Uncle Glen's Lounge Party

Dear Friends Reel-To-Reel

2012-02-02T08:14:00.000-08:00

From my palatial vaults. The autographed reel-to-reel version of Dear Friends.

Firesign Artifacts

2012-01-31T20:44:00.000-08:00

I think I got these from Phil Proctor. Reminds me of The Good Old Days. Midnight movies in Long Beach with free popcorn. Two bucks. Where's my Time Machine??

Klaatu HOPE In-Store Display

2012-01-22T18:32:00.000-08:00

Here's an amazing in-store promotional display piece from Capitol Records, 1977. This is a tie-in for Klaatu's second LP, Hope. Thanks to Terry for this incredible item!

Brian Wilson

2012-01-14T10:49:00.000-08:00

It's Brian Wilson and me backstage in Cerritos, 2011. Just prior to the release of the SMiLE box.

Me and Phil

2011-07-11T19:51:00.000-07:00

Photo by Taylor Jessen 2011
Just click on the title/link to see the photo!

Tonight At 8:30 / Noel Coward

2010-11-22T19:29:00.000-08:00

Well- it was great fun doing this show. What an astounding cast. Tight, professional and SO MUCH FUN to work with. I love 'em all.
I only wish Antaeus would tackle more musicals, but that's just me. If they DID, then it wouldn't be classical theatre, now would it?
Here's to my wonderful friends at Antaeus!

Click on the link to see the cast and credits!

Uncle Glen's Lounge Party ON THE SET

2010-01-16T12:09:00.000-08:00

A shot at random. Rubber chicken, plastic flamingo and famous celebrity carboard cut-out at the ready.

Ah, the Old Days. Uncle Glen regales Ed 'E.E.' Bell of Married With Children fame- with a song. Ed was a trooper who always rolled out of bed at noon and rushed down to the studio whenever the guests bailed out on us.

Smokey The Bear

2009-12-25T12:26:00.001-08:00

Saved this sheet music from my childhood. These were printed up en masse for the kiddies (Cub Scouts, etc.) and our voices were raised in song around the communal campfire. Printing courtesy of the U.S. Government. Print this out and sing along!

Early Television

2009-12-20T22:58:00.000-08:00

Ten years later, and this program is STILL on the air. Does that count for SOMETHING?? Hey- the LA Times wouldn't lie!

Sybil Jason

2009-12-06T20:11:00.000-08:00

Sybil Jason. Child film star. Best known for her work with Al Jolson and Shirley Temple. She came down to our studios and did a one-hour interview- it was fascinating television. Here's my souvenier from that evening.

Shirley Jones, Marty Ingels and JoAnne Worley

2009-10-25T00:55:00.000-07:00

JoAnne Worley on the set.

JoAnne Worley came by the TV studio to promote her event via CNN.

I played piano and she sang her song parody - in the green room.

An iconic image- signed by Shirley Jones.

Marty Ingels, Shirley Jones and Ron Petke

Shirley, the host from CNN and Marty. (Sorry, I forgot his name!)

Marty and Shirley

Glen Banks and JoAnne Worley

Ron Petke and JoAnne Worley

JoAnne Worley and the CNN Host

Shirley Jones and Glen Banks

Marty Ingels, John Gean, and Shirley Jones

Marty and Shirley

Marty and Shirley.

JoAnne hiding from my camera in the green room.

Family Guy

2009-08-13T00:21:00.001-07:00

A Swell evening with the cast of Family Guy- a full orchestra and a video crew. Seth McFarlane sang a wonderful arrangement of Now You Has Jazz from High Society. Also performed was Stewie channeling William Shatner crooning Elton John's Rocket Man.

Jimmy Weldon Sings "Bermuda" As Webster Webfoot

2009-08-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

Uncle Jimmy gives an impromptu performance of a memorable Webster Webfoot song!

E Ticket: The Last Ride

2009-08-08T15:52:00.000-07:00

E Ticket magazine says 'Goodbye' after 23 years of publishing.

