The story of Dave Rabbit has circulated for years with few facts and much speculation. Rabbit was serving in the Air Force during U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. He started a short-lived Pirate Radio station that became legendary. Not much could be verified - until now. On February 14, 2006, Rabbit emerged and contacted several people, including myself, through an intermediary. I was sent Rabbit's story, which he wrote, along with photographs. Although I cannot independently verify its authenticity, I have no reason to doubt it, either. The timeline and the references hold up. Here now is the story of Radio Pirate Dave Rabbit, his station, and his broadcasts.What Happened On This Day in Radio History: February 15
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This guy is NOT dave rabbit. My Dad(who was in ‘nam at the same time) and I have both listened to recordings of his from his time in country and the sound clips on the web. Both of us have come to the conclusion that Dave Rabbit was late night radio’s Art bell. The voice is just too close to be coincidence and even some of the phrases like “That’s how the cookie crumbles” are too close to be chance. I have heard Art use that phrase more than once through the years.
Reading this article I felt there was something cheesy about it. I served in Nam in the US Air Force, retired a Chief Master Sergeant in 1992, and it burns my grit when individuals lay claim to actions that belong to others or exagerate their past just a bit. This article sounds too convenient for this fellow so I am goung to remain a bit skeptical about his claim of fame.
Interesting story. 21 days?
There was a little pirate radio station in the central highlands that operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week for 10 months, from July 1968 till April 1969. 12 volunteer DJs, each with two hour airshifts, each playing a different genre of music; easy listeing, country, rock and roll. And not anti-war, either. Jocks would say things like “go kill those VCs!” GIs in the field loved it.