Subscribe Feed (RSS)Yes, don’t forget the Schonz is calling the third quarter tonight (as well as singing the national anthem). Bring that radio to the game, if you’re going and if not, make sure you’re listening on 95.5 The Game.
It’s been a long time since he’s done a game and a few weeks ago he expressed a little concern to me that he was worried about how well he would do.
As we all know, it doesn’t matter. Just get on there and do it, Schonz. It’s just the act of doing it that matters. One more chance for us all to hear that great voice again and with that, relive some warm and wonderful memories. It’s going to sound great, I’m sure.
What we’re going to do on this site is something I’ve never tried. I’d like to keep a thread open tonight for your comments during the broadcast. We’ll do it right here after this post. In the comments section, let us know what you’re thinking about as you listen to that third quarter. Let’s hear your reaction to Schonz’s play by play and whatever memories it sparks.
So for right now, comment as you wish about Bill — and he reads this blog, I know. Some of you have probably never heard him do a game, having been too young or living in another city while he was the team’s broadcaster. I’d love to hear your reaction, too. And when that third quarter rolls around, let’s hear your thoughts, OK?
Finally one more chance to hear a “lookity brindle up the middle” and a “He climbed the golden ladder” Obviously sayings that were never as popular as his catch phrase, but to those of us that grew up listening to the Schonz we will never forget!
(PS- hopefully we don’t need to hear “You gotta make your free throws”!)
My favorite Schonzisms (paraphrasing): “Wherever you may be on this great night, oh my what a terrible call, Rip City!! Good night to all, and to all a good night.” He spent some time with us up in Seattle, too.
Wasn’t his signoff actually:
“Wherever you may be on the Blazer satellite radio network – Goodnight eeeeeerverybody.”
It’s been a few years so maybe I’m off.
One of the biggest blunders in Blazer history was showing Bill Schonely to the door. There was no more comforting feeling than listening to Bill call a game on a dark rainy evening while driving a lonely road. Bill was simply the best!
Why did he get forced out? And, do you know why Eddie Doucette got forced out?
Hey Schonz! Didn’t mean to make it sound like a eulogy. BTW, I was the guy who made the sign for “Bill Schonley’s Corner” in the lounge at Johns Meat Market. I worked with Roberto. Break a leg!!
I can still see the little white plastic radio that I used to listen to him on. One of the great radio voices ever.
The shock was meeting him and hearing the voice in person. Pipes from God.
I’ll definitely be listening tonight. You know, I should dig out my old 70s era Blazer t-shirt. The game isn’t for another 9 hours. That’s just about enough time to find it.
Since Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl (and a host of other unfortunate moments), most radio (and TV) stations operate on a 5 to 8-second delay to avoid FCC confrontations. I believe that is why they broadcast the games in the RG on another FM frequency, in real time on a low-wattage repeater so people can still enjoy the more in depth coverage. Can’t say what the setup is for the Memorial Coliseum (maybe the signal covers both venues). Unless The Game drops the delay it would be frustrating to listen to it *late,* so look or listen for the alternate frequency if necessary. Maybe someone from The Game can enlighten us. On another note, delays have just about wrecked bringing a radio to an NFL game or MLB game. Some stadiums (San Francisco) now turn it into a revenue stream by “renting” in-house receivers where you can listen in real time. they tout the fact there is “no delay.” An easy way to get us to shell out more bucks?
I’ve never been more nervous to speak to someone than when I met Bill Schonely.
I’ll never forget being a kid listening to the Schonz do play by play. My Dad would explain all the catch phrases. Even today when the Blazers score a big bucket, we yell Rip City. It’s hard to describe the emotions I’ll be feeling when I hear his call tonight.
You’re a legend, Bill! I can’t WAIT to hear that first Rip City!!
I think that some fans will have tears in their ears, full of nostalgia, and a throwback to some great times. Not only the 1976-77 championship, but the 1989-1992 contending times.
