, 18 April 2009. Our blog website is http://aulander.blogspot.com. We are in the process of writing up our passion for the rock and roll music that was sweeping the country. It should be posted in the next week. I can assure you that at the heart of our description, will be this "real cool cat" from Buffalo, New York who put down the goovey licks and answered to the handle of "The Hound!"
submitted: 1 March 2009
Submitted by:
Barry Chmura
From:
Utica, NY
Memory:
Laying in bed with a mono earphone plugged into my Channel Master transistor radio waiting for that great howling sound and then "The Hounds Around", what a great way to end a day...
What wonderful memories, the Hound Dog was such a huge part of my early years. May he rest in peace...
Barry C.
Memories 51 through 55 of 121