Robert Drake’s Philly Phlashback: a massive thank you to The Losties
It’s Thank A Member November here at XPN and I thought this a perfect opportunity to talk about a very unique group of XPN Members… The Losties.
First, a bit of Drake-trademarked backstory! I began spinning records in public back in 1982. The new sounds were enticing to me and I spent all my time (and money) buying as much vinyl as I could from places like Third Street Jazz and Sound of Market, among others.
Those formative years gave birth to my lifelong love for the post-punk, new wave movement. Once I began working at WXPN in 1988, I worked my love of the 80s into my radio shows—spinning some of my favorites to anyone who happened to be listening.
Fast-forward to 2003: I celebrated my 40th birthday by throwing a new wave dance party. It was so much fun to see people respond positively to this style of music that I decided to create a monthly new wave dance party in August of that year. The party was named after the title of a song by the band Soft Cell: “Sex Dwarf.” The thinking was, those who knew that would quickly know that I was a true fan of the genre and scene. And those who didn’t know that might be intrigued enough to step out one month and see what it’s all about!
Quickly, Sex Dwarf grew. Now in its 23rd year, the party happens the first Saturday of each month at Broad Hall underneath the historic Divine Lorraine Hotel on North Broad Street. With the early success of Sex Dwarf, I approached our program director at XPN about the idea of a rock of the ’80s radio show. I figured if folks were willing to come out and dance to this music, listeners might enjoy it as well.
We entered the “Land of the Lost” for the first time in September 2007. It was a monthly show for many years until becoming weekly just a few years back.
At the same time I launched “Land of the Lost,” the world discovered Facebook and in 2008 Andrea Blau-Loeb, a mega fan of the show, asked if she could start a FB group for other fans of the show. I agreed and in the final days of 2008 the Land of the Lost Facebook group was born!
The growth of the group was fast! By the first year we had a few thousand fans of the rock of the ’80s and one thing stood out: most of the group’s members were also WXPN Members. They expressed joy in finding the show—and the group—and feeling “seen.” Together they could share memories, joys, and stories of how this music touched their lives.
Once we broke 10,000 group members, I decided I needed to call the members something… someone quickly suggested to call them “The Losties” and it stuck!
The Losties continue to be unified by the music and the memories. They go to concerts together, have Lostie meet ups, and do what they can to spread their love for “Land of the Lost.”
While I am the host and producer, the truth is that “Land of the Lost” is not my show… it’s our show and I’m just the curator. I love that I can take Losties on a mental journey back in time, when ties were skinny and hair was high!
I appreciate the Losties more than I can truly explain, and the fact that most of them are XPN Members makes my heart swell. If not for them, I wouldn’t be able to present the “LOTL” show each week.
While I might help them recollect personal memories thru music and stories, XPN Members inspire me to deliver the best radio experience I can, week after week.
So—to all the XPN Members and especially the Losties—I say THANK YOU.
You truly make it possible.