Simply the best pipes and best personality of a PXP guy, ever, obviously in PDX history. I’ve said it too many times, but I’ll say it again: the worst decision the Blazers ever made was naturally made during Paul Allen’s watch. It wasn’t letting go of Moses Malone, it wasn’t drafting Bowie, and it wasn’t ignoring Bob McAdoo in favor of LaRue Martin (though it must’ve been fun for PDX fans, during those rare times when Martin scored, to exclaim, “Two for LaRue!”)–the worst decision, of course, was to jettison Schonely, who was only the Harry Caray or Vin Scully of the Blazers…Schonz was simply the best. I’m biased, but there is no way on God’s green earth that there has ever, ever been a greater NBA PXP guy–maybe even the best in any sport–plus, you gotta love how he bled scarlet and black!
Dwight,
Will it be online? For the last few games the radio broadcast hasn’t been streamed online, but it seems like if there should be an exception for any game, it should be this one.
the first time i heard shonz was during the first regular season game. i took my radio that night thinking it was gonna be totally sold out. there were about 5000. but i tuned the radio in during the game and the first thing i heard was ” good evening basketball fans where ever you may be and welcome to nba basketball around the pacific northwest and the trailblazer radio network.” i was hooked! over the years i grew to love the schonz. even the great bill sharman in an interview said that bill schonley was the best basketball play by play man ever. i agree. and i am appaled that this man whose voice is and was WORLD famous is not in the HOF because he dosent have enough votes! he has been on the ballot for 5 years now and still dosent have enough votes?! lets get the schonz in the hall where he belongs. have a great night tonight schonz and god bless and thank you for bringing “rip city” to lowly portland oregon. this city is forever in your debt and if you don’t know it already, you are a legend in your own time. can hardly wait to hear those pipes once again.
oh, and let the schonz do the opening of the broadcast, please. after it is an historic opening that almost everyone over the age of 40 knows and remembers all around the world.
one thing i will add is this, it was a very sad day indeed when shonz was retired but i will say that the hiring of wheels to take over was one of the best decesions that the club ever made. although skeptical at first i have to say that right now… from 1998 on there is no better pxp man working than brian wheeler. this game tonight will be a treat indeed being able to listen to 2 of the best pxp men to ever call a game!…and then there’s tone and rice…oh boy!
Bill is my favorite Blazer of all-time. I flipped for Petrie’s skills; got to know Wicks personally; admired Walton, Lucas, Clyde, Terry, Buck, Duck and Jerome, too. Mychal was my favorite ‘personality’ and I like Kermit, the man.
But the guy who is in my marrow, deep down, is the Schonz. Sure it’s the intimacy of radio, but the adventures he and I had! My job took my over the ‘blue’ highways of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Schonz and the Blazers Radio Network allowed me to rarely miss a beat. I remember crawling (driving) over 5″ thick ice in the Gorge late at night to get home from ID and there was Schonz. Schonz = home. When I had my cabin in the Cascades near Zig Zag, KEX’s signal somehow skipped over that area, so I listened to the Schonz on the Warm Springs radio station. And one night in Caldwell, ID Schonz came roarin’ in as if I was standing under the radio tower in SE Portland. Anchorage to Anahiem is no lie! Schonz was not only the beacon, he was the compass for home. Think of an earlier time when family and Thanksgiving meant so much to you. I add Bill to that list of ‘comforts’.
I grew up on the schonz. We listened to every game-somewhere in my parent’s house there’s probably a huge stack of papers on which my dad kept score of every game while listening to the radio. I remember leaping around the kitchen listening to Schonz’s call of Billy Ray Bates’ alley-oop off an inbounds pass from half-court at the buzzer to win a game.
Heard a few old clips on 95.5 this morning-including an epic call of 3 pointer by Drexler late in Game 7 of the 1990 WCF. Just an emphatic “Yes!!! Rip City!!!, but I was pumping my fist in the car like it was live. I’ll definitely be listening tonight one more time to the legend.
CT, I sometimes break out that video tape (video tape!) of Return to Rip City, and I know exactly what play you’re talking about! Just before that, there’s a snippet catching Dwight and Kerry at the press table. That’s what was so wierd about Clyde: he’s normally a blah three-point shooter early in games and in blowouts, but in the clutch, especially when the Blazers trailed by three, Clyde was often quite deadly! Incidentally, that same video tape has this Rip City Raphsody on it.
