Johnson's Improbable History of Pop

KPBX 91.1, Saturday, 10pm-11pm

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

Program Listings:
February 6, 2010
Fleetwood Mac: Somewhere Between the Blues & Megastars
Asurvey of the group's frequently surprising 1970 to '74 transitional period.

February 13, 2010
Music from Big Pink
Retrospective of influential roots rockers The Band.

February 20, 2010
Johnny Paycheck
A selection of remarkable country records by talented (and troubled) vocalist often called the "original outlaw".

February 27, 2010
The Flatlanders
Guests Frank Delaney and Dan Nunamaker with West Texas sounds from Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

March 6, 2010
Lou Reed Solo Years
A 68th birthday tribute to the often controversial alternative rock trailblazer.

March 13, 2010
John Cale & Nico
The solo careers of two Lou Reed bandmates from the Velvet Underground in conjunction with Cale's own 68th b-day.

March 20, 2010
Sly Stone
A career view of the enigmatic soul/funk pioneer, including his roots as a Bay Area studio engineer and producer.

March 27, 2010
Neil Diamond
Guest Jim Raskell surveys the surprisingly quirky early work
of the Brooklyn born singer/songwriter.

April 3, 2010
Jim Ford
With recently discovered and way ahead of its time vintage country soul hybrids from a Kentuckian that Nick Lowe has called his biggest influence.

April 10, 2010
Another Round of Pub Rock
With back to basics mid 70's rootsy British bands, including Dr. Feelgood, Kilburn & High Roads, and Brinsley Schwarz (follow-up to 1999 show).

April 17, 2010
Hi Records of Memphis
The famous fatback sound of producer Willie Mitchell included Al Green, Ann Peebles, and Otis Clay.

April 24, 2010
Long Ryders
Our guest, Babbo, has the story of the early days and influential alt country group from Los Angeles led by Sid Griffin.

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.”