How many years did you work at KISW? 11
What position(s) did you work at KISW? Morning, Afternoon Drive and Music Director.
What are your three greatest memories at KISW? The Van Halen "break in," on air live for my Birthday. It was complete with Professional female Dancer's wearing as little as possible. It soon turned into a drunken swarm of alcohol lead by Eddie and his fifth of Jack Daniels'.
The Billy Idol Interview live on the show, in which Billy replaced almost every word in the English language with "Fuck or Fucked." While Management freaked, I knew this was special and once the plug had been pulled, Mike West and I just let it roll. It was Entertainment Tonight's lead story as I recall. The Next day, Billy Idol sent us a tape humbly apologizing which we ran as the top of the hour ID for two days.
Working with Mike West was top drawer. We had a chemistry
that was the best. His ability in writing, voicing and characterization was absolutely amazing. The kicker was his style of doing News, no one was better. no one.
What’s a story you couldn’t tell people back in the day? Ozzy Osborne trying any way he could to get ANY kind of drug including Codeine cough syrup. Sharon had a body guard assigned to stay with him whenever he went out in public. Also, after our 35th Anniversary opening the limo door at the then Four Seasons. OR Jimmy Page getting a blow job from, well let's just say barely legal if that.
What band were you most proud to bring to a bigger audience? No question AC/DC
How has Seattle changed the most? Horrible City Counsel and worthless Mayor and Governor. Seattle once the Crown Jewel of the West Coast, is now the Heroin Capitol of the World and we erected a Needle to prove it as a land-mark. Sad.
What’s something you never thought you’d see? Needles on First Avenue and junkies line the corners from Seneca to Belltown.
What’s your best memory of meeting a rock star? Eric Clapton, no one could shred a guitar like Clapton, while being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Who was your best friend at the station back in the day? Mike West my Partner
Name a KISW band you still love! AC/DC is my memory of the best pure rock band ever.
Favorite concert from your time at KISW? We emceed over 65 concerts, however, Eric Clapton's three-nights-in-a-row at the Paramount sitting 5 rows back dead center was like being rock reborn every show.
What was your most memorable band interview? Billy Idol drunk and saying, "F***" like 50 times. I remember Robert Nezbutt was the Local Chrysalis promotion guy and he came into the studio after the interview and said, "God Crow, thank goodness for the Kill Switch on the mic." I looked at Nezz and said, "F*** Nezz, I never touched that button once." He turned white.
What's Gary Crow up to now? He is the mighty voice of the Emerald Queen Casino.