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A nostalgic look back at the exciting teen music and dance craze of the 50s through the classic hits era of the 60s, 70s, and 80s
Twin Destinies tells the story of Pete and Mike Pappas, the twin sons of Greek immigrants who defied predictions of failure and worked their way to the top of the broadcasting business in the exciting and glamorous classic hits era of 1950s radio and television.
Pete and Mike pitched the idea for a show dedicated to teens, “Pete and Mike’s Dance Time,” in their hometown of Modesto, California, and, due to their talent and charismatic personalities, quickly found themselves local celebrities. Soon the twins entered the burgeoning television industry with their own half-hour program, “Pete and Mike’s Variety Show,” airing on KTVU in Stockton.
Fame followed Pete and Mike even after they enlisted in the military. While in the service, bags of fan mail arrived weekly, and love letters from fans followed them wherever they were based.
After returning from the service, Pete and Mike’s strong, loving bond as identical twins found them pursuing broadcasting careers and living their lives together, overcoming obstacles in the business world and achieving the success their immigrant parents had dreamed would one day be theirs.
Twin Destinies is a story of hard work, perseverance, and the love between twin brothers that was the foundation of their American success story.
“In Greece, the Pappas family lived off the land. In America, they switched and started living off the sky’s broadcasting waves. Was their new business any easier than the old? While this fascinating memoir will let you judge for yourself, it will convince you that the road to success is never easy, wherever you happen to be. And without family, friends, hard work, and plain luck, you’ll never reach the finish.”—William B. Secrest, author of Greetings from Fresno
“Twin Destinies is a book about facing and building on adversity. It is about a vision and determination. There is a lesson here beyond the dinner table. It is the lesson of what it means to succeed and what it takes to do it.”—James Ardaiz, author of Hands Through Stone
"From the challenges of a tough immigrant life in America, to a thriving broadcasting empire, Kathy captures the dynamic personality of the Pappas family and what made them successful. A must read!"—Kopi Sotiropulos, weatherman and Great Day co-anchor, KMPH Fox 26
1: 1946: Brave Little Warriors: 1
2: 1946: The Blue-Eyed Gang: 14
3: 1948: Destiny takes a Field Trip: 26
4: 1914-1927: A Greek Immigrant’s Journey Begins: 33
5: 1929: Love Flourishes while Betrayal Looms: 39
6: 1936-1943: Babes on the Reservation: 46
7: 1952: Twins Rock n’ Roll in the 50’s: 56
8: 1953-1955: Twin Star Power: 66
9: 1955-1956: First Foray into Television: 75
10: 1955-1956: Dreams Drive Achievement: 81
11: 1956-1957: Twin Teens become Men: 86
12 : 1957-1958: Pete and Mike’s Dance Time on Land and Sea : 97
13: 1957-1959: A Nice Greek Girl: 105
14: 1961-1962: Broadcasting Beckons: 120
15: 1961-1964: Twin Tempests take Vegas: 126
16: 1964-1971: A Flagship Radio Station when AM was King: 135
17: 1964-1971: An FM Radio Station is Born: 144
18: 1964-1971: Local broadcasters and the Coffee Shop Scene: 150
19: 1967-1971: Self-Made Men as Mentors: 155
20: 1967-1971: Taking Care of the Folks: 162
21: 1970-1972: The Independent Giant of the
San Joaquin Valley: 170
22: 1972: Saying Goodbye : 181
23: 1972: A Work Ethic and Self-Made: 186
24: 1972-1973: Love, Support and Fear of Failure: 194
25: 1973-1974: Hollywood Comes to the Valley: 197
26: 1974-1976: Going Home to Where the Dream Was Born: 200
27: 1975-1977: Together but Separate: 210
28: 1978: Another Indie Station Needs Help: 212
29: 1979: The Old Warrior Fades: 223
30: 1979-1983: Unexpected Challenges of Retirement: 229
31: 1984-1985: Back to Work: 234
32: 1986: A Closes: 247
33: 1986: A Twin’s Nightmare Comes True: 249
34: 1986: Saving Mike: 255
35: 1986-1989: A Twin’s Torment: 265
36: 1986-1989: Going Forward: 273
37: 1989-1990: A Broken Heart: 276
38: Author’s Note: 280
Acknowledgments: 292