KRK-I’m jealous that you have that tape! I had never actually heard that call before-I was stuck at work that day, but fortunately the supervisor had a TV in his office, which got very crowded as the game wore on. I wore out a cassette tape I had with Bust a Bucket on one side and Blazers are in the House on the other.
It’s actually kind of funny that I still have cassette tapes! Most people have transitioned to DVD DVRs, but I’m in some ways a stiff who still video tapes programs, which is why I still have a VCR! Strangely too, I think that I bought that tape in 1997; they must have been clearing stuff out at Blazers on Broadway. I’m going to see if somebody put anything from that on Youtube (somebody put Rip City Raphsody on it, I know).
Amen to all of above.
Dwight not sure where you posted that story about how little we could see on TV, one baseball game/week a few years ago, etc, But that made the Schonz even more important
Rollie Truitt was a similar thing for the Beavers, though not near as big.
I’m not as old as many of the Schonz admirers, but was still old enough to have vivid memories of laying on my living room floor listening to him call games.
I was in junior high when Schonz was unjustly forced out by the organization… I listened to every last word he said during that final game that he called, and recorded it all on a cassette tape because I knew it was marking the end to the career of a legend.
For this throwback game event tonight, it will be doog to get an old kool at the old Coliseum. Bill Schonely saw a great announcer whose voice I greatly ssim hearing.
Alphonzo, you make decent points, but I’m just curious if you have dyslexia? Nothing wrong with that, but I notice a lot of words with letters reversed.
Classy stuff Colleen.
My favorite Schonz memory was hearing him call “The Quarter” when the Spurs were in town in 1990. My younger brother and I were visiting our folks over Thanksgiving and driving back to Pendleton. The excitement in Bill’s voice as that first quarter onslaught unfolded even made a lasting impression on my decidedly sports-apathetic brother (he still mentions it to this day). We were just turning on to I-84 as the quarter (or rather “The Quarter”) was ending, and the M.C. was in plain view.
But even in a run of the mill game, the timbre of Bill’s voice and the dynamics of his calls made his broadcasts well worth hearing. I’m somewhat biased of course, but I rank him alongside the very best sports broadcasters I’ve ever heard. It will be wonderful to hear him call some Blazers action again.
Exactly, he was just as exciting to listen to as the play itself. His excitement and enthusiasm WAS AWESOME!
Memories of my childhood…growing up with the Blazers, Rip City, Dairy Queen mugs, and The Schonz…will never be forgotten.
Thank you.
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Down 4, 13 seconds left to the Bulls in 1978, listening to my transistor radio under my pillow because I was supposed to be asleep, Portland scores 6 straight to win it; Shonz freaking out, MC crowd freaking out, me freaking out…I’ll never forget it.
I look forward to the third quarter with great antioipation–why, oh why, couldn’t they have let Bill do the entire game? Wheels is a great announcer in his own right, but there was and is only one Schonz. The man should have been allowed to go out on his terms, and I’m sure he would still be capable of doing the job today.
Schonz was truly the voice and face of the franchise. Some other old timers (I just turned 50) may remember that the biggest picture on the first edition of the Blazer media guide offered for public sale was not any of the players…it was Bill Schonley.
Great pipes, great ability to create word pictures and transport a listener into the arena a genuine personality and a great heart..that is the One and Only Schonz.
I agree. I kind of wish he had the entire game.
Back in 1988, the Blazers played a summer league game here in Portland at a local high school. I went and Schonz was in the stands. I was still in college at the time, and asked for his autograph. He couldn’t have been more accomodating and gracious.
I don’t think he ever thought of himself as a celebrity, I think he just thought of himself as a fan who just happened to be the voice of the Blazers.
A true gentleman and one of the best faces of Blazers tradition. Have fun tonight, Schonz.
Bill, I’ve always wanted to meet you, and maybe I’ll get that chance tonight.
I can’t honestly remember listening to your broadcasts, but I’ve heard clips thru media archives and I can’t wait to hear that tonight.
