Good morning –
For those of you who have followed fitzie’s hoddle these last few years, you might be aware that I love the radio. Not the radio that is on the Spotify or other streaming services, but actual radio stations with DJs and the lot.
So it was with a great deal of sadness when I read last week that legendary classic rock Los Angeles DJ Uncle Joe Benson died last week at the age of 76 following a battle with Parkinson’s disease.
“For almost 60 years he graced the radio airwaves with his signature
deep voice and extensive Rock ‘N Roll knowledge like no one else,“ his family said in a statement on Facebook.
Benson spent three decades at 95.5 KLOS before his career eventually took him to 100.3 The Sound, the radio station where fitzie discovered him during his teenager years.
“A radio legend silenced,“ Rita Wilde, another classic LA disc jockey who shared some time with Benson at 100.3 The Sound, said in her own Facebook post.
Benson’s voice and love not just for radio but also classic rock helped deliver a warmth during his time on the airwaves. He hosted a regular feature called “Uncle Joe’s Garage”, where he interviewed all sorts of classic rock acts.
He also did the daily “10 and 10”, where he’d line up 10 songs that (at least most of the time) had some sort of unifying theme. The only one that I remember at this time was songs that featured bells (like jingle bells). And it often pops into my mind when I hear Now I Wanna Be Your Dog by The Stooges or Sheena Is a Punk Rocker by The Ramones.
Another one of his programmes – Local Licks – helped Motley Crue and Ratt break onto the scene.
When I thnk of Uncle Joe Benson and 100.3 The Sound, I often go back to those classic rock greats – The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Aerosmith, and so many more. A lot of those bands shaped my direction which, through many different turns, led me to posting your Track of the Day for the past four years now.
So, for anyone who’s ever enjoyed a song, rediscovered an old favourite or found a new obsession from the Track of the Day, you should give a little shout-out to Uncle Joe Benson as well.
Fitzie’s track of the day: Already Gone, by The Eagles
And now for your links:
BBC: “Spurs extend ticket deadline amid relegation fears”
Matt Law: “Daniel Levy blamed for Spurs woes by chief executive”
ESPN: “NWSL 2026 mega-preview: Predictions for all 16 teams”
