3_dog_night.JPG
Three Dog Night appeared Saturday night at a Virginia Mason charity auction hosted by John Curley. (AP Photo/File)

Foot in mouth: How John Curley offended a big rock band

BY Josh Kerns  on May 15, 2012 @ 4:19 pm (Updated: 11:20 am - 10/3/12 )

Last weekend was one of those typical charity auctions 97.3 KIRO FM host John Curley works as an auctioneer. During a break in the action, it didn't take him long to offend the evening's entertainment.

Curley says he didn't know who the band was, until he saw the set list. Among the songs: "Joy to the World," "Mama Told Me Not To Come," and "Shambala."

"And I'm like 'Oh my god! That's every song from my past!'"

The band was Three Dog Night, chart toppers from the 60's and 70's. But rather than compliment them, it was mere moments before Curley managed to offend them.

"I said 'I saw your set list. Does it make you feel sad that you just had to keep playing the same songs over and over again?'"

Rather than tell Curley off, the musician told him the hard truth about why the band is still going after all these years.

"He said 'There's people that work in an office every single day and do the exact same thing over and over, staple stuff and collate and stuff like that.'"

While Curley insisted making art is different than making copies, the guy contended it wasn't.

"We want these movie stars and musicians and stuff not to age but at the same time we don't want them to keep doing the same exact thing. I always find it kind of sad when it's like 'for a limited time only' whatever group it is playing the Emerald Queen Casino," Curley says.

Curley admits he tried sucking up to the guy and making things better by giving him some mumbo-jumbo about sentimentality and all that.

"He's right, because if they got up there and said 'Here's something from our new album,' people would be heading for the doors. And these songs and these albums mean something to everybody that listens to it."

While Curley isn't sure if he made things any better, he at least showed a tiny bit of restraint, (tiny being the operative word.) "I didn't ask him 'Why are you giving wine to a bullfrog?'"

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
More Local News
Top Stories

  • More to the Story
    Liberace's ex-lover says the world will hear more of his story, and Michael Jackson's in there

  • 'I Am A God'
    Critics say Kanye West's album will change music forever

  • A Skeptic's Doubts
    An ESPN columnist doubts Russell Wilson will ever be elite
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (14)


  • Add A Comment

  • artimus wrote...
    uh, my BS alarm is going off
    May 15, 2012 9:08 pm
    I have a hard time beliefing that even a tool like Curley would say something at tactless as that. Besides, maybe I'm missing something but hasn't John been slinging the same hackneyed schtick for quite a few years? What's the diff?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • artimus wrote...
    I don't buy it
    May 15, 2012 9:13 pm
    Even an idiot like Curley wouldn't say something as tactless as that. Besides, hasn’t John been spewing the same tired routine for quite a few years now? What's the diff?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    They are Canadian.
    May 15, 2012 9:18 pm
    Most likely they didn't understand.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    The Drummer is from Canada
    May 16, 2012 5:41 am
    Maybe he was the one complaining.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Seattle_CPA wrote...
    You have to grow
    May 16, 2012 7:44 am
    John has a good point. Artists need to grow. But, you also have to pay the rent.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Don of the dead wrote...
    Really?
    May 16, 2012 8:01 am
    Don't know who three dog night is? What rock did you crawl out from under? Hey John there's a band called B.T.O. and they are from Canada Newton. And you work on radio? come on John get with it
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Brad A wrote...
    John, You should be ashamed
    May 16, 2012 8:24 am
    Have you ever seen a Paul Mccartney concert? He plays Beatle songs mixed with songs from Wings and some solo stuff from the PAST. When he mixes in new stuff (yawn,yawn,yawn) people fall asleep because it just isn't very good. Keep your stupid comments to yourself and give these rock legends the credit they deserve.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • irony wrote...
    it's fine....
    May 16, 2012 9:50 am
    even though i loved it growing up, i'd say you guys don't look a day over 60..
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Nervoso wrote...
    John Curley
    May 16, 2012 10:22 am
    is a numb skull, I have to change the station when his show is on.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Steve Dallas wrote...
    For everyone complaining about Curley...
    May 16, 2012 11:24 am
    At least he isn't Bill Radke...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cdbtx wrote...
    Seriously
    May 16, 2012 12:45 pm
    I've often wonder the same thing.. How can a band continue to play the same songs for 30 years?

    And there's simply something not too appealing about watching a band trying to rock out... at the lead guitaris is trying to jump up.. his face and belly is going the opposite direction....

    Graceful retirement..

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }