History of the Lou - NewsRadio 1120 KMOX

St. Louis native Dennis Brown has some great stories. A former theater critic for The Riverfront Times, he has had a very interesting career himself, working on "Murder She Wrote" among other things! Brown has written a new book entitled, "Stage Page", and he joins Sue to talk about it, his intriguing career, and St. Louis theater. Oh, and Gregory Peck.

Did you know that Rawlings has been a St. Louis company since 1887? Oh, yes. It is in Maryland Heights today. Author Ed Wheatley is back, this time talking about his new book about Rawlings, the history of baseball gloves, and some iconic players who used them. The book is entitled, "The Finest in the Field" A History of Baseball Through 50 Iconic Gloves" with a forward by Johnny Bench. What were the first gloves like, and how did they come to be what they are today? What was Ozzie Smith's first glove? What a great story. Listen and find out!

Yep. He did a show here near the Central Library building downtown in 1893, in association with the National Electric Light Association convention that was in town. People crowded into the building at Locust and Olive, and tickets were being scalped outside for crazy amounts of money. Fast forward to today...two local brothers, Mark and John Rogers have written an original rock opera called "Nikola Tesla Light It Up" about Tesla's amazing life. They join Sue to talk about Tesla himself, his show in St. Louis, and why it was his last one.

2026 marks the 150th anniversary of the amazing Forest Park. Co-authors of the new book, "Forest Park - St. Louis' Gathering Place Since 1876" Amanda Doyle and Cameron Collins join Sue for a discussion about the beginnings of the park (it was originally supposed to be 3000 acres) and the changes it has undergone in the last century and a half. There's even a story involving a camel!

Every Memorial Day weekend, The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church on Des Peres Road hosts its annual Greek Fest. Long-time member Tony Theranos stops by to talk with Sue about not only the festival itself, but also his own family's story, beginning with his father coming over from Greece in 1917 and eventually settling in St. Louis. Find out the purpose of Greek Fest, and why it is held on Memorial Day Weekend. If you're headed to the event, you can find more at stlgreekfest.com.

St. Louisan and independent journalist Jack Grone joins Sue to talk about the last 40 years of print (and other media) in St. Louis. Jack's journalism background is interesting in and of itself, and he and Sue went to high school together in Kirkwood, MO. Remember the St. Louis Sun? What happened to it? How were the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the St. Louis Globe-Democrat intertwined for awhile? Tune in and find out!

The Mother Road turns 100 this year, and the Missouri History Museum is putting on an impressive celebration. Join Public Historian Andrew Wanko as he talks to Sue about the history of Rt. 66, and what you can see locally and in Missouri if you decide to drive it yourself. Wanko co-directed an Emmy-winning documentary entitled, "Show Me 66: Main Street through Missouri" for Route 66's 90th anniversary, and it will be shown during this year's celebration. For more information and a schedule of events, go to mohistory.org/museum.

This week, City SC broadcaster and first-time author Joey Zanaboni joins Sue to talk about his book, "St. Louis Sports for Kids...Forever Lore in the 314". It's really a book for adults, too, covering 20 different sports and their histories in St. Louis. Relive some of the greatest sporting events tied to St. Louis, and some of the amazing athletes who were involved. To whom did Joey sell his first book? It's a great story...listen and find out!

When Scott Joplin lived in Sedalia before moving to St. Louis, he met Will and then John Stark, with whom he worked out a deal to publish his music. John Hancock, of Hancock and Kelly on KMOX is also a Scott Joplin expert (and pianist) who recently met Kyle Stark, a descendant of John Stark and they came in to tell the history of the collaboration. Amazing! Both Stark Publishing and Scott Joplin ended up in St. Louis, and Stark published 72 pieces by Mr. Joplin. What a story.

For the history of Normandy in St. Louis County, a listener led Sue to Terry Gannon... a long-time Normandy resident and historian. Gannon explains not only the history (think 1800's and the Louisiana Purchase) of the city, but explains where names like Lucas and Hunt came from, and the origins of its FIVE golf courses. She also talks about the beautiful homes in Normandy and when UMSL came along.