December is a bad month for the legends of R&B and Soul Music. Last year Soul Brother No. 1 checked out. This year, Ike Turner transitioned in to the sweet bye and bye. Ike “…I said eat some cake” Turner died on Wednesday, 12 December 2007.

Ike was our first celebrity interview back in 2002; hell, it might have even been 2001. Terry and I were auditioning for the night slot at WCKG, after Pete McMurry bolted to do mornings at WLUP. Ike called to promote something he was doing, and we spent a good twenty-five minutes with him on the air. He was a blast to talk to, and candid about all the drama that seemed to be part of his everyday life. It was funny listening to him talk about shooting the paperboy for being on his lawn. In a style that only Ike Turner has, he kept pointing out that the paperboy was a grown-ass man that should have known better.

That was one hell of an audition show. Ike Turner on the phone, followed by Sonia Da Da playing live in the studio, and Carl LaBove in the studio to close out the show. Just a small digression, thinking about Sonia Da Da brings to mind our good friend Doc Simpson. So if you think about it, pour a little out of the bottle before you raise it to your lips, for the brother that can’t be here-Ike Turner. Ike and Doc are probably smokin’ a drink right now.

Holler :-0
Stan and Terry

It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Then it warned up and rained. Now, it just looks like mud. But there’s a cold wind off the lake and the possibility of snow in the weekend forecast. And let’s be honest, snow on Christmas morning is the one thing we all find enjoyable about Mid-West weather. Nobody wants to hear the runners on Santa’s sleigh scraping on the pavement.

The Twelve Days of Christmas begin on Tuesday, 25 December 2007. Most of us blow our gift giving load on the first day, and never give gifts in the amount of the day’s number. Since your Christmas tree will probably be up until Saturday, 05 January 2008, the Twelfth Day of Christmas, why not do something different this year. Give your true love seventy-eight gifts over a twelve day period. In the original Carroll, somebody’s true love received a heck of a lot of fowl over the twelve days. For the bird items, may we suggest making a run to Harold’s, Popeye’s, and Church’s.

Have a very merry Christmas, and a safe and prosperous New Year. And as always, thanks for the e-mail messages supporting our show.

Stan and Terry

It is with great sadness that I tell you, Terry Armour has gone to the Great Gig In The Sky. Terry passed away on Friday, 28 December 2007. The only details I have at this time are, he feel ill at work in The Tribune Tower, and did not survive a heart attack. I will post more information when it’s available.

I’ve been trying to write this note for about two hours. What do I say about the most fun to be around guy I’ve ever met? Even when he was in a bad mood, he could make me laugh. He was larger than life, with an infectious laugh. Whether he was yelling at the home plate ump at a Sox game, or holding court at 437 Rush, Terry lived in the moment and life to the fullest.

So if you’re going to have a drink this New Year’s Eve, hoist a Ketel One Martini – Dirty, with a Blue Cheese Olive, for the brother that can’t be here. My home slice Terry Armour.

Terry’s family is planning a remembrance gathering some time in the upcoming weeks. In lieu of sending flowers, Terry’s family asks that you please consider making a donation to The Anti Cruelty Society. www.anticruelty.org Terry and LaNell added a dog (Kramer) to their family in early December.

Stan Lawrence