 |
Los Angeles Radio
People |
||
|
Los Angeles Radio
People |
||
(June 30, 1998) Jeff Bowen of Arcadia has been fascinated with radio since he was old enough to turn the dial. In 1973, he was inspired to write about the merits and memories of radio. He is a firm believer in the theory that radio is the best one-to-one method of entertainment and topical education available to people of all ages. Jeff wrote "Hello Out There…Is Anyone Listening…?" for an airline magazine that went defunct before his piece could be published. Jeff has graciously allowed Los Angeles Radio People to excerpt parts of his piece. Over the course of the summer, we will publish many segments that will jolt memories of Southern California from a quarter of a century ago. Jeff wrote the following in 1973 and nothing has been changed to bring back the memories.
Nostalgia is a ’55 Chevy Nomad, a record by the Four Freshmen, an Ozzie and Harriet re-run, a hamburger at a drive-in restaurant, AND your radio. No medium has ever been able to offer variety like the radio. It is the most one-to-one medium of this century. Radio is the most current, the most portable, and the most complete of all media. Radio IS news, sports, comedy, talk, rock, religion, weather, and generally the most entertaining, informative and topical of all of the many forms of entertainment. And, it’s the least expensive, as well.
Today’s radio stations aren’t always housed in sterile office buildings, staffed with "plastic people" and numerous push buttons. Quite the contrary, in fact. Three of the better-known local outlets headquarter in very unusual places. KRLA can be found nestled among the plush and very conservative grounds of the aging and statuesque Huntington-Sheraton Hotel in Pasadena. The little old ladies of Pasadena (many of whom reside at that grand old hotel) don’t even know that KRLA exists there, and could probably care even less.
Another unique front office is that of Los Angeles’ rock and roll station, KGBS. This outlet claims to be housed in what once was a mortuary (on Western Avenue). On the other hand, KMPC is located in what used to be the largest bowling alley in the world…on Sunset Blvd. One can’t help but wonder if KPSA is broadcasting from somewhere up in the clouds aboard a shiny new 727!
In looking over the AM dial, the casual observer of local radio would most likely view the standouts like this. KMPC would qualify as the best middle-of-the-road station, while KHJ would hold rock audience honors. KLAC, hands down, is the best country and western station, with KFI still trying to be the best of everything, from talk to country. KGIL (San Fernando Valley) and KEZY (Orange County) are the best regional outlets. KNX and KFWB hold the all-News attention. KIIS is joined by KROQ as possible new stars on the horizon. KPOL and XTRA are strong in the easy listening category. KGFJ is excellent in the soul market and for many years KWKW in Pasadena has catered well to the Spanish-speaking audience. What a choice there is!
To be continued…
_______________
(June 28, 1998) "I got to the point where I felt that a monkey could do it. Playing 20 songs in a row isn’t radio." That’s how "Reb" Foster answered the question on why he got out of radio in 1987 when I caught up with him in Amarillo this week. "Reb" played a significant role in the history of Los Angeles radio, mostly at KRLA. "Did you know that I joined/rejoined KRLA seven times?" he asked rhetorically. "Reb" started at KRLA in 1962 and was there during the historic arrival of the Beatles, which was orchestrated by KRLA. He was even pd during part of his journey. His afternoon drive antics included character voices and his most famous was "Maude Skidmore." I asked "Reb" where "Maude" came from? "I stole her from Bob Dayton. That’s the truth. Bob used the character working in New York, so I stole ‘her’ for me." Born James Dennis Bruton in Fort Worth on March 18, 1936, "Reb" grew up in Amarillo. Before arriving in the Southland, his radio journey took him to KIXL-Dallas, KILT-Houston, KYW-Cleveland, KCIN-Denver, KISN-Portland and KYA-San Francisco. He put on dances at the Retail Clerks Union Hall Auditorium in Buena Park with the cry, "Let’s Wail at the Retail." He had his own nightclub in Redondo Beach imploring the kids to "be there, or be square." In 1967, Billboard listed "Rebel" as the best midday dj. During one of his departures from KRLA, he went to KFWB (while still a Top 40 station). In the 1970s he managed Three Dog Night, the Turtles and Steppenwolf. "I returned to Amarillo on March 1, 1997. I know that date because I came home to bury my mother." His parents divorced when "Reb" was 8 and he split his time between his father in Ft. Worth and his mother who was living in Amarillo. "Four generations of our family have lived in this house and I’m still sifting through memories." Does he miss radio? "I’d rather be broke than be in radio and play 20 songs in a row. I never did anything I didn’t want to. I spent 36 years in Los Angeles and realized that I had only two friends, record promoter Tony Richland and world-class guitar player Al Casey. I thought, ‘something is wrong.’" He told a funny story about his relationship with Dayton. "Bob was working in Amarillo and he hired me from Austin to work for him in afternoon drive. I moved my family and when I got on the air, he realized he had mixed up the airchecks and made a mistake. He wanted someone else. But since I was already there, he thought best to try and work it out." In a return favor, "Reb" hired Bob at KRLA.
_______________
(June 25, 1998) A visitor to our Website, Shirly Kennedy, emails: "I hope someone can help me with my memories of early 50's KLAC djs. It seems to me that after Alex Cooper passed away he was replaced with a man with a beautiful voice named Jim Ameche. And I believe he was the brother of the actor Don Ameche. Also, during this same time period [circa '51, '52], the station had Jack Smith who, I believe, had been a band singer in the 30's 40's. I remember that when you listened to the smile in his voice you could not help but smile yourself."
