The July 4th Collection
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
Of the ten July 4th Pyromusical Spectaculars I wrote and directed between 1982 and
1992, the KROY Sacramento 1983 July 4th Pyromusical Spectacular was my favorite.
Subtitled “A July 4th Fantasy”, it chronicled the adventures of Captain Science
and Billy on their light flight for freedom, seeking a place of freedom and justice.
This was before the Internet, remember, so our heroes consulted the Oracle of Truth, (of course!) She gives them some rhyming advice:
“Look to the sky, and travel with light,
on through the skywheel, and past colors bright.
Beware the Time Warp! Your answer will be
in the home of the brave, and the land of the free.
It was all an excuse, of course, to light the evening sky with lasers and an awe-inspiring
fireworks display, all synchronized to music.
Throughout the program, we added gobs of percussive accompaniment, keyboard and explosive SFX. (My one and only recorded music performance appears here on the “Synth Drum”, a drum pad-like device that made cool electronic sounds.) As you listen, remember that when the narrator or characters spoke, we fired no pyrotechnics, but used the lasers liberally. (In reality,
the Oracle of Truth was a column of shimmering light.)
Likewise, as you hear the powerful orchestrations of Star Trek/Wars and other dramatic compositions, imagine the music booming through a giant sound system enhanced by tens of thousands of dollars of synchronized pyrotechnic displays. We had the advantage
of a closed venue – a race track – and much of the show featured low-level pyros for the paying customers.
97 KROY FM
and GOLDEN BEAR RACEWAY present the
1983 JULY 4th PYROMUSICAL SPECTACULAR
A July 4th Fantasy
Pre-Show Announcer: Dennis Newhall
Original Music: Alleluia! and God Bless America written and performed by Charlie Peacock.
Narrator: Martin Ashley (Wonder Rabbit!)
The Oracle of Truth: Susan Hayward
Captain Science: Dennis Newhall
Billy: Sharle Davis
Computer: Marilyn Curry
Control: Dick Irwin
Recorded at: Heavenly Recording Studios and 97 FM / 1240 AM KROY RADIO, Sacramento
From the Official 1983 Program:
We hope you enjoy tonight’s all new KROY July Fourth Pyromusical. Our show employs state-of-the-art technology to synchronize over 1,000 lighting, laser and pyrotechnics effects. Tonight, our heroes, Captain Science and Billy, take a fantastic “Light Flight for Freedom.” Hang on tight when we go through the skywheel, and stand by the color blasters in the time warp! Our special thanks to the Oracle of Truth, for showing us the way to freedom and justice. Join us in tonight’s festive fantasy – a contemporary tribute to American freedom and ideals.
And although we had access to both 24 and 4-track recording equipment, and created the master mix on the four track 1/2″ (tape) machine, the majority of music edits were created by Master DJ Dennis Newhall using two turntables and a sharp razor blade. We tried to use as much KROY-FM music as was reasonable. Since much of the program is classic Pop and Rock, I think it still plays well after twenty years. And what great fun to create a “radio drama” for a fireworks show! Beat It vs. Whip It was cool. So were the Color Blasters and the evil
Chroma Clouds, and finally defeating those doo-wop dudes in the Time Warp.
If you don’t care to hear a radio program for fireworks, (even though the finale is a good excuse to rise and salute America) then please listen to the opening segment, which consists of two original songs composed and performed by Charlie Peacock. They were recorded at Heavenly Recording Studios, at the time, (owned by KROY). They came about as the result of a production problem. The show followed harness racing, and the track was fully lit. It took about 10 minutes to get all the lights turned off. One State employee had to go all the way around the track pulling breakers. So, we needed “warm-up” material. Charlie’s wonderful songs were a fabulous extra arranged by my late friend Don Early.
As for Charlie Peacock, he left Sacramento in the mid to late ’80’s for a successful career in Nashville. Charlie was named by Billboard’s Encyclopedia of Record Producers as one of the 500 most important record producers in music history, and we thank him for allowing us to feature some of his early work here.
The KROY Sacramento 1983 Pyromusical Spectacular was one of ten programs featured during the REELRADIO Pyromusical Spectacular Marathon on July 4, 1998.
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
A Celebration of American Freedom, the 1984 KROY Pyromusical Spectacular at the California State Exposition and Fairgrounds, featured three themed segments:
- 1984 – THE YEAR OF BIG BROTHER (lasers, synthesizers and techno-pop)
- THE TRADITION OF AMERICAN FREEDOM (patriotic, space and movie theme segment)
- 1984 – AS IT REALLY IS! (olympics, sky songs and grand finale)
Bobby Ocean was listed as the official Narrator, and appears in the final segment (beginning at 23:30). The Olympics were held in Los Angeles in the summer of 1984, and this segment pays tribute to that International event.
