well, I think for what it is worth, X-100 was the best radio station when it was on the air, even if it was for a short time, we had the intro of Kelly & Kline mornings, great promotions/street presence, remember the guy who had his car painted in little x100 logos to win a contest and LOST!!!! overall I thought this station was great, this was back when all they had were cart machines, NO CD PLAYERS, NO COMPUTERS, this was true analog, no digital except maybe for the clock on the board itself!!! , x-100 kinda filled a void back then. what are your thoughts on other retired stations like KSOL 107.7, before wild 1077 KRQR the rocker, 985 KOME-FM, and Z957???
-
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Best radio station at it's prime....
- Thread starter only1deejayman
- Start date
> well, I think for what it is worth, X-100 was the best radio
> station when it was on the air, even if it was for a short
> time, we had the intro of Kelly & Kline mornings, great
> promotions/street presence, remember the guy who had his car
> painted in little x100 logos to win a contest and LOST!!!!
> overall I thought this station was great, this was back when
> all they had were cart machines, NO CD PLAYERS, NO
> COMPUTERS, this was true analog, no digital except maybe for
> the clock on the board itself!!! , x-100 kinda filled a void
> back then. what are your thoughts on other retired stations
> like KSOL 107.7, before wild 1077 KRQR the rocker, 985
> KOME-FM, and Z957???
>
Give me a break with that list of cookie-cutters.
The best ever in SF? KSFO in the '60s, KSAN in the '70s and KGO since. These stations made a connection with a huge segment of passionate radio listeners. The stations locked-in on the lifestyles of that core and they knew how to entertain and inform. They were 24/7 stations with much more than a wacky morning show and 10-in-a-row commercial-free music sets all other times. They wee not judged by how good their "street promotion" was. There was more "entertainment" in one day on KSFO or KSAN than on x100 or Z957???? in a month. (Jeeez, you were not serious about Z957, were you?).
KSFO, KSAN and today's KGO had/have brilliant management with a willingness to support out-of-the-box thinking and a general courage to lead, not follow.
Today's owners/managers are almost all gutless bookkeepers who take their programming cues from distant, unaccountable consultants. SF is not cutting-edge and hasn't been for decades.
T (old enough to know)
> station when it was on the air, even if it was for a short
> time, we had the intro of Kelly & Kline mornings, great
> promotions/street presence, remember the guy who had his car
> painted in little x100 logos to win a contest and LOST!!!!
> overall I thought this station was great, this was back when
> all they had were cart machines, NO CD PLAYERS, NO
> COMPUTERS, this was true analog, no digital except maybe for
> the clock on the board itself!!! , x-100 kinda filled a void
> back then. what are your thoughts on other retired stations
> like KSOL 107.7, before wild 1077 KRQR the rocker, 985
> KOME-FM, and Z957???
>
Give me a break with that list of cookie-cutters.
The best ever in SF? KSFO in the '60s, KSAN in the '70s and KGO since. These stations made a connection with a huge segment of passionate radio listeners. The stations locked-in on the lifestyles of that core and they knew how to entertain and inform. They were 24/7 stations with much more than a wacky morning show and 10-in-a-row commercial-free music sets all other times. They wee not judged by how good their "street promotion" was. There was more "entertainment" in one day on KSFO or KSAN than on x100 or Z957???? in a month. (Jeeez, you were not serious about Z957, were you?).
KSFO, KSAN and today's KGO had/have brilliant management with a willingness to support out-of-the-box thinking and a general courage to lead, not follow.
Today's owners/managers are almost all gutless bookkeepers who take their programming cues from distant, unaccountable consultants. SF is not cutting-edge and hasn't been for decades.
T (old enough to know)
> > Give me a break with that list of cookie-cutters.
> The best ever in SF? KSFO in the '60s, KSAN in the '70s and
> KGO since. These stations made a connection with a huge
> segment of passionate radio listeners. The stations
> locked-in on the lifestyles of that core and they knew how
> to entertain and inform. They were 24/7 stations with much
> more than a wacky morning show and 10-in-a-row
> commercial-free music sets all other times. They wee not
> judged by how good their "street promotion" was. There was
> more "entertainment" in one day on KSFO or KSAN than on x100
> or Z957???? in a month. (Jeeez, you were not serious about
> Z957, were you?).
> KSFO, KSAN and today's KGO had/have brilliant management
> with a willingness to support out-of-the-box thinking and a
> general courage to lead, not follow.
> Today's owners/managers are almost all gutless bookkeepers
> who take their programming cues from distant, unaccountable
> consultants. SF is not cutting-edge and hasn't been for
> decades.