_______________
(June 24, 1998) Andy Park remembers: "Like that great voice....and funny and angry guy....Scott Shurian, who did mid-morning news on KMPC. Val Clenard, News Director, whom Gary Owens insisted on calling 'Valcla Nard.' And speaking of Gary, does anybody remember when he ad-libbed an offer on the air one afternoon that people could write in a get 'an autographed picture of the Harbor Freeway.' Thousands did, and the promotion department went nuts sending out pictures of the freeway signed, 'Yours truly, Harbor Freeway.' And, as an admission of a long-hidden hidden secret, my first job in radio while still in High School was at WHBQ in Memphis where a guy named Winston S. Martindale III, appeared in a silver lame suit as 'Martindale of the Mars Patrol.' He was 'out of this world.'" AndyPark@aol.com
_______________
(June 22, 1998) For most of the 1980s and into the early 1990s, Rich Fields was part of the Southern California radio landscape at KCBS/KKHR/KODJ. On Sundays he hosted an insightful call-in show with a different major Oldies singer as his guest. Rich updates his activities with this email: "Currently I am working 8 to midnight at Cox radio’s WCOF [‘Coast 107.3’]-Tampa. It is a ‘70s format. I am also the announcer for the ‘Florida Lottery’s Flamingo Fortune’ television game show (produced by Goodson Productions) in Orlando. I am also the voice of the new cable network called ‘The Lottery Channel’ to sign on this fall. In addition to being the network V.O. guy, they want me to be the anchor for their nightly newscast. Prior to ‘Coast 107.3’ I was doing mornings at Oldies "U-92" in Tampa. Prior to that, I worked at KZLA for a couple of months and before that, ten years at CBS, Los Angeles. That about summarizes the last fifteen years or so of a twenty-year career. How are things in California? I do miss it from time to time." ( FieldsRich@aol.com )
_______________
(June 20, 1998) In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Jeff March worked at KVFM, KIEV and KBBQ. He's currently a partner in EditPros, a marketing communications firm in Davis that provides writing and editing services to corporate and institutional clientele. Who the heck uses EditPros? Jeff emails: "We have a real interesting assortment of clients—scientific research organizations, a real estate developer, a couple of city government agencies, software development firms, a law firm, a company that makes reading access products for blind people. My partner, Marti Childs, and I have particularly enjoyed working on our book Echoes Of The ‘60s, for which we’ve spoken at length with Gary 'U.S.' Bonds, Peter and Gordon, Gary Puckett, the Tokens, the Angels, the Fireballs, Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, the Beau Brummels, and members of the Lovin’ Spoonful, Moody Blues, Country Joe & the Fish and Iron Butterfly. Echoes will be published by Billboard Books next year." ( JEFFM@editpros.com )
_______________
(June 19, 1998) Between 1984 and 1989 "Wild Bill" Scott worked at KROQ and KNAC. He grew up in Los Angeles and San Francisco and was influenced by KFWB, KRLA and KHJ. Before he joined KROQ, Bill worked for many of the leading AOR stations around the country including KMEL-San Francisco, WABX-Detroit and WLUP-Chicago. He left the Southland to help establish the Z-Rock Satellite in Dallas. In the 1990s, Bill worked in San Francisco at KFOG, KRQR and KYA. It was at KYA that "Wild Bill" met Bill Drake and has worked with him since 1993 on various Oldies projects. Bill is currently working at Westwood One, as "Wild Bill", for their Oldies format, 7 to midnight Saturday and Sunday. ( Radioldies@aol.com )
______________
(June 18, 1998) Jack London emails: "During my days in Los Angeles radio I was at KFOX in Long Beach working the weekends and then on the all night show from l972-75. I also worked for KLAC from 1971-72. My first job in radio was at KWOW-Pomona from 1968-70. I moved to Las Vegas in 1970 and then back in 1975 when I left for Las Vegas again to program KDWN. I was named Billboard Program Director of the Year in 1980 and became pd of KVI-Seattle for Golden West Broadcasting. I returned to Las Vegas radio in 1981 to program KORK radio and have been on tv at KVVU FOX TV 5 in Las Vegas since 1982. I was inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame on June 13, 1997." ( LONDON68@aol.com )
______________
(June 17, 1998) "I was wondering if you know the whereabouts of Ira Fistell, late of KABC radio. After that he had a theater segment over at KGIL for a short time. He seems to have dropped off the map after that. Thanks for any info you can relate! Sincerely, Mark Zema mlzema@aol.com"
Ira is working fill-in at Classical KKGO and sister station, KKHI-San Francisco._______________
(June 16, 1998) In 1973 and 1974, "Captain" John Lodge worked at KHJ. John emails with how he got to Los Angeles and what he is doing now: "Here is the story on how I became one of those lucky enough to be chosen to perform in the most exciting radio market on the planet.
In late 1972, I was the assistant pd/md and afternoon drive dj at 'Big WAYS' in Charlotte. Our staff included the legendary Jay Thomas, Joel Denver [now head of the All Access Music Group], Mike Addams [now mornings on WMJX-Boston] and many other great though lesser known talents.
At that same time, Paul Drew [then pd of KFRC-San Francisco] was assigned to convert WGMS-Washington, DC, from Classical to Top 40. By the time he arrived at WGMS, the FCC [during the period of full regulation] had ruled that RKO would not be allowed to change the format. Paul was then reassigned to become pd of KHJ. Paul and wife Anne, since they were on the East coast and would not be back for some time, decided to spend a few days with her parents in Kannapolis, NC. After listening to me for three days in Charlotte, Paul made me the first jock he hired in L.A.
On my arrival in Los Angeles, the KHJ staff was:
Mid - 6am Johnny Williams
6am - 9am Robert W. Morgan
9am - Noon Bill Wade
Noon - 3pm Mark Elliott
3pm - 6pm The Real Don Steele
6pm - 9pm Jerry Butler
9pm - Mid Captain John
I left Los Angeles in 1974 to become pd at WDRQ-Detroit. Since that time, I have done mornings in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and helped start the Transtar Radio Network. Currently I am consulting for a select list of clients, doing some voice work, acting as agent for a few air talents, writing material and golf...when there's time." ( jlodge@iea.com )_______________
(June 13, 1998) When I was doing research for my book, I never found Rege Cordic. Rege had enormous success in Pittsburgh and worked in Los Angeles at KMPC and KRLA. While here, he also dabbled in acting. Now that this Website has grown significantly, a recent email from Rex Moore prompts the question again. Does anyone know about Rege? Rex's email: "I was wondering if you're familiar with an ol' chap named Rege Cordic. He was the permanent fella who was Bob Crane's permanent replacement on KNX in 1966. Rege was a deep-voiced announcer out of Pittsburgh, I think, and after Crane left radio, KNX used a team of announcers who were known as Baldwin & Walsh (can't remember their first names) and they were very, very funny together. Then the station hired Cordic, who was absolutely HILARIOUS. As funny as Cordic was, Bob Crane had big, big shoes to fill. Cordic's ratings couldn't compare to Crane's [in those days, only Dick Whittinghill's did] and he was gone in a flash. But for a wonderful, brief moment in time, Rege Cordic was as good as I'd ever heard..and there's something that still haunts me to this day -- Cordic opened his program every morning at 6:05 with his 'theme'...it was Bert Kaempfert's recording of Lazy River -- a remarkably mellow and wonderful record, and I've been collecting records all my life [still am] and I cannot find that record....geez ! Anyway, it was the 'Cordic-go-round for a _______ morn, from KNX, 1070 on your am dial, 93.1 on your fm dial.' He was absolutely one of the best."
_______________
(June 11, 1998) Perhaps inspired by the movie American Graffiti, there has been over the years attempts to broadcast rock 'n roll to Southern California from a border Mexican town. XPRS (the blow torch of the Southwest) played Oldies in the 1970s and Jack Blair was part of the action working nights and being pd. When he left the station he went to: KDWN-Las Vegas; KORK-Las Vegas; WAIT-Chicago; KUDO-Las Vegas. Since 1981, Jack has worked in Phoenix at KLFF, KOOL, KOY, KTAR and now operations manager at KCCF-Phoenix. ( jblair@primenet.com )
_______________
(June 10, 1998) Dick Kazan is a self-made multimillionaire. For two years (1993-95) he hosted "The Road to Success," originally on KABC and after the CapCities sale, on KTZN (now KDIS, 710AM). The program was a one-of-a-kind that offered consultation to small businesses, entrepreneurs and employees of large companies. He gave career advice and financial guidance such as: how to save money when they buy or lease a vehicle, and when to rent or purchase a home. For two decades, he was the founder of one of the largest computer leasing companies in the United States. Dick received his bachelor’s degree in history from Cal State Los Angeles in 1967 and two years later a master’s in social science at San Jose State University.
