Lyons Den Radio Show | Classic R&B, Funk & Soul Mix + Jerry Garcia Band Live | George Lyons | KUNV Las Vegas

March 16, 2026·3 hr 54 min·23 clips

Lyons shares his firsthand account of Jerry Garcia's 1990 soulful R&B show at UC Berkeley.

This episode is a pre-recorded radio show featuring a curated mix of classic R&B, funk, and soul music, followed by a live concert set. The host is George Lyons, broadcasting from KUNV in Las Vegas. The show is structured as a musical journey with minimal commentary, focusing on the tracks and artists. The program opens with music from the 1972 film *Superfly*, including an instrumental version of Curtis Mayfield's "Check Out Your Mind." The first set includes Booker T. and the M.G.'s 1965 tracks "Night Owl Walk" and "Homegrown" from the album *Soul Dressing*. It continues with two songs by The Brothers Johnson: "Get the Funk Out My Face" and "Ain't We Funkin' Now." Barry White is featured with his 1999 cover of "Low Rider" and the classics "Love's Theme" and "You're the First, the Last, My Everything." The host plays Cameo's 1986 hit "Word Up" from a best-of compilation and Al Green's 1972 single "Let's Stay Together" from a greatest hits album. The set concludes with two Curtis Mayfield tracks. A second funk set begins with Jack McDuff's "Cold Duck Time" and includes James Brown's "Hot Pants" from his 1986 album *In the Jungle Groove*. Upcoming songs are previewed, including Tina Turner's 1993 version of "Proud Mary," The Isley Brothers' 1973 "Summer Breeze," Stevie Wonder's "Jesus Children of America," and Wilson Pickett's "You Keep Me Hanging On." The host then transitions to a live concert segment, explaining his personal connection to the venue. The featured performance is by the Jerry Garcia Band, recorded live at the Greek Theater at UC Berkeley on August 5, 1990. George Lyons notes he attended this specific show and saw the Grateful Dead multiple times at the same venue between 1983 and 1989. An interesting insight is the host's characterization of the Jerry Garcia Band as a "soulful R&B kind of a band," distinct from the Grateful Dead, serving as Jerry Garcia's vehicle for covering songs he loved. He credits musician Merle Saunders with teaching Garcia much of this material in the early 1970s. The host emphasizes the unique nature of the music selection, stating listeners won't hear this particular mix anywhere else. He shares a personal anecdote about the significance of the Greek Theater, noting it was "really cool" to have the Jerry Garcia Band play there after the Grateful Dead stopped performing at the venue in 1989. The concert set consists of two full hours of music, with the host promising to return after the first set for more commentary. The tone is relaxed, conversational, and enthusiastic, directly addressing the listener as if in a casual, one-on-one setting. The style is that of a traditional radio DJ show, focused on musical curation and sharing personal anecdotes related to the tracks. This episode would be loved by listeners seeking a deep, expertly curated dive into classic R&B, funk, and soul, especially fans of artists like Curtis Mayfield, Barry White, and James Brown. It would also appeal to Jerry Garcia Band enthusiasts and those who enjoy radio shows with a host's personal touch and historical context. Listeners preferring interviews, discussions, or modern music might want to skip this music-centric broadcast.

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