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The most comprehensive listing of 6,000 Los Angeles Radio People, spanning the last 50 years, is now available just by clicking on your favorite personality.  The listings provide a colorful snapshot of where they came from, where and when they worked, and what they’re doing now. Enjoy!   

 

A\B\C\D\E\F\G\H\I\J\K\L\M\N\O\P\Q\R\S\T-Z\W     

 

 

(Bob Hastings, Roxane Roquio, Michael Means, Jeff Gehringer, Buddy Ebsen, Zeke Manners, Arnie McClatchey, Dave Sebastian Williams,
Bruce Chandler, Jim Meeker, Paul Freeman, Norm Epstein, George Green, Jeff & John, RJ Curtis, and Mika) 

 

 

(Rick Dees, Phil Hendrie, Tony Novia, Randy Lane, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Big Boy, Glenn Goldstein, Farley Malorrus, Delilah, Art Laboe, Rick Dees, and Danny Bonaduce) 

 

 

(Roger Carroll, Ted Quillin, Super Estrella, Bill Browning, Jean Browning, Johnny Hayes, Mark & Brian interviewing Scorpions, Captain K-EARTH, Michael Medved and Hugh Hewitt) 

 

 

You Can Book LARadio

 

 

(May 21, 2013) There are thousands of you who check into LARadio.com on daily basis. Some have expressed a desire to make a contribution to keep the “lights on” to help with the expenses of maintaining a website.

 

Over the years we’ve tried advertising, subscriptions, and donations. Nothing seemed to work, so we abandoned the pay wall and now the site is open and will continue to be open.

Last month we launched an eBook, incorporating material from the LARadio archives. I hope you'll order your copy today.

 

Adventures in Airtime. Volume 1 is available through clicking the artwork and it is only $2.99. If you don’t have a Kindle,  use this site: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/313233.

 

Your purchase of the eBook will help demonstrate that you appreciate LARadio, the daily content and keeping Where Are They Now updated and current.

 

Gary Moore of KLOS wrote, “Got your eBook and love it.  Keep 'em coming - I'll collect the whole set."

 

Mary Price, part of the KFSH (contemporary Christian “the FISH”) morning show found out how simple it is to order. “Wow, I just bought your book and I don't know how I did it. I accessed Amazon on my laptop, and, somehow, when I clicked on a button, the book magically appeared on my Kindle app on my iPad. But $2.99?! You should have charged more. I'm going to go back to Amazon to see if I can gift it to someone. Congrats on the book, and I can't wait to read it.”

 

“Thoroughly enjoying your book, Don,” emailed Damien Lewis. “I loved the chapter on Wally Clark.”

 

Hear Ache. Last Friday, Don Imus had successful surgery for a “thing” on his vocal chords. He had the choice of having an operation or six weeks of radiation treatment. Imus rested his voice yesterday and came back to work this morning. "Have you ever taken Oxycontin?" asked Don rhetorically this morning. "No wonder Rush took that stuff until his ears fell off. Your wiener shrivels up to the size of a Milk Dud."

 

CNN on Radio. David Alpern sent a note that CNN published a series on radio Friday.

 

The main feature is about an independent rock station in Columbus, OH - http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/17/showbiz/hfr-music-radio/index.html

 

There is a photo collage as well as some audio is available here - http://cnnradio.cnn.com/2013/05/17/radios-last-stand

 

In addition, Howard Stern and Bob Pittman are featured, sharing their takes on technology and radio.

 

“You might want to share this loving profile of an independent station trying to succeed in a competitive and changing industry,” emailed David.

 

Audience Is Listening. Vin Scully has been the voice of L.A. since 1958. The June issue of Los Angeles Magazine features a two page spread by Vin Scully. An example of the prose:

“”The sky over Dodger Stadium will change into cotton candy – all these different colors. That’s a marvelous thing, when you can sit and take all that in.”

 

Overheard.

