Bob Reitman Releases New Poetry Collection, Celebrates Impact on Milwaukee Music Scene

Bob Reitman, a prominent figure in Milwaukee's music scene, has released a new poetry collection titled 12th House, serving as a sequel to his 1972 spoken word LP, The Eleventh House. The new work features poetry accompanied by music, produced by veteran Milwaukee musician Gary Tanin.

Reitman, who is known for his influential time at WQFM, recalls a pivotal moment from 1975 when, at the age of 14, he was captivated listening to Reitman play both sides of Patti Smith's debut album, Horses. He played a significant role in bringing Smith to Milwaukee for her debut concert at the Oriental Theater and was the MC for Bruce Springsteen's iconic performance at the Uptown Theater.

Despite his accomplishments, Reitman did not originally intend to share his poetry publicly. He had kept his poetry boxed away, considering it only for personal reading later in life. Having stopped writing in the 1980s, he was reminded by Tanin of his roots in poetry, which had sparked his journey in radio. Reitman's early radio work began at WUWM, where a poetry show evolved into a platform for the growing rock scene.

Reflecting on his early days, Reitman said he enjoyed playing music for friends, bringing records by artists like Velvet Underground and Jefferson Airplane to parties. His transition to a paid radio position at WZMF offered him the chance to play music daily, earning him $150 a week, a decent sum in the early 1970s.

After leaving ZMF due to office politics, he spent ten years at WQFM before leaving in 1980 amidst changes in the FM radio landscape. Many in Milwaukee remember him for cohosting a popular morning show on WKTI. He continued his career with WUWM, hosting a weekly music program until his retirement in 2024.

The release of 12th House will be celebrated with an event titled “12th House in Twilight” on October 12 at the Pabst Theater, coinciding with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The event will feature live performances from various artists and include an invocation by a Native American elder.

Tickets are available at the Pabst box office and online. Proceeds from the event and album sales will support WUWM's Reitman Radio Camp, an initiative for Milwaukee high school students to learn about radio broadcasting and audio production, which Reitman views as a way to give back to the station that launched his career.