WXPN Radio

The premier guide for new and significant artists in rock, blues, and folk - including NPR-syndicated World Cafe

XPN2 - XPoNential Radio

24/7 Musical discovery. A unique mix of emerging and heritage blues, rock, world, folk, and alt-country artists.

World Cafe Archives

Join the World Cafe through performances and interviews with celebrated and emerging artists.
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Born & Raised

Philly-bred, thru and thru!

First Record Purchased

The first record I remember purchasing with my own funds was Aladdin Sane by the one-n-only Bowie!

First Cassette Owned

Honestly, the first cassettes I remember owning were blank, and I recorded a mix of my 45s from the late 70s and early 80s to carry around in my Walkman.

First Concert

Robert Hazard at the Hot Club

Favorite Bands/Artists

This changes with the weather, but I've always had a soft spot for Klaus Nomi, Electric Light Orchestra, Kraftwerk, Nina Simone, and Queen.

Favorite Local Bands

I continue to love and support Bunnydrums – and I have a special place in my heart for The Vels!

Favorite Movie and/or Book

My favorite movie is Wings of Desire by Wim Wenders, a true classic. Also in my top ten is another Wenders flick, Until The End Of The World, which has a great soundtrack!

Musician You Were Most Excited To Meet

The most memorable meeting for me was years back when I got to meet Edith Massey (of John Waters fame) at the legendary East Side Club – she was on her "Big Girls Don't Cry" tour... she even taught me how to cheat at cards while backstage!

Favorite People

The fans of Land of the Lost and Kids Corner, naturally!

Bands He's Played In

I played (?) keyboards in a punk/new wave band called The Accidentals – it was an accident that we even formed as a band, quite frankly.

How You Got Into Radio

Volunteering – it's the key to every good path in life!

More Things You Don't Know About Robert

Well, if I tell you, then you will know them! But here is one thing you might not know. I never learned how to drive!!

I am proud to have called WXPN home for 28+ years! Before that I was the General Manager for Au Courant Newsmagazine in Philadelphia (82-86) and also did some volunteer work for XPN in the early 80s with the late, great Lee Paris and "Yesterday"s Now Music Today"!

More in this category: « John Vettese