Article Archives: Bumps in the Night

The Death of the VCR and the Birth of MTV, Part 2

August 4, 2016 | by Al Hunter

During MTV’s first few years on the air, very few black artists were included in rotation on the channel. While a few artists (Michael Jackson, Prince, Eddy Grant, Donna Summer, Musical Youth, and Herbie Hancock) made the rotation, most black musicians and vocalists were ignored. None other than rock legend … Read More

The Death of the VCR and the Birth of MTV, Part 1

July 28, 2016 | by Al Hunter

Another birthday is coming up for this guy on July 30th. Like most fellows, I don’t pay much attention after all these years. If it weren’t for my lovely family making a fuss, it would be just another day for me. When I was a kid, my birthday seemed to … Read More

Indiana — Home of Vice Presidents

July 21, 2016 | by Al Hunter

Speaking as a proud native Hoosier, it has been refreshing to see Indiana in the national political headlines lately. I find it ironic that this most recent national dust up revolves around the selection of Governor Mike Pence by GOP nominee (presumptive at the time of this writing) Donald Trump … Read More

The Monkees and Jimi Hendrix — Believe It

July 14, 2016 | by Al Hunter

On July 16, 1967 (49 years ago this Saturday), the oddest concert pairing in music history came to an end: Jimi Hendrix dropped out as the opening act for The Monkees. Yes, it’s true. During the summer of 1967 the Jimi Hendrix Experience joined the as-seen-on-TV band The Monkees for … Read More

From Hell’s Gate to the Golden Gate in a Maxwell

July 7, 2016 | by Al Hunter

Reprinted from 6/24/11 issue while Al is on vacation. It’s summertime in Indiana; the kids are out of school, the days are getting longer, the weather is heating up and Hoosier thoughts turn to . . . ROAD TRIP! Let me introduce you to the woman for whom the term … Read More