Dick now provides advice in a weekly column in Radio & Records. Some of his recent articles include: "Run a Meeting in Half the Time," "Consolidation: No Time To Hide," "How You Can Easily Organize Yourself For Success," and "The Importance of Your Back Office." He also writes a small business column that's published every Tuesday in the business section of the Daily Breeze. ( rkazan@ix.netcom.com )
_______________
(June 9, 1998) During the summer of 1990, Sean Lynch worked at KIIS as "Dick Tracy." In 1996 he returned to KIIS, this time as Danny Cuervo, to work a "Saturday Night Dance Party." He left in early 1997 because his "day job" at vp of promotion at Priority Records took up so much time. Danny emails:
"Started in radio in Fairbanks, Alaska. One of my first assignments was covering live dog mushing races! Worked in Anchorage, then KORL-Honolulu, with such legends as Lan Roberts, Rick Carroll, Gary Bryan and Kawasami Kong. I was just a baby dj then, but it was a blast! Moved back to Anchorage and became pd of KENI, which had been the home of Art Bell...he did middays and was a good Top 40 dj before he crossed into Area 52 territory. Next up was KYYX-Seattle, the first FM Top 40 in the market. It was automated, which was a first for me, but we had a pretty good sounding station. Ironically, as I was leaving, Rick Carroll became the consultant and took the station Modern Rock, one of the first in the country outside of KROQ. Following my tenure at KYYX, I moved to KNBQ-Tacoma. Programmed there for a few years, then on to KKRZ-Portland, where I stayed for four years. Transferred within the company to program KROY-Sacramento while they were still Top 40. I stayed there for a year, then hung up the headphones and moved to L.A. to seek my fortune in the record business. While I was waiting for opportunity to knock, Gerry DeFrancesco at KIIS was kind enough to let me do weekends and fill at KIIS. This was summer 1990, and I hit the airwaves as 'Dick Tracy', and then once the buzz on the movie died off, reverted to Sean Lynch. I joined Interscope Records shortly afterwards, but continued my work at KIIS until January 1991.
Sorry this post is so long...being a Top 40 vet I do know the meaning of brevity...I must be a little rusty!
Sean Lynch" ( Skateman7@aol.com )_______________
(June 8, 1998) Recent sightings..."Rebel" Foster, former KRLA dj and pd and manager of Three Dog Night, is living in a small Texas town..."Goodtime" Steve Mitchell, last heard in the Southland at KFI in the early eighties, is now the pd of WYAY-Atlanta...Dave Hull, the "Hullabalooer," is now full-time at KWXY-Palm Springs...Dred Scott, who most recently worked weekends at KLSX, is now a writer/reporter/producer at Westwood One...Mr. Traffic is syndicating a new show, "Traffic Jam." The show is being repped by KFI's Nick Federoff and his Environmental Media Corporation. The show is "clearing stations already," according to Mr. Traffic, "and we will have an L.A. outlet." Mr. Traffic's real identity is Kenny Morse and he is Bill Handel's traffic expert and appears from time to time on KABC shows. In 1993, he had his own show, "Ask Mr. Traffic" at KIEV.
_________________________________________________________
(June 6, 1998) "I'm anxious to get your book. Any information on Don MacKinnon? I was one of Don's groupies in the late fifties and he used to let me sit in on his shows at KABC as long as I produced a few jokes every night. He was a very fun and caring guy to be with and I was greatly saddened when I heard he drove off Malibu Canyon in the sixties. Last I heard him was on KLAC. He was from Iowa and loved working in 'sinus sump' and 'ulcer gulch.' 'Stop that frownin' and start that grinnin'......everybody's listen to Don MacKinnon'......definitely Fifties!!Marty Simons" martinusa@msn.com
Don worked at KABC, KLAC and KFWB in the early 1960s and died in June of 1965. Chuck Blore, pd of KFWB and ad man extraordinaire, said of Don: "The best one of all and there's no question about it. He had an incredible brain, you never ever heard him say anything that didn't matter. He was very, very funny about things that mattered."_______________
(June 3, 1998) For many decades, KGRB (900AM) was the true dispenser of Big Band music in the Southland. For over a decade (1972-83) Rex Moore was the morning man. The station has since become a Spanish facility. Rex emails:
"I'm flattered that you remembered me. At KGRB in those days, we were a tiny station, but we had something that [at the time] no one else had -- a big bands and vocalists format. After I retired from radio to go into banking, and was still young enough to have a second career, I found out just how much I missed radio. It was fun, and I have no regrets about those years. I was fortunate to work with some excellent announcers, too ...specifically, Rahn Harris, George Dvorak [George was the consummate announcer -- spent years and years in LA radio], Bob Stone and Bob Mayfield.
I grew up in Covina, 25 miles east of Los Angeles, and in fact have lived in this all my life. I attended Covina High School, and went to college in nearby Walnut -- in fact, when our college radio station had it's first FM broadcast, I was lucky enough to be chosen to be the very first DJ on the air...it was quite an honor for a college kid [especially one who wanted to be a disc-jockey all his life].
Since we played all big bands and vocalists, I was lucky enough to meet all of the bandleaders who were still working in those days, and became good friends with most of them. Every September, KGRB broadcast live from the Los Angeles County Fair, and thousands of people would gather around our radio booth, to watch the proceedings, and finally get to see the faces that were connected to the voices. It was always fun.
Whenever I played an old swing tune by Tommy Dorsey that featured his singing group -- the Pied Pipers -- I always tried to mention on the air that one of the original Pipers was KMPC's very own Dick Whittinghill. Apparently, one day he heard me say this, and wrote to thank me for the 'plug.' He's a great guy !'
Thanks again Don, see you soon. Rex Moore." ( RMoore5580@aol.com )_______________
(June 2, 1998) Jeff Bowen of Arcadia recently came across an autographed copy of his 1976 book by Dick Whittinghill, Did You Whittinghill This Morning? Jeff points to the back jacket message about Whittinghill, written and signed by Frank Sinatra. Frank wrote:
"I remember Dick Whittinghill very well. We served time together with Tommy Dorsey’s Band back in the late 30s and around the corner into the 40s. Then when Pearl Harbor broke out, Dick decided to enlist, but in case we lost the war he didn't want to known as a loser so he changed his name to Douglas MacArthur.
I remember our last day together. I helped him pack his corncob pipe and that battered old hat, and he promised to return. I have wondered what happened to him ever since, and I was delighted to find out recently that he has changed his name back to Dick Whittinghill and plays good music on the radio and that he has written his autobiography. I can hardly wait to read it and see how the war came out. {signed) Frank Sinatra." Thanks, Jeff, for sending the note.
_______________
(May 31, 1998) Peter Tripp was hired at KGFJ the day John F. Kennedy was shot. He came to the Southland from KUDL and WHB-Kansas City and WMGM-New York where he was known as "The Curly Headed Kid in the Third Row." I caught up with the former Los Angeles Radio People who now lives in Canyon Park. How did you get the moniker? "I was born in Port Chester, New York on June 11, 1926, and my father was a sales executive with Forbes magazine. He took a bunch of his friends to the hospital after I was born. As they looked through the window in the maternity ward, he pointed to the curly headed kid in the third row and it just stuck."
New owners arrived at KGFJ in 1964, a year after Peter arrived. "I got a letter from the owner saying they were letting me go because they have to have an all-black sound. I took the letter to my lawyer and we ended up winning a fair, but not great settlement. I invested the money into a series of topless beer bars in the Southland, one was called ‘Pussy Cat A Go-Go" and there was another in Torrance.
Peter left the beer bar business and has been involved in many endeavors. His most successful venture was a home exercise device called Slim Gym that he advertised on tv. He said the Slim Gym had " a lot of sparkle and charisma." Later, he did very well with Dyna Gym, which Peter said, "was great for the back."
Peter is currently involved in "looking for investments."