Tony Baxter, Glen Banks, Bob Gurr

The view from the hill

Autographs from Tony Baxter, Alice Davis, Bob Gurr and Jack Janzen

The commemorative button.

E Ticket was a CLASS act which published stories, articles and archive info related to the Disney era of Disneyland. It will be missed. But it was a great way to say goodbye!

More Random Firesign Theatre Stuff

2009-08-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

Today's images are completely random. If I've posted them before, I don't recall, so I hope you enjoy seeing them again. This one is my backstage pass from CBS TV for the taping of the Weirdly Cool PBS Special. Stage 33 is where Jack Benny did his program. Wow.

Here I am standing around like an idiot behind the guys after the show at Monterey. Only Austin knew I was back there....

A lovely postcard from Phil Proctor concerning my piano contributions to the Antaeus Theatre production of Noel Coward's "Tonight At 8:30".

The front side of the postcard.

An encouraging message from Phil and Melinda on the occasion of our Opening Night of the Noel Coward show.

A recent autograph....

This was a note from Phil Proctor regarding photos he took during an appearance at our TV studios.

And these are the photos in question.

Another one.

I've always loved this poster. Wonderful graphics.

This is a contact sheet for the photos I took at KPFK during the Dear Friends Let's Eat shows. The color prints have mostly been lost, and this is all that remains.

A shot I took during Boom Dot Bust.

The Guys with Frasier Smith during Boom Dot Bust. I'm a terrible photographer.

Frasier Smith with Oona Austin from Boom Dot Bust.

The Guys in the control room during Boom Dot Bust.

Even More Haunted Mansion Pix

2009-06-25T07:03:00.000-07:00

The Haunted Mansion Control Room

Top O' The Stairs- just above the loading area

In Dreams I Kiss Your Hand Madame...

Watch the birdie

It's a bust

Busts from an unusual angle

Madame Leota and Moi

The Bride and Groom

Uncle Glen giving 'em what they want

At his organ again

New Webster Find

2009-05-31T20:38:00.001-07:00

I have never seen this recording before and I don't remember Pied Piper Shoes. It will take a bit of tinkering to transfer the audio- I hope I'm up to the challenge.

What great graphics! Thanks to little Webster, Uncle Jimmy and to Ray Peavey who graciously gave me this record just because he knew how much I love Webster Webfoot!

Even More Haunted Mansion Pix

2009-03-24T06:53:00.000-07:00

The Endless Hallway- where the floating candles can be found.

Hitchhiking Ghosts

Let me out.

The backside of candles.

Any requests?

More Haunted Mansion Pix

2009-03-23T20:19:00.001-07:00

It's just like being 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea- because it's Captain Nemo's organ. Recycled from the motion picture of the same name. Note the woodwork on the right-hand side of the photo. There IS NO WOODWORK there. The images of wood are hand-painted, shadows and all to create the illusion of depth. The wall is entirely flat and smooth. Amazing.

All I know for sure here is that the ashtray is glued down to the organ!

"And a Ghost will follow you home!" Here they are, in a photo taken on the other side of the mirrors near the unloading dock. My vote for one of the creepiest shots taken in the whole mansion.

This is the control room of the Haunted Mansion.

A few more Ghosts to "follow you home". Pants are optional.

Haunted Mansion

2009-03-22T14:55:00.001-07:00

Disneyland or BUST!

I like this shot.

The Twelve-Foot Bride Of Jolson.

Call Me Madam (Leota)

These guys are cool. I have quite a few nice photos taken in the Haunted Mansion with the lights on. I'll post more shortly. Hope you LIKE 'em!!

Uncle Glen's Manifesto

2009-03-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

Digging around through the sheet music today, I found this treatise, if you will. Management at Charter Communications required that we submit a prospectus of sorts in order to justify the expense of studio time and tech labor involved in taping my TV show. How we ever slipped this one past the powers that be will always puzzle me. I hope it puzzles you.