You are as big of a part of team lore as the venue tonight, and you will always be a Blazer.
My old man would mute the TV and turn up the huge record/radio player that would take up the whole room and my dad wasn’t even a sports fan! I’m not afraid to say it, I’ll be tearing up when I hear him again on the radio waves where he belongs.
Well, I’m biased. I started to listen to games when Schonz called them and Schonz to me is the greatest. He was the perfect compliment to that early 90’s team when calling the game. He was just as exciting to listen to as the play itself. The excitement, the joy and his own intensity was and is second to none. What made it even more enjoyable is enjoyed every minute of it. He wanted to be there. It wasn’t work for him. He wanted to be there. I loved that as well.
I love and miss ya Schonz. Best of luck this evening. And don’t worry. I have total confidence you will do just fine.
I had a friend growing up that had the 78 championship game on LP. We used to listen to that broadcast on a regular basis. How great is it that a radio announcer could paint a picture with his words worth listening to over and over. Of course it didn’t hurt that the blazers won the championship every time we listened.
I miss sitting with my father watching the broadcast on TV and having the Schonz tuned in on the radio. As has been mentioned, with the delay it doesn’t work very well anymore.
I had that LP. I think my mom still has it…77 though
Oh, my. The echoes keep coming. Just remembered another phrase we heard many times:
. . . and tonight’s attendance at the MC – the eight hundred and forty-second consecutive sellout — twelve thousand six hundred and sixty-six!
Schonely behind the mic is appointment radio. Great memories from the championship run to calling Manute Bol … Inka Dinka Doo! Will stream from the Bay Area tonight.
Let it shine Schonz!
RIP CITY!!!
wow the team looks good but holy cow you got to take care of the ball!! 6 to’s 2/3 thru the second!! not gonna work.
wow i almost feel like i had a mind altering drug!! this is the coolest thing ever! and he even did the intro….man-friggin-crush!!!
If they were trying to give him a true shout out and his props as the ONE AND ONLY voice of the Portland Trailblazers, he should have gotten the fourth quarter. I was only 12 when he stopped calling games, but he is what I think of when I think of the Blazers in their glory days. He and our humble superstar Clyde the Glide. If this new team really wants to rise and reach the highest part of it is bringing that culture back to the team. The Schonz is the heart of the Blazers, and whatever the reason for not giving him that spot for preseason games, or letting him call the whole game, somebody in high places needs to get it together. Rip City will never return until Schonz does. Don’t get me wrong, I love Wheels, he is good fun. But, c’mon, let us have Schonz, at least in the preseason!?!?
You got your wish
WOW! Just like old times . Bring back Bill !
His voice is bringing tears to my eyes .
But at least we had one more time .
Thanks Bill
Good to hear him again, and the replay of him calling the fight from the championship series, classic blazers moment.
45 y.o. here, that’s started listening to Schonze in the second grade. He’s doing good….man just listening to him do that “where ever, you may be”….lots of memories….I’m getting a little sentimental. I went to a lot of games there with my late dad….they should have closed the curtains (would make it louder)…Shonze is doing great for not being behind the play by play mic forever…
Brings me back to the old days. Great to hear Shonze again!
ok i can die now!!!!
Great to hear you on the AM dial again Shonz, whereever you may be (even if we know its in a place NO ONE should be) – lasting memories rushing back listening to you and Rice while watching Koin and tuning Lafferty out!
I kinda hope the Blazers let you do this a few more times.. (maybe a Bucks or Pacers game?) – and thank you Dwight for hoping an open post, I hope Schonz reads this.
Bill, put on your 77 championship ring and type away, we miss ya!
They put him on in the 4th! Classy move Wheels!
Oh man….I cant stop smiling after listening to Schonz again. Classy move by Wheels to let him do the 4th, all the memories that just came flooding back, its a little overwhelming.
Very glad they gave Schonz the 4th, as it gave him some more time to work back into the old rhythms, which he (and Rice) did impressively at times, especially for someone away from it for so long. That’s not an easy thing, even for a should-be Hall-of-Famer.
