His legacy is still more complicated than I have described here; try his Wikipedia entry (most of which I wrote).
And how and why do I know all of this? I never heard of Lassiter until 2004, when I stumbled upon the legendary 1987 call from an outraged listener that's become known as the Mr. Airstream call. As Lassiter says during the call, it may be the best call any call-in radio program ever received.
I laughed so heard that I Googled his name, found more recordings, and wound up becoming a connoisseur of his career. Then he started his blog, which was followed by a fan site of his old airchecks -- how many call-in talk show hosts have a cult built around their old recordings?--and I became a true disciple. I don't know how Lassiter would feel about my calling myself that, but there's no better way to say it -- the more I heard him, the more he became a mentor, a guru, to me.
I've thought a lot about why. Why do I take such inspiration from a man ranting about the issues of the day in 1988? Or branding as "subhuman pigs" elderly retirees who, today, are long since dead? What could these ancient recordings have to say to me?
I think it started because he reminded me of a former mentor: a man from my hometown who also had been in radio, had a similarly deep voice and gruff demeanor, and had a trademark beard. (This guy looked nothing like Lassiter, but I picture him talking half the time I hear Bob.) But that connection faded quickly. My hometown the guy was an asshole, pure and simple. Lassiter often portrayed himself as an asshole, but he was also incredibly thoughtful and sensitive and hammered at people to THINK. He could even be effusive and sentimental, talking about his relationships with his wife, his mother, even his dogs.
Lassiter's thoughts and lessons were timeless. He often discussed things like religious hypocrisy and Biblical self-contradictions, racism, sexism, political lies and rhetoric, and--especially--people's tendency to blame everyone but themselves for society's ills. ("Whatever problems America has can be traced back to one specific group of people: Americans! You and me!") Even if these things are being discussed in the context of Reaganomics or Clinton policy, or Jimmy Swaggart, or the O.J. Simpson trial, Lassiter is getting at universal truths, things that have always and will always be problems, and how we might understand those things and maybe even work to get past them. Which is, of course, the definition of timelessness.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - zingzing
your love and respect for the man shows through clearly. as a occasional listener and reader of his blog, i am sad yet relieved that mr lassiter won't be sharing any more of his thoughts with us. it was getting a bit heartbreaking.
ahh, bob. "who's side are you on?"
2 - Michael J. West
Thank you, Zingzing. And thank you, Mark, for your eagle-eye editing. Hope you enjoy his work.
3 - Clavos
Michael,
After we talked about Mad Dog on another thread a few weeks ago, I tried reading his blog. But, as you say, I found it too sad, too bleak, so I stopped and went to the aircheck site instead.
That's how I want to remember him.
4 - Michael J. West
Clavos,
I don't want to speak for Bob, but I'm going to hazard a guess and say that he'd like you to remember him that way, too.
5 - Mark Schannon
Michael, you're welcome.
Why is it that some of the most powerful & poingnant, funny & witty, incisive and challenging articles get the fewest comments?
'Tis a mystery to me. But I thank you for opening up the world of Bob Lassiter.
Mark
6 - David Dave
Long and the short, good job. Sorry you didn't get to hear Bob live. It was an experience that still keeps us hungry for more. If Bob is still keeping track of things happening in his name, this is for you, Bob: Your signoff was very nicely done. A deft touch as always. I wish you Peace. Thank you.
7 - Michael J. West
Well, I am writing about someone most people never heard of...but I also timed my submission poorly, submitted it at a time when I knew it wouldn't get posted until dinnertime, when people wouldn't see it.
Thank you, David.
8 - Michael J. West
Oh, and incidentally:
Why is it that some of the most powerful & poingnant, funny & witty, incisive and challenging articles get the fewest comments?
Is the question I was answering in my previous comment.
9 - Nastasya T.
Wow, I was just thinking "Where the hell is Lassiter these days?" and sadly found this.
I used to listen to Lassiter in Florida.
To my shock, he plugged my band on his
show and he and his wife came to one of our shows.
I had the priviledge of meeting them both, but
never revealed to Bob that I had called in to the show twice before.
He was always nice when I did, I never mentioned music so I don't know how he came to know of my band.
Anyways, when we got signed he was mentioned in our liner notes (this was ages ago) and I always meant to send him a copy but I never could
find him at that point.
He would be happy to know that due to lyrical content, the cd was banned from a few radio stations :)
Geeze I sure wish there was a way to email him
and at least thank him for all the laughs and brain massages.
Thank you for this sad but affectionate tribute, glad to at least know what became of him.
Here's to Mad-dog!