Kathryn Beaumont

2009-02-22T18:28:00.001-08:00

Bumped into Kathryn Beaumont while wandering around Disneyland one day. I was lucky to recognize her- but really I recognized her voice first, and then figured out who she was. She was really nice and we had a great chat. My first inclination was to see if I could ride the Alice In Wonderland dark ride with her- but she and her group had just gone on that attraction. So I had her sign the only thing I could find at the park that was Alice-related. It turns out to be a nice memory of a very nice encounter at Disneyland!

Bob Clampett

2009-02-14T12:33:00.000-08:00

Bob Clampett is a legend. And a good speller. He made a memorable visit to Cal State Long Beach- showing 16mm prints of his films and entertaining between reels. He wasn't in a big lecture hall or anything, he was perched at the front of a regular classroom- ready for questions- and basking in the affection of all the college students who looked up to him as a genius. Great stuff!

Virginia Davis

2009-02-08T11:48:00.000-08:00

Here's a lovely Disney-related autograph from Virginia Davis. She was the FIRST star at the Disney Studios, appearing in the animated Alice Comics short films. She was personally directed by Uncle Walt, and was a star quite some time BEFORE Mickey made the scene. A gracious and sweet lady. More Disney stuff to come, so be sure to check back soon!

Badfinger

2009-02-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

Another snappy autograph from my endless archives. This one is from Joey Molland of Badfinger who graciously signed the cover of my sheet music folio of The Magic Christian. Thank you, Joey!

Eric Idle and Neil Innes

2009-02-01T09:29:00.000-08:00

Me and Neil Innes at McCabe's.

This is Eric Idle and Kevin Nealon. They were at the premier of the Rutles II. Neil Innes wasn't there.

Jimmy Stewart

2009-01-15T20:50:00.000-08:00

Here is a swell memory of meeting Jimmy Stewart at the opening gala for the Henry Fonda Theatre. The autograph is a bit light, but if you click on the photo you see it a lot better. ALL the stars were there that evening, and I met them all- Cesar Romero, Debbie Reynolds, Dorothy Lamour....
I did NOT get to meet Gene Kelly, but that's life. I chatted with Charo and sat next to Howard Hessman. I will leave the funny story about Cesar Romero in the men's room for another day......

Birthday Cake Polka

2008-12-28T09:14:00.000-08:00

You can't say I was cheap this Christmas. Here is a FINE gift from me to you- the actual sheet music for the unforgettable song Birthday Cake Polka. Sometimes called Put Another Candle On My Birthday Cake, this was sent to me by Sheriff John himself. Just print this out and whip out a copy when those goons at the Red Lobster try to sing some funky, generic dirge to celebrate your natal day- and DEMAND they sing this instead.
You're welcome.

Merry Christmas From The Haunted Mansion

2008-12-04T23:16:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas To All- And To All A Good Fright!
Here's me at my organ again, deep in the heart of the Happiest Place On Earth. Oh, yeah- don't forget- Happy Boo Year!

Dear Abby

2008-11-24T12:57:00.001-08:00

Here's my letter to Dear Abby. I figured that she would use my letter if I included a crappy pun at the end. Was I right?

FIRESIGN THEATRE: Phil Proctor

2008-11-14T17:57:00.000-08:00

Portrait of the Artist as a Purple People Reader.
The colors are fading, but this is Phil Proctor in a candid moment- taken during the recording sessions for In The Next World, You're On Your Own. I shot this at the Burbank Studios.

FIRESIGN THEATRE: More Sugar!

2008-11-13T21:19:00.000-08:00

Here are some wonderful Firesign Theatre images I dug out of my archives. These are completely at random- just to make an easy post.
Trust me- it HAS been 'Many years of fun'!

Phil Proctor sent me some of the photos on this post. Here's a great sample of Nick Danger stationery. Why doesn't Hallmark carry this??

Here we are in the TV studio. Phil Proctor, Peter Bergman, Ron Petke, Glen Banks and the late John Craig (love ya, Johnnie Boy!)

Phil Proctor, John Craig, Glen Banks and Peter Bergman on the set.

This is an interesting curio for hardcore fans. This is the breakdown/guide sheet for the final Firesign radio broadcast at KPFK: The Martian Space Party. I picked this up after the show was over. It was the end of Dear Friends and the end of an era in radio comedy.

