Information on Skip Wensher Sought
Frank Blau is looking for information on DJ Skip Weshner.
My name is Frank Blau and I am doing research into the life and career of folk DJ Skip Weshner (1927-1996). Skip was a DJ in New York (WBAI) and Los Angeles (KRHM/KFAC) from the late 1950’s to the mid 1980’s. He was married to Lynn Taylor of the Rooftop Singers. He was a big influence on a lot of performers, and the guests on his show were an eclectic and historical bunch. I own the remaining 150 or so tapes from Skip’s collection and I am trying to fit everything into some historical context. I have tapes of people like John Sebastian, Bud Dashiell, Clarence Cooper, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, John Denver, Randy Newman, Hoyt Axton, Gordon Lightfoot, Blossom Dearie and a bunch of other people, usually just sitting around Skip’s living room talking and playing. If anyone has any information or is interested in more information about this collection, please feel free to contact me at fjblau at gmail dot com. I am happy to make copies of the shows for any fans or curious listeners! I have everything on CD and I would be happy to send out the list of what I have to anyone interested. Thank You, Frank Blau Seattle, WA
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Jack Watt August 10th, 2007 at 10:41 pm #
I knew Skip personally when I lived in L.A. He lived not far from me and broadcasted from his living room, acting as his own engineer. When My 11-yr-old son broke his neck and was in the hospital for several mos. Skip and Lynne visited him regularly and taked to him each evening on the radio. He had a painting of mine in his living room. ric Darling once said, “Skip has a heart as big as a watermelon.” He was right.
Lillian O MacNeill November 9th, 2007 at 2:00 pm #
I was the second of Skip’s three wives.
I was often called “the face that launched a thousand Skips’
we started the shows at WBAI together(I also worked at that station as program director for several months.)
Those wonderful,awful,never boring days with him in the fifties shaped may life forever. He introduced me to a music world of folk and i introduced him to Cubin jazz and dance. We shared five apartments in the village.
When WBAI could no longer tolerate Skip”s famous lateness,he started broadcasting from home. It was about that time we started shipping tapes of each show to
Los Angeles……my memory dims.
I have a hundred “Skip” stories.
We met in 1951 and split in 1958.
Does anyone have tapes of the early new york shows?
The music box theme that played in the opening was mine
and though the box has been lost, I can still hear the
sound…………..
And does anyone know of his son Bill or his daughter,Heidi?
Lillian MacNeill,ne Lillian Weshner
Tom December 3rd, 2007 at 2:19 am #
In case you haven’t seen this:
The Subject: Skip Weshner
At 10:04:56 on 09/19/07, Heidi Wilson (h.wilson45@yahoo.com) wrote:
Hey you! I know you dont remember ME, however I think you remember my folks.Skip Weshner was my dad, Lynne Taylor (Walk Right In, The Rooftop Singers)was my mom. I learned how to play the “gitar” because of you!(Blackbird)anyway, I am a highly acomplished singer/songwriter, with a6 (yes,no bull—- 6)octive range and have 2 cd’s out.Kenny I hope to hear from you, I am in touch with sooooo many artists “then & now” I think youd get a kick from “old home week”Much Love…..Always…Heidi Wilson
Heidi Wilson