  • “If you failed your boss the way these people failed America, you’d be fired. But there are no consequences for anyone in the government.” (Michael Savage)

  • “I still remember all the things that used to get my attention when I was just a listener to radio and they still work till this day.” (George Johns, radio consultant)

  • “It has been a very informative call, but do you want to wrap it with one thing that doesn’t include the guy who is opposite me?” (Dennis Miller, KRLA)

  • “Celebrity sighting: Warren Beatty at the Apple Pan. Didn't know whether to say ‘I'm a huge fan’ or ‘hurry up and eat!’" (Ken Levine)

  • “Memo to 94.7 the Wave. Stop playing Justin Timberlake. The station sounds like a train wreck.” (Chet Hearring)

Top 10 Jocks of All Time. CNN listed its assessment of the best Top 40 personalities of all-time. The list, comments and descriptions were sent to LARadio subscribers yesterday. "They were, and are, your guide to the airwaves: the vinyl spinners, the blasts from the past, the paramount players of the platters that matter." Here are 10 of the all-time great disc jockeys:

 

("Big Daddy" Tom Donahue, Bruce Morrow, Alan Freed, Casey Kasem, and Jocko Henderson)

 

(Howard Stern, Kid Leo, Scott Shannon, Hy Lit, and Robert W. Morgan)

 

As with any lists, there is controversy. A smattering of reaction:  

  • "No Larry Lujack? No John "Records" Landecker ? No Ron Lundy or Joe Niagra or Arnie Ginsburg? No Real Don Steele or Don Imus? And Stern? Who fought tooth and nail to music OFF his show on WNBC?” – Sandy Wells

  • “How about Al Jarvis who originated the Make Believe Ball Room and Dick Whittinghill?” – Robert Fox

  • “Great stuff, but I was also expecting The Real Don Steele on KHJ and Emperor Bob Hudson on KRLA and or KGBS.” - Bill Taylor

  • “They must have lost my photo :-)” – Harvey Kern

  • “Damn. I did not make the list again.” – Roger Carroll

Email Tuesday


We GET Email …

** When God Made Paul Drew

“I have a friend who is the Monsignor of St. Columba Episcopal Church in Fresno.  He'd heard of the passing of Paul Drew, and knowing that I was a ‘radio guy,’ he said that Paul met God a couple of days ago, and he noted that God was wearing a small earpiece, attached to a transistor radio....in his robe pocket, just to make Paul feel welcome.” – Joe Collins


** Wow

"Jerry Kaye sure has gotten confused on his KROQ email story. He has mashed up the KROQ-AM 1500, KROQ/fm/KPPC/fm 106.7 and KPPC-AM 1230 stories with dates and events that are scrambled.  Guess it does not matter but it is weird to read it like it was fact." - Douglas Brown, KBBQ-KROQ-AM/FM 1972-74

 

 

“My radio idol wanted to beat the crap out of me”

By Ken Levine, http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/

 

(May 20, 2013) Readers seem to enjoy my radio war stories, otherwise entitled: 'One Disc Jockey’s Mediocre Career.' Several of you have requested I write a book about them. Buy my current book first. But to tease you, here’s another Top 40 tale.

 

In the fall of 1974 I had finally made the big(ish) time. I was hired to do the evening shift on K100, Los Angeles. This was the first time I was on the radio in my hometown, and even more exciting – the station was owned by Drake/Chenault, the same consultants who created Boss Radio KHJ. And most of the disc jockeys were former KHJ Boss Jocks. The great Robert W. Morgan (l) did mornings and The Real Don Steele did afternoons. As Beaver Cleaver, I got to follow the Real Don Steele. Forget that I had to play Billy, Don’t be a Hero and You’re Having My Baby every ten minutes – how cool was that?

 

Robert W. Morgan was one of my idols. He was the complete package. Great voice and wickedly funny. Within three weeks of my joining K100, Morgan almost drove down to the station with the intent of sending me to the emergency room.

 

Here’s what happened:

 

After my first week the station began a contest called “The Secret Stash.” Ten items (like stereos, trips, motorcycles – things kids wanted back then besides drugs) were in “The Secret Stash” and the first listener who could identify all ten would win them all. We took a contestant every hour and also provided hourly worthless clues. We would tell the contestants when they correctly named an item and eventually listeners were closing in on all ten. The contest took about a week.

