We’re all deeply saddened by the loss of our friend Rod Misey on April 27th. Rod was known and loved as Baltimore’s own music expert and local scene supporter. He deejayed for both WCVT-FM, Towson University and later WVUD-FM, University of Delaware. He loved punk, psychedelic and other cutting-edge forms of music and constantly supported local bands. He enjoyed playing their records on air and often interviewed the groups during live broadcasts. And, of course, he was a fixture in Baltimore’s live music scene.

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Rod was also one of the most genuine, kind, unpretentious and sincere persons I have ever known. Rod was not a social climber. He was the real deal, good natured, generous to a fault and funny as hell. If you needed a hand with anything, Rod was always there to assist you. Rod was incredibly smart and had an encyclopedic knowledge of music. (Many of his friends may not know that Rod earned a degree in accounting from the University of Baltimore, years after graduating from Towson U).

  

I was introduced to Rod by mutual friend Randy Gray in 1978 at an Oddfellows Hall (Towson) punk show. Rod and I immediately bonded, both being huge fans of ‘60s psychedelic music. In the summer of 1979, Rod began his legendary run of Annual Psychedelic Music radio specials. I was fortunate to co-host about three decades’ worth of those shows with Rod. We would hold listening sessions and plan them out in advance in great detail. The shows became mostly all-nighters and we had the ritual well worked out. We’d jam our personal vinyl (and later CD) collections into our cars and meet, usually, at the Pappy’s Restaurant on Taylor Avenue in Parkville. There, we would dine and begin the necessary infusion of caffeine. Besides my own records, I would bring along my coffee maker, cups, and creamer. Staying awake was essential. We’d enjoy getting calls throughout the night from friends and casual listeners. Some of those listeners became our friends, too.

 

I’ve posted a few of Rod’s interviews below. The non-studio interview featured the 60’s group the Association. Rod interviewed Jules Alexander and Terry Kirkman of the group in the summer of 1983 at Baltimore’s Pier Six Pavillion. So far I’ve tracked down interviews with Da Moronics and Pooba. If anyone has other interviews, let me know and I will try to get them posted.

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Thanks for the great music and incredible friendship, Rod!