A great April Fool's Joke... on ME

Someone emailed to congratulate me on being considered for one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.   This was a big thrill until I realized that it was the other Ken Levine who was being considered -- the one who creates epic video games. 

Still, I had to marvel at what an elaborate April Fool's prank this was on me.  I mean, TIME magazine was in on it.  Fortunately, I figured this out almost immediately (because, really -- me among the 100 most influential people of the world -- who are we kidding?) and didn't gloat to my friends, have stationery printed up, or rub it in the faces of those girls in high school who wouldn't go out with me (not that I haven't gotten over that).

But then the thought occurred: Last year TIME magazine named my blog one of the Top 25 on the web.  Was that meant for the other Ken Levine too?  Turns out, no.  It was my blog singled out.   I am so relieved.  I would hate to have to call all those girls back and tell them it wasn't my blog after all.  

In any event, best of luck to the other Ken Levine.    If it can't be me, at least let it be someone mistaken for me. 

The Real Don Steele

The Real Don Steele would have been 76 today. You've probably heard me talk of him before. He's one of my idols (American or otherwise).

He passed away on August 5, 1997. For thirty years The Real Don Steele ruled the Los Angeles airwaves, most notably on 93/KHJ “Boss Radio” in the 60’s and 70’s. Outrageous, electrifying, thrilling – that was Real on…and OFF the air. If you want to hear the greatest cookin’ jock to ever crack a mike in the heyday of top 40. You can check him out here.

Real also appeared in some highly prestigious films such as EATING RAOUL, DEATH RACE 2000 (starring Sylvester Stallone), ROCK N’ ROLL HIGH SCHOOL, and Ron Howard’s first directing effort, GRAND THEFT AUTO. Television credits are equally as impressive: TALES FROM THE CRYPT and HERE COMES THE BRIDES.

I had the pleasure of working with him at two radio stations, K100 and TenQ in LA in the 70’s. He also fell off my couch stinking drunk one night and my wife still invited him to dinner again.

His catch phrase was “Tina Delgado is alive, ALIVE!” shouted by some unknown frenzied girl. No one ever knew the story behind it. Who Tina Degado was. How he came to use it. Even what the hell it meant. But it didn’t matter. It was all part of the excitement this larger-than-life personality created for “the magnificent megalopolis of Boss Angeles” three hours every day…and especially on “Fractious Fridays”.

Every year on his birthday, April 1st, I wish that maybe his passing is just an April’s Fool joke. That would be so like him. And at 3:00 I could turn on the radio, “Devil with a Blue Dress” by Mitch Ryder would come blazing out of my speaker and I would hear “The Real Don Steele is alive, ALIVE!”

He is in my heart. And always will be.