A Piece Of Heavy Metal History Passed On [VIDEO]

I  have only been in radio for 5 years and I have already built up a pretty impressive rock and roll memorabilia collection. I have no shame when it comes to meeting the rock stars and having them sign whatever I got. Now imagine being in radio as long as Wes Nessman and Mike Driver have been, combined over 50 years experience, just imagine what they have laying around.

One thing that I love to do is get Nessman or Driver to talk about the days of the past and for the record, they don't do it very often. I guess you have to catch em in right state of mind and by that I mean, a little alcohol and they will loosen up.

Anyways like I said I have acquired some really cool merch from rock and roll just over 5 years. When you look at Wes Nessman and Mike Driver, they were there through the 80's, 90's and the 2000's and today.

Now lets look at being in radio in the 80's. You had bands that were trying to make it and bands that were trying to establish themselves in a changing music industry. Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Quiet Riot, Metallica and that is just a taste of what they have been a part of. How about the 90's, bands like Nirvana, Pantera, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains. The 2000's Disturbed, Drowning Pool (Dave Williams) and Papa Roach. I mean they lived through it and were with these bands. Are you kidding me? Guys like Driver and Nessman aren't around anymore in radio.

It is really cool that not only do have one but we have 2 DJ's that have devoted their life to radio.

I could go on and on about what they have achieved in the radio world, but the entire point is they have some of the coolest rock and roll memorabilia in the world.

Nessman first told about his Quiet Riot autographed mask a few years back. I just could believe such a thing existed. I mean its Quiet Riot, the first heavy metal band to sell a million copies for "Metal Health." Not only did Quiet Riot bring metal to a new level but they inspired many more bands and opened the door for metal.

When I asked to see the mask, Nessman said, I don't know where its at probably in a box somewhere. I almost fell down, what do you mean its in a box? But you got to understand that after gathering memorabilia for 25 years you just flat run out of room. But still I kept telling him let me have it, I'll display it keep it forever. And last night after a late run to his house, he finally coughed it up. I was shocked I couldn't believe that I finally had it. Anyways the point to all this is, what passed on to me is a piece of rock and roll history. There were probably only 300 of these made and were passed out to radio stations. 30 years later there is no telling how many are left in the world. A piece of rock and roll history from Quiet Riot the first heavy metal band to sell a million albums. I will have it proudly displayed at my house!

Now let's not forget Mike Driver, he is just as bad, right now in his desk covered up with other CD's he has a Ronnie James Dio autographed CD. I shake my head.

To wrap this up, I want to say to fans of Lubbock's Rock Station we are very lucky to have Wes Nessman, and Mike Driver right here in Lubbock. They have seen things, been a part of, and thrown down with bands that we can now only dream of. Every partied with Iron Maiden, toured with Metallica, got in a fight with Kiss..... no? Well that's just a taste of those to knuckleheads have been a part of. Because that's what they have acquired pieces of rock and roll history.