A little over 2 years ago Seattle lost an iconic radio show that had been running for over 30 years. It was called Shake the Shack and every Friday brought KEXP listeners the best of Rockabilly, Boogie Rhythm and Blues, Old Style Country, Surf and whatever Leon Berman (the Proctologist of Rock & Roll) thought was necessary to kick of the weekend in style. Leon retired in 2016 but his “cousin Mike” continued the show until its demise in 2018, nobody could really replace Leon. In 1986 Leon was recruited by then KCMU, which was later changed to KEXP (thanks to a buttload of money given to them by Paul Allen), to host a weekly Rockabilly radio program. The show introduced Seattle and later the world (as streamed shows became a thing) to so much cool music we had never heard. Some was old that just got overlooked or forgotten and some was from small bands that never got any airplay on other stations. Leon was the perfect DJ to introduce us all to cool tunes in a fun, silly format. Leon liked to push the limits and said “if we offend you – please tell your friends. We put the F.U. in FUN!!” Leon exposed me to so many bands I would have never heard of from Southern Culture on the Skids, Reach Around Rodeo Clowns, Aloha Screwdriver, Red Elvises and so many more. He also produced a 3-day music festival each year called the Rockabilly Ball for 25 years. Typically each night would have 4 to 5 bands from all over the country and was always a local hit. Here is somebody you might typically see at the Rockabilly Ball.
Sometimes Leon even had live performances on the show, like the fun surf band Aloha Screwdriver
In 2009, he was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Each week’s program ended with this obscure psychobilly gem!
The end of the radio show definitely left a void in the Seattle music scene but you can at least relive some of the fun at this site:
Please listen to the intro to his show to get a feel for how a typical night went (or the whole thing if you want), the intro to the show was hilarious! Thanks for your support of Deadsplinter & DUAN.
Always enjoy your posts.
Here is a new surf sound, Daywave.
Thanks, that is some cool chill music I could use after a day of deck staining.
Pretty cool regional band: The Outsiders PBR (Punkabilly Rebels)
The PBR thing had me going here…
Like that upright bass!
Here is a little rockabilly from the Beatles in 1962.
Be bop a lula:
OK, listening to the Aloha Screwdriver song means I have to stump for The Seatopians — Boise, Idaho’s, (land-locked) champions of surf instrumentals.
Great post, @Loveshaq. I’m looking forward to digging into that show.
Mighty fine surf guitar for Idaho! A wise man once said, “gotta go to Idaho, where you can’t go surfing cause it’s 20 below”
Eddie And The Hot Rods – Shake
This would definitely be something that would be in the 3rd hour of Shake the Shack!
SRV and DT (with Jackie Newhouse who preceded Tommy Shannon) – Shake For Me
The Proctologist of Rock and Roll, lol. It sounds like a great show.
The Rhythm Shakers – Shake Your Hips
Going for the low hanging fruit here…
And apropos of nothing…
Not low hanging at all! I love the Rev and was at that top show & got to meet him there after. KEXP had a lottery to be in the audience for all Bumbershoot attendees & I won. I had my Rev “25 years to Life” shirt and he gave me a double take and then shook my hand (remember when you could shake hands?). I actually saw him that eve too at an outdoor venue. That was the last good Bumbershoot!
Keitel has seen the good Reverend 4 or 5 times. That band tours constantly. But not now. I miss live music.
I’ve seen him at least 5 times & always puts on a great show.
He’s old enough now that he’s almost legit.
I kid…
@megmegmcgee Gawd, “Psychobilly Freakout” never gets old.
The Blues Brothers & Ray Charles – Shake A Tail Feather:
and the song in the movie,
ftostie shakes it!
That’s awesome. I’m sorry I never caught on when it was still going.
Dave “Diddle” Day – Blue Moon Baby
That’s kick ass Myo, I love how Roy is making Bruce work!
@awesomesrazor, My favorite Fleshtones song, and an all-time favorite album opener!