Johnson's Improbable History of Pop

KPBX 91.1, Saturday, 9pm-10pm

John Johnson conducts a tour of the
obscure world of early rock and pop music.

Program Listings:
July 12, 2008
TOWNES VAN ZANDT, Pt. 2, a followup profile of Texas singer/songwriter with special guest Frank Delaney of KPBX.

July 19, 2008
FACES IN ALL SIZES, highlights from talented and rowdy British band the Small Faces, known later in their career as the Faces.

July 26, 2008
HAVE HARP WILL TRAVEL, samples from Big Walter Horton's legacy as a prime era Chicago blues harmonica session ace
and solo artist.

August 2, 2008
ZEPHYR, tribute to pioneering Colorado band of late 60s that effectively combined rock, blues, jazz, and country.

August 9, 2008
SONGS OF PHIL OCHS, Jim & Jean, They Might Be Giants, Joan Baez, and others perform material by this socially conscious
folk rocker.

August 16, 2008
STEVIE EARLE, guest Richard Turzeiff with trailblazing sounds from this colorful Texas based country rocker.

August 23, 2008 (subject to change)
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO INSTRUMENTALS, loads of flailing guitars and bashing drums courtesy Johnny & the Hurricanes, Duals, Rumblers, and Ventures in an episode that is completely vocal free.

August 30, 2008
TOUGH TIMES, Bing Crosby, the Kinks, John Brim, and
Randy Newman are among those united in song by the stress
of economic struggles.

About John:

Thanks to John Johnson, the 95 percent
of records that never got commercial
airtime have a home. The Saturday night show Johnson’s Improbable History of Pop features those artists who fell through the commercial cracks.

When the program began in February of 1995, Johnson said, “My mission is to provide that exposure, and give recognition to the fact that talent and hit records don’t have a lot to do with each other.” That still holds true today and way over 500 episodes later (that milestone was reached in July 2005).

A few years ago, Johnson began some retrospectives on ‘80s bands. "I always seem to run a decade and a half late, and am now getting a grasp of what some of the Reagan-era music
was all about (benefit of hindsight and all).”

JIHOP was originally meant to be a blues or soul program, but
he then started talking about songs and artists without much exposure. He tries to include all the different musical styles that come together in pop music, such as rock, soul, rockabilly, country, jazz, folk, and international rock.

“The most gratifying part has been the interaction with listeners, guests, and musicians,” Johnson says. “Without meaning to brag, there have been cases where my programs have resulted — at least indirectly — in reissues or first issues on compact disc for the artist. I’ve also had performers and bands in the studio. That helps prove, once again, that while recorded sound is great, ‘live music is best’ for its sheer energy and immediacy.”

Johnson works at Triumph Composite Systems, and spends free time with movies and movie history, golf, and jogging. “Thanks to everyone through the years who have contributed their time, talent, and thoughts to the show. As the saying goes, it’s an evolving organism, but I don’t know the species yet.”