Vin Scelsa's Idiot's Delight - A History

Pat Conroy was a rare writer, both a critical and popular success. He wrote The Water Is Wide, The Lords Of Discipline, The Great Santini and The Prince Of Tides among many other titles. His 1995 appearance on Idiot's Delight came a week before the publication of the novel Beach Music. His visit with Vin was the first stop on a nationwide book tour. Months later he left an unsolicited tongue-in-cheek late-night message on Producer Kara Manning's voicemail, condemning us for ruining the rest of the tour; he had had such a rewarding experience on ID that every other stop on the tour was a huge disappointment by comparison. That reaction, and the interview which inspired it, is one of Vin's proudest accomplishments.

Jeff Buckley never knew his father Tim Buckley, the influential 60s-70s songwriter vocalist, yet their lives shared many similar aspects. During the early 1990's Jeff was a ubiquitous fixture on NYC’s downtown music scene; his legend grew with each appearance at clubs like Sin-e. He released his 1994 debut studio album Grace to rave critical and fan success. “Jeff was extremely talented; his musical vision was astounding,” says Vin about Jeff’s appearance as the “final Idiot” guest of the year on ID on December 17th, 1995. “He was warm, humorous, gentle and real. His accidental death in the Spring of 1997, drowning at age 30 in the Mississippi River in Memphis at what was still the beginning of his promising career, saddens me still,” says Vin. “There was no one who came close to this visionary, explorative, genre-busting creator of intimate yet powerful music.” Jeff played deejay during his visit with Vin and performed two songs live, including a song he was still working on - a gutsy and revealing look into the creative process.

Songwriter and performance artist Laurie Anderson visited Idiot's Delight late one Sunday night after a concert appearance in NYC. Vin says, “This was a real intimate late night/early morning conversation that included talk about John Cage, Tupperware, and silence.“ Originally broadcast live on April, 9th, 1995 on WXRK (K-Rock)

Vin's interview with Joan Baez from January 31, 1993 - right at the beginning of Bill Clinton’s first presidential term. Joan Baez was 52 years old and entering a new phase in her already decades-long career at the top of the American folk music world. “Play Me Backwards” - her 21st solo album - is featured during this appearance on Vin Scelsa’s New York radio program Idiot’s Delight, highlighted by live performances and warm conversation. Joan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 and has since ended her six decade long performance career.

Vin’s interview with country music legend Ray Price from June 11th, 2000 on WNEW, during one of the few appearances Ray ever made as a solo artist in New York. In which Vin and Ray discuss Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, and Ray’s role in the history of country music, as one of the key figures who took it from honkytonk to pop.

Vin talks about being on WNEW the night that John Lennon died

Part 2 of Vin's time at WNEW, chronicling the years that Vin received a series of mysterious letters from the legends known only as T-Shirt and Razoo Kelley. How the phenomenon grew, and how no one will believe Vin that he didn't write the letters himself.

Vin's journey to WNEW in the 70's, including unemployment and a misguided stopover in Long Island. Dave Herman, Scott Muni, Alison Steele, and WNEW's brief moment with an all-female DJ lineup.

An interview that Vin did with the legendary singer, songwriter and activist Odetta, originally broadcast on "Idiots' Delight" on WNEW-FM in 2000

Kate has Vin and Freddie sixties-splain their relationship to the history of activism and protest in this country and all three Scelsas try to figure out if the world is ending. Vin only embarrasses Kate once. Kate says "like" too much when she gets really riled up. Try not to let it distract you from the deep insights coming at you fast and furious.