Working on the Radio - The 102.1 Band

I first shared Working on the Radio from The 102.1 Band over ten years ago when Nash the Slash passed away. He played electric violin on the song.

The song was released in 1979, 45 years ago this month. FOTM Scot Turner had this to say about the single.

45 years ago this month - September 1979 - release of the single "Working On The Radio" from The 102.1 band. Not the first time a song would be written about or inspired by CFNY. "The Spirit Of Radio" by RUSH would be released 4 months later. Maybe Ivar Hamilton can add more about the making of "Working On The Radio". Still have my 7" copy!

FOTM Ivar Hamilton did indeed have more t add about the making of "Working on the Radio" by the 102.1 Band.

Was recorded in one night. The lyrics were written mostly by Lindsay Gillespie who was head of production at the time at CFNY and Jim Byrd who was an NY newscaster. Pretty sure Brad McNally contributed a lyric or two as well. Lindsay and Jim are also the vocalists on the track. Jim was a giant Springsteen fan, you can faintly hear the influence in his singing. The late Dominec Troiano helped drive the song arrangement with Teenage Head without Frankie driving the rhythm section and Nash the Slash adding further magic. The cover shot is in the CFNY production studio which Lindsay arranged and provided. I think I may have shook a tambourine but can’t remember exactly. I did contribute financially and got one royalty cheque for under $5.00!

Now that you know all of that, here's the song for your listening pleasure.