Though I totally agree regarding KSAN, KSFO in the 60s, and KGO then and now, I think DJMan probably should have specified Top 40 or CHR. I don't think he was thinking of Talk radio, MOR, or "alternative" FM. So in his area, I'd have to nominate KFRC in the mid 60s thru the early 80s. Though they were technically a "cookie cutter" Bill Drake consulted Boss Radio station, they improved on the format - MUCH better than flagship KHJ in Los Angeles. They had some great personalities - Dr. Don Rose, Bobby Ocean, etc...especially after they dumped Drake in the late 70s. In the early 80s, they had morphed into a hybrid Top 40/Soul/Funk format (or whatever you would call it) that was ahead of its time, and unfortunately - not available on FM. The early "all hit" KMEL (pre-Hip Hop, but post-"Camel")was very similar, and hired some people away from KFRC - Like Mark McKay.
> The best ever in SF? KSFO in the '60s, KSAN in the '70s and
> KGO since. These stations made a connection with a huge
> segment of passionate radio listeners. The stations
> locked-in on the lifestyles of that core and they knew how
> to entertain and inform. They were 24/7 stations with much
> more than a wacky morning show and 10-in-a-row
> commercial-free music sets all other times. They wee not
> judged by how good their "street promotion" was. There was
> more "entertainment" in one day on KSFO or KSAN than on x100
> or Z957???? in a month. (Jeeez, you were not serious about
> Z957, were you?).
> KSFO, KSAN and today's KGO had/have brilliant management
> with a willingness to support out-of-the-box thinking and a
> general courage to lead, not follow.
> Today's owners/managers are almost all gutless bookkeepers
> who take their programming cues from distant, unaccountable
> consultants. SF is not cutting-edge and hasn't been for
> decades.
Though I totally agree regarding KSAN, KSFO in the 60s, and KGO then and now, I think DJMan probably should have specified Top 40 or CHR. I don't think he was thinking of Talk radio, MOR, or "alternative" FM. So in his area, I'd have to nominate KFRC in the mid 60s thru the early 80s. Though they were technically a "cookie cutter" Bill Drake consulted Boss Radio station, they improved on the format - MUCH better than flagship KHJ in Los Angeles. They had some great personalities - Dr. Don Rose, Bobby Ocean, etc...especially after they dumped Drake in the late 70s. In the early 80s, they had morphed into a hybrid Top 40/Soul/Funk format (or whatever you would call it) that was ahead of its time, and unfortunately - not available on FM. The early "all hit" KMEL (pre-Hip Hop, but post-"Camel")was very similar, and hired some people away from KFRC - Like Mark McKay.
> Though I totally agree regarding KSAN, KSFO in the 60s, and
> KGO then and now, I think DJMan probably should have
> specified Top 40 or CHR. I don't think he was thinking of
> Talk radio, MOR, or "alternative" FM. So in his area, I'd
> have to nominate KFRC in the mid 60s thru the early 80s.
> Though they were technically a "cookie cutter" Bill Drake
> consulted Boss Radio station, they improved on the format -
> MUCH better than flagship KHJ in Los Angeles. They had some
> great personalities - Dr. Don Rose, Bobby Ocean,
> etc...especially after they dumped Drake in the late 70s. In
> the early 80s, they had morphed into a hybrid Top
> 40/Soul/Funk format (or whatever you would call it) that was
> ahead of its time, and unfortunately - not available on FM.
> The early "all hit" KMEL (pre-Hip Hop, but post-"Camel")was
> very similar, and hired some people away from KFRC - Like
> Mark McKay.
>
Add my vote for KFRC in the early '80s. The station had everything -- great air staff with 24/7 excitement, great production, a kick-butt news department, and on top of all that the engineering was impeccable -- one of the best-sounding (technically) AM stations I ever heard.
And then one day, management just trashed it.
> KGO then and now, I think DJMan probably should have
> specified Top 40 or CHR. I don't think he was thinking of
> Talk radio, MOR, or "alternative" FM. So in his area, I'd
> have to nominate KFRC in the mid 60s thru the early 80s.
> Though they were technically a "cookie cutter" Bill Drake
> consulted Boss Radio station, they improved on the format -
> MUCH better than flagship KHJ in Los Angeles. They had some
> great personalities - Dr. Don Rose, Bobby Ocean,
> etc...especially after they dumped Drake in the late 70s. In
> the early 80s, they had morphed into a hybrid Top
> 40/Soul/Funk format (or whatever you would call it) that was
> ahead of its time, and unfortunately - not available on FM.
> The early "all hit" KMEL (pre-Hip Hop, but post-"Camel")was
> very similar, and hired some people away from KFRC - Like
> Mark McKay.
>
Add my vote for KFRC in the early '80s. The station had everything -- great air staff with 24/7 excitement, great production, a kick-butt news department, and on top of all that the engineering was impeccable -- one of the best-sounding (technically) AM stations I ever heard.
And then one day, management just trashed it.
