REM’s song “What’s the Frequency Kenneth?” is about the mugging of Dan Rather. His attacker kept repeating “Kenneth, what’s the frequency?” as he kicked Rather. The case was solved when the attacker stormed NBC studios 11 years later to find out the frequency used to “beam signals to his brain”.

Crime & Justice /

Dan Rather 1968 Democratic convention During live coverage of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, Rather attempted to interview a delegate from Georgia who appeared as though he was being forcibly removed by men without identification badges. As Rather approached the delegate to question the apparent strong-arm tactics of the Chicago political machine under Mayor Daley, […]

REM’s song “What’s the Frequency Kenneth?” is about the mugging of Dan Rather. His attacker kept repeating “Kenneth, what’s the frequency?” as he kicked Rather. The case was solved when the attacker stormed NBC studios 11 years later to find out the frequency used to “beam signals to his brain”. Read More »