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We had a sweet celebration of the life of "
Naked" Rob Gongora, who hosted
Terrible Tuesdays on
Radio Valencia from 2010 - 2019. He passed away in October from brain cancer.
FUCK CANCER!
Rob was a really wonderful guy. He was always there with a quick quip. Witty to the end and super inclusive. I was honored to speak at his memorial on Saturday at Cypress Lawn in Colma. We followed that up with a celebration of his life at his favorite watering hole:
Gold Cane, on Haight Street. The night ended with three bands at
Bottom the Hill:
Candy Whips, Golden Brain, and
Terry Gross.
Rob would have been there if he could.
I've lost too many friends in the past 20+ years to cancer and suicide. Too many. Knowing a lot of creative types means that the odds are many will go too soon. But cancer is just so unfair. I just heard of two more people in my circle, both of whom beat off cancer, now have it once again; one was told it's inoperable.
FUCK CANCER!
I don't buy into the "you only live once" hype. I think I live every day. I only die once. Therefore I'm going to appreciate every moment I have. Have I told you lately that I love you?
Make that call, send that text. I could not be more serious. We need to stay connected, or we too will succumb sooner than we need to.
Having a pet helps too. I've got Chairman Meow Mau , AKA: Maui, our fabulous tortoiseshell, with a strong personality to let me know that she loves me and needs me, and if she was just a little bit bigger, would eat me.
I was interviewed for a podcast the other day (I'll post when it's available) and I was asked by the host, James Ferrigno (AKA: Vico from San Francisco Liberation Radio, where we met when I was on air there 2000 - 2003), about what keeps me going? My dad always said "there's no reward without risk". I took that seriously. I took some great risks starting in my teens. Many weren't very healthy, so I've amended his quote to add "health risk". That being said, some of my biggest growth over the years probably didn't include the word healthy.
My dad also used to say "invite everyone to the party, let them decline the invitation". I'm a firm subscriber to the benefits of inclusion. I like to bring people together. And I like to see what we can do with all that energy.
When you bring creatives together there's always going to be some friction. I like to play with that and watch the magic happen. I don't often reminisce, so during the interview I really had to stop to recall many of the events I helped bring to light. There's been so much fun living over the years, that I don't often slow down to remember it all. There's nothing wrong with that, since I've always been about what's happening nest.
This is all to say that I miss my departed friends and family, especially my dad, but that's never slowed me down. As a matter of fact, if anything, it's made me keenly aware that I have a responsibility to keep living and producing.
Here's a show I had fun producing for you.
I opened with the band that Naked Rob and I love the most: Melvins! From there it's anything goes. I did a but of record shopping on Sunday; a bunch of used records. I especially am excited about the Diz and Bird, Eugene Chadbourne, David Peel, and Ralph Karney/Kramer/Chris Hild records.
This is what non-commercial radio is all about!
I also play some requests! If you know me you know how rare this is. Maybe I need to do this more often?
I'm hosting music critic Dave Pehling next Monday night to promote the record swap that's happening at Make Out Room on November 22nd.
I'm hosting my 15th annual Annual Annual on Monday, November 24th. Two hours from one year, and this time around it's all about 1981. What an amazing year for punk, post-punk, N.O.W.T.H.M. (tune in to find out what that is), and so much more.
Take a look at the playlist below and click the link to listen in.
Enjoy and please share. And go out and play!
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John HellMondays 8-10PMRadio Valencia in SFhttp://radiovalencia.fmFollow me on Blue SkyFollow Radio Valencia on FacebookFollow Radio Valencia on Instagram
Honey Bucket: Melvins (Houdini - 1993)
Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac: Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie "Yardbird" Parker (Diz N' Bird In Concert - 1953 Paris)
Here Comes A Cop: David Peel and the Lower East Side (Have a Marijuana - 1967)
Three Stoned Men Chant/Hey Brother Roll A Joint: Three Stoned Men (Higher Than God - 1991)
Bo Diddley Was A Communist: Eugene Chadbourne (Vermin of the Blues - 1987)
Summertime Blues: The Who (Who's Next/Life House (1971) Super Deluxe - 2023)
Young Man's Blues: Altamont (Our Darling - 2001)
Shanty Town: Desmond Dekker and the Aces (Ska Madness! - 2010)
Somebody Have Mercy: Sam Cooke (The Harlem Square Club - 1963)
My Baby's Gone: Jenny Don't And The Spurs (Broken Hearted Blue - 2023)
It's A Dark Day: Reverend Horton Heat (Smoke 'em if you Got 'em - 1990)
Clown: Carney/Hild/Kramer (Happiness Finally Came To Them - 1988)
The Words of Jamal: Pop-O-Pies (Joe's Second Record - 1984)
Who Stole The Keeshka?: Polkacide (S/T - 1986)
The Shah Sleeps in Lee Harvey's Grave (Live PCPPEP - 1984)
Stagolee: Jesse Fuller (Jazz, Folk Songs, Spirituals and Blues - 1958)
Spanish Castle Magic (Take 2): Jimi Hendrix Experience (Axis: Bold As Love Sessions - 2025)
You Know My Name (Look Up My Number): The Beatles (Anthology 2 - 1996)
Help On The Way/Slipknot/Franklin's Tower: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah 50th Anniversary Deluxe - 2025)
Burbanks Dream: Golden Void (Berkana - 2015)
Looniversal: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Pogo Rodeo - 2025)
Freaks to the Front: Amyl and the Sniffers (Comfort To Me - 2021)
I Can't Help Falling In Love With You: Chrissy Hynde and Mark Lanegan (Duets Special - 2025)
Listen to this show right here!!!