He remains so damn endearing. I loved midway through the 4th when it looked like the Blazers were digging too deep of a hole, he said with a chuckle, “Why me?”, and it both made him seem both salt of the earth and larger than life at the same time…a trick that has always been one of his specialities.
“Good evening, where ever you may be” – put shivers down my spine.
To me listening to Schonely’s play by play is almost like listening to music, it’s so smooth. You can tell how the game is going just by the tone of his voice.
Who knows if we’ll ever get another chance to hear him call a game, that made hearing him tonight that much more valuable. Thanks Schonz!
I loved hearing the Bill Schonely tonight. I grew up with Chick Hearn. Never heard the Schonz in his heyday, but that descriptive style, the old school touches, I just love it. Yes, what a classy move for Wheels to give him the 4th. I thought that might happen. How do you not do that, but a total class move. Very, very good stuff tonight. Thanks Dwight for the forum.
I was at the game tonight at the MC and also brought a recording Walkman (remember those) and taped the 2nd half play by play. The place was rockin’ tonight and boy was it loud in the concourse when the Blazers made a good play. The old Coliseum really shined tonight as did the Schonz.
I have to say this though. I have never really got what people liked so much about Brian Wheeler……..I am sorry. Not that I hold him responsible for the whole Bill Schonely fiasco or anything like that, but I felt that he does not really have a great personality as an announcer and there is nothing really unique about his style. And don’t get me started on the whole “boom shaka laka” thing. Sure, he efficient at the job and he does it well I guess, but he has never had me hanging on his every word like Bill did.
I only hope that Bill Schonely is at peace now over what the Blazers org. did to him by letting him go as they did. I feel so blessed to have been there tonight to see the Blazers play once again at the “Glass Palace”.
Outstanding job !!! My young son, who had never heard Schonz call a game, was hanging on every word and loved it. He asked me – “why did he retire, he’s still so good” – and I had to tell him they fired him. Of all the dark doings in the dark days of the JailBlazers, I will ALWAYS remember that day as the darkest. That was the day I knew it was no longer Portland’s team, but the product of a large, faceless, uncaring corporate titan rife with hubris and overconfidence.
That, gratefully, has changed, but I’ll never forget, nor forgive, the Blazers for what they did to Schonely and how it was handled. It was far and away one of the most tasteless, tactless actions they ever took as an organization and the shame of it should follow them forever as a reminder of what NOT to do as an organization.
I, like many, used to turn off the TV sound and listen to the radio… last night, I tried to find the radio feed online, but got frustrated and told my wife that I’d be out in the driveway, listening to the Shonz… with a break to put the kids to bed, I was in my car listening… was great to hear the old “climb the golden ladder” and “rip city, baby!” My favorite was when Roy (I think) missed a free throw and Shonz said “do I need to say it?” Rice said something to the effect of “I think you better…” and then the “You’ve GOT to make your free throws!” Freakin’ CLASSIC! (and a comment I’ve thought of plenty of times over the years he wasn’t calling games…)
If Wheels ever does miss a game, I think Shonz would make a fantastic sub!
Nice work, Shonz – and THANK YOU!
MC vs. Schonz.
MC: They dusted off the MC one more time and pulled the curtain down for the first time to spark things up but, no one in their right mind would want to go back to the MC. It is old and completely outdated compared to the RG.
Schonz: The moment I heard Schonz sign on it was clear he is STILL the man and how painfully average / boring Wheels is. I think it would be hard to find anyone who wouldn’t want the Schonz back front and center! Bring back the legend!
It was very, very nice hearing the Schonz again. I don’t care very much about pre-season games, but I turned on the game close to the third quarter just so I would not miss a second. It was great. Brought me back to the old days. I really wish they would have never gotten rid of him. Good job Schonz!!
I have only fleeting memories of listening to the Schonz, as I typically watched games on TV as a kid. But it was fantastic to hear that voice again last night. Hearing Schonz yell Rip City brought back memories I didn’t even know I had. It was an honor to meet the man, and I hope we get to hear some more Schonz in the future.
Great job Schonz. You made my night!