Dale Anderson's Gusto stories

  Another unexpected encounter with my imaginary friend.   Dec. 2, 1977               I was standing in the check-out line of my friendly neighborhood record store when suddenly from behind a display of Debby Boone albums came a familiar sound. It was a deep, mellifluous, school-of-broadcasting voice imitating Steve Martin: “Ex-CUUUUUSE me. I’ve got a little gadget here that no record lover should be without.”           It was Jethro T. Megahertz, the legendary media wizard, all spiffed up in a white suit and tie. In his hand was a device that resembled a tricorder from the old “Star Trek” TV show. It blinked its lights and issued a stream of digital and alphabetical reports.           “Megahertz, you scoundrel,” I accosted him. “I thought you retired to a quiet life of listening to public radio stations. How come you’re out peddling friendly technology? Does the Better Business Bureau know about this?”           “Trust me,” Megahertz deadpanned. “Would I steer you wrong? Thi

  A legendary Buffalo power trio makes a major transition.   Dec. 2, 1977  Talas Gears Up for Big Time             The parking lot wouldn’t have been any fuller if they’d been giving away free snowblowers at the discount department store next door. Talas, Buffalo ’s reigning rock copy band for the past few years, had regrouped and fans had come from far and wide to check out the new lineup.           There hadn’t been much time to put it together. Two weeks of practice and a warm-up week at the Gasworks in Toronto . Ready or not, they faced their local premiere on a night the old Talas made its own – Monday at He & She’s, the vast rock music arcade in Fun & Games Park in Tonawanda . To top it all off, the group’s new set of original songs would be broadcast live over WBUF-FM.           Originals were what held the old Talas back. They didn’t have any, to speak of. On more than one occasion, that fact foreclosed their chances of getting a contract with a record lab