WABX-Air Aces

**lpg** · July-30-09, 09:36 AM

This is a pic of me wearing my WABX-Air Aces shirt taken in early 1973. I still have the shirt, but both it and me are sort of well worn.

Attachment 2544

**grphxman1** · July-31-09, 09:51 AM

I've got similar pictures, yet it's the one where I'm NOT wearing an 'ABX shirt that hurt the most. Where oh where did those washboard abs go?

**Downriviera** · July-31-09, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by d'oh

Are there any airchecks/tapes of WABX out there, ca. '68-'70? It'd be strange if nobody had any....

There is a guy that sells old radio tapes at the Dally in the Alley, he might have some. Also, a small quantity of WABX Air Aces t shirts were reprinted for a reunion radio show that Dave Dixon did on his AM radio show awhile back. There might be a few still around, try Showtime Clothing on Woodward.

**lpg** · July-31-09, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by grphxman1

I've got similar pictures, yet it's the one where I'm NOT wearing an 'ABX shirt that hurt the most. Where oh where did those washboard abs go?

Don't you hate it when the 6 pack turns into a whole case ???

**grphxman1** · July-31-09, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by lpg

Don't you hate it when the 6 pack turns into a whole case ???

LOL! Ain't it the truth.

**Maxine1958** · July-31-09, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by lpg

Don't you hate it when the 6 pack turns into a whole case ???

Or a keg!

**Meddle** · July-31-09, 04:02 PM

Anybody remember Doug Podell from W4? I don't know if he was ever on ABX or not.

diver1369 · July-31-09, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by Meddle

Anybody remember Doug Podell from W4? I don't know if he was ever on ABX or not.

Doug MC'd the Rationals show last week. Looks like he's still got it together pretty good. It was hosted by WCSX so I'd guess you might find him there.

**jiminnm** · July-31-09, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by d'oh

Are there any airchecks/tapes of WABX out there, ca. '68-'70? It'd be strange if nobody had any....

I haven't seen much out there on BX. Art Vuolo's History of Detroit Radio set has a section on ABX, but I don't recall if there is much actual on air recording in it. I've have a few CDs of air checks from '60's CKLW & WKNR and 1971 WRIF-FM, but not ABX.

**grphxman1** · August-05-09, 12:10 PM

Still reading "Grit, Noise, and Revolution". You always hear stories about how Elektra didn't back and promote the MC5 properly. Some of this is probably true, but from reading the book it sounds to me like John Sinclair's affinity for fringe groups and his willingness to align the band with these groups [[particularly the Lower East Side chapter of the SDS who took to calling themselves "Up Against the Wall Motherf*****") did most of the damage. These idiots who were into total anarchy [[they liked to wade into a crowd swinging bicycle chains) managed to get the "5" blackballed by the two biggest promoters on the East Coast [[and country for that matter)...Bill Graham and Don Law in the span of a week. Then they followed the band out to the West Coast and proceeded to spread their "special vibe" out there and just about destroyed any reputation the band had left. What a shame! For too long the band idolized Sinclair and thought he could do no wrong. When they finally came to their senses their moment had passed.

**waz** · August-05-09, 03:21 PM

Metro Times had a two-part interview with the remaining Air Aces at least 6-7 years ago. I think it was after Dixon passed. I have a copy buried somewhere. Try contacting them to get a reprint.

Sludgedaddy · August-07-09, 06:59 PM

grphx....you're dead on about all that revolution bullshit. Most of that shit was spouted by poor little rich kids, who never held a job and feigned solidarity for the working masses ala SDS.

Also, I think the real demise of the MC5 was Rob Tyner's love for sparkly Elvis-like jumpsuits, of course he pre-dated Mr. Presley's "Fat Elvis" stage.

**grphxman1** · August-08-09, 10:51 AM

Yeah, Sinclair wrote an article in the Fifth Estate after the '67 riots hailing it as "the First Annual Robin Hood Day" and how the "people finally got their hands on the goodies" that the man had been denying them. That's the kind of empty rhetoric people like him spouted all the time. It's one thing to spout that crap in the abstract, but I guarantee you...if all the hare-brained stuff they were preaching had really come to pass they would have been the first ones out of Dodge. I have to admit that I considered myself a "head" or 'freak" back then and went to a couple anti-war rallies down at Wayne State, but I wasn't real big on the revolution thing though I kept that to myself for the most part, sorry to say.