In addition to Bobby, performers included Richard W. Irwin as Big Brother, Traffic Manager Marilyn Curry as a Political Dissident, and Music Mixmaster Dennis Newhall as Patrick Henry. And of course, Dennis did all the music mixes with turntables, reel decks and razor blades.
KROY and Fourth Of July fireworks shows go back to the ’60’s, when smaller, hand-fired shows were presented elsewhere. The electrically-fired “Pyromusicals” didn’t begin until 1982. That was the last year for 1240 KROY, which became 1240 KENZ by 1983. The 1984 show was believed to be the 12th consecutive year that KROY (AM or FM) presented a July 4th show at Cal Expo. By July 4th, 1985, KROY-FM had become KSAC-FM. However, KROY-FM returned to Sacramento and a KROY-FM July 4th Show returned to Cal Expo one last time in 1987.
COME SEE THE WORKS!
KSAC and Cal Expo Racing Association present The July 4th Pyromusical Spectacular. This is northern California’s biggest Indpendence Day celebration — featuring a world class fireworks display synchronized to music. You’ll see an absolutely incredible variety of the most exciting pyrotechnics ever, including special effects visible only from the Cal Expo Grandstand. A full day of harness racing precedes the sky show — Post time is 3 p.m. All day admisssion just $2, with children 12 and under, and seniors 62 and over admitted free! Come early for best seating.
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
CREDITS
Sky Sorceress: Tara O’Leary
Narrator: Zack Boles
Old Prospector: Richard W. Irwin
Produced at
Heavenly Recording Studios, Sacramento
Original Sky Sorceress Music
by Ray Elzey.
John Baccigalupi,
Chief Recording Engineer.
Dennis Newhall,
Music Editor.
INTRODUCTION
“Tonight, we present a celebration of American Freedom! Our Salute to Sacramento is a tribute to the rich history of the River City. Our Pyromusical combines narration, music and fireworks – choreographed and synchronized electronically.
We’ve put them all together to tell a story. It’s a story of courage, determination and victory … a true story of American freedom.
The settlement that became Sacramento celebrated July 4th for the first time in 1847. Tonight, KSAC dedicates its first July 4th Pyromusical to the Sacramento of today, and to the people that make it such a great place to live!”
BACKGROUND
This is a copy of the 1985 “Mix Master”, before the commercial and closing announcements were added.
It was encoded from the original 15IPS two-track stereo master (stored tails-out with paper leader!) and the fidelity is exceptional.
Of particular interest is the opening “Sky Sorceress” music, written and performed just for this Pyromusical by talented Sacramento musician Ray Elzey.
This was the first and only July 4th show presented by KSAC 97 FM (formerly KROY-FM) and paid attendance was just under 30,000.
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
CREDITS
Narrated by: Rick Gillette,
KSFM (FM-102) PD
Lady Liberty: Susan Hayward
Kate Smith Introduction:
Zack Boles
Produced at
Studio Z Recording, Sacramento
BACKGROUND
This is the original “Performance Master” (mono), processed for psuedo-stereo and online presentation. There may have been a genuine stereo master at one time, the one that was broadcast on July 4, 1986 on KSFM FM-102 (Woodland/Sacramento).
Rick Gillette, KSFM PD at the time, is the narrator. Rick went on to many years of success in Detroit, (at WHTZ) and later as VP of DMX Music, and as of the debut of this exhibit (July 4, 2006) PD of WCKS-FM in Chicago. You’ll also hear Rick whispering “FM-102 Pyromusical Spectacular” during the extended music segments of this exhibit. What a great idea! Tell your listeners what station they are listening to…
Producer Don Early (ShowPro) insisted that the show be revised (just in time, we had already started production) to include Kate Smith, who had passed away on June 17, 1986. For this event in show business history, the fat lady actually started the show.
God Bless America!
The 97 KROY 1987 Pyromusical Spectacular at the California State Exposition and Fairgrounds.
CREDITS
Written and Directed by: Richard W. Irwin
Program Director, 97 KROY-FM: Bob West
Musical Production: Dennis Newhall
Pyrotechnical Design: Ian Gilfillan
Broadcast Audio: Dan Rarick
Show Audio: Jerry Mayberry
Voice of Strength: George Reading
Voice of Peace: Tara O’Leary
Voice of Freedom: Bob West
Voice of Unity: Dennis Newhall
Announcer: Martin Ashley
Produced at Swingstreet Recording Studios and 97 KROY, Sacramento.
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
This is the original “Performance Master”, from a 15 ips half-track mono tape that required a little “baking” prior to its close-up on REELRADIO. Strange to think that in 1987, we were mastering on tape that would be prone to sticky and squeaky only twenty years later.