10 - Bill Streeter
For years I thought I was nuts. That I must have been the only one--surely the only person of my age at the time who listened to Lassiter in Chicago and was profoundly effected by his work. He made appointment radio. You didn't want to miss a minute of what he said. I've never been able to describe what he meant to me to anyone else. But you have done it here. And while I know intelectually that I couldn't have been the only one who he influenced, it's good to know now that I'm not the only one. This is a fine fairwell to the man the legend that was Lassiter.
LASSITER RULES!
(he once dared his audience to call Rush and say that)
11 - Michael J. West
Bob Lassiter died on Friday, October 13, at approximately 9:15 am. His widow, Mary, has asked that anyone so inclined make donations to:
Robert Lassiter Fund
c/o Collingswood Recreation Dept.
Attn: Holly Mannel
678 Haddon Ave.
Collingswood NJ 08108
My heart is breaking.
12 - David Dave
At least we got to say goodbye to him on his blog. I certainly feel for his wife. I noticed there was nothing on the WFLA webpage nor in either of the major Tampa Bay area papers. Why do I feel he would be glad and angry at the same time to know this?
13 - Michael J. West
I think maybe Mary's announcement today was the first time his death has been made public. God, I'm sad for her. I'm almost relieved for Bob. But for myself, I hurt like Hell today.
14 - zingzing
i just listened to mr. airstream, and let me tell you, that's one to feel better about anything. lassiter is eternal, in some ways, but i hope he got out his cosmic surfboard and went with the flow. goodnight, hippie...
15 - Mike Grogan
Lassiter has passed away.
16 - Troy in Tampa
having listened to Bob for years, I knew this day was coming, and I remember...the good days, the bad days, but all days shared with Bob...
Nice words you have above about a man that will be missed.
17 - Wendy
I listened to Bob every day when he was employed in Tampa by the "nice, old sisters." We had many thought provoking conversations on the air, as I was a regular call-in listener. I am glad he is at peace... or maybe that crackling noise I heard this weekend was the sound of hell finally freezing over. Love You, Bobby-L!
18 - Brian
Bob made me fall in love with talk radio. His tirades, his horrible temper, his tender Christmas shows, they kept me listening. Man he could make me tremble ! Id call WFLA and when I was on hold I would memorize my thoughts, but as soon as his booming voice called my name...forget it, my mind would go blank. LOL ! I feel a little empty right now. Bob was the best at what he did.
19 - Ginger
Bob Lassiter had a profound influence on my life. I listened to him starting when he worked a WPLP and at first, sided with Tim Coles, who was his nemesis politically. I had a problem listening to him at first but that changed as I realized how important what he had to say was. I was a faithful listener for years after that. I was in the 'audience' of his show one Friday and took him freshly baked chocolate chips, which he said had something wrong with them and he preferred to open them later and so he couldn't share. Many, many of my political opinions were influenced by him and he has had an indelible stamp of my life. Long live Lassiter and 'Mad Dog' you are missed.
20 - Bill Bower
Michael J West you are a wonderful writer and like Lassiter & Fowler loved the sound of their voices, your also a suspect. I loved these guys and nothing can change that. I mention David Fowler, to give you more fuel, like an idea handed to Robin Williams. We loved these spoiled, selfish, self-indulgent, pain-inflicting talents. Smoking,drinking, terrible diet, over weight, stuborn and in the end, not wanting to stay one day longer then they had to, for what, us, Mary. They lied to set us on fire and improve their image and cheated to always have the edge to secure a win, commanded our attention and now they’re gone, leaving everyone they touched, sad.
love
Bill Bower
21 - David Dave
It struck me as I look at the calender that we've been without Bob for almost a year. I listen to the airchecks at least once a month. I really appreciate the sound files that are coming out of the woodwork. I hope Mary has managed well considering the loss.
22 - Michael J. West
I'm helping George run the aircheck site now, and we've both been working hard to get contributions flowing. There's some great ones coming down the pike, too, so keep coming back!
23 - Larry
Almost every Christmas I think of the first time I heard Lassiter's Christmas Show. It brought tears to my eyes - I suspect others reacted similarly. He's now a part of my Christmas memories. I think he would like that.
24 - I.M. Small
R.I.P.
It was the thirteenth of October
On which the soul to heaven fled--
Could there have been one purer, nobler
In spirit? Lassiter is dead.
How grievous is the passing of
A great one, in his essence true:
This life is short on human love,
Good souls--by one more--gotten few.
.
25 - David Dave
I tried going to the Airchecks and found it was restricted. I don't know if it is a problem at my end or that something is going on with the site. Just wondering...