_______________
(May 30, 1998) On April 1, 1996, Andy Ludlum joined KABC/KTZN/KMPC as program director and left last year. Before arriving in the Southland, Andy earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from San Jose State. He worked at KXRX-San Jose, KIRO-Seattle and programmed KMBR/KMBZ-Kansas City. From 1987 to 1994 he was a vp of news and programming at KIRO AM&FM and TV and KING-Seattle. When asked why he chose radio rather than journalism, Andy responded, "Radio is less anal and better suited to my short attention span." What is Andy up to now? He emails:
"Since leaving KABC (hasn't everyone?) I've been doing some broadcast consulting, freelance commercial production and have recently been working with the morning show at KFWB, producing." ( aludlum@ix.netcom.com )
______________
(May 28, 1998) "The best experience in my life was the 11 years [1968-79] I spent at KGBS. I stayed through a mish-mash of formats including being the only male on the air during the all-female 'Gentle Country' format in 1974," said Bob Morgan when interviewed for my book. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Glendale, Bob also worked at KHTZ and KRLA. Since 1989 he has fulfilled another passion, working with trains. He is a locomotive engineer with Amtrak and does all of their commercials. He's also the voice announcing arrivals and departures at the train stations in the Western states. "Every once in a while I meet an Amtrak passenger who remembers me from KGBS." Bob emails:
Dear Don:
I found your Website and I just want to say thanks for all the great memories. I recall we had a conversation some time ago in which I remembered some of the good times and great people of the old KGBS. Since our conversation, some of those folks have passed away and I can't help but feel nostalgic at the very sight of their names. I may have told you, I grew up visiting KFWB at night in the summers. I'd 'gopher' for Red Blanchard on the all night show. I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined that I would work at a radio station in Los Angeles where some of the top names in the business would come and go. It would take an entire chapter in your book to list everyone who I worked with at that station. I think almost everyone in L.A., other than Robert W. worked there at one time or another. I was truly blessed to be able to tap the talent of these guys. After all, as Bob Hudson used to tell me: 'nothing you ever do will be truly original. Everything has already been done. We just find new ways to present it.' He was right. I used to stay after my shift to soak in the talent and learn. I took he and Tommy Roe out on my boat fishing one day and we had a ball. In the years before he died, I would call him and we'd just talk. Sometimes about radio, and sometimes about nothing at all. He was my friend and mentor. Then there was Bill Ballance. I have never met anyone in this industry who can match his thought process. Everything I ever did on the air was a combination of Hudson, Ballance, Dave Hull, Bobby Dale, Blanchard, Ted Quillin, Elliot Field, Mitch Reed and all the others that went before me. Sometimes I would come back to the station just to watch Ballance work. I remember the first day he came to work at KGBS. It was on a Sunday afternoon, he walked in the door to relieve me and I was told to stay and help him learn the board. That took all of ten minutes! Anyway, I could take up your whole Website with stories of KGBS, but I'll close with my thanks to you for keeping us alive. Feel free to publish my e-mail address and even my phone number if you wish. I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers. I guess like The Emperor, I'd 'just like folks to call' once in awhile.
Best wishes,
Bob Morgan" ( KGBSFM97@aol.com )_______________
(May 25, 1998) Ken Levine, or as most Southern California radio listeners (at KIQQ, KEZY, KGIL, KTNQ, KMPC and KFI) during the 1970s knew him as Beaver Cleaver, made one of the most impressive transitions from radio to tv. He's won an Emmy and Writers Guild Awards. Additionally he has taken his passion with baseball to the announce booth where during the 1990s he has been the play-by-play announcer for the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres. He was the tv writer/producer of such shows as M*A*S*H, Cheers, Frasier and The Simpsons. Ken was the executive producer of Almost Perfect. Proving that you can do anything with your life if you are willing to work hard, persevere and follow your passion(s), Ken emails an update:
"Since Almost Perfect was cancelled by CBS [only to resurface again in syndication on the Lifetime Cable channel thank God], I have primarily been directing. Among the shows I've directed are Frasier, Just Shoot Me, Dharma & Greg, Wings, Lateline, and a bunch that are no longer around. Along with my writing partner, David Isaacs, I also wrote the Frasier episode this year where Lilith returned and slept with Niles. I recently wrote a movie about the world of radio called Satisfaction that I hope to set up and direct. Baseball-wise, I may do some fill in games for the Seattle Mariners later this summer.
Hope all is well. Ken Levine." (veen@earthlink.net)._______________
(May 23, 1998) Allen Levy of Earthlink emails:
"I'm wondering about the people who worked at tiny KGRB, the last real Big Band station on AM. From what I understand they went through hell before the station went all -Spanish. I'm especially interested in Bob Stone. He was very creative, with an encyclopedic knowledge of music.
Any information?
Allen Levy"Allen, I called Bob and he said that he was "looking for an opportunity" and feels that he has put radio by "the wayside." He said that Roger Carroll called him with an opportunity in Baltimore but doesn't want to be a radio gypsy anymore. Bob said that being the "transitional manager" at KGRB between the old and new owners was difficult. He said that Tom Murphy was auditioning at KRTH in the second week of June, Lymon Jay was doing weekends at KORG and Mayfield was retired.
_______________
(May 22, 1998) Psychotherapists Dr. Leslie Pam and his wife Ann Christie hosted a relationship talk show at KMPC from 1994 to 1996. They have a private practice and are co-founders of Conflict Resolution Unlimited, where they specialize in crisis counseling. They have been married for over 20 years. In early 1996 they told their KMPC listeners that they'd be back after a station break with a big announcement, which was: "We've been fired!" They finished their last hour, during which callers in a reversal of roles comforted them with "Keep your spirits up, etc." For a time they commuted to Las Vegas for a radio station job. The couple recently emailed an update:
"Vegas at KDWN for a while, tough travel. A couple of quest appearances at KLSX with Tracey Miller; she's a fan and a great friend. A career in radio is like being on the merry-go-round, you're on, then off, you wait in line until the confluence of stars in the heavens line up and someone notices that it's time again for sex and relationships with Dr. Leslie Pam and Ann Christie MA. In the meantime you enjoy the time off, you reflect, you travel, and learn to snowboard!
Thanks again. Leslie and Ann" ( leslyann@pacificnet.net )_______________
(May 15, 1998) Have you voted for your favorite 10 Los Angeles Radio People. The results of your voting will appear in a future edition of Los Angeles Radio People.The current standings appear on the Top 10 page at this Website. Most everyone votes for their 10 favorites, but Larry Boxer (KDAY, KHJ, KNX, KWNK and now Westwood One) writes commentary next to each vote. It is not necessary to do as Larry (who was also known as Dave Boxer, Jack Boxer and Joe Terry) did, but it is important for you to vote.
1. Gary Owens--a mile above the rest when it comes to creativity, preparation, voice, and raw talent, all combined. Every shift at KMPC was a polished performance. A true showman on the air, there was always a wink in his voice. He knew how thickly he was laying it on and he knew that his listeners loved it. He was one of the last personalities who gave listeners credit for intelligence. Well, maybe listeners were smarter back then.
2. Dave Hull--the true "Clown Prince" of L.A., he was our leader during the Beatles era. Hilarious on KRLA, his true talents surfaced when he began doing "teenage sex talk" on KGBS in the 70s. With all the clowning, he remained a "real" guy.
3. Robert W Morgan--will always be our morning man. We hung on every word.
4. Dick Whittinghill--the famous morning man of the 60s at KMPC. He entertained our parents, and then us, with his dry wit. He walked out the door with us on his mind.
