All I know is I got such good responses when I ran that song down to the deejay who was on the air, a guy by the name of Denny Sanders, and I said, “Denny, you gotta listen to this.” And he put it on the turntable. Because you don't realize at the time that this is going to be a significant event. Did I remember the exact day when I got the record? No. ![]() Now, did I know I was going to be friends with them for 45 years? No. Yes, I'm working all the time.” That absolutely was going to resonate with the audience. Cleveland at that time was a factory town. And it was “Working Man.” And immediately, I knew that song would resonate with the audience. So, I put the needle down on the longest cut that I could find. But, I hear something and you and I have talked many times about music. We just don't think they're ready for primetime. ![]() So anyway, Bob Roper sends me this album and I look at it and I'm like, “Hmm not the most professional thing I've ever seen, but who knows what's inside of it?” And it comes with a note basically saying, “Our label, A&M of Canada, we're not signing these guys. And, when I was there, I made a lot of friends with record promoters all over everywhere, including in Canada, because I always liked Canadian music. My career got started in Cambridge at a little station that is no longer there, WCAS. But in this case, it was sent to me from a record company up in Canada and a friend of mine named Bob Roper. I would get home-grown albums all the time. It was sort of a really weird shade of red and it really did look like a loving hands-at-home production. There was a home-grown record with the most bizarre cover I've ever seen. First of all, I was sent the entire album. You were sent a promo copy of Rush's song “Working Man.” Now, do you remember how that song resonated with you when you first put it on the turntable?ĭonna Halper: I do, indeed. ![]() Henry Santoro: In 1974, you were a deejay at WMMS in Cleveland. The interview below has been edited for clarity. Halper joined WGBH News’ Henry Santoro to share stories about her friendship with Peart and the band. In the case of Rush, that person is Donna Halper, born in Dorchester and now an associate professor of communications and media studies at Lesley University. When it came to bands both big and small, someone has to have been the first to play them on the radio. Peart was the drummer and main lyricist for the Canadian rock band Rush. Left to right: WMMS deejay Matt the Cat, Neil Peart, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Donna Halper, WMM program director John Gorman, and Mercury Records promotion representative Don George. Remembering Rush Drummer Neil Peart With The Boston Woman Who First Played Them On The Radioīy Henry Santoro and Marilyn Schairer | Febru| WDBHĭonna Halper with Rush in 1974.
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