By Adrian McCoy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Every Saturday night for 25 years, the echoes of a bygone era in music returned to the airwaves with WDUQ-FM's “Rhythm Sweet and Hot."
Ken Crawford of Mt. Lebanon, who was one of the forces behind the long-running radio program, died Friday after a long battle with kidney ailments and other illnesses. He was 80.
A Pittsburgh native who grew up in Regent Square and Crafton, his love of music started at an early age: As an 8-year-old, he was already buying records. While in high school, he played saxophone and clarinet in school bands.
He served in the Army in Europe during World War II. He came back with a collection of records purchased in England, France and Germany.
After the war, he lived in New York for awhile, where he followed the music scene and made friends with many musicians. He returned to Pittsburgh, where he worked for Northwest Airlines. But he continued to travel the country to hear music and to build his record collection.
He became friends with Mike Plaskett, who worked in TV and radio and who shared Mr. Crawford's love for the same music. In 1980, they launched a program on WQED-FM. Soon after, the station changed to an all-classical format, and Mr. Crawford and Mr. Plaskett moved to WDUQ in 1981. Both worked as volunteer hosts. Mr. Crawford was last heard a month ago on the program.
“Rhythm Sweet and Hot" features both popular and well- known swing and jazz bands, as well as talented artists who were forgotten over time as musical tastes changed. In 1998, “Rhythm Sweet and Hot" was syndicated to other stations across the country. It's now heard on about 50 stations in the U.S. and in Australia.
“Ken's passing is a very sad note for lovers of great music and great stories," said WDUQ general manager Scott Hanley. “He was a national treasure and we have been proud to have him share his knowledge and passion on the air, in Pittsburgh and around the world."
Mr. Crawford had an encyclopedic knowledge of vintage jazz and swing recordings, said his co-host Mr. Plaskett. “He had a photographic memory, and a phonographic memory. Ken knew and could hear every note of every record he ever had."
He was one of the leading record collectors in the country. Record companies called upon him to lend material from his collection when they were compiling reissues of vintage jazz recordings.
His idol was Benny Goodman, and he also enjoyed Glenn Miller and Bing Crosby, Mr. Plaskett said. But Mr. Crawford believed it was also important to preserve and promote the work of lesser stars of the era.
“There has been so much good stuff that has been forgotten," Mr. Plaskett said. “Ken did a lot to preserve the memory and the music that these wonderful personalities were making."
He is survived by a sister, Collette Matthews of Los Angeles. Services are private.
Every Saturday night for 25 years, the echoes of a bygone era in music returned to the airwaves with WDUQ-FM's “Rhythm Sweet and Hot."
Ken Crawford of Mt. Lebanon, who was one of the forces behind the long-running radio program, died Friday after a long battle with kidney ailments and other illnesses. He was 80.
A Pittsburgh native who grew up in Regent Square and Crafton, his love of music started at an early age: As an 8-year-old, he was already buying records. While in high school, he played saxophone and clarinet in school bands.
He served in the Army in Europe during World War II. He came back with a collection of records purchased in England, France and Germany.
After the war, he lived in New York for awhile, where he followed the music scene and made friends with many musicians. He returned to Pittsburgh, where he worked for Northwest Airlines. But he continued to travel the country to hear music and to build his record collection.
He became friends with Mike Plaskett, who worked in TV and radio and who shared Mr. Crawford's love for the same music. In 1980, they launched a program on WQED-FM. Soon after, the station changed to an all-classical format, and Mr. Crawford and Mr. Plaskett moved to WDUQ in 1981. Both worked as volunteer hosts. Mr. Crawford was last heard a month ago on the program.
“Rhythm Sweet and Hot" features both popular and well- known swing and jazz bands, as well as talented artists who were forgotten over time as musical tastes changed. In 1998, “Rhythm Sweet and Hot" was syndicated to other stations across the country. It's now heard on about 50 stations in the U.S. and in Australia.
“Ken's passing is a very sad note for lovers of great music and great stories," said WDUQ general manager Scott Hanley. “He was a national treasure and we have been proud to have him share his knowledge and passion on the air, in Pittsburgh and around the world."
Mr. Crawford had an encyclopedic knowledge of vintage jazz and swing recordings, said his co-host Mr. Plaskett. “He had a photographic memory, and a phonographic memory. Ken knew and could hear every note of every record he ever had."
He was one of the leading record collectors in the country. Record companies called upon him to lend material from his collection when they were compiling reissues of vintage jazz recordings.
His idol was Benny Goodman, and he also enjoyed Glenn Miller and Bing Crosby, Mr. Plaskett said. But Mr. Crawford believed it was also important to preserve and promote the work of lesser stars of the era.
“There has been so much good stuff that has been forgotten," Mr. Plaskett said. “Ken did a lot to preserve the memory and the music that these wonderful personalities were making."
He is survived by a sister, Collette Matthews of Los Angeles. Services are private.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