In 1987, KROY was back – this time on FM, at 96.9. The call letters had been out of the market for a couple of years, but the station had been purchased by Great American Broadcasting. The KSAC-FM calls were dropped and a new (and final) generation of KROY was on the air. The General Manager was ex-KHJ-GM Ted Atkins, and the Program Director was Bob West.
I was still working for 1240AM (which inherited the KSAC call letters), so my participation in this show was as a contract employee for ShowPro, working with the Producer and my buddy, the late Don Early.
The theme for our 1987 pyromusical was the 200th Anniversary of the 1787 Constitutional Convention. It was at this historic meeting that the Constitution of the United States of America was created. However, most of the script was written for our sponsors and the massive visual elements. You won’t learn much about the Constitutional Convention listening to this show.
Co-Sponsors included KRBK-TV (Channel 31 Television,) The Cal Expo Racing Association, and The California State Fair. The event drew 26,159 in paid attendance (and a total parimutuel “handle” of $422,043 for the Racing Association.) 14 harness races were scheduled prior to the fireworks. Fireworks choreography was by our favorite Pyrotechnician, Ian Gilfillan of PyroSpectaculars. We’d first met Ian when we presented the 1982 California Capitol Restoration Gala show in 1982.
The Choice Of Freedom:
The KSFM-102/MAGIC 1380 1988 Pyromusical Spectacularat the California State Exposition and Fairgrounds. Produced for the California State Fair
Executive Producer: Peter Sugar by Showtime Production Services and Don Early
CREDITS
Written and Directed by: Richard W. Irwin
Program Director, KSFM-102: Brian White
Operations Manager, MAGIC 1380: Les Tracy
Musical Production: Dennis Newhall
Pyrotechnical Design: Ian Gilfillan
Show Communications: Martin Ashley
Production Assistant: John Balestrini
Program Narrator: Tony Cox
Voice of Courage: Chris Collins
Voice of Faith: Lara Mann
Voice of Hope: Cory Miller
Produced in Sacramento at STUDIO Z RECORDING Additional Music Production at FM-102 and MAGIC 1380 Studios.
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
Advertised as “Northern California’s Largest” July 4th Fireworks Display, The 1988 July 4th Pyromusical Spectacular at the California State Fairgrounds was sponsored by The California State Fair, Sacramento’s top CHR station, FM-102 (KSFM) and their AM sister (an automated oldies hybrid), MAGIC 1380.
The attempt to resurrect KROY by Great American Broadcasting had failed. I was still working for 1240AM (which inherited the KSAC call letters), so my participation in this show was as a contract employee for ShowPro, working with the Producer and my buddy, the late Don Early.
The theme for our 1988 Pyromusical was The Choice Of Freedom. We wanted more “interactivity” than previous years, so we asked the audience to “Applaud America” whenever they heard the Liberty Bell. To assure that they did, we asked our Pyrotechnics contractor, Ian Gilfillan, to synchronize a big shell with each toll of the bell. Of course, it worked — people always scream and yell at a big burst of color and noise. This year, we built in some “quiet” places following the biggest pyrotechnics. Experience had taught us that the crowd was so loud after the big explosions that they could never hear the soundtrack anyway.
This show also included an all-new effect which we had seen demonstrated in May 1987 at the 50th anniversary celebration of The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It was a “Fireworks Firefall”, in which large roman candles were hung upside down from a cable. When ignited, they produced a curtain of gold and white fire! We didn’t have a bridge at the fairgrounds, but we did string a 500-foot cable in the firing area for our FIREFALL OF FREEDOM. I can’t remember how tall it was. I do remember it took a significant piece of the fireworks budget, but it was a great effect — over in about 30 seconds.
Prior to the Pyromusical, this event also featured live entertainment. Arista recording artist Taylor Dayne and WEA artists The Dynatones performed on a stage we built inside the race track, along with local favorite Elvis Monroe and The Sacramento Freelancers, an award-winning 128-piece drum and bugle corps.
My friend Rick Gillette had left for Detroit, and Brian “The Blind Owl” White (KCBQ, 99X, KFRC) was the FM-102 PD that year. Les Tracy (WLUP, KZAP) was the MAGIC 1380 Operations Manager. FM-102 Morning ZooMaster Chris Collins appeared as the Voice of Courage. The narrator was my old friend Tony Cox.
A Salute to the American Veteran: The Channel 31/KAER-FM/KFBK 1990 Pyromusical Spectacular at the California State Exposition and Fairgrounds.
