Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Worth 1,000 Words: Rare Photos from Bob Crane's KNX Days

A picture is worth a thousand words. This is true of photographs of Bob Crane working in radio. Bob was a pioneer in the industry—and an unsung radio pioneer at that. His radio colleagues called him a radio genius. Leo McElroy, who worked with Bob at KNX, said that watching him performing his morning radio show was like watching a "spectator sport."

So many of us wish he were still here to talk with us, even if only for five minutes. But he's not here—his life cut short by the cruel hand of another. So seeing photos of Bob at work, behind the mic, spinning the records, his drum set visible in the background—it's priceless. 



However, to this day, the National Radio Hall of Fame will not acknowledge Bob's extensive and groundbreaking work in broadcasting, and that's a shame. Their reason is simple: scandal. They just will not see past the scandal surrounding Bob Crane. At least that's how it stands right now.

Bob Crane is only "guilty" of consensual sex with adult women, whom he occasionally photographed or video recorded. Keep in mind the key words here are consensual and adult. And yes, the women knew they were being photographed and/or filmed. This was investigated by authorities following Bob's murder and proven as fact.

Bob's addiction goes way back to the 1950s, long before he even arrived in Hollywood. It lasted for decades. But then, shortly before his murder, he realized he was a sexual addict. He wanted to change, so he sought counseling. He was serious about it, too. However, as with any addiction, it was not something he was going to overcome in one day. It was going to be an ongoing, life-long struggle. It was a private battle for him, and him alone, not to be ridiculed or judged. After his murder, however, his privacy was invaded and forced out into the world, with no perspective or understanding. 



Now look at the list of inductees in the National Radio Hall of Fame.


I'm not saying anyone on that list isn't deserving of the recognition. Congratulations to each and every inductee. I'm happy for them, in all honesty. It's a great honor to be recognized in such an institution. But some of those people actually learned radio techniques from Bob. Many on that list respected Bob's work and appreciated his talents. And still some others have had their own set of troubles splashed across headlines.

Should that keep them from being honored for their work in radio? No. But then, the same should hold true for Bob Crane.

It doesn't.

Bob Crane should be honored by the National Radio Hall of Fame. And that's part of why we're here. It's a lot of hard work, researching a man's whole life, writing and publishing his definitive biography, maintaining this blog and all of the social media that go with it, and producing a podcast.

Do you really think we'd still be here, after all this time, spending all of this effort, if Bob Crane had truly been a rotten person? Think about that.

All we ask—members of Bob's family, his friends, my co-authors/co-researchers, and me—is that in the midst of all the noise, you take a step back, stop, and think. 

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Summer Recap and Future Events

Carol Ford at the IX Center, Cleveland, OH
June 23-24, 2017
The Hogan's Heroes display is owned by
the Liberty Aviation Museum,
Port Clinton, OH
I can't say I'm ever bored these days!

First and foremost, our podcast, The Bob Crane Show: Reloaded,  which is based on the book Bob Crane: The Definitive Biography, went live on April 11, 2017. Since then, we've produced a total of ten episodes, with many more pending and in production. I couldn't be happier at the response we've been receiving. With our rare audio files of Bob and of many who contributed to the book, listeners are saying it "brings the book to life." It's garnering national attention, too. Our amazing host Eric Senich has been interviewed on the air and in print, including on WICC (Bridgeport, CT), WATR (Waterbury, CT), and The Evening Tribune (Hornell, NY), with more interviews pending. 

The highlight of the summer was in mid-July, when Eric and I were interviewed on NHTV in North Haven, Connecticut. This was our TV debut, and well, we were both a little nervous going into that one. The NHTV interview was a terrific experience, and host Bill Dillane and his crew made it very comfortable for us. 

Then, back in June, I was the guest once again of the Liberty Aviation Museum, in Port Clinton, Ohio, which is the official home of the Hogan's Heroes uniform and prop display. I honestly can't thank the CEO and all of the staff at Liberty Aviation enough for their ongoing support. We have a very strong partnership with the museum, and I'm honored and humbled by their loyalty to Bob Crane and helping to tell his complete story. All of our author profits sold through the museum gift shop are donated back to the museum, too. You can support the museum by purchasing the book or any of their merchandise through their online gift shop (click here). I'll be a frequent flyer to the museum, so check back here and on our social media sites for future visits.

The summer may be winding down, but we're gearing up for fall! Next up, I'll be at the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention for the third year in a row, from September 14-16, 2017, in Hunt Valley, Maryland. There are some great folks affiliated with this convention, and if you're a nostalgia buff, you certainly don't want to miss it!

We have a few other events cooking on the stove, and as soon as they are confirmed, we'll fill you in! 

Again, I can't thank our supporters enough for everything they've done for us and for Bob Crane over so many years. That includes you, his fans! Bob was more than Colonel Hogan. He was more than just a headline. He was a human being, and a good one at that. His story is worth discovering. And that's why we're here—to rekindle Bob Crane's true legacy and tell his story through the recollections of so many who knew and loved him.