**d'oh** · August-08-09, 11:48 AM

If this doesn't knock you flat on your ass it's you, not them...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj9fba0L398

**grphxman1** · August-08-09, 12:42 PM

eerr...did you actually read my post?

Where in it, did I say I didn't like the"5"? I saw them something like 20 times [[at least) at the Grande, at Tartar Field, at the Eastown, at some free concerts in Ann Arbor, etc. I've got all their albums including a couple singles that were released early in the band's career. Guido Marasco [[owner of GM Studios where "Back in the USA" was recorded) was a high school classmate of my mother and had coached me in little league football for 3 years invited me and a friend down [[I lived 2 blocks away) to watch them record. Unfortunately, after about an hour somebody from the band saw us and put an end to our dream come true.

So YES, I love the MC5 and YES I've heard "Motor City is Burning" a few times.

My point was that John Sinclair put the interests of Trans-Love Energies [[a commune for artists including musicians, political types, and just plain street people) ahead of the MC5 too often. In fact, ALL of the band's earnings went into a communal fund to support TLE right up until the day the band fired Sinclair and replaced him with John Landau. The band had a roof over their head, food to eat, and money for clothes and equipment, the necessities basically.

**reddog289** · August-09-09, 12:05 AM

I got to thinking wasn't Jerry Lubin on WLLZ in its early days? I belive it was the first time I heard Kick out the Jams. I got yelled at for the Kick out plus the MFrs quite alot that year.

**douglasm** · August-09-09, 06:08 AM

Somebody mentioned Art Vuolo's "History Of Detroit Radio" a bit ago. I believe the history, done in 1971, is still available. He also has an extensive library of air checks that may contain some WABX tapes. You can contact Art through his website here.......
http://www.vuolovideo.com/

**Murrotavitch** · March-05-10, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Bobl

Dave Dixon: A true character. Music aficionado. Perhaps not politically correct. Missed by many, including me.

Sat with Dave at the re-opening of the theatre at 6 mi. and Woodward. Porn stars Marilyn Chambers and Johnny Keyes were in attendance as the premiere of Behind the Green Door aired. Was a memorable evening as I met several key Detroit dignataries including owner Mr. Wolfe , Ken Cockrell and his associate Justin Ravitz. Murro.

**Murrotavitch** · March-05-10, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by grphxman1

I was never good at saving stuff over the years like baseball cards, etc. but I'd love to have a mint condition 'ABX Secret Decoder Ring.

I did manage to save my token/poker chip from Goose Lake.

Do have an original ABX ring in the box along with the printed instructions for sale best offer. Also WABX tote bag but not in original condition. A night of substance abuse rendered the bag colorized [[magic markers) instead of B/W. Murro.

**East Detroit** · March-06-10, 06:48 AM

Attachment 5390

wabx 99 1/2

**eno** · March-06-10, 10:41 AM

WABX, Radio Free Detroit

**daddeeo** · March-06-10, 01:16 PM

Worked with Jerry Lubin at the Royal Oak Post Office
in the early 90's before and after the shooting there.
He used to say you either made peanuts or made it big like Arthur P or Karen Savelly.
He worked the midnight shift on ABX.
Good guy.

**Baselinepunk** · March-06-10, 02:57 PM

Jerry Lubin is one fantastic person and a rare gem of the Motor City.

**lizaanne** · March-06-10, 08:17 PM

I have an embroidered patch around the house somewhere of Rocky the X-Pup. I had it on a satin baseball jacket in the late 70's. Hmmm - wonder where that is?

**eno** · March-06-10, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by daddeeo

Worked with Jerry Lubin at the Royal Oak Post Office
in the early 90's before and after the shooting there.
He used to say you either made peanuts or made it big like Arthur P or Karen Savelly.
He worked the midnight shift on ABX.
Good guy.

You must know the Earlins, Eddie and Nancy, from the RO Post Office.