CREDITS
Executive Producer: Dick Feinberg
Operations Manager: Dick Malcomb
Written and Directed by: Richard W. Irwin
Stage Manager: Tim Early
Assistant to the Director: Robert Sloan
Show Communications: Martin Ashley
Communications Coordinator: Linda Ashley
Pyrotechnical Design: Ian Gilfillan
Radio Coordinator: Mark Stennet,KFBK/KAER-FM
Announcer: Rick Austin, KAER-FM
Guest Speaker: B.T. Collins
Produced in Sacramento at STUDIO Z RECORDING
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
July 4, 1990 marked the return of ShowPro to the California State Fairgrounds, and Producer Don Early worked for months to cobble together a UHF-TV station and an AM/FM station to sponsor another large and expensive July 4th Pyromusical at Cal Expo.
The California Vietnam Veterans Memorial had been dedicated on Veterans Day in 1989, and Don wanted to include California Deputy State Treasurer B.T. Collins, who had worked to build the memorial, in the 1990 July 4th show.
The Los Alamitos Racing, City of Cypress and KEZY 95.9 FM
1991 July 4th Pyromusical Spectacular
CREDITS
Director of Publicity: Dick Feinberg
Written and Directed by: Richard W. Irwin
Production Assistant: Kyle Bellport
Music Research: Dennis Newhall
Pyrotechnical Design: Ian Gilfillan
Program Announcer: Andy Stevens, KEZY-FM
Track Announcer: Joe Alto
Produced in Sacramento at STUDIO Z RECORDING
Special Thanks to
Zack Boles & David Whittaker
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
In 1991, the Harness Racing promoters couldn’t come to terms with the folks at the State fairgrounds in Sacramento, so they decided to present a July 4th Pyromusical Spectacular at their Los Alamitos meet in Orange County, California. The track there was just a few miles from Anaheim and Disneyland, and in fact, we could even see the regular Disney fireworks before our show. We decided to theme the show for the victorious veterans of Desert Storm, and titled it, “A Welcome Home”.
We were fortunate to work with long-time CHR leader KEZY-FM/Anaheim, and we broke attendance records for the track that evening. Andy Stevens agreed to be our narrator. That area of southern California was much more densely populated than our usual venue in Sacramento. Los Alamitos was surrounded by residential and business structures and there was much less “open space” around the track.
The show was much closer to the audience than ever before. We also had a larger pyrotechnics budget and when the show was over, it took nearly a half-hour for the smoke to clear away. The next day, we learned that some nearby homes had suffered a small amount of damage from shell fallout. One man was upset that the vinyl roof on his classic Pontiac caught fire.
And as always, Producer Don Early insisted on being part of the creative process. This year, he wanted to include an introduction and closing by Joe Alto, a veteran horse-racing track announcer known to both Northern and Southern California racing fans. I must admit, no one else sounded like Joe, and he really tied it all together.
Quoting from the official Program:
Tonight, for the first time ever, Los Alamitos Race Course hosts one of California’s largest and most spirited July 4th Celebrations: The JULY 4th PYROMUSICAL SPECTACULAR!
A PYROMUSICAL SPECTACULAR is not just a fireworks show! Every one of the thousands of effects you will see tonight has been electronically fired, on cue, from our Pyromusical multi-track tape. This tape takes months to produce, and tonight, we would like to share it with you for the first, and only time. We hope you share our excitement for an absolutely GRAND display of fireworks! We’re proud to Light the Sky for the Fourth of July, and Thank You for joining our celebration!
America – Land of Discovery
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
The Sacramento Union, KRBK-TV 31,
KHYL Oldies 101, KSAC 1240 Sports
and Cal Expo Harness RacingPresent
The 1992 July 4th Pyromusical Spectacular
Produced By: Don Early
Narrated By: Tony Cox
Written & Directed By: Richard Irwin
Recorded at STUDIO Z RECORDING
Special Thanks to Zack Boles
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
This was the last July 4th Pyromusical Spectacular produced by Don Early, and it was the last show I wrote and directed. It had been 500 years since 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue, so the theme was “Land of Discovery”.
It had more sponsors than ever before, was the shortest and had the smallest attendance and fireworks budget. We DID have a 600-foot “Wall of Fire” effect that was impressive, however. The future of Harness Racing at Cal Expo (the State Fairgrounds) was uncertain, and in fact, changed hands after 1992.
We had two radio stations (with different owners!) to promote the event. Both KSAC 1240 Sports and KHYL Oldies 101 were sponsors. We simulcast the program on both stations. A newspaper, TV station and the Racing Association joined the major sponsor, Harrah’s Lake Tahoe.
The audio production for this show was simple, and it was definitely G-rated in every way. I like to think we went out small and stylish. We had done bigger (and better?) shows, but the event was always sensational. It kept me excited about July 4th for months. It was always fun and it was always rewarding.