H
hitliner
Guest
On KFRC and X-100
Having been there for both:
KFRC...you're right that management trashed it. It started and ended with one guy...Walt Sabo, RKO "consultant". He was the one who started shoving Michael Jackson down everyone's throats 24/7. Anyone remember "The Michael Jackson Hour" weeknights from 7-8PM in 1984? All his hits non-stop. But you're right about the news room...Vicki Liviakis (who is/was beautiful) and Robert McCormick were the best. JoAnn Green actually did public affairs (and who does that nowadays?). KFRC knew KMEL was coming into the market but KMEL came in just as RKO was going to sell off their stations so KFRC did not have the resources to fight KMEL off. As a result, in 1985, RKO decided to change RKO to an adult leaning CHR.
X-100...The car painting scheme was part of the "Most Outrageous Contest" that gained lots of media coverage from ABC to CNN. It was developed by then program director Bill Richards (where is he now?). The winner was a lady who washed every seat at Candlestick Park. X-100 started with the slogan "Hits Happen" (to which someone vandalized one of our billboards and changed it to "(BLEEP) Happens"..but we got media coverage so that was fine). When Bill Richards took over, he changed it (for some unexplained reason) to "The Outrageous FM". No one reall knew why but he wanted to X-100 to be "unpredictable". But we got very little direction on how to be unpredictable and Richards left after about six months.
Just a little history of two great stations.
Having been there for both:
KFRC...you're right that management trashed it. It started and ended with one guy...Walt Sabo, RKO "consultant". He was the one who started shoving Michael Jackson down everyone's throats 24/7. Anyone remember "The Michael Jackson Hour" weeknights from 7-8PM in 1984? All his hits non-stop. But you're right about the news room...Vicki Liviakis (who is/was beautiful) and Robert McCormick were the best. JoAnn Green actually did public affairs (and who does that nowadays?). KFRC knew KMEL was coming into the market but KMEL came in just as RKO was going to sell off their stations so KFRC did not have the resources to fight KMEL off. As a result, in 1985, RKO decided to change RKO to an adult leaning CHR.
X-100...The car painting scheme was part of the "Most Outrageous Contest" that gained lots of media coverage from ABC to CNN. It was developed by then program director Bill Richards (where is he now?). The winner was a lady who washed every seat at Candlestick Park. X-100 started with the slogan "Hits Happen" (to which someone vandalized one of our billboards and changed it to "(BLEEP) Happens"..but we got media coverage so that was fine). When Bill Richards took over, he changed it (for some unexplained reason) to "The Outrageous FM". No one reall knew why but he wanted to X-100 to be "unpredictable". But we got very little direction on how to be unpredictable and Richards left after about six months.
Just a little history of two great stations.
> > > Give me a break with that list of cookie-cutters.
> > The best ever in SF? KSFO in the '60s, KSAN in the '70s
> and
> > KGO since. These stations made a connection with a huge
> > segment of passionate radio listeners. The stations
> > locked-in on the lifestyles of that core and they knew how
>
> > to entertain and inform. They were 24/7 stations with much
>
> > more than a wacky morning show and 10-in-a-row
> > commercial-free music sets all other times. They wee not
> > judged by how good their "street promotion" was. There was
>
> > more "entertainment" in one day on KSFO or KSAN than on
> x100
> > or Z957???? in a month. (Jeeez, you were not serious about
>
> > Z957, were you?).
> > KSFO, KSAN and today's KGO had/have brilliant management
> > with a willingness to support out-of-the-box thinking and
> a
> > general courage to lead, not follow.
> > Today's owners/managers are almost all gutless bookkeepers
>
> > who take their programming cues from distant,
> unaccountable
> > consultants. SF is not cutting-edge and hasn't been for
> > decades.
>
> Though I totally agree regarding KSAN, KSFO in the 60s, and
> KGO then and now, I think DJMan probably should have
> specified Top 40 or CHR. I don't think he was thinking of
> Talk radio, MOR, or "alternative" FM. So in his area, I'd
> have to nominate KFRC in the mid 60s thru the early 80s.
> Though they were technically a "cookie cutter" Bill Drake
> consulted Boss Radio station, they improved on the format -
> MUCH better than flagship KHJ in Los Angeles. They had some
> great personalities - Dr. Don Rose, Bobby Ocean,
> etc...especially after they dumped Drake in the late 70s. In
> the early 80s, they had morphed into a hybrid Top
> 40/Soul/Funk format (or whatever you would call it) that was
> ahead of its time, and unfortunately - not available on FM.
> The early "all hit" KMEL (pre-Hip Hop, but post-"Camel")was
> very similar, and hired some people away from KFRC - Like
> Mark McKay.
>
Agree that KFRC deserves some props for what they did to improve the cookie-cutter. They were exceptional enduring and endearing.
T
> > The best ever in SF? KSFO in the '60s, KSAN in the '70s
> and
> > KGO since. These stations made a connection with a huge
> > segment of passionate radio listeners. The stations
> > locked-in on the lifestyles of that core and they knew how
>
> > to entertain and inform. They were 24/7 stations with much
>
> > more than a wacky morning show and 10-in-a-row
> > commercial-free music sets all other times. They wee not
> > judged by how good their "street promotion" was. There was
>
> > more "entertainment" in one day on KSFO or KSAN than on
> x100
> > or Z957???? in a month. (Jeeez, you were not serious about
>
> > Z957, were you?).