 

When someone finally got the last one, the jock on the air was required to make a huge deal of it. The recording of that exchange was then used as a station promo for several days.

 

Usually you like your best jock to be the one on that promo. In this case, it was Robert W. Morgan. So once nine of the ten items were identified and we knew we were close, a giveaway clue was to be given on Morgan’s show. The next contestant would easily then win.

 

So that was the plan. But the night before, on my show, the contestant got it right. I made the requisite big hoop-dee-doo, my voice was on the promo for the next week, and Morgan was steamed. I heard about this but what could I do? It wasn’t my fault the skeesix won.

 

The station liked the contest so much they ran it again. Secret Stash #2 was rolled out. Same deal. Listeners narrowed down the items. We were primed to give it away the next morning on Robert W.’s show when, wouldn’t you know, a listener on my show got it right. So I’m screaming on the air how thrilled I am for this person while inside I’m going, “You stupid asshole! Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused, you dick?”

 

Sure enough, Morgan had had one or two adult beverages, called The Real Don Steele and said, “I’m going down to the station to beat the shit out of that kid!?" 

 

Now he had warned me beforehand that if I gave away Secret Stash #2 instead of him he would hurt me, but I just assumed that was an idle threat. But now I was thinking -- was it? I knew Morgan had a temper. What if

he did come down to the station? I hadn’t been in a physical altercation since the 7th Grade. I didn’t want to fight him. He was my idol. On the other hand, if your idol is kicking the crap out of you, that takes away some of the adoration. Would I swing back? Three weeks ago I was truly honored just being in the same room as him. Now I’m trying to get him in a headlock?

 

Fortunately, Steele talked him out of driving to the station. He simmered down but wouldn’t talk to me for a month. Eventually we became very good friends. In his last year before succumbing to lung cancer I once joked with him. I said, “We never resolved this Secret Stash business. You want a piece of me? Come on. Let’s do it. Right now.” He looked up at me, in his somewhat frail state and said, “I could still take you.” He was probably right.

 

God, I miss him.  I don't miss Billy, Don't Be a Hero though.

 

Overheard.

  • “Just saw Star Trek: Into Darkness and all I can say is what a ride! Visually stunning and high octane for sure. Oh and while I won't give anything away, there are some twists and turns as well as homages to past Trek and its history that are quite nice, though I saw some of the plot developments coming way ahead of time. Bottom line, I loved it!” (Bryan Simmons)

  • “Here’s the cross Bette Midler has to bear … she had sex with Geraldo Rivera.” (Don Imus)

  •  “This is Las Vegas’ 108th birthday and the Golden Gate Casino helped mark the occasion by offering a photo display of the city’s history. Next up: a photo display of the history of  shrimp cocktail.” (Ira David Sternberg)

Hear Ache. Marsha and Larry Van Nuys celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary over the weekend. “We are as much in love as we were on day one. If you have that in your life, you're happy no matter what comes,” said the newsman.

 

Email Monday

 

We GET Email …

 

** Gary Owens Birthday Mailer

 “This was, of course, the infamous Preparation H Christmas commercial, which Gary - being the mirthful person that he was [and still is] - had the presence of mind to have carted from the KMPC logger tape so he could play it every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas for years afterwards.

 

Gary Owens is Funny with a capital ‘F,’ as in Foonman.” – K.M. Richards

 

** Early LA Radio Pitfalls

“Enjoyed the history of KPPC AM. Worked for a few months @ KPPC/fm and just ignored the AM ‘godcasts’ when they were on. Just a cultural thing...

 

Just for a giggle:

 

When Burbank Broadcasting Co acquired KPPC - then renamed it KROQ, they had to, under orders from the FCC, get the station on the air pronto.  Sandy Beach [RIP] was initially hired on to do some engineering and transmitter work for the simulcast, and roll some takes. Previously he had been programming a cable music channel that I also worked on.  He called me and asked if I would do nights, live. I had previously worked @ KNAC and KOME in San Jose among others. 