5. Jim Wood--the best unknown in LA radio history, at KRLA and KGFJ in the 60s and 70s. He won four consecutive Billboard awards! His voice broke radio speakers.
6. Rick Dees--Nobody has ever made hard work pay off like Dees. He fashioned himself into a creative force whose wit and timing are excellent. He's a model for us all when it comes to unabashed self-promotion. He's the real deal, who matured as a personality right
in front of his audience.
7. Chuck Browning--the quintessential "Boss Jock." He was everything Bill Drake had in mind when he invented the format. But he was with us for much too short a time.
8. Rush Limbaugh--Say what you will, the guy is great! More than a conservative commentator, he's a showman who's never forgotten his roots as a jock.
9. Don Imus--Sure he's great, but who cares? Idiot!
10. Howard Stern--Sometimes truly wonderful, sometimes abysmal, he helped to reshape our business and open up options on the air that we never had before. Definitely one of the major shaping forces in broadcasting. His value to our business will be truly appreciated in another 10 years.
In A Category of his Own: Vin Scully--Amazing, awesome, and inspiring. Don't even try to describe him, just enjoy. Could the Dodgers have maintained their consistent popularity without him? Not a chance.
Larry Boxer
(Jack Boxer/Joe Terry)
Westwood One Radio Network
ljboxer@earthlink.net_______________
(May 14, 1998) For a decade in the 1980s, Joe Huser was a drivetime mainstay at Jazz KKGO. Born and raised in Arcadia, Joe was pumping gas after high school when he was drafted into the Vietnam conflict. "I was the last dj on Radio Saigon. Good Morning, Vietnam was about the first dj and I was the bookend at the end. When Kissinger signed the peace agreement, my assignment ended." Joe returned to the States with the army and was stationed near Tucson which led to a job at KIKX. "I was listening to a guy who was not very good and figured I could do better and got the job." From there Joe went to KUPD-Phoenix and then a half-decade at KPOI AM/FM-Honolulu followed by a year as pd of KAOI-Maui. How did he get to KKGO? "Well, Saul Levine, owner of KKGO was starting a Beautiful Music operation in Hawaii and asked if I would help. I was coming to the Mainland for my brother's marriage. Saul asked me to stay in L.A. and that’s how I got home." In 1990 Joe joined Westwood One (formerly Unistar), first with the Soft Hits format and since 1992 doing the Mainstream Country format. Concurrent with his satellite show, Joe worked at KLIT and KACD during the first half of the 1990s. ( huseblues@aol.com )
_______________
(May 13, 1998) Evan Haning worked at KRLA in 1973 and 1974. He caught up with our Website this week and emailed:
"During my time at KRLA I undeservedly but only temporarily replaced Johnny Hayes as music director. (He was one of my idols, along with Lohman & Barkley, The Real Don Steele, "Sweet" Dick Whittington, Robert W. Morgan, and I might even add Hugh Cherry to that group).
I later worked at KGIL from 1977-1979 where I did the "last" live show (for an automated interval of time) working with Chuck Cecil, Johnnie Darin, Thomas Brown IV, Larry Van Nuys, Dick Spangler, Ed Ziel, and Craig Hines.
My last on-air job in LA radio was a terrible stint at KJOI where we tried to unionize and were picked off one by one. I also sold and announced automated programming for Jay Stevens' and Ron Lewis' More Music, Inc.[rubbing elbows and voices with the likes of Dave Hull and Don Burns], worked for Wolfman Jack, wrote for Drake-Chenault [the inception of the Weekly Top 30], wrote one week of "Record Report" for Robert W.Morgan, and some other odd jobs.
Since the early 80s I have been in Washington, D.C. I came out to help launch WJOK the all-comedy station. For twelve years I was with WRC AM980, starting with Big Band and making the transition to talkradio. As well as being a talk-host, I was production director for those twelve years. I worked with Joel A. Spivak [ I sneaked a radio into my junior high school classes to listen to him on KLAC 570 along with L&B, Joe Pyne and Ray Briem], and many others.
I'm currently Exec Producer of the Dr Gabe Mirkin Show, a medical show heard on over fifty stations in the US and Canada. I also do free-lance, and am the anonymous voice of dozens of language instruction tapes, the Voice of Dulles airport and much more. [And my career is going much better than it did in LA because I finally quit taking pills and drinking.]
Love your site and I'm going to buy your book!
Evan Haning" ( EvanHaning@aol.com )_______________
(May 12, 1998) In the 1960s, KGIL was a very popular MOR station with high-profile personalities that included Chuck Southcott, "Sweet Dick" Whittington, Wink Martindale and Paul Compton, but to name just a few. Arriving at KGIL in 1965 was Jerry Lee. When he left L.A. he intersected with a number of other Southern California djs during his radio journey. Jerry reminisces in a recent email:
"I greatly appreciate being in your book and can only guess, but I suppose it might have been Chuck Southcott who remembered me. Chuck and I worked closely at KGIL and I remember him as a true professional, a classic radio personality who, like me, was very proud to just 'be on the radio.' I haven't seen or talked to Chuck in years but if he sees this, a big hello.
Another dear friend is Bill Ward. We worked together as teenagers at KBEC- Waxahachie and KTRN-Wichita Falls in our native Texas. Still get together for lunch a couple times a year to remind ourselves of the great days of Top 40 radio, Gordon McLendon, etc.
After leaving KGIL, I was promoted to pd at the Buckley co-owned station in Minneapolis, WWTC. We were doing easy listening on a weak AM station and it just never worked. One of my announcers was Lou Reigert, a.k.a. Lou Waters, now one of those classy anchors on CNN. [He's so cool and serious on CNN. In those days, he was the station clown.] Another announcer at WWTC was the late, wonderful John Rydgren, later famous as 'Brother John' on ABC and several local stations. At the time, he was attending divinity school and was my main weekend voice. And what a voice. He did all of our one-liners and station IDs.
One long winter in Minneapolis was enough for me. I next went to WIL-St. Louis, followed by WHK-Cleveland (where I was pd and hosted a nighttime talk show for a while), and then KXYZ and KPRC-Houston. [Also while at WHK, I got to return to L.A. radio for a couple of months during an engineers strike in 1970 at KLAC.] At KXYZ I got to work with the great Bill Calder, in my opinion one of the best personalities in radio. What even happened to him?
Finally got tired of the on-air merry-go-round and I 'went into sales.' That was at KTRH, the News/Talk station in Houston. I did o.k. in sales but spent most of my time telling management what they should be in programming, so I was made station manager of the then-fledgling KLOL - 'K-101' - one of the true progressive, free-form FMs of the era. That was 1971 and I stayed there for 10 years.
Had a great time during what I consider the hey-day of AOR. One of my PD's was Jackie McCauley. She worked at KMET as PD for a while and then got married and moved to Australia. Any word on where she might be? Other talent at KLOL was Levi Booker, Ed Beauchamp, Kerry McCall, and Kenny Noble, all who later worked in Southern California radio.
After 10 years in Houston I had to hit the road again. My last 'real job' in radio was as gm of the Westinghouse Easy Listening station in San Diego, KJQY, from 1981 to 1984. I was edged out in a classic corporate power play and then for a few years did consulting work for several San Diego stations.
I finally decided on a career change and joined a publishing company in San Diego as an ad salesman for a group of shooting magazines [a life-long interest, being a good ol' boy from Texas] was later offered a chance to be a magazine editor and became one. Then 5 years ago I made what I hope is a last career move and came up here to Petersen Publishing where I'm editor of two different gun/shooting/hunting magazines, Petersen's Shotguns and Rifle Shooter.