> > KSFO, KSAN and today's KGO had/have brilliant management
> > with a willingness to support out-of-the-box thinking and
> a
> > general courage to lead, not follow.
> > Today's owners/managers are almost all gutless bookkeepers
>
> > who take their programming cues from distant,
> unaccountable
> > consultants. SF is not cutting-edge and hasn't been for
> > decades.
>
> Though I totally agree regarding KSAN, KSFO in the 60s, and
> KGO then and now, I think DJMan probably should have
> specified Top 40 or CHR. I don't think he was thinking of
> Talk radio, MOR, or "alternative" FM. So in his area, I'd
> have to nominate KFRC in the mid 60s thru the early 80s.
> Though they were technically a "cookie cutter" Bill Drake
> consulted Boss Radio station, they improved on the format -
> MUCH better than flagship KHJ in Los Angeles. They had some
> great personalities - Dr. Don Rose, Bobby Ocean,
> etc...especially after they dumped Drake in the late 70s. In
> the early 80s, they had morphed into a hybrid Top
> 40/Soul/Funk format (or whatever you would call it) that was
> ahead of its time, and unfortunately - not available on FM.
> The early "all hit" KMEL (pre-Hip Hop, but post-"Camel")was
> very similar, and hired some people away from KFRC - Like
> Mark McKay.
>
Agree that KFRC deserves some props for what they did to improve the cookie-cutter. They were exceptional enduring and endearing.
T
> > > > Give me a break with that list of cookie-cutters.
> > > The best ever in SF? KSFO in the '60s, KSAN in the '70s
> > and
> > > KGO since. These stations made a connection with a huge
> > > segment of passionate radio listeners. The stations
> > > locked-in on the lifestyles of that core and they knew
> how
> >
> > > to entertain and inform. They were 24/7 stations with
> much
> >
> > > more than a wacky morning show and 10-in-a-row
> > > commercial-free music sets all other times. They wee not
>
> > > judged by how good their "street promotion" was. There
> was
> >
> > > more "entertainment" in one day on KSFO or KSAN than on
> > x100
> > > or Z957???? in a month. (Jeeez, you were not serious
> about
> >
> > > Z957, were you?).
> > > KSFO, KSAN and today's KGO had/have brilliant management
>
> > > with a willingness to support out-of-the-box thinking
> and
> > a
> > > general courage to lead, not follow.
> > > Today's owners/managers are almost all gutless
> bookkeepers
> >
> > > who take their programming cues from distant,
> > unaccountable
> > > consultants. SF is not cutting-edge and hasn't been for
> > > decades.
> >
> > Though I totally agree regarding KSAN, KSFO in the 60s,
> and
> > KGO then and now, I think DJMan probably should have
> > specified Top 40 or CHR. I don't think he was thinking of
>
> > Talk radio, MOR, or "alternative" FM. So in his area, I'd
>
> > have to nominate KFRC in the mid 60s thru the early 80s.
> > Though they were technically a "cookie cutter" Bill Drake
> > consulted Boss Radio station, they improved on the format
> -
> > MUCH better than flagship KHJ in Los Angeles. They had
> some
> > great personalities - Dr. Don Rose, Bobby Ocean,
> > etc...especially after they dumped Drake in the late 70s.
> In
> > the early 80s, they had morphed into a hybrid Top
> > 40/Soul/Funk format (or whatever you would call it) that
> was
> > ahead of its time, and unfortunately - not available on
> FM.
> > The early "all hit" KMEL (pre-Hip Hop, but
> post-"Camel")was
> > very similar, and hired some people away from KFRC - Like
> > Mark McKay.
> >
> Agree that KFRC deserves some props for what they did to
> improve the cookie-cutter. They were exceptional enduring
> and endearing.
>
> T
>
Before this gets too far along, I want to also add The first years of KKSF under Steve Feinstein. That was what programming was all about. It was new (for its time) and he had made a point when hiring air talent that they needed to understand before every cracking the mic, that the music was the star of the station, not the jock.
So I have nominated five stations that were/are better than Z957: KSFO, KSAN, KFRC, KGO and KKSF. If that's all I could listen to on my radio in SF, I would be a happy camper.
I'll go back under my rock now.
T
> > > The best ever in SF? KSFO in the '60s, KSAN in the '70s
> > and
> > > KGO since. These stations made a connection with a huge
> > > segment of passionate radio listeners. The stations
> > > locked-in on the lifestyles of that core and they knew
> how
> >
> > > to entertain and inform. They were 24/7 stations with
> much
> >
> > > more than a wacky morning show and 10-in-a-row
> > > commercial-free music sets all other times. They wee not
>
> > > judged by how good their "street promotion" was. There
> was
> >
> > > more "entertainment" in one day on KSFO or KSAN than on
> > x100
> > > or Z957???? in a month. (Jeeez, you were not serious
> about
> >
> > > Z957, were you?).
