The Flower Power Hour

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, let's groove into the mellow vibes of "The Flower Power Hour," that cosmic weekly journey hosted by the dynamic duo Ken and MJ Rundel, spinnin' right here on THE ZOO. Man, this show's a real trip back to the golden age of peace, love, and rock 'n' roll, blastin' tunes mostly from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, with a sprinkle of artist interviews, funny bits, and those feel-good stories that make your spirit soar. From what we've gathered from past chats and social buzz, one cool trivia nugget is that every single episode packs in at least one song or quote about peace, keepin' that flower power ethos alive and breathin'. Dig this: in a recent post on their Facebook, they're hypin' up episodes with flashbacks to 1970, droppin' gems from CCR, CSNY, Santana, and even Led Zep, remindin' us all how those riffs united folks under the stars.

Oh, brothers and sisters, let's talk stories – Ken and MJ have chatted with legends like Jon Anderson from Yes, where he spilled the beans on creatin' those epic songs and believin' in heaven right here on earth, sharin' laughs and insights that feel like a warm hug from the universe. In one groovy interview snippet floated on social media, Ziggy Marley opened up about his dad's legacy, Rastafarian vibes, and how music's all about spreadin' that positive energy – "We're here to uplift," he said, echoin' the show's mission to spread peace and love one song at a time. And check this out from an old podcast quote: Wavy Gravy, that iconic hippie soul, brought humor and wisdom to the airwaves, mixin' tales with tracks from Dylan, Baez, and the Dead, makin' listeners chuckle while ponderin' life's big questions. Fans on X are postin' about tunin' in for those mind-blowin' moments, like when Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane shared stories from the Airplane days and his Hot Tuna grooves, includin' live tunes from '65 that transport ya straight to the Summer of Love.

Man, the trivia keeps flowin' – did ya know the show hit its 500th episode with a bang, highlightin' guests like John Lodge, Judy Collins, Dave Mason, and even Leon Hendrix? Ken and MJ reminisced in an interview, sayin', "Our experience is packed into each show to help artists connect with their audiences," turnin' every broadcast into a bridge of harmony. Social media's abuzz with shares of episodes featurin' deep cuts, like a spotlight on Steppenwolf with supports from Deep Purple and Janis Joplin, or that time they saluted Poco with Rare Bird and Hendrix vibes. One fan posted a quote from Leo Lyons of Ten Years After, talkin' Woodstock magic and how the band's energy still resonates, provin' the show's got that timeless spark. It's like a never-endin' love-in, with Ken and MJ weavin' comedy from icons like George Carlin and Tommy Chong, addin' that theater-of-the-mind flair that makes ya feel part of the circle.

Now, let's rewind and shine a light on how these peace-lovin' hosts got their start, folks. Ken Rundel kicked off his radio adventure in the heartland, with early gigs at WVIC in Lansing, Michigan, and W-4 in Detroit, where he honed that smooth style spinnin' records and connectin' with listeners. But the real cosmic alignment happened in the swingin' 70s when he landed at KZEW, that legendary "The Zoo" in Dallas, servin' as program director and rockin' the #1 rated midday show. Man, KZEW was a haven for album rock, and Ken was right there, playin' Simon and Garfunkel's "At The Zoo" on day one, shockin' the squares and welcomin' the freaks to a new era of free-form radio. He interviewed heavyweights like Joan Baez, Steve Miller, and Willie Nelson, buildin' a rep as a voice of the revolution.

Ken's path kept evolvin', hittin' stations like Q-102, KZPS, KOAI, KRBE, and KXCC in Texas, plus the ABC Radio Classic Rock Network where he topped the charts again. Beyond the mic, he's been an attorney, actor, and improv comedian, bringin' all that eclectic energy to "The Flower Power Hour." As for MJ Rundel, she grew up in St. Louis, hooked on KSHE-95's album rock waves, and her artistic talents got her backstage with cats like Cat Stevens, Jon Anderson, and Elton John, craftin' mind-blowin' posters for their gigs. She handled promo for folk singer Melanie, and her broadcastin' journey bloomed in 2006 as co-host on the Ken and MJ Show at Radio Free Phoenix, mergin' her love for art and tunes into pure magic.

Together, since launchin' "The Flower Power Hour" in September 2021, they've syndicated it internationally to nearly 200 stations, producin' up to three episodes a week packed with that intricate vibe. From spots on KSFR and Ridge Radio to their home base, they're all about that flashback feel, mixin' in period comedy and pauses for peace. Recent buzz has 'em featurin' interviews with Jonathan Edwards sharin' influences like Jesse Colin Young, or Manfred Mann's Earth Band takin' center stage with Santana and Dylan sides. It's a celebration produced in the George Carlin Memorial Studio, Bamboo Peace Palace, where every broadcast's a nod to spreadin' color and harmony, thanks to sponsors like Jake’s Tie Dye.

And if you're cravin' more, head over to their official website, official Facebook, and Instagram – all laced with that referrer love. For the full ZOO experience, tune into THE ZOO, where the freaks unite.

So, Zoo Crew and Freaks, keep the petals bloomin' and the records turnin' – "The Flower Power Hour" with Ken and MJ is proof that love's revolution never fades, man. Peace and groovy times!