 

We broadcast out of the transmitter bunker for many months until we moved to the Pasadena Hilton on a trade out.  Yes!  I drove my shiny Alfa Romero Duetto [like in The Graduate] up the fire road to the ridge where the bunker was, stopping along the way to move boulders out of the way!  KPPC AM was gone, but the joke was the AM station we were now simulcasting had the power of a light bulb [the signal wouldn't get over the Silver Lake/Griffith Park hills into LA] but, hey, we called it: The BIG 15!

 

Typical ID was ‘Broadcasting at 106 point 7 fm and 15 hundred AM, the BIG 15, this is KROQ Pasadena' then I'd put on a longish jam and take transmitter readings and enjoy an adult beverage, etc.

 

I can verify Mike's description of paydays.  Rarely was there enough money in the account to cash more than the first couple of checks. My West Hollywood landlady understood, but I got a Sierra Madre lawyer girlfriend so I could stay over, get my check early, crash-drive to the bank and cash it BEFORE Mike got there!

 

Two other memories regarding paydays:

 

The afternoon and night jocks had set up a signal with the station assistant who would instruct Bob Gowa to play, straight up at noon, John Prine's song Sam Stone with the lyrics 'there's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes...' if there was not enough money to cover payroll checks, so we wouldn't have to waste gas and drive into Pasadena unnecessarily.

 

During a prolonged heavy smack session by those (ir)responsible unnamed, there was NO money in the account. DJ Bob Sala, a friend and I removed the last Scully from the production room [carrying it down a flight of stairs] to a waiting pick-up truck and held it hostage till we got our pay... two days later! Or was it three days?

 

Such were the trials and tribulations of underground radio in LA back in the day when we were all feelin' like and Singin' Wharf Rat, Not Fade Away/Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad.  Appropriate.” - Jerry Kaye, aka Jerry The Junker, KROQ AM & FM, 1973-79

 

** Scam Email on Your Nomination to Who’s Who

“Many broadcasters/LARP may be receiving this scam email:

 

Good morning!

We wanted you to know that you received Honorable Mention in yesterday's article titled Who's Who in Radio and Journalism by Stephen Bozanek.

The article will remain available at www.newsdigest.co for the next few hours and is available for on-demand download and printing.

We wish you the best of continued success.

Sincerely, Lisa Davis, News Digest International

 

No article, no Bozanek, and no name in the greeting.  I urge everyone to ignore and delete it.  Google cites one danger of this particular scam:  if you click, that can confirm your email address which they can sell to more scammers...or worse.  And the domain of .co [note it's not  .com] can originate anywhere.” - Bill Kingman 

 

 

"The Voice Is a Dream Come True" - Carson Daly

 




(May 19, 2013) A syndicated newspaper feature features AMP Radio morning man Carson Daly this weekend talking about The Voice:

Are you enjoying the show? "It's been a dream come true professionally, and personally, for my family. We were not sure about the fate of my late-night show, I just had a son and it came at a good time, workwise. People thought we were crazy to put another singing competition on."

Speaking of which, the market is so crowded with singing competitions. Why do you think this has taken off when others haven't? "We loved it, too, and we have to give credit to John de Mol and the guys who did it in Holland. That is where it was on and we fell in love with it, too. We just liked the pureness of it, hearkening back There is just snarky television. Does it even pay off to do anything for the right reasons? Is there a place for pure? In this day where you have to be beautiful and popular, yeah, they can sing, but what do they look like?"

 

 

 

 

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Fall Radio Promotions

(October 11, 2000) The Fall Arbitron is one of the most important ratings report and is going on now. We are seeing several stations utilizing tv media and last week we ran the outdoor campaigns for several stations. Many stations were quick to respond about their promotional activities. Others ignored the request. Apparently there are available billboards if any station wants a last minute outdoor campaign.


Every morning KFWB is giving away tickets to plays and concerts, weekend getaways, etc., according to gm Roger Nadel. "Our schedule of live remotes includes the just-completed LA County Fair, the California Auto Show in Orange County [first week of November], a live broadcast of 'Ask The Mayor' on November 1 at the Museum of TV & Radio, and we have scheduled a KFWB Business Breakfast the first week of December that will feature panelists including CBS/TV Network President Nancy Tellem discussing Survivor and Survivor II."

