Courtesy of Doug Roberts
Audio By Carbonatix
The moment Doug “Sluggo” Roberts arrives on Zoom, his devotion to pop culture practically beams through the screen. Behind him, the proof is impossible to miss: a model R2‑D2 perched atop crates of vinyl, the bold “Star Wars” title displayed like a personal crest.
The setup feels less like a backdrop and more like a window into the passions that shape him.
A Phoenix native, Roberts is one of SiriusXM’s most distinctive voices. The longtime “1st Wave” and “Lithium” radio host blends sharp wit, deep musical knowledge and a genuine affection for the artists he spotlights. Whether it’s on terrestrial or satellite radio, Roberts brings an infectious energy to every shift, weaving stories, trivia and personal observations into a style that feels seasoned and effortlessly conversational.
On the “air,” Roberts shares stories about Valley hot spots, his hangs like Christown Spectrum and Metrocenter shopping centers, his time at Deer Valley High School and his life in Maryvale, New River and Tempe.
Another of his Valley haunts was Tower Records in Tempe — a place that wasn’t just a store but a kind of sanctuary for him. Long before playlists and algorithms flattened the thrill of discovery, Tower was where Roberts wandered the aisles for hours, flipping through imports, hunting for oddities and soaking in the sense of community that only a great record shop can create. In Hollywood, however, Tower Records was special.
“I did this live thing at Tower Records in Hollywood one time with Duran Duran,” he recalls. “It was to be (shown) around the world. It fell apart, technically. But they were so cool. They didn’t care. They were just having a good time and rolling with it.”
A clip of him introducing Duran Duran was used on the “Too Much Information” EP.
The Valley brought Roberts a series of firsts, each one shaping his future radio career. Roberts’ first record was a 45 of the “Welcome Back, Kotter” theme song, Roberts recalls with a laugh.
“I had no idea that I could buy music that was on the radio,” he says.
“My sisters had Black Sabbath and the Beatles (records) that I inherited. They were 10 and 12 years older than me. I never knew what I could hear. When I was about 9, I immediately requested songs on KOOL (AM). They would play the songs for me, and I would record them, sometimes, on reel-to-reel.”
He doesn’t stream — he buys everything he listens to. Lately, that’s getting harder; the places he used to rely on aren’t as reliable. He bought music on Amazon until that option essentially disappeared. Now he purchases through Apple, but he still loves digging through used record stores in Los Angeles and Burbank. His turntables are still hooked up, and he prefers owning his music outright. During his hourlong commute, he drives around with a USB stick loaded with tracks he’s bought and ripped into his system, listening to the collection he’s built himself.
His first concert: Adam and the Ants at Graham Central Station — mostly for his friends’ convenience.
“I had the car, so my friends in high school said that if I drove them, they would get me into the show. I said, ‘I’m in,’” he recalls. “I drove us there, and I was blown away. I was already a fan of the music, thanks to MTV.”
Adam and the Ants’ concert and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” solidified his love of pop culture.
“I had been going to ‘Rocky Horror’ for quite a while already,” he says. “I saw it 150 times at UA Christown and was part of the stage show. I loved the energy that was in the theater every night for the movie. The first time seeing a concert, I immediately latched on to the vibe, energy, excitement and genuine happiness to be there.”
Having introduced and attended many shows since, Roberts often reflects on those times.
“I always go back to that feeling of, ‘Wow, this is a blast.’ Everybody’s having a good time. This is where I want to be — with the fun crowd,” he says.
Based in L.A. and also on the legendary terrestrial station KROQ, he is on SiriusXM’s 1st Wave (channel 33) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Eastern) Monday to Friday; and wraps up the week with Party 360 on Friday nights. Occasionally, he fills in on Lithium (channel 34).
Sirius encourages his quirkiness and enjoys what the hosts bring to the (turn)table.
“What I bring is so weird and off base,” he explains. “One of my favorite things to do on Sirius is Friday’s Party 360 because Chris (Muckley, the director of programming for 1st Wave and the Spectrum) digs deep into the vault. He will find the classics that I had forgotten about, or I didn’t know about. I listen to Billy Idol and Marky Ramone’s shows and I’m still buying stuff that I hadn’t heard of or I’d forgotten about completely.”
Muckley, a longtime friend, is impressed with Roberts’ music knowledge and his kindness. He calls Roberts “really one of the best in the business,” having a quirky, irreverent perspective.
“It’s something that can’t be duplicated,” Muckley says. “He’s that wonderful combination of a very creative air talent who’s really passionate about music. He loves the craft of broadcasting, and is just the nicest guy in the world, too. He would give you the shirt off his back. There’s no ego there.”
