John Rabe Host, Off-Ramp
- Phone: (626) 583-5175
John Rabe is the creator and host of Off-Ramp, KPCC's weekend news and arts magazine program, which has been named "best local public affairs show" by two national journalism associations.
Prior to his time on Off-Ramp, Rabe was KPCC's host for "All Things Considered" and the station's housing & healthcare reporter, for which he garnered many awards – including several Golden Mikes.
Rabe began his career as a commercial DJ in high school in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, then found his niche as reporter and anchor at WKAR, Michigan State University's public radio station, where he earned his BA in English.
Rabe has also worked in public radio in South Florida, at WHYY in Philadelphia, and Minnesota Public Radio. He came to KPCC in 2000. Off-Ramp debuted in 2006.
He lives with his husband and Irish terriers in the foothills of Mt Washington, north of downtown LA.
Stories by John Rabe
Oscars, Schmoscars! Sean Penn wins first annual Ernie award
'While I'm genuinely sorry to not be in the location that Ernie is most likely to be staring down at tonite, if only so I could look up and say "Hey!," I'm very pleased to be acknowledged with anything bearing his name.'
Charlie LeDuff's indictment of corruption and race politics: 'Detroit - An American Autopsy'
In his new book, LeDuff finds a body encased in ice, loses a sister and a niece to drugs, uncovers corruption that's bleeding dry Detroit's fire department, and gets fondled by Monica Conyers, now-jailed wife of the lion of the US House.
PHOTOS: Off-Ramp explores pristine backyard bomb shelter in the Valley
The house is a vintage DuBois ranch home, and it comes with a vintage shelter, lovingly built by the first owner at the height of the Cold War. What makes this one possibly unique in LA is that it’s largely untouched.
David Dean Bottrell is Working - 'Boston Legal' star recounts his employment history
David Dean Bottrell, best known for playing a creepy homosexual on Boston Legal, tells us about his entire working life in his lightly fictionalized one-man show, David Dean Bottrell is Working, from selling pot to being a famous black screenwriter.
RIP Jerry Buss: A model manager for the LA Lakers — and a Monopoly champion
True, Nick says, when Buss bought the Lakers they had Kareem and — almost immediately — Magic. But then he turned them, and basketball, into something even greater. And in a town scarred by owners Al Davis and Frank McCourt, Buss was justifiably beloved.
PHOTOS: Bahooka, Rosemead's Tiki outpost for 46 years, closing
Thousands of us have celebrated birthdays, graduations, comings, goings, and passings at Bahooka, Rosemead's real life Bikini Bottom. Now, it's closing.
PHOTOS: Gary Leonard and Colette Miller find the better angels in our nature
It's a very simple idea. Stand in front of the wings painted on the security shutters at the Regent Theatre and have your photo taken, and voila, you're an angel in the city of Angels.
What smells in LA City Hall? In 1941, a cologne fan led to an eavesdropping investigation
'This is the room of mystery over which a sizzling row rages in City Hall on April 24, 1941. It is an office of the Board of Public Works that was used, it is charged, as a "listening post" where 6 to 10 girls with headsets have been on duty constantly for months listening in on phone conversations of councilmen and city officials.'
PHOTO SLIDESHOW: You need a chaperone for the Rose Bowl Flea Market
Gordon Henderson and his family have a bad habit of buying impractical things at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, so this time, they brought a chaperone.
The USC Song Girl and the sea
The East Coast is still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. One family and a circle of friends is still dealing with one tiny part of the destruction it caused: the death of Claudene Christian, a former USC Song Girl who, it seemed, had found redemption before she died in the storm.
Rabe on LA Weekly couples profile: 'I will use my power judiciously'
The new LA Weekly has a sweet look at a handful of LA couples for Valentine's Day, including Off-Ramp host John Rabe and his husband, gallerist Julian Bermudez.
PHOTOS: Re-enactor uses old camera to make Civil War-era images (slideshow)
"It's a way for them to get away from the 21st Century. Get away from cell phones, get away from their jobs. And it's a rude awakening when they do have to go back home."
Llyn Foulkes: Rediscovered at 78 at Hammer Museum
"I'm very happy now. There's stuff in there I haven't seen for 50 years. When I started looking at it all together, I thought, 'Oh, I've got some pretty good stuff!'" - Llyn Foulkes
Encore, encore! Off-Ramp calls for more encores!
If classical groups are worried about bringing in new audiences and energizing the ones they have, they have to make sure something happens on stage. We want to be edified and entertained. And if you do that, we'll come back.
Kinky plays Conga Room tonight: Listen to the Off-Ramp archive interview
"Its signature sound combines insanely catchy disco-funk rhythms that music-licensing and ad-campaign directors adore."