What a small world, huh? Love being back in L.A. I live in Beverly Hills 7 minutes from work. Not much of a commute but I listen to lots of radio. I've gotten very long-winded here, so I'll save my comments on L.A. radio for next time—except to say that KABC is in a whole lot of trouble. What a shame. Roger Barkley, wish you were here.
Thanks again, Don. Love the books, love your Website.
Jerry Lee" leej@petersenpub.com
_______________(May 12, 1998) Not long after Jerry posted the above update, Alex Calder, Bill Calder's song emailed the following:
"Hello All. My name is Alex Calder, but to keep things easy, you can call me Bill Calder's son. I put together a web page of memorabilia about my dad. I still have a lot of photos to add, but for now, I should provide some memories for some of you out there. The address is: http://www.helispot.com/billcalder. Take a look."
(May 9, 1998) At the age of 29, Doug Cox took over the programming chores at KRLA. It was the late 1960s and the Hollywood-born Doug was a regional promotion man for Atlantic Records. Doug remembered: "I was talking with KRLA’s news person Cecil Tuck and he thought I would be perfect for radio. He offered to help if I ever wanted to pursue a job in radio. He told me this the day I was fired from Atlantic." Cecil introduced Doug to the station’s gm and he was hired. Doug said, "I learned music from Johnny Hayes and spiritual growth from Dick Moreland." Doug took the automation out of KRLA and returned the station to personality radio, including Jimmie Rabbit in the evenings. Doug went on to be gm of KPPC and in 1971 abruptly left radio, never to return. He became a motivational trainer to such corporations as Redken, Wells Fargo Bank and the Trump empire. Doug called last week and he’s now living in Lithia Springs, Georgia, and working as the vp of Nioxin, the first non-drug to eliminate excessive hair loss. ( dcox@nioxin.com )
_______________
(May 7, 1998) Currently retired following nearly half a century in radio and television, Chet Casselman made his contribution to Los Angeles radio history in the late 1950s. His first for-money broadcast job was in 1948 as a staff announcer at the McClatchy Broadcasting Company's KERN-Bakersfield. Five years later he was promoted to nd at KMJ-Fresno and frequently appeared on KMJ/TV. A major break came in 1957 when he was hired as a newscaster and reporter by, as Chet describes him, "the incomparable Bob Forward" at KMPC. In the early 1960s Chet moved to KSFO-San Francisco where he spent 15 years. He is the co-founder and president of the Broadcast Legends in San Francisco, which is similar to Southern California's Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters Association.
_______________
(May 6, 1998) Billy Moore had quite a run in Los Angeles radio during the 1970s, first working at KKDJ (now KIIS/FM), then KRTH, KGIL, KIQQ and KUTE. He now lives in Zionsville, Indiana, where he built a studio in his home and runs a very active voiceover and imaging business. He was prompted to write a four-page letter reminiscing about his time in Southern California because, well, I'll let him tell you:
"If I'd known what I was in for, I would have rushed to the pages of Los Angeles Radio People as soon as it came off the presses. Instead, it wasn't until a month ago that I finally opened the front cover of your book. Everything stopped. After reading it straight through, revisiting many parts of it, and reading various passages to my friends and family, still something on one or two of those pages goes along with me now, each day.
Masterful in your monumental task of gathering all the information, what better way to chronicle this unique society than to let the Los Angeles Radio People tell us the story themselves? That's as accurate as it gets. You've stepped back and let it happen. And, oh, those stories. Some sad, poignant, silly, funny, informative, and all touching.
While I never met The Real Don Steele - God rest his soul - I did work with his longtime buddy Robert W. Morgan. I was the production director at KIQQ then and filled in as B. Harold Moore, doing the news for Robert when his newsman, B.R. Bradbury, took a vacation. At some point, Robert began referring to me as Billy Bob around the station. I never knew why. I could only suspect that maybe I'd told him I was from Chattanooga and he picked up on how Southerners come up with names like that for their kids.
I shied away from Robert W. and didn't really make an effort to try to get close to him. I was intimidated, I think. He made it seem so damned easy! I knew better. I was there. Robert W. worked hard at what he did, but it never sounded that way, a testament to his professionalism. His planning and execution were unmatched. He was clever, innovative and human.
An example of his humanity, innovation and his responsibility for what he was doing, came one morning while I was there. I listened from the hall to the overhead on-air speakers. He was speaking with a listener, a young girl, and it took a long time for Robert to persuade her into admitting that she was high on drugs. The girl was quite depressed. Robert took his time. He talked with her about what was bothering her, keeping her on the line and focused, and it was all going out over the Southern California airwaves. Robert was never judgmental, or condescending of the girl. Hearing them made me feel as if I'd stumbled onto a private and intimate conversation between a father and a daughter. I can't help but believe that both of them felt the same. Later, the station had to make up a lot of commercials that didn't get aired while all this was going on. Robert was talking as long as it took, and when it was going on, it was all that was going on.The uninterrupted saga unfolded before the very ears and in the imaginations of those listening. In the end, Robert had gotten the girl to promise to take an honest look at what was going with her and drugs and thanked her for calling, then said, '...and call me any time.'
Yeah, Don, quite a special time and you've brought it back for all of us to live again. You've provided a most interesting history for everyone. It was sad for me to learn that some of those with whom I'd worked, had passed on, namely, Steve Angel. I was working at KGIL when Jerry Butler committed suicide and so was Steve. Of course, last year's death of The Real Don Steele has left a great hole in the industry and the heart's of many. To learn from your book of the survival of the others I knew, was pleasant news indeed.
I'm honored to have been a part of Los Angeles broadcasting history and to have been included in your excellent chronicle of that vibrant and special era. Keep up the good work and give my regards to Hollywood.
My sincerest thanks,
Billy"_______________
(May 5, 1998) "Sweet Dick" Whittington is one of those rare individuals who has left an indelible mark on Southern California radio. My book chronicled many of his zany stunts. When the votes were tabulated for the Top 10 personalities between 1957-97, Dick came in #7. I asked each of the Top 10 winners to comment about the others. It was very revealing. Dick makes mention of the responses in this email, as well as a personal update. From one of the Giants in Southern California radio:
"An update OK: I fell in love. She had the opportunity of a directorship on the central coast. Since my work these days consists of writing, I, therefore did not find it difficult to make the decision to move up here with her. This area, as I'm sure most of you know is the Valhalla of California. The beaches, the mountains are breathtakingly spectacular.
I've stayed away from radio, or it has stayed away from me for at least three years, and oddly enough I don't miss it, as I thought I might. I truly believe that I have said everything that was original within me. I didn't want to begin to sound redundant, relying on 'old bits,' in order to survive. During the last couple of years I was beginning to sound a little too familiar to myself. I didn't want to be looked upon as a 'yesterday hero,' i.e., not knowing when it was time to get off; unfortunately a trait in many of us who have enjoyed a certain success and wish to continue it indefinitely.
Having written for television for years, I had always wished to try a novel, but fear prevented me. Finally, I did, and three years later, after much reduction, editing and re-writing, I submitted it and received twenty seven rejection replies. Very tough on my fragile ego. However, I persisted and it is currently with a New York publishing house. As you know the publishing business is a very difficult field for neophytes and even published writer's these days, so the result of the labor remains in the hands of the God Nebulous. I write every day and am simultaneously finishing a mystery novel, and a collection of hopefully strong character-driven short stories on various people in and out of the radio and television industry, that I have observed over the years.