The Luer Spaceship

2008-10-31T18:10:00.001-07:00

This is the front cover of the comic book that was handed to the kids after disembarking from the Luer Spaceship. The ship made an appearance at a local market and featured Engineer Bill with the Big Whistle, too! Inside the ship I can recall that we watched a beautifully animated film on a rear-projection screen located on a forward bulkhead. The film had a similar look to the artwork on the comic book cover. The seats would vibrate on landing and takeoff- it really was an embryonic version of Star Tours.

LOST IN SPACE!

Alas, we find the rusting hulk as it is today, alone in the desert.

Fire up those afterburners!

Here she is in her her heyday, the way I remember her. THIS is what a spaceship should look like!

Firesign Theatre: Eat Or Be Eaten

2008-09-27T11:17:00.001-07:00

Eat Or Be Eaten- the cult fave LP/CD from Firesign Theatre.

Look closely in the credits- Glen Banks (that's me) playing keyboard.

Did David get replaced by a sheep?

Here's me on the set of Eat Or Be Eaten. I played a Dendrolator in the film. My favorite memory was sitting around on this couch at 2 AM with the Firesign Theatre and the other castmembers- swapping scary ghost stories. I'm holding the legendary Book Of Me (written by Dr. Me) and you'll notice a menacing sprig of koodzoo vine lurking on the cushions. On the coffee table is the photo of the vine taken in 1936 when the plant went berserk and completely covered the town.

Me and Phil Proctor- bonding- with a couple of bottles of Wino Brothers wine- "in the bottle shaped like a paper bag!" (Photo by Henry Diltz)

Happy Birthday, June Foray!

2008-09-16T21:21:00.001-07:00

June Foray's birthday is this month so HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JUNE!
If you don't know who June Foray is, there is little hope for you.
Where would one start? Granny, Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Natasha, Nell, her amazing radio performances with Stan Freberg.....
She is a legend. And a very sweet, personable lady. This shot was taken in our TV studio. From the left, John Craig, June Foray and Glen Banks

Here's June and Uncle Glen. This snap was taken at June's home. Hard to see but in her den the walls are adorned with wonderful memorabilia from her storied career. Not to mention the life-size Bullwinkle Moose who sits on her couch. (I told you not to MENTION THE MOOSE!)

This is last year's Christmas card from June. She is a national treasure and a wonderful lady. Much love to you, June!

Robert Morse in "Scrooge, The Stingiest Man In Town"

2008-09-15T22:50:00.000-07:00

Robert Morse publicity photo

You probably remember Robert Morse as the gap-toothed musical hero of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. I did a show with him in Santa Monica one Christmas season. These are scans from the program. As usual I was playing the piano for the show. This particular version of the Dickens classic was adapted from a 1950s original TV broadcast featuring Basil Rathbone.

Here's Robert Morse's Bio from the show program...

And here I am in the credits right next to Anthony Perkins of Psycho. It was a lot of fun working with Mr. Morse. I'm not sure why, but I forgot to ask for an autograph. Go figure....

The Credibility Gap: Vote 'Til It Hurts!

2008-08-30T12:59:00.001-07:00

The Woodschtick logo

Harry Shearer, David Lander and Michael McKean

This audio track could be considered to be a great lost Credibility Gap artifact. I found it years ago on a Public Service Announcement LP entitled Vote '72. Though it sounds like it's merely a vocal placed on top of a pre-recorded pre-licensed music bed, it's still a lovely example of lyric writing and patriotic ennui. Introduced by Harry Shearer, the identity of the vocalist is a mystery to me. This advice is still just as timely as it was in 1972.

Click on the title and enjoy VOTE 'TIL IT HURTS.

The Firesign Theatre

2008-08-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

You say you don't know who Firesign Theatre is? Don't insult me. Head for Google or Wiki and start learning. The American Monty Python? The Beatles of Comedy? The greatest comedy aggregation since the Marx Brothers- for my money. Here's the cover of (arguably) their greatest LP.

Click on the Post Title to hear Firesign perfoming Forward Into The Past.

