Michigan Music History Podcast -- MMHP989 · Scott Baker, Gary Johnson, Fred Reif, Mike Beattie

MMHP Season 5 Ep:24--Scott Morgan--The Rational Sonic Architect of Michigan Rock Part 1 of 2

·1 hr 10 min·4 clips

Scott Morgan turned down Blood, Sweat & Tears after they asked him to replace Al Kooper.

The MMHP crew records live from the Michigan Rock Legends Hall of Fame in Bay City, then heads to Scott Morgan's apartment for the first MMHP 989 visit there. Dr. J, Fred Reif, Mr. Mike, and Scott Baker are in the room with Scott Morgan, one of the legends of Michigan rock and roll. The hosts note how gracious he was to let them come down and tape after three years of trying. The conversation opens with Scott's interest in modern ecological and political happenings and his habit of keeping up with the news. From there it shifts into memories of the MC5 days and the Rationals era. The talk moves to Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, including the lingering frustration over Mitch being talked into going to Vegas with a big orchestra setup. McCarty comes up as a great guitar player then and still now. Bay City keeps anchoring the conversation, including McCarty playing at Scotty's Sandbar and a Friendship Shell show on the Saginaw River that felt like a reunion of Michigan bands. Dick Wagner's band and the Bossmen are part of that memory, along with a Rationals reunion and questions about booking, contracts, and pay. The segment closes by teeing up part two and promising more Scott Morgan history.

As heard by us

A loose, firsthand map of Michigan rock from someone who lived it.

Scott Morgan drops in with the MMHP crew and spends the episode pulling at Michigan rock memory, from the MC5 and the Rationals to Mitch Ryder, Bay City, and the old venues that still hold the scene together.

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Why you'd press play

For listeners who want Michigan rock history straight from the source.

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