I truly am a happier person than I perhaps deserve to be. Since I have the forum, I'll ask your indulgence a bit longer, if I may by thanking those who have inquired about me; as in 'whatever happened to....?' That in itself makes me feel very good and worthwhile. I am truly grateful. Also my thanks to my peer group in your "top Ten" poll, who wrote so glowingly. It's weird reading nice stuff about yourself from people that you have respected over the years, each for their own individual talents. That I believe was what was so unique about the era- each of us differed from each other, so that there was never any mistake as to who you were listening to, whether it was Robert W., who I hope is resting comfortably, and is enjoying his retirement, or Dave Hull. None of us could ever have been accused of plagiarism.
I also would like to express my gratitude to Bill Ballance, the Octavio Paz of San Diego, for his verbal rhapsodies. And the late Emperor Bob Hudson, who remembered an obscure piece I wrote on the Royal Monarch butterfly. Incidentally, even though I didn't know Bob that well; like so many of you, I called his wife and her words will always haunt me. She said to me: 'he just wanted somebody to call him.' I'm sure as you read this, it will affect you as much as it has me. I'd ask you to call me, but I'll be damned if I'm giving out my phone number.
And finally to Don Barrett (it's suck-up time folks) I believe we all owe a large thank you for making us all far more socially relevant than I ever thought we would be. I forget who once said that the only thing lower on the American social scale than a disc-jockey hasn't shed its skin yet this year. Actually I said it, but I take it back, now that my skin is adorning Michael Jackson's (the singer, I'm not getting involved in that hoo-ha.) face.I think I've said enough here. Again thank you and if you ever up on the central coast and you see me, please look straight through me, I don't want to be recognized; remember I'm a radio guy for god sakes.
My best to you all,
Dick Whittington"_______________
(May 3, 1998) Steve Parker is now at XTRA SPORTS 1150, the Jacor AM outlet in LA. He built a reputation as an internationally-known automotive journalist and took his vehicle to radio. He eventually became West Coast Editor for the popular Popular Mechanics Magazine. Steve emailed:
"I grew up in New York listening to Jean Shepherd and fell in love with radio. In 1989 I started an automotive show called "America On The Road" for Mutual Broadcasting. When KGIL dropped the show in L.A., the show went downhill due to poor management by producers and salespeople. It was an old story called greed. Before the show was disbanded, I lived out a dream having Jean Shepherd as a guest. In the summer of 1991 I brought 'The Car Dudes' to KTLA/Channel5 as the weekly auto segment on Channel 5's Morning Show. I took my auto radio show locally to KMPC [which became KTZN] and it was called 'Car Nut.' When Maureen Lesourd fired me, George Green [former KABC gm and now a consultant, sometimes with Jacor] invited me to join KXTA, XTRA 1150 Sports Radio. I still pray for George's good health every night! He did me a huge favor. I'm about ready to announce a new TV show with a local network affiliate. I'll be working solo as 'The Car Dude.'" Steve's show runs Saturdays from 8-10 a.m. and Sundays from 9-11 a.m. and 8-9 p.m. He's looking for a salesperson to work with him and his various radio/TV projects. ( Steve@SteveParker.com ) or ( www.SteveParker.com )
_______________
(May 2, 1998) Some radio people make an excellent transition to other entertainment areas. Steve Marshall made a seamless move from radio to TV. During his radio days in the 1970s, Steve was given credit for creating one of the first successful Soft-Rock formats in the country, "The Mellow Sound" on KNX/FM. In 1979, he left radio to write for the hit comedy WKRP in Cincinnati. He went on to be executive producer of Gloria with Sally Struthers and co-created two other ABC comedies, Off the Rack and Just the Ten of Us. Steve was executive producer and writer of Growing Pains. He wrote and directed a short dramatic film that was entered in the 1997 Sundance Film Festival. Steve emailed us:
"Didn't know about your website until reading about it in the Los Angeles Times this week. Thanks for keeping us all updated on the local radio scene. As for me, my last TV series was Live Shot for UPN. Since that time, I have been working on a number of projects, primarily screenplays for independent films. I have also optioned a script from a new writer, which I intend to direct myself. Additionally, I have written a play titled Storm Warnings and hope to produce it locally when the time is right. Best regards, Steve." ( StevenMars@aol.com )
_______________
(May 1, 1998) The Real Don Steele's wife Shaune has been busy since Don's death August 5, 1997. She emails: "My current projects include archiving and preserving photos, mementos, press coverage, biographical material, and most of all airchecks of The Real Don Steele's work from his remarkable career." ( Steele93@aol.com )
_______________(April 29, 1998) Dr. John Leader worked at KHJ in the mid-1970s. He narrated the RKO radio-Drake/Chenault co-production radio special, "The Top 100 of the '70s." John left KHJ in 1977 to become the Top 40 editor for R&R, where he worked for 8 years. John emailed:
"Got the flyer on how well the second edition of your book is doing...I'm happy for you. It must be gratifying for all your hard work to be so warmly welcomed and successful, too!
Professionally, after four years of voicing daily promos for Entertainment Tonight, I was lured away by Access Hollywood in January...same daily routine, MUCH better deal! It's nice to be wanted." ( leader@infive.com )
_______________
(April 28, 1998) Beginning in early 1974, Bob Morrison was one of the booming news voices at "Boss Radio," KHJ, working both morning and afternoon drive (different times). He covered the major stories of the time including the "S-L-A"/Patty Hearst shoot-out and Nixon at San Clemente with Watergate and phlebitis. As a youngster growing up in Dallas, he had seen John Kennedy arrive at Love Field that fateful day. Bob emails:
"Most recently, I have been nd of KRLD-Dallas, but I have a varied career as a Broadcast Journalist spanning nearly 32 years.
I just turned 50 last December. Born and raised in Dallas, I got into radio while still a student at SMU...About half of my career has been spent at one radio station, KVIL. The same boss, Ron Chapman, always took me back each time when I found New York and L.A. to be places I could not live (and it took me twice, each!)
In the course of working for KVIL from late '82 until January, 1988, I became a born-again Christian. As my homepage story tells, I recently used the World Wide Web to find my wife's birth-mother in Japan, whom she had not seen in 43 years, AND found an older sister she never knew she had! We just got back from visiting Sendai (Dallas' new sister city) to meet them. I've taken my family on a number of Christian short-term mission trips. Destinations have included not only Japan, but Taiwan, the Philippines, England, Scotland, France and Germany. I've also been all over the great State of Texas." You can read about Bob's inspiring story at: ( moborisn@flash.net ).
_______________
(April 25, 1998) Jack Reynolds worked for KGIL in the late 1960s. He remembers:
"I do have fond memories of KGIL because of the air staff at the time. 'Sweet Dick' Whittington did mornings and, as I recall, Larry Van Nuys was in middays. Wink Martindale did afternoons and I believe Paul Compton handled evenings during that particular jock rotation. Of course, Chuck Southcott was pd and I think Bill Smith was producing the Whittington show.