Proctor and Goodman. I took this shot at UCLA. I really like this one.

Here we are in the studio during the Boom Dot Bust recording sessions.
Back row: Phil Proctor, David Ossman. Front row: Peter Bergman, Glen Banks, Phil Austin

Glen Banks, Phil Proctor, Peter Bergman. This was taken at a promotion for the DVD release of J-Men Forever. The newspaper was a prop used in the film.

I took this nice photo of Phil Proctor quite recently. Phil and I were appearing courtesy of the Antaeus Theatre Company in Tonight At 8:30. It was a performance of all Noel Coward's one-act plays. I played the piano and Phil (among other things) was cast as the Butler. I will always have fond memories of providing the music for Phil's wonderful rendition of Don't Put Your Daughter On The Stage, Mrs. Worthington.

Sheriff John: Birthday Cake Polka

2008-08-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

I was sure mighty pleased when these photos arrived in the mail. Sheriff John is the all-time king of Kiddie Shows, along with Engineer Bill, Jimmy Weldon and Webster Webfoot, and Tom Hatten.

His most famous song is posted here for you to enjoy: "The Birthday Cake Polka"!

Engineer Bill: Cartoon Express Coloring Book

2008-08-16T17:56:00.001-07:00

For 25 cents you could get this amazing coloring book from Engineer Bill. This one is in pretty good shape for being 50 years old. Get the kids hopped up on Ovaltine and Sugar Pops, open up a fresh pack of Crayola Crayons and watch out for FUN!

Engineer Bill: Castle Of Dreams

2008-08-16T06:24:00.000-07:00

A lot was expected of little boys in those days. Have a listen.

Engineer Bill: Castle Of Dreams

2008-08-16T06:19:00.001-07:00

Engineer Bill is out of character for this recording, so I'm guessing this may predate his days at Channel 9. Be sure to listen for Bill's amazing advice on eating from bottles in the yard!

Engineer Bill: Red Light - Green Light

2008-08-15T21:13:00.000-07:00

I learned today of the sad passing of Engineer Bill. Although Bill Stulla only existed for me on Television, he was real- and he was my friend. So we dig deep into the old record collection today. And thanks to a bit of modern technology, we can at least spend a few more precious moments with Engineer Bill- drinking our milk- under the magical spell of Red Light, Green Light.......

Get your glass of milk ready and click on the Blog title to hear Engineer Bill once again.

The Moody Blues: Justin Hayward and John Lodge

2008-08-14T21:15:00.000-07:00

Signed by all five original members of the Moody Blues. John Lodge, Justin Hayward, Ray Thomas, Graham Edge and Mike Pinder

John at the limo

They brought plenty of 8 x 10 glossies to sign and give away

Justin looking dapper

Justin, Uncle Glen and John

Group shot with the staff at Abbey Road Distributors

Justin at the limo

Working hard

And what's your name?

A terrible shot, but why toss it out?

This is my favorite shot

Signing a famous LP

Looking back...

These shots were taken by me when the band was promoting the Keys Of The Kingdom CD. They handed out white-label promos of the cassette version and generally chatted and posed and signed things. Abbey Road is a record distributor in Orange County, California.

Uncle Glen's Low Self-Esteem Corner

2008-08-14T06:28:00.001-07:00

Uncle Glen Sez: Do this when you're alone. AGAIN.

Pinnochio Revisited

2008-08-12T22:25:00.001-07:00

Here are a few leftovers from the previous Pinnochio post. I'll start scanning some of the other dark rides shortly!

A cheap shot.

For ME you are working!

Okay- this one is from Roger Rabbit....

MeOUCH!

There are faeries in the garden....

J. Worthington Foulfellow pleads his case.

Carefully getting a close-up video shot of a cuckoo clock...

Pinnochioooooooooo!

Todd Rundgren

2008-08-11T20:10:00.001-07:00

Not much to say about this photo except that it's Todd and Glen- and that this was taken at UCLA's Royce Hall, backstage after Todd performed in a tribute to the Firesign Theatre. Photo by Ron Petke.