> > > KSFO, KSAN and today's KGO had/have brilliant management
>
> > > with a willingness to support out-of-the-box thinking
> and
> > a
> > > general courage to lead, not follow.
> > > Today's owners/managers are almost all gutless
> bookkeepers
> >
> > > who take their programming cues from distant,
> > unaccountable
> > > consultants. SF is not cutting-edge and hasn't been for
> > > decades.
> >
> > Though I totally agree regarding KSAN, KSFO in the 60s,
> and
> > KGO then and now, I think DJMan probably should have
> > specified Top 40 or CHR. I don't think he was thinking of
>
> > Talk radio, MOR, or "alternative" FM. So in his area, I'd
>
> > have to nominate KFRC in the mid 60s thru the early 80s.
> > Though they were technically a "cookie cutter" Bill Drake
> > consulted Boss Radio station, they improved on the format
> -
> > MUCH better than flagship KHJ in Los Angeles. They had
> some
> > great personalities - Dr. Don Rose, Bobby Ocean,
> > etc...especially after they dumped Drake in the late 70s.
> In
> > the early 80s, they had morphed into a hybrid Top
> > 40/Soul/Funk format (or whatever you would call it) that
> was
> > ahead of its time, and unfortunately - not available on
> FM.
> > The early "all hit" KMEL (pre-Hip Hop, but
> post-"Camel")was
> > very similar, and hired some people away from KFRC - Like
> > Mark McKay.
> >
> Agree that KFRC deserves some props for what they did to
> improve the cookie-cutter. They were exceptional enduring
> and endearing.
>
> T
>
Before this gets too far along, I want to also add The first years of KKSF under Steve Feinstein. That was what programming was all about. It was new (for its time) and he had made a point when hiring air talent that they needed to understand before every cracking the mic, that the music was the star of the station, not the jock.
So I have nominated five stations that were/are better than Z957: KSFO, KSAN, KFRC, KGO and KKSF. If that's all I could listen to on my radio in SF, I would be a happy camper.
I'll go back under my rock now.
T
Re: On KFRC and X-100
> I have to agree with most of the above. Early KKSF was much better than the current jazzy-elevator-music-slash-classic-soul format. Another station in at least the "honorable mention" category was KRE-FM, the jazz fusion station that became KBLX -now just YET ANOTHER classic soul station. JoAnn Green worked for KRE as well, before KFRC. I also agree with the comments on Vicki Liviakis.
Having been there for both:
>
> KFRC...you're right that management trashed it. It started
> and ended with one guy...Walt Sabo, RKO "consultant". He
> was the one who started shoving Michael Jackson down
> everyone's throats 24/7. Anyone remember "The Michael
> Jackson Hour" weeknights from 7-8PM in 1984? All his hits
> non-stop. But you're right about the news room...Vicki
> Liviakis (who is/was beautiful) and Robert McCormick were
> the best. JoAnn Green actually did public affairs (and who
> does that nowadays?). KFRC knew KMEL was coming into the
> market but KMEL came in just as RKO was going to sell off
> their stations so KFRC did not have the resources to fight
> KMEL off. As a result, in 1985, RKO decided to change RKO
> to an adult leaning CHR.
>
> X-100...The car painting scheme was part of the "Most
> Outrageous Contest" that gained lots of media coverage from
> ABC to CNN. It was developed by then program director Bill
> Richards (where is he now?). The winner was a lady who
> washed every seat at Candlestick Park. X-100 started with
> the slogan "Hits Happen" (to which someone vandalized one of
> our billboards and changed it to "(BLEEP) Happens"..but we
> got media coverage so that was fine). When Bill Richards
> took over, he changed it (for some unexplained reason) to
> "The Outrageous FM". No one reall knew why but he wanted to
> X-100 to be "unpredictable". But we got very little
> direction on how to be unpredictable and Richards left after
> about six months.
>
> Just a little history of two great stations.
>
> I have to agree with most of the above. Early KKSF was much better than the current jazzy-elevator-music-slash-classic-soul format. Another station in at least the "honorable mention" category was KRE-FM, the jazz fusion station that became KBLX -now just YET ANOTHER classic soul station. JoAnn Green worked for KRE as well, before KFRC. I also agree with the comments on Vicki Liviakis.
Having been there for both:
>
> KFRC...you're right that management trashed it. It started
> and ended with one guy...Walt Sabo, RKO "consultant". He
> was the one who started shoving Michael Jackson down
> everyone's throats 24/7. Anyone remember "The Michael
> Jackson Hour" weeknights from 7-8PM in 1984? All his hits
> non-stop. But you're right about the news room...Vicki
> Liviakis (who is/was beautiful) and Robert McCormick were
> the best. JoAnn Green actually did public affairs (and who
> does that nowadays?). KFRC knew KMEL was coming into the
> market but KMEL came in just as RKO was going to sell off
> their stations so KFRC did not have the resources to fight
> KMEL off. As a result, in 1985, RKO decided to change RKO
> to an adult leaning CHR.
