Earl Theodore Pearson, aka Arthur "The Phantom" Pendragon: April 23, 1951 -- March 28, 1999.
THE TALE BEHIND THE INTERVIEW
Contrary to the myth neither Arthur Pendragon nor Jim Morrison made a surprise visit to a “Midwest radio station” to “explain it all.” The mysterious radio station was, in fact, KEYN 104.7 FM in Wichita, Kansas. The “interview” was actually a September 1974 investigation of the album that was part of the weekly specialty block program, “Music Appreciate 104,” hosted by disc jockey Barry Casey. At the time, KEYN AM/FM was owned by Robert Freeman, Lowell Denniston and Frank Carney. By 1980, country music artist Charley Pride, as Long-Pride Broadcasting, owned the station.
The 60-minute, hour-long program, in addition to Barry Casey’s investigations, plays both sides of the Phantom’s Divine Comedy album, uninterrupted in its entirety.
For listener convenience, the album’s replay has been removed from this upload. Also, the interview ends rather abruptly, due to losing segments that were unrecoverable due to tape damage. Considering this program is 45 years old, it’s a minor miracle we have this much to enjoy.
NOTES:
1. Due to copyright claims -- and to be a good steward to the You Tube community -- we've muted the first 22 seconds of this upload, as result of The Doors' "Light My Fire" being used as an introduction to the radio program. This should allow for worldwide viewing-listening. This has been cleared by You Tube, permitted, and is not a copyright strike.
2. Considering the multiple (non-profit) uploads of the Phantom's Divine Comedy album by numerous accounts -- with no copyright issues rising and allowed by Capital Records and its related distribution entities, even with its now official digital You Tube, Spotify, etc., uploads -- there should be no problems. However, to that end, the album, which was tracked during this program, has been removed.
3. While the KEYN call letters still exist, they've gone through multiple ownership, as well as frequency changes; thus, there is no official "owner" to the materials that can be traced at this time. However, if any questions or issues regarding this (not-for-profit) upload -- created for the enjoyment of Ted "The Phantom" Pearson's fans -- please contact us and the necessary adjustments to access can be made.
Let us simply honor Ted without incident . . . he'll be dead (by suicide) 25 years ago on March 28, 2024. His lone album, Phantom's Divine Comedy, has its 50th anniversary this March 2024 -- and is more loved today than it was on its release -- and still being discovered from the first time.
CREDITS AND DISCLAIMERS:
Phantom photo from Phantom's Divine Comedy: Part 1, 1973 by Tom Weschler. Photo manipulation for video by R.D Francis.
The first 25 seconds of The Doors "Light My Fire" owned by copyright owners WMG on behalf of Rhino Elektra. Noted and cleared by You Tube. It is not a copyright strike. This video--and NONE of the videos on this page is monetized. My thanks to those allowing the use of the song so that this historic, 40-year program/recording can be enjoyed by the worldwide phans of the Phantom--Arthur Pendragon.