Boston's Original Rock Radio: WBCN Documentary in the Works

It’s been years since the eponymous WBCN radio graced the airwaves but its legacy has not been forgotten. During the golden era of underground stations, WBCN was belting out its message of revolution during the civil rights times of 1968 to 1974. Keeping the nostalgia alive, curator Bill Lichtenstein has compiled a vast library of archival footage for a new documentary film about the station and the time it affected. “We’ve received more than 50,000 pieces of memorabilia, donated by people across the country…we’re counting on this nationwide enthusiasm — from both those who were there and from young people inspired by what WBCN meant,” Lichtenstein said. Like many other artists today, Bill has taken to the internet with a call to arms. The project will be funded by those who care about it most on Kickstarter.com

Even famed Boston Red Sox pitcher, Bill “Spaceman” Lee has signed on to help the project in its homerun stretch before its Monday, December 19th deadline. Earlier today he sent out this blast:

A Special Message from former Red Sox pitcher Bill Lee about the www.KickstartWBCN.com campaign for "The American Revolution."
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Attention! This is Bill "Spaceman" Lee.

I like to think I played baseball for all the right reasons. Some people laughed, but I believe in the power of baseball to change the world.

When I played for the Red Sox, I was a 'BCN listener and we knew that together we were helping to change our world.

We're now in the late innings of the campaign to fund "The American Revolution," the documentary that tells the story of a very special era in American history. It's time to put this one in the WIN column.

Here's what I'm going to do:

*For every one of you who have thought, "I can clock a Bill Lee fastball," here's your chance: The first 24 people who sign up for $104 each at www.KickstartWBCN.com will play in a pickup game with me somewhere in the Boston area, at a date and field to be determined.

*The first six of you who pledge $250 each at www.KickstartWBCN.com can join me for dinner at a Boston restaurant that doesn't suck, at a date in 2012 TBD.

*For a $104 pledge right now at www.KickstartWBCN.com I'll send you an autographed MLB-approved wooden bat, made for me by the AC Bat Company in Fall River.

Let's do it!

Bill Lee

With the inception of the Occupy Wall Street movement the WBCN spirit has been reignited with social media. The American Revolution (www.theamericanrevolution.fm) will debut in Fall 2012 at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. Lichtenstein is hopeful, “The American Revolution reveals what happens when people unite to demand change. The Kickstarter campaign is a wonderful parallel to the grassroots efforts of those days.” Come out and support local film and a radio station that gave a voice to Boston’s revolution.

More information at kickstartWBCN.com and theamericanrevolution.fm