As you know, Stan Warwick was the gm and Rick Buckley ran the joint. Rick wasn't known as the 'Buckley of Hollywood' until Joey Reynolds gave him that moniker when Rick managed WIBG in Philly several years later. But this was a fun group, loaded with talent and right for the times. Too bad that KGIL barely 'got-over-the-hill' in Los Angeles. We were a 'Valley Station' and in marketing portrayed the dividing area between the San Fernando Valley and L.A. as the Rockies. We hired a photographer to shoot the passes from the lowest possible point. Looked like the Rockies to me.
KGIL was a summer 'warehouse' for me before the Buckleys' bought WIBG. I used to carry Dick Buckley's business bags from the airport to our transportation to his hotel room. I'm telling you, Don, it must have been at least 75 pounds of paperwork every time. Dick could read a station rating report quicker than anybody I ever knew. It could have been myth but probably not.
I went on to WIBG and gm at WWTC in Minneapolis. That was a pretty sleepy market then with a heavy young female demographic. I got some decent air talent and installed a soft rock format and within a few months the station was number two in 25-54. So the company thought I could fix KOL in Seattle. Well, I should never have left Minneapolis. I didn't know Seattle radio, hated the weather and fixed absolutely nothing. And I got fired. Considering the job I did at KOL, I probably should have been shot.
It was time for a new career so I went to work for Capitol Records and spent fifteen years with them eventually as VP of their Special Markets Division."
_______________
(April 23, 1998) Big John Carter was a fascinating "jock" working at KEZY (twice) and KHJ (twice). Born Johnny Yount, the Bill Wade School of Broadcasting graduate was known as "Spanky Elliott" for part of his stay in the Southland. Johnny lives in Fresno and not long ago reminisced:
"Recently I had the privilege of writing the obituary for my dear friend, Mrs. LaVon Irwin, mother of 'Shotgun Tom' Kelly. It reminded me (not as though I needed it) that my own mom signed off for the last time thirty years ago this November. My dad didn't hang around much longer either.
I know I have mentioned this before, but there was ONE thing - just one - I ever did that made my parents proud: I got my First. I got it at Bill Ogden's in 1967. And I succeeded at my chosen career of radio. I barely made it through high school, and I flunked out of college. But I got that FIRST. And I got on the air!
Now, this brings me to today. My mother's brother - my uncle - unlike his sister, has been granted length of years, he being well into his 80's. He is a U.S. District Judge, a powerful man. Not much impresses him.
Today the judge - the last remaining senior member of my family, my mother's brother - called me to tell me how proud he was of me, and how much he enjoyed reading the piece about me in YOUR book, which I sent him last week. I don't remember EVER hearing him say he was proud of me on any occasion ever.
I can only hope it brings you much satisfaction to have had a hand in bringing so much joy to all of us in the broadcast community. If I ever figure out a way to spin gold out of straw, or if I ever acquire the patent to the cure for the common cold, you, Sir, will be among the very first to know. I just wish I knew how to express the thanks I feel for your many kindnesses."
_______________
(April 20, 1998) Bill Pearl has worked at KHJ, KRLA, KIQQ, KMPC, KABC, KLAC, KMET, KKDJ and KIIS. His wife is Sharon Katchen, Orange County reporter for KFWB. Bill was raised in Hollywood and went to Fairfax High and is a magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of UCLA and also holds the degree of Juris Doctor from the UCLA School of Law. Between KHJ and KMPC, Bill became a lawyer. Bill loves radio. He was in Hollywood recently and emailed: "Did you know that 6419 Hollywood Blvd., the site of KFWB's studios for many years, is completely vanished? An empty lot now.
It was home to KFWB from the time the station left Sunset and Van Ness (the original home of Warner Bros. studios). 6419 Hollywood Blvd. was adjacent to the Warner Bros. Hollywood theater. The only remaining tie to its radio past is the pair of (now) ornamental towers on the theater roof.
6419 Hollywood had a speaker just above its entrance door on Hollywood Blvd. Employees entered through the back door, up a rusted old fire-escape style set of stairs.
Sic transit gloria mundi. ( WPEARL@delphi.com )________________
(April 19, 1998) Ken Beck checks in from Detroit. Ken had quite a news history in Southern California. In 1976 Ken joined KIQQ as nd from KSFM-Sacramento. Beginning in 1978 he was a newsman at KMPC for Gary Owens and Hilly Rose. In 1982 he became nd at KFI. In the mid-1980s Ken spent a few years at KGO-San Francisco only to return to KFWB as nd in 1988. During much of the 1990s he has been at KGO and KPIX-San Francisco. Ken emailed: "I've been married for 21 years and have two boys, (18 and 3 years). I'm now working at WWJ-Detroit as operations manager. I got here when CBS traded away KPIX to Bonneville. Recently found this Website. It's good to hear about folks. Interested parties can email me at: (kebeck@cbs.com.)"
________________
(April 19, 1998) Have you voted for your ten favorite Southern California personalities? Check out who the leaders are under the Top 10 Personalities page at this website. Over the weekend, two visitors were chosen at random and received a complimentary copy of Volume 2 of Los Angeles Radio People. Winners were Steve Klayman of Santa Ana and Ronnie Godinez of Hacienda Heights. This Website has grown steadily since its inception last fall. Each month the number of visitors tops the previous month. On April 15 there were already more hits than the entire month of March. Thanks for your support.
________________
(April 12, 1998) In the late 1980s and early 1990s, John Majhor worked at KLAC, KZLA and KCBS. Currently, John is hosting a travel show on the new "Prime Television" Cable Network. It's called "Bon Voyage." He's shot 65 episodes for the 97-98 season. John writes:
"I'm also the promo voice for Prime, as well as the promo voice for 680News [formerly CFTR, for those of you who remember it's Top 40 roots]. I'm also the male North American voice for Telepersonals...yep, if you're calling in to check out the singles scene, it's my voice you hear on the prompts, no matter whether you're on the left or the right coast of the US or Canada.
I'm also the host of a new experiment in narrowcasting for the Royal Bank of Canada...working with the John Ryan Company out of Minneapolis. We're setting up an interbranch broadcast network that utilizes satellite links to all branches for a live, monthly, interactive program for RB customers. It's hot stuff, and true to form with every aspect of my 23-year broadcasting career, it seems I'm once again on the cutting edge!"
________________
(April 6, 1998) Jim Hilliker emails: "What year did KEZY move out of the Disneyland Hotel to 1190 East Ball Road and become a Top 40 station? What store or shop at the hotel now occupies the spot where KEZY used to be?"
Does anyone know?________________
(April 4, 1998) Thanks to Bill Jenkins who wrote: "I was on the air at the old KFWB in 1957 and the old KRHM, owned by Harry Maizlish, and at KPAL (‘56-58) where I picked up a wife and two children. After a nine year stint in Dallas, St Louis (where I picked up two more kids) and Buffalo, I returned to L.A. in 1967 to the old KGBS, then to KFWB in December ‘68 for four years, to tv syndication for 21 stupid months, then KFI for a few weeks before a return to KGBS in ‘74. Then back to KFI for a couple of years, then in ‘78 to KABC until March of 1991, where I was the host of "Open Mind," KABC News and the Voice of the ABC TalkRadio Network. In 1991, I retired from radio, but dabbled in tv, which I had never done, and was nominated for the Infomercial of the Year, first time out. I am now developing a tv mini-series, based on a lot of the material from the old "Open Mind" and a syndicated radio show, along with my new lady, Carole Matchette. I have lived in the Valley for the last 31 years, now live in Tarzana and will soon have a second home outside of Healdsburg in Wine Country. Love to hear from anyone who might want to check in." ( bill.jenkins@usa.net )
