If you lived in Pittsburgh during the 1970s and were a rock music fan, it's very likely that you listened to Trevor Ley, who ruled the airwaves on WDVE Radio. A proud Pittsburgh native (Shaler Township), Trevor worked at FM97, 3WS and several other stations across the U.S. before retiring and moving back home to the Burgh. 

On this episode, John Fries talks with his former co-worker and longtime friend about his journey through the radio industry.

BurghCast

Trevor Ley

TrevorLey

John Oliver is a Pittsburgh native who has been singing, writing songs and playing piano and keyboards virtually all his life. 

During the early 1980s, the Carlynton High School graduate was part of a band called Endless Summer that he formed with several friends. They played Beach Boys-inspired surf music in a wide variety of Pittsburgh-area venues from Crafton Park and at least one 3WS Radio Gateway Clipper cruise to  countless shows in area nightclubs. Oliver was the front man, lead singer and keyboard player.

In 2018, he was inspired to write a full album of solo material, which will be released in 2019. Recording the tracks in his home studio, often accompanied by vocal and instrumental parts provided by his longtime friends and former Endless Summer bandmates (including bassist Jeff Hoffman on nearly every track), Oliver is taking his music in a new direction. 

Listen to the tracks that open and close this edition of BurghCast, and follow this website for details about when his album will be available.

John Fries's Album

John Oliver

Actor, singer, director, and composer Michael Rupert is a bona fide Broadway legend. The Denver native, who grew up in Los Angeles and acted in numerous television programs during the 1960s, moved to New York at age 17 to play a role in the Kander-Ebb musical The Happy Time On Broadway. He received a Tony Award nomination for his efforts.

In 1986, he starred in the Broadway revival of Sweet Charity and WON the Best Actor Tony. Since then he's appeared in numerous shows On Broadway (Ragtime, City of Angels, Pippin, and Legally Blonde) and Off (Falsettos, Putting in Together, and others). He's also an accomplished singer with numerous tracks; check out the Varese Sarabande collection.

During February 2019, he was in Pittsburgh directing Point Park University's student production of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park With George.

MichaelRupert

BurghCast is a podcast written, produced and hosted by John Fries that presents true stories and lively conversations with some of Pittsburgh's most fascinating people.

BurghCast

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