Rock n’ Roll in Cleveland – My Years

 
 
 
 

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, a Prix Fixe 3-course dinner special is available for just $25
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Story topic this week…

Rock n’ Roll in Cleveland – My Years
Rock N’ Roll has been at the forefront of Cleveland’s history. Billy Bass, a former radio personality at WIXY 1260 had joined the team at WHK-FM and helped develop WMMS into what it is today. The famed rock radio station became the home to the hall of fame disc jockey. Tonight, we listen to stories as Bass shares about his life as a DJ, station program director, his connection to David Bowie, managing Luther Vandross, and so much more!
 

Billy Bass Bio

Billy Bass made his debut as an untrained DJ on WHK-Fm in 1968 and Cleveland Radio was changed forever. The station didn’t last but Billy did. After a stint at famed WIXY 1260, Billy moved to WNCR as program Director where he and his staff reinvigorated the album rock format.

In early 1970, The former WHK-FM was renamed WMMS, rehired Billy Bass as PD and the WMMS that we remember today got up and running again. It was WMMS that introduced David Bowie to the world.

In 1972, RCA Records recruited Billy to head up the Rock Album Promotion department to work on albums produced by Jefferson Starship, The Kinks, Dolly Pardon, Brain Auger, Pure Prairie League and, of course, David Bowie and Lou Reed.

After success in New York, Hollywood called and Bass moved to LA. There he worked for United Artist, Elton John’s Rocket Records, Motown Records, a brief stint with Bowie’s management Company and Chrysalis Records where he was Senior Vice President of Marketing and Creative Services designing album covers and promoting Blondie, Pat Benatar, Billy Idol, The Babys and Huey Lewis and the News.

After 20 years in LA, where Bass managed Luther Vandross for Alive Enterprises, opened a Billy’s Bar B Q in Beverly Hills and did the voice over in the movie Car Wash, Billy returned to Cleveland radio at Magic 105.7 and 92.3 The Beat. During that time, The Billy Bass Run To Help at Edgewater Park raised thousands of dollars benefiting the Cleveland Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Ladies and gentleman please welcome….Cleveland native and legendary DJ …the man who coined the phrase: Cleveland, The Rock & Roll Capital of the world”…..BILLY BASS.

 
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.