Wild Stories from “WMMS Live at the Agora”

Storytellers: John Gorman, Denny Sanders, Buddy Maver, & Matt "The Cat" Lapczynski (via video)

 
 
 
 

Doors open at 5:00pm, with the storytelling beginning promptly at 7:00pm

• Weekly series combining great food with great stories about Cleveland’s past
• FREE ADMISSION – NO COVER CHARGE
• In addition to our regular menu, we will be offering affordable specials on these nights

Story topic this week…

Wild Stories from “WMMS Live at the Agora”
Come hear the history of one of Cleveland’s most legendary rock ’n’ roll accomplishments – the WMMS Live from the Agora concerts – featuring stories and insights from the people who were there. John Gorman, Denny Sanders, Buddy Maver, and Matt “The Cat” Lapczynski take part in this special storyteller night, bringing firsthand memories to the Agora stage.

Denny Sanders helped shape the series by auditioning performers and later directing the live show, while John Gorman guided the station’s iconic sound as Program Director and Operations Manager. Buddy Maver, who booked countless shows at the legendary Agora, brings a wealth of behind-the-scenes stories from both the Coffee Break Concerts and other unforgettable WMMS live performances. Matt “The Cat” Lapczynski, who hosted the weekly midday concerts, will be joining via a pre-recorded video appearance.

The concerts at the Agora featured an incredible lineup of artists on the rise and at their peak, including Bruce Springsteen, Bad Company, Kiss, Peter Frampton, the Charlie Daniels Band, the Outlaws, the Michael Stanley Band, Southside Johnny, Aerosmith, John Mellencamp, U2, Bryan Adams, Cyndi Lauper, Quiet Riot, INXS, Lou Reed, and more. Whether you lived through the excitement of WMMS on the radio or are discovering it for the first time, this free event is packed with stories that made Cleveland rock.

John Gorman Bio

John Gorman began his broadcasting career operating a pirate radio station from the attic of his family’s South Boston home in 1962. In 1973 he moved to Cleveland to join WMMS, a small, free-form FM station which he would help turn into one of the most popular and influential rock stations in the country. Following his 13 years at WMMS and WHK, Gorman started WNCX/Cleveland. He formed a national consultancy for radio stations and program syndicators before joining WMJI/Cleveland and taking them to the top in ratings and revenue. He became Vice President of Programming for their parent company, OmniAmerica’s radio chain. In 2007, Gorman’s book, The Buzzard, a memoir of his years with WMMS was released, which became a regional number one bestselling book. In 2024, the 50th Anniversary of the introduction of the WMMS Buzzard mascot, John Gorman partnered with artist David Helton on his second WMMS book, Buzzard Archives, Vol. 1 – Advertising, featuring the history of the WMMS Buzzard and how it was used in promotion and marketing for the station. In 2014, Gorman formed WOW Media, with the intent of broadcasting radio on the Internet. The following year, Gorman debuted his first station, oWOW, an adult contemporary rock station (billed as “Timeless Rock” for the 45-plus demographic), which had a six-year run but ceased broadcasting due to advertising losses during the pandemic. Gorman is currently working on Gray Panther Media, a non-profit online broadcast service for seniors.

Denny Sanders Bio

Denny Sanders made his on air debut in 1969 at the radio station of The Massachusetts Institute of Technology just after graduating from high school. After appearing on local commercial stations WNTN and WBCN, he came to Cleveland in 1971 to join WMMS as an on-air personality, eventually becoming Music Director and Program Director. While at WMMS, he produced and directed the acclaimed Coffee Break Concert series. After 15 years at WMMS, he joined WMJI as the host of the night show, eventually becoming the station’s Program Director and Head of Operations. He left the broadcasting business in 2001 and became part of the management team at The Telos Alliance for the next 17 years until his retirement.

Buddy Maver Bio

Rock ‘n roll was Buddy Maver’s life for many years. He has a unique perspective on Cleveland rock and roll history having seen it from both sides… from the creative side as a musician/singer, and from the business side working with agents, managers and record companies as a concert producer and club owner. He spent years making records on four different labels including major record companies like Epic and Capitol records. He had many amazing experiences which included playing on the pilot to the Upbeat TV show, to opening for the Rolling Stones on their first Cleveland show in 1964, and also… playing in the nude at the Miss Nude America Pageant in 1973. While playing with Rainbow Canyon he recorded an album at the famous Caribou Ranch recording studio in Colorado while Elton John’s producer Gus Dudgeon looked on.

Later as Hank LoConti’s partner and vice president at the Agora Ballroom, he produced hundreds of legendary concerts at that venue for years. Those shows included the first Cleveland appearances of over 50 acts who are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame today as well as superstars like Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and David Bowie. After that he moved to LA where he put on rock shows at the Country Club, the biggest rock club in Los Angeles for several years.

Matt “The Cat” Lapczynski Bio

Born in Belgium, but raised in Cleveland and Maple Heights, Matt “The Cat” Lapczynski was a radio fan from an early age. As a kid he was part of a sophisticated bootleg radio station in his neighborhood…until the FCC shut it down. Matt was part of the early days at Cleveland State University’s radio operation that only broadcast to the cafeteria, but soon after he got in on the ground floor of WMMS during its eventual transition to the Buzzard. Over the next twenty years Matt did mostly middays and hosted the weekly “Coffee Break Concerts”, likely introducing more concerts than anyone in Cleveland history. Matt remains one of the most popular air personalities from WMMS’ fifty year history. Matt will be joining us tonight via a pre-recorded video.
 

The goal of the Cleveland Stories Dinner Party is to bring to life some of the fun, interesting stories about Cleveland’s past – from sports, to rock ‘n roll, to Millionaire’s Row, — the series will focus on tidbits from Cleveland’s past that will really thrill the audience. The Music Box is presenting this series in partnership with the Western Reserve Historical Society’s new Cleveland History Center. We think the Cleveland History Center is one of the most important museums in Cleveland. An unknown gem that Clevelanders should know more about, and support. It is the only museum in Cleveland dedicated to preserving and documenting the history of Cleveland. The Cleveland History Center includes two mansions, the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum, Chisholm Halle Costume Wing, Research Library, Kidzibits Hands-On Gallery, rotating exhibitions, and the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel.

See all Cleveland Stories dates here.