The Moody Blues: Mike Pinder

2008-08-09T21:18:00.001-07:00

Today's post consists of some snappy photos I took of Mike Pinder of The Moody Blues. He was promoting his current album Among The Stars. I was helping out by organizing the autograph sessions to some extent (mostly the signing table) picking up Mike and his wife, Tara, at the airport and in general by creatively loitering. But it was fun!

Both of the above shots were taken at our TV studio where Mike made his first appearance since exiting the Moody Blues. You can always tell our sets by the presence of the multi-chapeaued hatrack and the beat-up Wurlitzer jukebox. That's my buddy Al Matta in the red shirt. Hey, AL! You still owe me twenty bucks!

Ah- now here's me and Mike Pinder- bonding.

Mike and Me at the autograph table. To think that Tower Records no longer exists! Those were the days.....

Mike in repose with a teddy bear. Notice the subtle placement of the ketchup and tabasco sauce. Can I take pictures or can I take pictures??!!

The line went WAY out the door for Mike's autograph seekers.

Mike signs one of the Classic Seven LPs.

This is another record store appearance.

Mike and his wife, Tara.

Mike insisted that he would NOT be playing keyboard on our TV show. But after he loosened up a bit, he regaled us with impromptu performances of Roll Out The Barrel and Go Now. I was thrilled to have him play my Fender Rhodes! Thank you, Mike!!

The Last Remaining Seats

2008-08-07T18:44:00.000-07:00

The Sons of the Desert, the official Laurel and Hardy fan club, was involved with the L.A. Conservancy and hosted an evening of vintage entertainment: "The Last Remaining Seats". Legendary character actor Jesse White was our compere for the evening.

Here are some of the cast- backstage.

From left to right- Jim MacGeorge, Chuck McCann, Jesse White and Avery Schreiber. Down in front, Uncle Glen.

As things transpired, it was Jesse White's final public performance.

Lounge Party Graphics

2008-08-07T06:50:00.000-07:00

A few random images for today's post. Some of these were used on the TV show, others never made it. Hmmmm.....

MY name is Baby Cuttlefish- what's YOURS??!

Brian Wilson LIVE

2008-08-06T06:29:00.000-07:00

We saw Brian Wilson in concert last week at the Fox Studios. The performance will be streamed on Yahoo Music early next month. This time around there was no chance to get an autograph from Brian. But in the audience I ran into Harry Shearer and had a very nice chat. So here is the set list from Brian's show, Harry's autograph, and an OLD photo of me getting my copy of Pet Sounds signed by Brian in San Diego, 1990.

Click on the Post Title and hear the doomed Capitol Records radio spot for SMiLE! (Photo by Rob Conlin)

Yarmy's Army Marches On

2008-08-04T06:41:00.000-07:00

Whaddya know. I found a few more shots of Yarmy's Army. As you all know, the best thing about these guys is having Ronnie Schell in the group. Heck- he did a Disney movie about Gus- a donkey that could kick 40-yard field goals. That's what I call CREDENTIALS!

And how often do you get to hang out with Shelley Berman??

Fun At Disneyland

2008-08-03T09:20:00.000-07:00

More random photos from Disneyland today. Hope you like 'em!

The little car (or is it a jitney?) is Walt's private vehicle which he drove up and down Main Street. What a beautiful machine. I would give anything to have had a quiet ride with Walt down the middle of Disneyland. This is as close as I will ever get.

Howard Morris

2008-08-02T20:46:00.000-07:00

Howard Morris came down to the studio and did a memorable interview. You remember him as Ernest T. Bass from the Andy Griffith Show. You remember him from almost every Mel Brooks movie.

Here he is with Uncle Glen, our Host John Craig and our Producer Ron Petke. Click on Howard's name above the photos to read more on Wikipedia.

He was member of the incredible comedy ensemble from Your Show Of Shows with Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, and Carl Reiner. He directed the FIRST episode of Get Smart (the pilot). On Broadway he was Og the Leprechaun in Finian's Rainbow.

