Howie Rose of SNY & The New York Mets Calls Kenn Rowell of NYC's The Baghdaddios

Frontman for the NYC old school punk group, The Baghdaddios, Kenn Rowell, heard a New York Mets game broadcast on the Mets flagship station, WFAN in New York, where team announcers Howie Rose and Gary Cohen discussed their beginnings, when they used to spin rock 'n roll records as college DJs in the 1970s. Among the many groups that they used to play on the air, was famed punk rock pioneers, The Ramones. Both announcers agreed that the group - which, like The Baghdaddios had gotten their start at NYC's Lower East Side institution, C.B.G.B. - was one of their favorite bands.

Figuring that they might appreciate the gestiure, Rowell had CDs custom made for each sportscaster, featuring The Baghdaddios playing either Ramones covers from their live performances or Baghdaddios tunes that paid hoomage to the Ramones' style and their shared NYC indie/punk roots (songs like "Christmas At C.B.G.B.s" or "Welcome To New York"). These discs, along with two copies of the critically acclaimed book, "A Misfit's Manifesto" by celebrated author and rock historian Dr. Donna Gaines (which details much of the early Lower East Side punk scene - including her friendships with each of the individual members of The Ramones) was delivered to both Howie and Gary during the final weekend of play at Shea Stadium, at the conclusion of the 2004 Season.

The audio you hear was the message that was left on Kenn's home answering machine by Howie Rose, thanking him for both the CD and book.

Howie Rose continues to broadcast for both The New York Mets on WFAN and The New York Islanders of the NHL on MSG Plus and WMJC-FM and WHLI as well as having broadcast for Fox NHL Saturday and currently for Fox Saturday Baseball. His signature phrase, heard at the end of every baseball broadcast is "Put it in the books!". Both Kenn and the rest of The Baghdaddios agree that he's a pretty cool guy!

Gary Cohen now does television broadcasts for The Mets on SNY (SportsNet New York) and WPIX. In addition he broadcasts St. John's basketball games as well.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Howie Rose
• NYC
• New York Mets
• WFAN
• MSG Plus
• Gary Cohen
• SNY
• SportsNet New York
• New York Islanders
• NY
• Punk Rock
• College radio DJ
• Lower East Side
• The Baghdaddios
• Kenn Rowell
• The Ramones
• Joey Ramone
• Dee Dee
• Johnny
• CJ
• Tommy
• broadcast
• CBGB
• C.B.G.B.
• modern rock
• alternative
• answering machines messages

[Baghdaddio]

@Baghdaddio As to how Howie ended up calling Kenn - well, Kenn left his number and I guess Howie liked what he heard. Go figure!

[Baghdaddio]

@AngerManagement6969 Kenn heard a radio broadcast one night where both Gary Cohen (who was still in the radio booth back then) and Howie Rose talking about how they got their start in college radio and how they were both big fans of The Ramones - he had The Baghdaddios manager drive out to Shea Stadium with a copy of their CD for both broadcasters, along with a hand-written note. (Incidentally, both drummer Neil Richter and bassist Greg Hart are Yankees season ticket holders. I'm just sayin')!

[AngerManagement6969]

I'm a Yankees fan - but this is still pretty cool! How did you get the announcer for the Mets to listen to your stuff? Better yet, how did you get him to call you?