MO' DADS
Rita: Yes, in fact we do have more dads to talk about. I like this one… CHRIS PEARSON (Ekranoplan): My father was in the Navy, and in 1952 was assigned to a fleet task force that was at the very first hydrogen bomb test (Operation Ivy Mike) in the Pacific. He was about 20 miles from ground zero, and he overheard a few scientists worrying about whether the fusion reaction would eventually ignite all the oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere. I guess it’s a good thing they were wrong! The 10-megaton blast produced a mushroom cloud that rose to over 20 miles high! It’s pretty wild to hear him talk about it to this day. Lolita: And they’ve proven that more pollution came from Ivy Mike than the exhaust from one day of driving a 2008 SUV—but not much more. ***JOANIE LINDSTROM (WMBR): How many fathers could name the members of Uriah Heep? *** TINTERN (Necktie Party): When I was about eight, I heard this racket coming from my parents’ bedroom. I ran upstairs and to my horror, found my dad singing and playing “Lady of Spain” on accordion with one foot propped up on the bed like Henry Rollins, playing (and singing) with a similar intensity. This was years before I knew what punk was and now every time I see someone propping a foot on a monitor I chuckle and think of my dad, who has no idea how hardcore he is. Happy Father’s Day Dad! *** JON MACEY (Foxpath/ Urban Caravan): My father’s father (my grandfather) was a professional country singer in upstate New York in the ’40s and ’50s. He actually continued to perform until he was around 75, doing mostly square dance calling by then. My dad saw up close the life of a musician and, when I was young, tried to discourage me from that life, causing big problems between him and me. Now that I am older, having lived through the many ups and downs of my music career, I can see why he felt that way. He was just trying to protect me, even if it was misguided. *** DEEK McD (Age Against The Machine): My father’s a very laid back guy, who certainly passed on that trait, while also teaching me that you don’t need a shitload of money to be very happy—which is completely true, as some of the most miserable people I’ve ever known are loaded! *** JIM HEALEY (We’re All Gonna Die): My dad is the reason I started playing music. He always had an acoustic guitar around the house even though he couldn’t play a lick. After years of beating around on that, he finally got me my first electric guitar at 12, and it was all downhill from there. *** SAMMY MIAMI (Shööt The Möön): My dad is an all-American bad ass with a heart of gold. He’s the proud owner of ’52 Panhead, ’32 Ford, ’32 Packard and ’22 Durant with wooden spoked wheels! He’s an honest man and one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever known. He tells it like it is and if you cross him he’ll make no bones about grabbing you by the neck. His charming ways with the ladies is undeniable; in fact he scores at more Shööt The Möön shows than the band! *** DAVE PINO (Powerman 5000): Next time you drive into the Callahan Tunnel, take a look to the top right. You’ll see a giant chip in the tunnel entrance. My dad made that. He accidentally hit it with a back hoe that was loaded on a trailer he was towing a long time ago. If that’s not “leaving your mark” on the city of Boston, I don’t know what is. *** BILL GOFFRIER (Big Dipper/ Saucer): My father is 83 but he has taken up with an older woman since their respective spouses both died. I could not be more pleased. He is truly an inspiration, and I look forward to my next half-century. Lolita: She may be an older woman to you but I bet your dad considers her a youthful beauty.