As the Grand Rapids community radio station devoted to spotlighting Michigan music mounts its year-end fund drive, Local Spins reveals the music that has most inspired its station manager, plus a current fave.
A Lifetime of Music: Phil Tower has embraced — and aired — it for several decades. (Courtesy Photo)
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Phil Tower has been around music forever.
Though he begs off playing (“I was a trumpet player back in school,” he says), as a radio disc jockey he’s always been enamored of music. “Being a rock DJ, somebody who worked in the studio – there was the mystery of who they were,” he notes.
It’s no longer a mystery for Tower. “I’ve been on the radio for a looong time,” he says. For some 44 years to be precise, starting when he was 16. “It’s pretty mind-blowing.”
Tower is currently the station manager at WYCE (88.1 FM), the independent community radio station that’s part of Grand Rapids Community Media Center. The listener-supported station currently is in the midst of its year-end fund drive; donate online at wyce.org.
Major Influence: Phil Tower with late DJ Aris Hampers (Courtesy Photo)
“It’s the old thing, find something you love and do it. I fell into it. I’ve been disabled my whole life, I use crutches, so I knew I wouldn’t be doing something athletic or with physical labor. Being in the studio and playing music (to someone on) the other end of the radio was like magic.”
He says changes in technology and society have made a profound impact on the industry. “Today you have a multi-media machine in your pocket. A lot of the personal touch is gone. I’m so fortunate to have had the opportunity to curate songs: what’s hip, what’s new, what’s worth checking out.”
Sometimes, it doesn’t even have to be new to be worth checking out. The other day he was walking through the building at WYCE when he heard a song being played he hadn’t heard in a while but always loved: “And When I Die” by Blood, Sweat and Tears. He found the young DJ who was playing it, and exclaimed, “You’re into Blood, Sweat and Tears?” Turns out that like Tower, he was and is. He has long loved the band (trumpet player, remember?) and it took him back to those days.
Today he credits his time a decade or so later when he was working at Grand Rapids’ WLAV (96.9 FM) for really influencing his musical tastes and acumen.
“I was probably most influenced musically by my four years at LAV, ’86 through ’89. It was the golden era of the station, specifically because of (DJ) Aris (Hampers) and his view of what an album rock station could be. There was a lot of art rock … a lot of bands like The Doors, The Alan Parsons Project.”
1. The Beatles, “Abbey Road” (1969) – I had a friend in elementary school who had the Beatles hits albums, the red 62-66 and blue 67-70. We played and played them. “Sergeant Pepper” was another, and “Revolver.” “Abbey Road”: It’s a work of art the way it flows. It has some of the most beautiful songs ever recorded. The second side, now this? Now that? It goes through almost every genre and style. It transported me emotionally to a different level. It transforms space and time.
Listen: “Come Together”
2. Alan Parsons Project, “I Robot” (1977) – It was one of the most requested songs at LAV. The Alan Parsons Project stuff stood out. “I Robot” was one that’s a natural. It was one of the first times I heard Moog synthesizer, how you could layer music like that. The melodies, like here and on “Eve,” I remember playing (a lot) of that.
Listen: “I Wouldn’t Want to Be Like You”
3. Ambrosia, “Ambrosia” (1975( – Some background: I fell in love with it because of the station and Aris. He had a thing for Ambrosia. With Ambrosia, “Life Beyond LA,” is very poppy, today it (the band) embodies yacht rock. Go back to earlier and it (demonstrates) a really amazing talent of creating music tapestries.
Listen: “Nice, Nice, Very Nice”
Currently Loving: Redtenbacher’s Funkestra, “Live Your Best Dream” (2024) – I have to give credit here to our music director Chris Cranick. I got in the car, and (he played) the UK funk band. It’s wonderful. So diverse. There’s chill/funk vibes, all-out jams. There’s not a bad track. It’s a great album.
Listen: “Live Your Best Dream”
ALBUMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: Phil Tower’s Playlist on Spotify
Copyright 2024, Spins on Music LLC
