John Rydgren – Thoughts on the Carols

Description

Thoughts on the Carols is a 10-inch vinyl EP by the American ordained Lutheran minister and radio host, John Rydgren (February 14, 1932 – December 26, 1988), released on Lutheran Records in 1965. Written and narrated by John V. Rydgren. Music arranged by Bob R. Way.

Trivia: The track “What Child Is This?” was sampled in “Nas Is Like” by Nas (1999) and in “Life Is Like” by Robosonic (2014) while the track “Joy to the World” was sampled in “Drop a Bomb” by F.A.B.I.D. (2022).

“The Thoughts on the Carols” are brief radio programs that were produced back in 1965. I recorded the music in Munich, Germany using members of the Munich Symphony and studio musicians. John Rydgren wrote the text and did the narration on the programs. Each program runs for 1 1/2 minutes. The series ran for two years on over 1,000 radio stations. – Robert R. Way

[Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

EP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “The First Noel” – 1:32
A2. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” – 1:35
A3. “It Come Upon A Midnight Clear” – 1:30
A4. “What Child Is This?” – 1:35
A5. “Silent Night” – 1:30

Side Two
B1. “O Little Town Of Betlehem” – 1:35
B2. “Hark! The Angels Sing” – 1:35
B3. “Joy To The World” – 1:34
B4. “While Shepherds Watched” – 1:33
B5. “Angels We Have Heard On High” – 1:35

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OBITUARY

Christian Rock ‘n’ Roll’s John Rydgren
Los Angeles Times
Dec. 29, 1988 12 AM PT

John Rydgren, who created one of the first Christian rock ‘n’ roll radio programs in the country and who has been heard on local airwaves for the last 14 years, died of heart failure Monday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 56.

Rydgren, who was known to his listeners as “Brother John,” was an ordained Lutheran minister who hosted a midday program on KRTH-AM and a Sunday program on KRTH-FM called “Heaven Is in Your Mind.”

“His death has been very devastating to the station. He was a wonderful man,” said KRTH program director Phil Hall.

Rydgren began his radio work in Minneapolis in the mid-1960s, when he began taping a Christian rock ‘n’ roll show called “Silhouette” from a church basement.

The show became so popular that it was nationally syndicated, and he was chosen to direct the American Lutheran Church’s national television, radio and film department, a post that he held from 1962 to 1968. He then went to New York City to become host of ABC radio’s nationally syndicated program, “Love Format.”

He moved to Southern California in 1972, working for KRLA, KOST, KROQ and KMET before moving to KRTH in 1977.

In 1982, he suffered a debilitating stroke while on the air, and physicians predicted that he would never be able to talk again. However, with therapy he overcame his physical impairment and began taping commercials in 1985. The following year he was given his own show again.

Rydgren, who was born in North Dakota and grew up in Seattle, graduated with a divinity degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Washington. He is survived by his wife and three children.