June 18, 1996. My first radio show: 5-8 p.m. on Northeastern University’s 104.9 WRBB. That means I’ve been on the radio for 25 years.
Quick story about that first show: I prepped the hell out of it. The 5-8 p.m. block on WRBB at the time was for alternative and indie rock, right in my wheelhouse. I gathered a bunch of my favorite CDs and records from home, planned out my sets by genre, and even brought along a notebook to write it all down for posterity. You know what I didn’t bring? Headphones.
No worries, I thought. I’ll wing it. I cued up my first song right around 5, hit my music bed, potted up the mic, and started my very first talk-break. As I was yapping, the co-op student working in the station’s office poked her head into my open studio door and gave me a quizzical look. I wrapped up my break, potted down the mic, and was informed by said co-op that my break didn’t go out over the air.
You see, I had potted up the mic, but I had neglected to TURN IT ON. Of course, had I been wearing headphones, I wouldn’t have made such a gaffe. 25 years on, I’ve at least figured that out.
Let’s Listen to a Clip From Adam 12’s First Radio Show, 25 Years Ago
You can hear audio from my first-ever radio show below. My first paid radio show? That’s a different story: you can hear that here. In the lead up to that anniversary, I celebrated by spotlighting some of my favorite albums, radio stations, and DJs from my 25 years in broadcasting, so dig into those memories with me, too. Eternal gratitude to erstwhile ROCK 92.9 Program Director Ken West, as well as Beasley Boston’s Mary Menna and Cadillac Jack. Thanks to them, I’m on the radio in Boston, celebrating 25 years and counting. And thanks to you for listening, of course.
