2 S.F. FM History questions

[Earthradio Lives]

Hey Guys:

I was hoping you can help me with the exact dates on the formats for KSFX 103.7:

KSFX becomes Disco?

KSFX becomes AOR?

I am going through my lists and I am going to post the past to present Oldies staions and then R&B stations for you guys. Just need to make sure my dates are correct.

Thanks

T.J.

I've read that KSFX became "Disco 104, The Beat of the Bay" sometime in late 1978. The format replaced a Soul/Disco/Rhythm hybrid format that has been in effect since 1975 or so. KSFX remained in an all-Disco format clear into late 1979. At that time, the station slowly began to morph into a Top 40 station with a rhythmic lean.

By Autumn 1980, the station began to back away from rhythmic songs. Then, after the original KSAN-FM (94.9) abandoned Rock for Country (11/15/80), KSFX began to add Rock to its playlist. By April 1981, KSFX evolved into a full-blown Mainstream AOR station, similar to sister station KLOS in Los Angeles. The change did not happen overnight.

KSFX's air talent included former KSAN staffers like Steven Capin and Richard Gossett. KSFX continued as an Album Rock station until May 4, 1982. At that point ABC switched the calls back to KGO-FM, simulcast morning drive with the AM and broadcast its new stable of nationally-syndicated satellite talk shows. They also had some locally-programmed talk shows as well.

1982 was a very interesting year for commercial Album Rock Stations in the Bay Area. I don't remember a more competitive era for AOR in the Bay Area.

 

[LKellerIII]

Slight correction (from my memory, so possibly wrong). I don't think that the new KGO-FM simulcast anything with the AM. In the morning, the FM ran Owen Spann, who had been the KGO-AM morning host, but ABC moved him to New York for the syndicated talk network show. I don't think the FM ever simulcast the KGO Morning News, and that's when they moved Ronn Owens to mornings (9-Noon), in Spann's old shift.

I recall that one of their other syndicated hosts on the FM was psychologist Dr. Toni Grant out of KABC, who did a "tough-love" type of advice show. There's no doubt that Grant was the inspiration for Dr. Laura Schlessinger, even if Dr. Laura won't admit it. Grant got her start on Schlessinger-boyfriend Bill Ballance's LA show in the 70s. I suspect the young Laura was paying attention.

Ira Fistell did the night show on KGO-FM. The station never got popular - I guess it was a decade or two too soon. For awhile, they tried bringing back Don Chamberlin, who did a much more uncensored version of his KNEW California Girls show. My memory is that they called it what it was - "Sex Talk."

 

[BossRadioDJ]

KSFX's air talent included former KSAN staffers like Steven Capin and Richard Gossett. KSFX continued as an Album Rock station until May 4, 1982. At that point ABC switched the calls back to KGO-FM, simulcast morning drive with the AM and broadcast its new stable of nationally-syndicated satellite talk shows. They also had some locally-programmed talk shows as well.

The audio capturing the end of KSFX and the launch of KGO-FM 104, with Richard Gossett, Jim Dunbar and Ted Wygant, is at:

http://www.bayarearadio.org/audio/ksfx/ksfx-kgo-fm_may-3-1982.shtml