>
> X-100...The car painting scheme was part of the "Most
> Outrageous Contest" that gained lots of media coverage from
> ABC to CNN. It was developed by then program director Bill
> Richards (where is he now?). The winner was a lady who
> washed every seat at Candlestick Park. X-100 started with
> the slogan "Hits Happen" (to which someone vandalized one of
> our billboards and changed it to "(BLEEP) Happens"..but we
> got media coverage so that was fine). When Bill Richards
> took over, he changed it (for some unexplained reason) to
> "The Outrageous FM". No one reall knew why but he wanted to
> X-100 to be "unpredictable". But we got very little
> direction on how to be unpredictable and Richards left after
> about six months.
>
> Just a little history of two great stations.
>
> well, I think for what it is worth, X-100 was the best radio
> station when it was on the air, even if it was for a short
> time, we had the intro of Kelly & Kline mornings, great
> promotions/street presence, remember the guy who had his car
> painted in little x100 logos to win a contest and LOST!!!!
> overall I thought this station was great, this was back when
> all they had were cart machines, NO CD PLAYERS, NO
> COMPUTERS, this was true analog, no digital except maybe for
> the clock on the board itself!!! , x-100 kinda filled a void
> back then. what are your thoughts on other retired stations
> like KSOL 107.7, before wild 1077 KRQR the rocker, 985
> KOME-FM, and Z957???
>
I liked KMEL circa 1987-1991. That station was really ahead of it's time. It's taken for granted today, but it took courage for them not to play rock hits. They were also one of the first stations to play rap in heavy rotation, even the Urban stations across the country were scared of rap and wanted it to go away, KMEL embraced it.
I had a friend who was in such awe that KMEL played songs like "Life is 2 short" and skipped out on songs like "Every Rose has it's Thorn" that he said he was willing to work at an AM/PM just so he could move to the Bay area and live in the KMEL coverage area. Ironically, today he's an Active Rock PD.
> station when it was on the air, even if it was for a short
> time, we had the intro of Kelly & Kline mornings, great
> promotions/street presence, remember the guy who had his car
> painted in little x100 logos to win a contest and LOST!!!!
> overall I thought this station was great, this was back when
> all they had were cart machines, NO CD PLAYERS, NO
> COMPUTERS, this was true analog, no digital except maybe for
> the clock on the board itself!!! , x-100 kinda filled a void
> back then. what are your thoughts on other retired stations
> like KSOL 107.7, before wild 1077 KRQR the rocker, 985
> KOME-FM, and Z957???
>
I liked KMEL circa 1987-1991. That station was really ahead of it's time. It's taken for granted today, but it took courage for them not to play rock hits. They were also one of the first stations to play rap in heavy rotation, even the Urban stations across the country were scared of rap and wanted it to go away, KMEL embraced it.
I had a friend who was in such awe that KMEL played songs like "Life is 2 short" and skipped out on songs like "Every Rose has it's Thorn" that he said he was willing to work at an AM/PM just so he could move to the Bay area and live in the KMEL coverage area. Ironically, today he's an Active Rock PD.
B
big610
Guest
Re: On KFRC and X-100
I remember X-100 having a problem for listeners finding the station. Lots of people tuned to 100.1 fm. Little did many know it was located at 99.7.
I'd call the promotion dept and suggest they run a bumper saying, "99.7 round it up, crank it up ... X-100!"
They replied that the PD was set in his way of referring to the station strictly as X-100.
I'd thought it would help attract more listeners so that Emmis wouldn't pull the plug.
I remember X-100 having a problem for listeners finding the station. Lots of people tuned to 100.1 fm. Little did many know it was located at 99.7.
I'd call the promotion dept and suggest they run a bumper saying, "99.7 round it up, crank it up ... X-100!"
They replied that the PD was set in his way of referring to the station strictly as X-100.
I'd thought it would help attract more listeners so that Emmis wouldn't pull the plug.
H
hitliner
Guest
I agree. I think KMEL was at it's best from the time it started till the late 1980's. When I was there, it certainly was well run thanks Naftaly and Weatherly. And great dj's like Leslie Stovall and Lecia Torres (who remembers her?!)
H
hitliner
Guest
Re: On KFRC and X-100
I'd call the promotion dept and suggest they run a bumper
> saying, "99.7 round it up."
Wow...then maybe you talked to me!
Yes..it was the foolish decision of Emmis to think that people would tune into 99.7 for a station called X-100. I tell you, this was a fight from day one and it was not only till 6 months before it switched to Bedford Broadcasting that they ran "99.7 ...X-100" promos. Emmis wanted "100" because it was cleaner and easier to say than 99.7.
