Bob Barry's Unearthed Interviews

Alright, creatures of the airwaves, and podcast people of impeccable taste, cancel your boring plans because today’s episode is bringing back memories you have surely forgotten. This man stormed the charts in the swingin’ sixties with his cheeky charm and one unforgettable falsetto that had everyone saying, “You Turn Me On.” That’s right, before Spotify, playlists, and TikTok trends, this man was topping the Billboard Top 100 and bringing the English Invasion straight to America’s front door. So, let’s travel back in time with the maestro of melodies, from ragtime to rock n roll, Ian Whitcomb. We caught up with Ian in the middle of a tour with Paul Revere and the Raiders.

Welcome…I’m going to give you a trivia question that I’ll bet you will not know the answer to.  Who was the voice of John Lennon in the animated film “Yellow Submarine?” He is a man whose talent has graced the big screen. And he has written some thrilling novels. He had unforgettable roles in classics like “A Clockwork Orange” and “The Italian Job.” But he was also a bestselling author, a storyteller with a brilliant sense of humor, and an artist with a fascinating career. John Clive was a fantastic guest that will make you laugh, think, and be entertained.

Howdy folks! Welcome to a Country version of Bob Barry’s Unearthed Interviews. Here’s a woman who’s iconic as a cowboy hat at a honky-tonk, the first lady of Country music, Tammy Wynette. She was born Wynette Pugh in Tremont, Mississippi. She went from cotton picking to picking up Grammy awards. She taught us all how to spell D-i-v-o-r-c-e. And Tammy reminded us to “Stand By Your Man,” even if he forgot to take out the trash. Tammy’s life was like a Country song come to life, full of love and heartbreak. She paved the way for women in Country music and proved that a big voice and bigger hair can take you straight to the top.

Sometimes on Bob Barry’s Unearthed Interviews we unearth incredible stories from incredible people, sometimes literally “The Incredible Hulk!” You know him as the green powerhouse who made smashing things look cool, before CGI took over Hollywood. But Lou Ferrigno is more than just muscle, he’s a world class bodybuilder, an actor, a fitness guru, and let’s be honest, probably the last guy you’d want to challenge to an arm-wrestling match. Beyond the biceps, Lou’s story is about determination, resilience, and proving that nothing, not even he a speech impediment and hearing loss could stop him from becoming a champion. So, buckle up and enjoy a few minutes with the legendary Lou Ferrigno.

From the gridiron to the broadcast booth, from Hollywood to humanitarian work, Merlin Olsen’s legacy stretches far beyond his hall of fame career with the Los Angeles Rams. Merlin was a fierce competitor on the field, as one of the greatest defensive linemen to ever play the game, and he was probably the nicest tough guy you‘d ever want to meet. So, whether you’re here for the football stories, the “Little House on the Prairie” Hollywood tales, or just some good old-fashioned wisdom, you’re in for a treat. So, let’s kick off our podcast with Merlin Olsen.

Today’s podcast features an Emmy nominated actress, a storyteller, and a legend in the world of film and television. You’ve seen her light up the screen in classics like “Big Wednesday,” “Valley Girl” and “The Other Side of the Mountain.” She will discuss her serious illness and talk about a film she had recently finished, “My Wicked Wicked Ways.” If you’re interested, you’ll find the movie on YouTube. The incredible Lee Purcell will reveal a journey that’s nothing short of inspiring.

Today we’re going back in time when the spotlight was on a man whose saxophone melodies and bandleading prowess made dance floors come alive, the incomparable Larry Elgart. Larry, along with his brother Les, didn’t just play music, they crafted the theme that got America’s feet moving, the “Bandstand Boogie,” the unforgettable tune of “American Bandstand.” When big band music began to fade, Larry improvised a new sound, characterized by tightly synchronized sax and brass sections and a lighter rhythm section. This fresh new approach called “Hooked on Swing” brought him back into the limelight. And on this day in 1982 “Hooked on Swing” was a top 20 album on the Billboard charts.

It’s the opening week of Brewers baseball at American Family Field. And today we celebrate the hits, the misses, and the downright embarrassing moments that make baseball, well….baseball. Today we’re stepping up to the plate with a very special guest, a man who has chronicled the blunders, bloopers, and boneheaded plays that even the biggest legends wish we’d all forget. Why does Aaron Judge come to mind? Allan Zullo is the co-author of “The Baseball Hall of Shame,” the ultimate tribute to the funniest, most bizarre moments in baseball history. Let’s play ball!

The Milwaukee Brewers baseball season begins tomorrow against the New York Yankees. I thought it would be fitting to put together a podcast that would involve Baseball Hall of Fame player Joe Torre, who played with the Milwaukee Braves for nine seasons and later managed the Yankees and, in my opinion, the all-time best baseball announcer Bob Uecker. Bob was a huge supporter of the Milwaukee Braves Historical Association. At an association banquet, celebrating Joe Torre, we got a nice surprise when Bob Uecker gave a memorable tribute to Joe. Bob said, before the banquet, that he didn’t want to speak. But after Torre wrapped up the night with his speech, I asked Bob if he would say a few words about his former roommate. Without hesitation, he got up and did 15 minutes of hilarious insights and stories that had those in attendance rolling over with laughter. This was the last time Uecker spoke in front of this organization. We are all going to miss his play-by-play, his stories and the many laughs he gave us throughout 50 years with the Brewers.

Today we have not one, but two very talented guests, British Invasion icons, smooth harmonizers and all-around charming gents – Chad and Jeremy. Back in the 60s while the world was busy screaming for rock and roll, Chad and Jeremy were stealing hearts with their soft, melodic folk-pop hits like “A Summer Song” and “Yesterday’s Gone.” Their music was the soundtrack to daydreams, their harmonies were pure magic and to be honest, the British accents didn’t hurt either. They discuss their wild ride from London to international stardom.