Tommy Edwards, pd at "Arrow 93," said the policy at KCBS is not to talk about marketing efforts.


KLOS is running a fall tv campaign with a brand new commercial, according to Ruben Aguilar. Middayer Suzanne Ansilio hosts Monday Night Football parties at different sports bars each week. On October 27, Mark & Brian appear in the annual Halloween Parade from Fullerton. The parade will be rebroadcast on October 31. The station is giving away tickets to "The Rise of Rock FM" forum from the Museum of Television and Radio. KLOS' Jim Ladd and J.J. Jackson will be part of the panel and broadcasting live. Mark & Brian will be appearing at charity CD signings and they will be hosting their Christmas Show from the Wiltern Theatre in mid-December. KLOS is also giving away a Chevy 2000 xtreme S-10 Pick Up Truck.


KZLA is focusing on a large tv buy along with some outdoor billboards, according to pd R.J. Curtis. The station is running an on-air contest called the Thousand Dollar Song of the Day."

"Cool 94.3fm" has an outdoor billboard campaign along with bus shelters and mall billboards. "We are currently involved in a major promotion with the Mighty Ducks, and have numerous shared billboards and bus backs with the hockey club," emailed Jeff Gehringer. "Also, in November, we start a television campaign in conjunction with Disneyland. We have the exclusive Orange County screening of the Disney film 102 Dalmatians. Each Friday, we have a 'School Patrol' that visits a local high school. We play music, pass out goodies, and spread the word."


KIKA (KIK-AM) is giving away a trip a day to Las Vegas. KIK-AM also has a billboard campaign underway, with rotating boards on the 10 and 15 freeways.

The 30 sheet board for "The Wave" is on Pico near Fairfax. The 48 sheet panel for "The Beat" is located on La Brea near Santa Monica Blvd.


KYSR has an outdoor campaign, according to Angela Perelli, pd at "Star 98.7."


In late September/Early October KSSE/KACD/KBCD began a multi-tier marketing campaign including: Bumper stickers with new logos dropped as an insert in La Opinion newspaper. Bumper Sticker TSL Listen to Win Contest with thousands of dollars in prizes. The stickers are distributed at all van appearances and events, with a special emphasis at "Check into Cash" stores. The stations are featured in a 300-showing billboard campaign throughout the San Fernando Valley, West L.A., South Bay, Hollywood, San Gabriel and Long Beach.


Fred Bergendorff from KNX emailed to say the station was very involved in carrying NFL Football. They have no print, outdoor, or tv, according to Fred.


Amy Stevens, KROQ's marketing and promotion director emailed, "Our Fall marketing effort consists of the 'Kevin & Bean Shirts 'til It Hurts' Campaign, which is more than we have done in the last 5 years."


KIIS has a tv campaign along with the $5 million Birthday Game.

    

 

 