Too little too late
>
I'd call the promotion dept and suggest they run a bumper
> saying, "99.7 round it up."
Wow...then maybe you talked to me!
Yes..it was the foolish decision of Emmis to think that people would tune into 99.7 for a station called X-100. I tell you, this was a fight from day one and it was not only till 6 months before it switched to Bedford Broadcasting that they ran "99.7 ...X-100" promos. Emmis wanted "100" because it was cleaner and easier to say than 99.7.
Too little too late
>
9
95live
Guest
Re: On KFRC and X-100
I always felt Wild 107.7 was the best in its peak years and of course KFRC, the " legendary" kfrc am.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by 95live on 08/13/05 03:21 AM.</FONT></P>
I always felt Wild 107.7 was the best in its peak years and of course KFRC, the " legendary" kfrc am.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by 95live on 08/13/05 03:21 AM.</FONT></P>
B
BobHamilton
Guest
Re: On KFRC and X-100
> I always felt Wild 107.7 was the best in its peak years and
> of course KFRC, the " legendary" kfrc am.
>
Yes Walt Sabo was the &$*%& that really killed KFRC. The Game Zone! Please! And this guy was paid BIG bucks to mess up the company! He did a great job! Now he consults other people with his BS and they pay him! Oh boy!
> I always felt Wild 107.7 was the best in its peak years and
> of course KFRC, the " legendary" kfrc am.
>
Yes Walt Sabo was the &$*%& that really killed KFRC. The Game Zone! Please! And this guy was paid BIG bucks to mess up the company! He did a great job! Now he consults other people with his BS and they pay him! Oh boy!
C
collinsradio
Guest
KFRC improved on Boss Radio and KHJ? Lew Keller, I don't know who you are but your story is getting old, you obviously don't know what you're speaking of.
KHJ was the best Top 40 station of any era, bar none. They had among others Steele and Morgan, name me a tandem at KFRC that was 1/10th as influential, legendary, and innovative?
KHJ was the best Top 40 station of any era, bar none. They had among others Steele and Morgan, name me a tandem at KFRC that was 1/10th as influential, legendary, and innovative?
A
allisonmarie
Guest
> KFRC improved on Boss Radio and KHJ? Lew Keller, I don't
> know who you are but your story is getting old, you
> obviously don't know what you're speaking of.
> KHJ was the best Top 40 station of any era, bar none. They
> had among others Steele and Morgan, name me a tandem at KFRC
> that was 1/10th as influential, legendary, and innovative?
>
Dr. Don Rose and Bobby Ocean!
> know who you are but your story is getting old, you
> obviously don't know what you're speaking of.
> KHJ was the best Top 40 station of any era, bar none. They
> had among others Steele and Morgan, name me a tandem at KFRC
> that was 1/10th as influential, legendary, and innovative?
>
Dr. Don Rose and Bobby Ocean!
Re: 93/KHJ vs. The Big 610
> > They had among others Steele and Morgan, name me a tandem at KFRC that was 1/10th as influential, legendary, and innovative?
> Dr. Don Rose and Bobby Ocean!
Hoo-boy. I don't know what side of the argument to be on in this one. RWM and DDR were two completely different morning men, from every possible characteristic, and they are both Radio Gods.
TRDS and Osh are (in TRDS' case, unfortunately, make that *were*) two similarly different characters, and both are also Radio Gods ... and I'm a LOBO of the highest order ... but The Real One, to me, is the greatest Top 40 jock of all time, and my greatest radio hero.
(Sorry Bobby, sorry Bobby, sorry Bobby, sorry Bobby...)
Morgan and Steele have no contemporary equivalent in the Bay Area (although they both worked at KEWB/Channel 91 in Oakland before moving to KHJ). They are tied together historically as bookend morning man and afternoon man, variously if not continuously, through four decades. Doctor Don and Bobby Ocean worked together at KFRC for many years, but Morgan and Steele defined Los Angeles radio.
(Damn, this isn't an argument I want to get into...)
DJ
> > They had among others Steele and Morgan, name me a tandem at KFRC that was 1/10th as influential, legendary, and innovative?
> Dr. Don Rose and Bobby Ocean!
Hoo-boy. I don't know what side of the argument to be on in this one. RWM and DDR were two completely different morning men, from every possible characteristic, and they are both Radio Gods.
TRDS and Osh are (in TRDS' case, unfortunately, make that *were*) two similarly different characters, and both are also Radio Gods ... and I'm a LOBO of the highest order ... but The Real One, to me, is the greatest Top 40 jock of all time, and my greatest radio hero.
(Sorry Bobby, sorry Bobby, sorry Bobby, sorry Bobby...)
Morgan and Steele have no contemporary equivalent in the Bay Area (although they both worked at KEWB/Channel 91 in Oakland before moving to KHJ). They are tied together historically as bookend morning man and afternoon man, variously if not continuously, through four decades. Doctor Don and Bobby Ocean worked together at KFRC for many years, but Morgan and Steele defined Los Angeles radio.