And don't forget all the wonderful cartoon characters he created for Hanna-Barbera, most notably, Ricochet Rabbit. My Big Moment was to back him up on the piano as he sang his Broadway number "When I'm Not Near The Girl I Love". He was a funny guy. "It's ME, It's ME, it's Ernest T!!"

Meanwhile, Back At The Park.....

2008-08-01T06:39:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of snaps from the Pinocchio and Roger Rabbit dark rides. Dark Rides are my very favorite entertainment medium- running neck and neck with vinyl records. I always love the 'piano' shots since I'm a professional piano player (who still keeps his day job).

I'll post more of these soon.

Uncle Glen Goes To Disneyland!

2008-07-31T18:11:00.000-07:00

Periodically we'll be featuring photos from Uncle Glen's legendary trips to Disneyland. Here's the first in a series of candid portraits- a tender moment with Glen and his unidentified friend. The friend doesn't look at all well in this shot. But at least he died with his boots on.

NBC - WE'RE LOUD!

2008-07-31T10:41:00.000-07:00

I guess when you're hanging around all day, stuck in a studio with artificial lights, recording jingles and promos, you end up desperate to have a bit of fun. That's what these session people did, and here's the wonderful result: NBC - WE'RE LOUD!

Nice lyrics.

Click on the title to hear this snappy spot!

Laurence Juber On Talk Of The Town

2008-07-28T18:51:00.000-07:00

Talk Of The Town with the legendary John Craig as host. Set the Wayback Machine for 1994. It was our Tribute To The Beatles. We decorated the studio with some fine collectibles- you can see some original lunchboxes, an authentic Butcher Cover and the fabulous Beatles record player.

Off in the left corner- there's Laurence Juber on guitar. Best known perhaps for playing in Wings with Paul McCartney- somehow I was very impressed that he played on the first Alan Parsons LP.

Click on the title at the top of this post and hear Mr. Juber performing live in the studio- Martha My Dear.

I'm A Green Chicken

2008-07-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

We've had some interesting people drop by the old TV studio over the years. In general, I never knew who the guests were until I met them in the Green Room. In this case, the Green Chicken Room. Too bad we didn't actually have the talking parrot- but we did have the next best thing, two gentlemen who started up a record label devoted to the listening pleasure of animals. Gorillas, parrots and dogs from far and wee were thrilled. This is the single they presented to me and we played it on the air. Here for your enjoyment is "I'm A GREEN CHICKEN"!

Just click on the Title of today's Blog above the picture and listen to Carla!

Chucko The Birthday Clown

2008-07-26T06:18:00.001-07:00

Chucko was a local LA TV kiddie show staple for many years. A contemporary of Engineer Bill, Webster Webfoot and Sheriff John, among others. Here are some nice graphics of Chucko. A friend of mine appeared on the TV show for his birthday and for these many years has cherished the hat that Chucko gave him. He was gracious enough to allow me to photograph it- but for some reason wouldn't LOAN it to me!

Ringo Starr and Fats Waller in Liverpool

2008-07-24T22:53:00.000-07:00

One rarely thinks of Fats Waller and Ringo Starr in the same proximity. But Ringo's first solo album had a cover of this wonderful song by Fats and this is the sheet music. I had long been fascinated by the building on the front- The Empress Pub. When I visited Liverpool, we found a local who knew where it was (the Pub, not Liverpool). That's me in the doorway ala Mr. Starkey, M.B.E. (Photo by Rob Conlin)

Buddy Ebsen

2008-07-24T22:22:00.000-07:00

Possibly the worst photograph of anyone ever taken- but this is yours truly hanging out with legendary hoofer Buddy Ebsen. Buddy was at our TV studio promoting his book, and he did a one-hour interview for us. I didn't have any Beverly Hillbillies items so I had him autograph a laserdisc of The Wizard Of Oz.

Steve Allen

2008-07-23T06:36:00.000-07:00

Steve Allen turned up one day at our OTHER studio- the one for Public Access where a friend of his was producing a show and where Steve made an appearance. Here's one of my souveniers of the day.