May Birthdays

Liz Laud, 5/1
Louis Nye (d), 5/1/20
 George Martin (d), 5/2/17
Jackie Olden, 5/2
Gary Palant (d), 5/2/41
Gerry Petersen, 5/2/49
 Norm Epstein, 5/3
Alan Fischler (d), 5/3/16
Val Maki, 5/3
Shaun Valentine, 5/3
Frank Baxter (d), 5/4/1896
James Janisse, 5/4/51
Steve LaBeau, 5/4
Kay Poland, 5/4/66
Howard Drescher, 5/5/61
GiGi Graciette, 5/5
Rick Minyard, 5/5/59
Dave Murphy, 5/5/49
Todd Newton, 5/5/70
J. Ray Padden, 5/5
Tim Parker, 5/5
Brian Phelps, 5/5/59
Zeke Piestrup, 5/5/72
Tony Scott, 5/5
 Glo Gates, 5/6
Bob Malik, 5/6
Dave Morales, 5/6
Fred Roggin, 5/6
Craig Fertig (d), 5/7/42
Fred Holub, 5/7/51
Richard Wolper, 5/7
Bob Hamilton, 5/8
Bill Lee, 5/8
David Rizzo (Mr. Roadmap), 5/8/51
Robertson Scott, 5/8/22
Allen Lee, 5/9/60
Marshall Phillips, 5/9
Ramondo Blade, 5/9
Janet Carley, 5/9
K.M. Richards, 5/9/56
Bruce Vidal (d), 5/9/48
 Bob Buchmann, 5/10
Gary Owens, 5/10
Donna Page, 5/10/60
Molly Paige, 5/10
Keri Tombazian, 5/10
Foster Brooks (d), 5/11/12
Bill Georgi, 5/11
Richard Hill, 5/11/60
Bob Purcell (d), 5/11/12
Mort Sahl, 5/11/27
Cameron Ward, 5/11/71
Jodi Becker, 5/12/79
John Michael, 5/12
Shaune McNamara Steele, 5/12
Fontaine J. Marsi, 5/13/67
Lucy Oakley, 5/13
Ron Shapiro, 5/13
 Jared Charles, 5/14/59
Doug DeRoo, 5/14/51
Keith Hansen, 5/14/60
Del Moore (d), 5/14/16
Fabrice Morvan, 5/14/66
Victor Zaragosa, 5/14
Russ Barnett (d), 5/15/29
Andy Beaubien, 5/15
Sharon Benoit (d), 5/15/45
John Rege Cordic (d), 5/15/26
Evan Haning, 5/15/50
Sandy Kelley, 5/15
Steve Knight, 5/15/41
Rod Lurie, 5/15/62
Tim Parker, 5/15
Dan Patrick, 5/15
Lupita Ramirez, 5/15
Scott Reiff "Skylord", 5/15/62
 David Gardner, 5/16/66
Steve Hafen, 5/16/47
Mary Lyon, 5/16
 Kimberly Fletcher, 5/17
Matty, 5/17/76
Earl McRoberts, 7/17/22
Kathleen Sullivan, 5/17/53
Frank Cisco, 5/18/44
E-Man, 5/18/64
 Johnnie B (Nichols) (d), 5/19/68
Mike Morrison, 5/19/61
Dick Janssen, 5/19/36
Rocco, 5/19/53
Chris Booker, 5/20
Greg Edwards, 5/20
Alan LaGreen, 5/20/51
Jack Naimo, 5/20/33
Ron Reagan, 5/20/58
Doug Roberts (Sluggo), 5/20/65
Edward "Buz" Schwartz (d), 5/20/26
Lily Sheen, 5/20
Tom Donahue (d), 5/21/28
Jim McKeon, 5/21/49
Sue McRoberts, 5/21/54
Rod Bernsen, 5/22
Lynn Duke, 5/22/48
Bob Moore, 5/22
Michael Soto, 5/22/49 (d)
Richard Blade, 5/23
Betty Breneman, 5/23
Hal Goodwin (d), 5/23/27
Chuck Richards, 5/23
Mike Sakellarides, 5/23
Ed Salamon, 5/23
Bob Shaw, 5/23/67
Cam Currier, 5/24/45
Isidra Person-Lynn, 5/24
Frankie DiVita, 5/25
Cornelius "Corndeezy" Eddwards, 5/25
Don Kelly, 5/25/27
Mark Wilson, 5/25
Jon Bruno, 5/26/54
Humble Harve, 5/26
Steve Henderson, Jr., 5/26/46
Rob Ismael, 5/26/78
Brent Seltzer, 5/26/47
Delores Thompson, 5/26
Art Webb, 5/26/85
Brooke Binkowski, 5/27/77
Adam Carolla, 5/27/64
Len Chandler, 5/27/35
Noel Confer (d), 5/27/31
Ian Kranitz, 5/27/53
Rick Sietsema, 5/27/59
Doug Steckler, 5/27
Marc Germain, 5/28/67
Billy Vera, 5/28/44
Monica Brooks, 5/29
Len Chandler, 5/29/35
Jeanine Kabrich, 5/29
Milt Klein (d), 5/29/25
Douglas McEwan, 5/29/50
Sam Ortega, 5/29/60
Michael Sanders, 5/29/79
Steve Carbone, 5/31
Kurt Kelly, 5/31
Jim Meeker, 5/31/38
Sonny Melendrez, 5/31
Lloyd Thaxton (d), 5/31

---

Those marked with (d) are deceased

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