(Damn, this isn't an argument I want to get into...)
DJ
Re: 93/KHJ vs. The Big 610
> > > They had among others Steele and Morgan, name me a
> tandem at KFRC that was 1/10th as influential, legendary,
> and innovative?
>
> > Dr. Don Rose and Bobby Ocean!
>
>
> Hoo-boy. I don't know what side of the argument to be on in
> this one. RWM and DDR were two completely different morning
> men, from every possible characteristic, and they are both
> Radio Gods.
>
> TRDS and Osh are (in TRDS' case, unfortunately, make that
> *were*) two similarly different characters, and both are
> also Radio Gods ... and I'm a LOBO of the highest order ...
> but The Real One, to me, is the greatest Top 40 jock of all
> time, and my greatest radio hero.
>
> (Sorry Bobby, sorry Bobby, sorry Bobby, sorry Bobby...)
>
> Morgan and Steele have no contemporary equivalent in the Bay
> Area (although they both worked at KEWB/Channel 91 in
> Oakland before moving to KHJ). They are tied together
> historically as bookend morning man and afternoon man,
> variously if not continuously, through four decades. Doctor
> Don and Bobby Ocean worked together at KFRC for many years,
> but Morgan and Steele defined Los Angeles radio.
>
> (Damn, this isn't an argument I want to get into...)
>
> DJ
>
Don Bleu, while at KFRC, wasn't exactly chopped liver.
Soory to see this thread put so muich emphasis on Top 40 "personalities" when the few we might remember from decades ago usually couldn't hold the jocks of adult radio personalities like Don Sherwood, the best single radio personality in the history of this town.
> > > They had among others Steele and Morgan, name me a
> tandem at KFRC that was 1/10th as influential, legendary,
> and innovative?
>
> > Dr. Don Rose and Bobby Ocean!
>
>
> Hoo-boy. I don't know what side of the argument to be on in
> this one. RWM and DDR were two completely different morning
> men, from every possible characteristic, and they are both
> Radio Gods.
>
> TRDS and Osh are (in TRDS' case, unfortunately, make that
> *were*) two similarly different characters, and both are
> also Radio Gods ... and I'm a LOBO of the highest order ...
> but The Real One, to me, is the greatest Top 40 jock of all
> time, and my greatest radio hero.
>
> (Sorry Bobby, sorry Bobby, sorry Bobby, sorry Bobby...)
>
> Morgan and Steele have no contemporary equivalent in the Bay
> Area (although they both worked at KEWB/Channel 91 in
> Oakland before moving to KHJ). They are tied together
> historically as bookend morning man and afternoon man,
> variously if not continuously, through four decades. Doctor
> Don and Bobby Ocean worked together at KFRC for many years,
> but Morgan and Steele defined Los Angeles radio.
>
> (Damn, this isn't an argument I want to get into...)
>
> DJ
>
Don Bleu, while at KFRC, wasn't exactly chopped liver.
Soory to see this thread put so muich emphasis on Top 40 "personalities" when the few we might remember from decades ago usually couldn't hold the jocks of adult radio personalities like Don Sherwood, the best single radio personality in the history of this town.
Re: 93/KHJ vs. The Big 610
tripton99 wrote:
> Sorry to see this thread put so muich emphasis on Top 40
> "personalities" when the few we might remember from decades
> ago usually couldn't hold the jocks of adult radio
> personalities like Don Sherwood, the best single radio
> personality in the history of this town.
Agreed. There have been some phenomenal talents around here, and none comes close to Donnie Babe. There's Sherwood, then a huge gap to whomever is #2.
DJ
tripton99 wrote:
> Sorry to see this thread put so muich emphasis on Top 40
> "personalities" when the few we might remember from decades
> ago usually couldn't hold the jocks of adult radio
> personalities like Don Sherwood, the best single radio
> personality in the history of this town.
Agreed. There have been some phenomenal talents around here, and none comes close to Donnie Babe. There's Sherwood, then a huge gap to whomever is #2.
DJ
B
big610
Guest
Re: On KFRC and X-100
> I'd call the promotion dept and suggest they run a bumper
> > saying, "99.7 round it up."
>
> Wow...then maybe you talked to me!
>
I was friends with Diane Kegley. Her husband is a store manager with Safeway in the east bay. I was a Safeway manager here in SF/Penn area.
One promotion we did together was to get the "World's Largest Boom Box" to a re-grand opening of Safeway at the beach.
> I'd call the promotion dept and suggest they run a bumper
> > saying, "99.7 round it up."
>
> Wow...then maybe you talked to me!
>
I was friends with Diane Kegley. Her husband is a store manager with Safeway in the east bay. I was a Safeway manager here in SF/Penn area.
One promotion we did together was to get the "World's Largest Boom Box" to a re-grand opening of Safeway at the beach.
- Status