Kenny Weissberg: Producer/Talent Buyer for Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay (1984-2006), Radio DJ, Music Critic, Rock ‘n’ Roll Singer, Author, Musicologist

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ken weissberg photoThis week, Richard and Joe get their groove on with Kenny Weissberg. Kenny has worn nearly every hat in the music industry: radio disc jockey, music journalist, rock ‘n’ roll singer, bandleader and concert promoter. A lifelong music junkie, Kenny has lived all his childhood dreams, following the music throughout his entire career (except for one endless day working in a granola factory).

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Kenny moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1971, quickly becoming an integral part of the music and media communities. He was a morning DJ/talk show host at KRNW from 1971-1977 and an original staff member/on-air personality at KBCO and KGNU. Kenny was the first-ever rock critic for the Boulder Daily Camera and wrote nearly 1,000 freelance articles for 17 publications (including the Denver Post, Creem, Rocky Mountain Magazine, Zoo World, and Cake Eaters). He was lead singer/guitarist for Kenny & The Kritix from 1980-1983 and the subject of two public television documentaries about a music critic taking center stage as a performer.

Humphreys concerts by the bay photoKenny moved to San Diego in 1984 to take the reins of the fledgling Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay series. Under his guidance for the next 23 years, Humphrey’s has become iconic in San Diego and is internationally acclaimed. As an aside, the late, KFMB popular media figure, Larry Himmel named his son, Miles (pictured below at far right) after Miles Davis, the first concert that Kenny booked at Humphrey’s. Kenny also created/hosted the award-winning radio show Music Without Boundaries on five San Diego stations from 1993-2007.

Off My Rocker Book CoverIn his memoir, “Off My Rocker: One man’s tasty, twisted, star-studded quest for everlasting music”, Kenny presents a rollicking backstage look at the joys and painful realities of a life devoted to music. Surrounded by an all-star cast, he shares uncensored stories about James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Leonard Cohen, Miles Davis, Elvis Costello, and countless other showbiz legends. Equal parts love story and spicy confessional, this book will take you on an unforgettable ride through six decades of pop culture.

Kenny currently lives in San Diego with his wife, artist Helen Redman.

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kenny weissberg in studio photo

Joe Vecchio, Kenny Weissberg and Richard Muscio

Joe Vecchio Kenny Weissberg and Miles Himmel photo

Joe Vecchio, Kenny Weissberg and Miles Himmel