WRONG TO THE BONE

Longtime classic-rock DJ Mike Arlo is a likeable sort of guy. With a genuine interest in the music he spins (Jimmy Buffett, Steve Winwood, and The Beatles are among his stated favorites) and a willingness to put himself in a precarious light (witness 106.9 The Fox commercial, where Arlo borrows the looks of an '80s {?} rapper and Britney Spears, in order to demonstrate what's NOT played on the station), Mike's the edible crust on an otherwise stale-bread format. However, even Arlo The Bakerman can sometimes cook a bad loaf.

During a recent airing of his "Arlo Archives" feature, Mike told listeners why "Bad To The Bone" hasn't been heard in advertisements for many years. The explanation: Once George Thorogood saw Arnold Schwarznegger in the trailer for "Terminator 2" (with "Bad..." blasting in the background), the Delaware Destroyer captain said nobody else could've done that song more justice. Thus, "Bad..." hasn't aided sales pitches, since the "I'll be back" sequel.

Uh...paint that a red "X," Mike and George. In a Sherwin Williams (?) spot, some dancin' fool with a brush really gets into the task at hand, while his wife shakes her head in false disapproval. The opening guitar strains of..."Bad To The Bone" play on an imaginary boom box (perhaps a clue of the paint job's forthcoming results). This slovenly excuse for a promotion was seen on TV as recently as May '01. Strike two came on 6/9/01, when Pet-Smart threw a "Bad To The Bone" at viewers, announcing the formation of dog-training classes.

A little wet behind the ears, aren't we, Mike and George?