(January 27, 2010) They came because they knew Johnny Morris as a radio engineer. Others came because they knew Johnny Morris as a radio dj. And still others came because Johnny Morris was Poetess’ father. The main reason they all came was to salute a man who has worked in the radio business for 45 years, first as the first black Chief Engineer in Southern California and then as a jock. Johnny has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, which is in remission according to Johnny, and the community showed up to make donations to help Johnny defray some of his medical expenses and to salute the veteran.  (Photo above: Johnny Morris on stage with daughter, Felicia "Poetess" Morris)

And they came from the Bay Area, the world of music, and there was the living legend Stevie Wonder on stage at the Conga Room singing his praises for Johnny Morris.

Kevin Fleming

Lisa Shearer, LaRita Shelby, Denise Smith

Before the testimonials and music began, Johnny and I huddled in a quiet room to talk about his legendary career. “I’m thrilled because in the radio business if you make it over five years, you’re doing good,” Johnny said. “I’ve had a really long run. I’ve retired into engineering now but from 1965 to 2000 I was on the air as a disc jockey and program director, but I really like engineering.”

Johnny Morris, Lee Bailey

Elston Butler and Poetess

Having a First Class Engineering license was always something Johnny could fall back if the on-air work didn’t work out. “Being able to make decisions on sound processing and building studios really helped me out a lot to make the stations sound like the way I wanted them to sound. When you can have control like that, it is really good.”

Johnny’s first station in LA was in the mid-1960s at KGFJ when the station was at 1989 Riverside Drive. On the air at the time were Big Jim Woods, Magnificent Montague, Tyrone “Boogie” Nelson, Levi Booker, and Alvin John Waples.

Dewey Hughes (co-founder Radio One), Poetess

Ron Brewington

When asked for highlights during his time in LA Radio, Johnny mentioned the people. “Being able to work with different people like Levi and Lawrence Tanter and others that I respected was certainly a high point.”

Johnny grew up in the Bay Area and was exposed to Soul stations KDIA and KSOL along with KFWB’s sister station, KEWB. “I loved the early rock and roll music of Fats Domino and Chuck Berry. There’s nothing like it. LA Radio was a lot tougher than Bay Area radio because there was more competition and a much larger audience. It was a challenge. I started out first as Chief Engineer for Inner City Broadcasting (KGFJ and KUTE 102). When the stations split up I went with KGFJ and then I went on the air as a jock and engineer for many years. It was fun because the music was still good. If I had to be on the air today I don’t know if I could adjust to where the music is. I just discovered a new station, KGIL. I heard Lou Rawls and they mix up the music with some classic 70s r&b. If you go around the dial to hear some good music, it is hard.”

Johnny Morris accomplished something astonishing for most LARP jocks who went to Ogden, or Don Martin, or another broadcast school to prepare for the First Class FCC exam. In the sixties, only one out of every 1,600 who took the exam passed. Johnny never went to a preparatory school and passed the test at age 17, which led to his first assignment as Chief Engineer at KSOL-Oakland/San Francisco. Johnny modestly said that it was a very good experience. “I went into that test room with a slide rule, which most people today don’t even know what it is. I was ready,” said Johnny.

“I have been able to be employed in this business because I could do more than just being a jock. That’s why I have 45 years. I have been able to build studios, do transmitter maintenance, computer maintenance, and installing telephones.”

Johnny’s daughter, Felicia Morris, better known as “Poetess” for 13 years at KKBT, “The BEAT,” orchestrated the evening at the Conga Room for her father and did an amazing job. “I am very proud of her,” said the prideful papa.

Familiar LARP and celebrities sharing the evening at the Conga Room: Bill Shearer (former general manager at KGFJ, KUTE and KACE), Ron Brewington (ex-KLON, KGFJ, KJLH, now professor and advocate for prostate testing), Kevin Fleming (former pd at KGFJ and KACE and now owner/publisher of trade publication, Urban Buzz), Lisa Shearer (ex-KGFJ and KACE), and Isidra Person-Lynn (news/public affairs programming at KACE and KJLH), Guy Black (former morning man at KJLH), LaRita Shelby (former morning drive at KGFJ), Elston Butler (AE for a number of stations), Dewey Hughes (one of the founders of Radio One and former husband of Catherine Hughes), and Lee Bailey (ex-KDAY, KMPC, KGFJ, and KUTE), Morris O'Kelly (producer for Tavis Smiley), Lisa Shearer (KFGJ and KACE, and Jerry Boulding.

Bill Shearer (l) spoke before the group. “In the 30 years I spent in radio, Johnny is one of the truly outstanding individuals I have been honored to know. Engineer, programmer, news person, whatever you needed, Johnny was there to take care of it. Whatever success we had, Johnny Morris was an integral part of that success. I have been blessed to have worked with him and I am blessed that we have become very good friends.”

Felicia brought the guest of honor, her father, up on stage and read two proclamations – one from the city of Los Angeles and the other from the city of Oakland, where he worked as a jock in his early career. (Thanks to Isidra Person-Lynn for some additional photos)