Santa's Village: Come Lose Your Heart

2008-07-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

Today we poke about through the nether recesses of Uncle Glen's record collection. Today's offering is a nifty 78 RPM single sold at Santa's Village, Skyforest, California. The graphics on this disc set a high standard for theme park ephemera. Maybe I'll get around to posting the audio at some point. To help complete the mood, there are some additional photos of Santa's Village over which you may wax nostalgic.

Ah- Kiddie Records and Theme Parks....(Sigh)

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Side Two

http://www.supload.com/music/Santas-Village-A-Trip-To-Santas-Village-2-ringtone-download-GZ32Z8AKXR1Q.html

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Side One

http://www.supload.com/music/Santas-Village-A-Trip-To-Santas-Village-ringtone-download-LVP9BWLO06R4.html

Betty Garrett

2008-07-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

This was a great evening. Perhaps you remember Betty as Mrs. Edna Babish-DeFazio from Laverne and Shirley. She was certainly unforgettable as Brunhilde Esterhazy in On The Town (1948). Her bubbly, energetic performances are a mirror to her wonderful, outgoing persona in real life. She appeared on our TV show as well and when I run across more photos of Betty I'll be sure to post them for you to enjoy.

And how did I end up in the credits? No one is certain......

Meet Webster Webfoot - and Jimmy Weldon!

2008-07-19T06:59:00.000-07:00

We're going to spend a little time with Uncle Jimmy Weldon and Webster Webfoot. There's a LOT to say about them- and we may have to split this up into several posts in order to share all of it. Back when I was a young whelp and we rode dinosaurs to school, Webster Webfoot was my TV hero. I worshipped that wonderful little duck and wanted more than anything to crawl inside my Packard Bell set to meet him. How was I to know that an innocent dream like that could ever come true? Jimmy and Webster made several memorable visits to our studios and I'm happy to say that those incredible moments were well documented by the fans and crew.

Many of you will remember Jimmy as the voice of Yakky Doodle, the Hannah-Barbera animated duck.

Webster and Jimmy- WE LOVE YOU!!

Yarmy's Army!

2008-07-18T21:41:00.000-07:00

I tell ya- we had FUN making TV back in them days! And look at this group. You could learn a thing or two about comedy from THESE guys. Ron Petke, our Producer, adjusts the lav mike on Tom Poston. Continuing clockwise, we have Howard Storm, Shelley Berman, Sam Denoff and Ronnie Schell. At the host's desk, the late and much-beloved John Craig. God, I wish I had taken more pictures that day.....

Spike Jones Radio Life

2008-07-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

Here's another of my heros. Spike Jones was a musical genius who played his last gigs at Disneyland. I met his wife, Helen Grayco up in Hollywood at the Roxy. I was there auditioning for the part of 'piano player' for Spike Jones, Jr. She was beautiful and gracious. After the show, an argument erupted among the band members (about money) and the upshot of the whole debacle was that the Band disBanded - and I never managed to audition for Spike Jr. So near, and yet- so far.

I think I found this magazine at the swap meet but I don't recall for sure.

Someday I'll trot out my Doodles Weaver Radio Encounter story.

Enjoy the article!

What Can It Mean?

2008-07-16T17:23:00.000-07:00

Yes- this blog shall be my Magnum Opus, my Raison d'Outre. We will delve into vintage images, Disney flotsam and jetsam and Old Time Radio.

Along the way- meet Webster Webfoot, Emitt Rhodes, Firesign Theatre and the Bonzo Dog Band.

The Lounge Party Lives On

2008-07-14T20:39:00.000-07:00

I'm Uncle Glen. I pause now to let the world say "So What." For the past 12 years or so I have been inflicting myself upon a hapless public in the form of local cable TV programming. Charter Communications' "Uncle Glen's Lounge Party". Before, during and since that time my fascination with disposable American Pop Culture (and therefore music) has always driven my skewed vision of The Past. It is this vision that I share with you. These ViSiOnS will appear in no particular order- I will be free-associating. Today's first entry is a photo of me with George Carlin. George came down to our TV studios in Long Beach, California and did an intimate 1-hour interview. Here is my snapshot from that day.