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:
Natalie Palmeri
From:
Hamburg, New York
Memory:
One of my first jobs, after graduating from high school, was working at WBLK radio station. In 1964, I went for the interview and George Lorenz hired me. I was thrilled and honored to be his secretary. I felt as though I was working for a celebrity! When I was younger, I always listened to WKBW when George was the DJ and just loved it when he would say: "The Hound's Around". In fact, I used to imitate him! I thought he was the greatest and coolest guy on radio!!
While I was working for him, I remember he had a contest going and he announced on the radio that the winners would win a box of Whitman's Chocolates if they could answer some questions correctly. Well, there were several winners and George gave me a list of people to call and inform them that they had won the candy. Most people were excited about winning but one lady gave me a difficult time. She kept telling me that she didn't believe me. She even made a remark that I sounded too young to even be working. I just couldn't convince her that I was calling from WBLK. I had asked her to hold the line a minute (and am shocked that she didn't hang up on me) and I asked George what I should tell this woman. All he said was: "Tell her that, if she would like the Whitman's Chocolates, she can pick it up at the radio station at her earliest convenience". Evidently, she still didn't believe me because she never came to pick it up! I was really quite upset. I had just started working for George and wanted to do a good job and make a good impression. He was just so understanding and told me not to worry about it. He said, "If she doesn't want the candy, you can have it"!!
I worked at WBLK for a couple of years and then went to work for the Erie County Health Department. Many years later, one of my co-workers and I were talking about George and he mentioned that he was a friend of his. I had told him that I worked at WBLK and was George's secretary. We both thought...what a small world! About a week later, he presented me with a cassette of WBLK's 20th anniversary show. I was so surprised and was so happy to have a remembrance of such a great and talented man....George Lorenz!
Submitted by:
Ross Jarvis
From:
Toronto , Ontario
Memory:
'The Big Heavy' would start to pound on every car radio at the drive-in, or wherever the kids would gather. It would immediately be tuned up loud as we heard...'The Hound's Around....We're rockin' in record, baby...from the Zanzibar man...for Big Bob and Pal Al. And don't forget all you hound-doggers, Don't pound the slab...Take a Madison Cab...George Lorenz would punctuate the licks of his theme song, 'The Big Heavy' with obviously his own slogans for all of his sponsors. He was the coolest DJ I've every heard. I often tell my kids of those fabulous times at the birth of rock n roll and how it was the off-spring of the Rhythm n Blues music that was played by the semi-underground DJ's, led by The Hound. I'd love to get a tape of one of his programs.
Submitted by:
Larry Wood
From:
Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
Memory:
Sometime in the early to mid 60's my father bought our first AM-FM radio. FM of course, then as now, sounded better but it was essentially all elevator music. I was determined to find something better on that band. Surfing the band, I tripped across WBLK Buffalo quite by accident. Eureka! I was hooked. It was theme song and start start of the Hound Dog Show, starring the great George Lorenz. I was hooked. That great sould music just wasn't available anywhere in this area, except possible very late at night on very distant, fuzzy AM stations. The Hound was simply the collest DJ, to boot. It couldn't get better. I spread the word to all of my friends and they agreed.
Rest in Peace Hound Dog; you were simply the best
Larry Wood
Submitted by:
Jill Glaser
From:
Dallas, Texas
Memory:
My dad owned the Zanzibar where George broadcasted his radio show. The Hound was contacted by a promoter named Colonel Parker who was trying to get his client booked in Northern venues. George asked my dad if he was interested in bringing this young singer to the Aud. My dad wasn't interested as he never heard about this guy and was used to bringing in jazz entertainment. I'm sure by now you figured out that this missed opportunity was Elvis Presley.
Submitted by:
Al Reiller
From:
McKee, Kentucky
Memory:
I remember George "Hound Dog" Lorenz quite well. In fact he was the first DJ to play Rock & Roll on KB. He said "THE HOUNDS AROUND" at the beginning and end of his show. For that and many other reasons KB is and always will be my #1 radio station. I wished KB would have some kind of a write up about the Kipler Brothers that had the band called The Buffalo Rebels and made the song Wild Weekend, that became a big hit and sold over a million records back in the early 1960's. I also wish KB would try to get hold of a copy of the Rebels appearing on Dick Clark's American Bandstand back in the late 50's or early 60's. I'd be the first in line to buy a copy of that gig from you if it's allowed. Would very much appreciate what ever you can do about the above. Thank you! Al
Memories 46 through 50 of 121