Broadcast Legends Luncheon

[newsperson]

The late Hap Harper was honered on Tuesday. He started it all as the world's first airbourne traffic reporter in the 70s. Other past traffic reporters were also honored. I didn't realized that there are only three directly employed (with a radio station) traffic reporters left in the Bay Area. The rest work for one of the three traffic services, Clear Channel's in house service, Metro Networks or Traffic Pulse/Traffic.com.

Carter B. Smith spoke and made a point to tell Mickey Luckoff that many are displeased with the programing on KSFO. Carter B. and Jim Lange (who was also there) were personality djs in KSFO's heyday.

Carter B. also implied that somehow using a traffic service does not provided information as good as the station could. I certainly disagree as they can never automate the traffic reporter because he/she always needs to be live as conditions change so quickly. Yes they pay us less because we don't work for the station directly, however more jobs in broadcasting have been made available because of their services.

Stan Buford of KGO also spoke and I realy learned much more of the history of traffic reporting it the Bay Area. I also meet some friends of Hap Harper and was remined that he sold real estate and flew people to sites. The most uplifiting was hearing the postive things he had said to people about how they should go for their dreams.

Can anyone else share some comments about the lunchen?

Newsperson

 

[djj]

Hi, Newsperson...
I wish I could've been there at the luncheon for the Hap Harper tribute, but, alas, I was at work...

I also noticed, for the first time in two weeks, that http://www.hapharper.com is now down.
That was also his website where he plugged his real estate ventures in the Foothills...

Too bad the website's gone...You would've loved the MP3 airchecks that were up there, of which I
was fortunate to download all of them (classic KSFO and KNBR scopes)...
--Jay

 

[XM RADIO]

Hap Harper was "The Eye in The Sky" as he used to say, he and The Emperor Gene Nelson made radio so much fun!!!!!!!!!!! Theres no better way to start you day, than waking up to KYA! Those days will go down in History as the best days on radio! Lets not forget Warren Boggess who used to fly out of my home town Concord and do traffic for KYA too! Kenny in Concord

 

[MikeAmatori]

The late Hap Harper was honered on Tuesday. He started it all as the world's first airbourne traffic reporter in the 70s. Other past traffic reporters were also honored. I didn't realized that there are only three directly employed (with a radio station) traffic reporters left in the Bay Area. The rest work for one of the three traffic services, Clear Channel's in house service, Metro Networks or Traffic Pulse/Traffic.com.

Carter B. Smith spoke and made a point to tell Mickey Luckoff that many are displeased with the programing on KSFO. Carter B. and Jim Lange (who was also there) were personality djs in KSFO's heyday.

Carter B. also implied that somehow using a traffic service does not provided information as good as the station could. I certainly disagree as they can never automate the traffic reporter because he/she always needs to be live as conditions change so quickly. Yes they pay us less because we don't work for the station directly, however more jobs in broadcasting have been made available because of their services.

Stan Buford of KGO also spoke and I realy learned much more of the history of traffic reporting it the Bay Area. I also meet some friends of Hap Harper and was remined that he sold real estate and flew people to sites. The most uplifiting was hearing the postive things he had said to people about how they should go for their dreams.

Can anyone else share some comments about the lunchen?

Newsperson

OK, Just a couple of things...Hap started doing traffic in the late 50's not the 70's.
And I was told by Mr. Luckoff that Jim Lange took the verbal shot about the programing.

When KSFO was purchased by ABC on 9/1/94 the ratings were .04. at the end of the first
Hot Talk Book they had climbed to a 2.5. and have been in the 3's evere since.
I have worked for KSFO since 1973. I watched it drop from a 6 share to the mid 4's
to the 2's when King Broadcasting owned it. Did I like it better as a music and personality
Full Service Station...I sure Did. With a news dept bigger than KGO's and The Giants and 49ers and Stanford. You Bet. But alas, it is a business, so ABC has found a need and filled it. Don't blame Mickey, blame the fact it's not 1965 any more, and those great personalities are for the most part dead. It would not have continued in the same form
because time does not stop...unfortunatly. I just remember it for what it was once Not what is is now. And honestly, based on the crap talent that I hear on Music Radio now,
what would it have become? Please folks leave it in the past where it will always be Great.

 

[BossRadioDJ]

I produced the "video" tribute to Hap that was presented at the Legends lunch, along with writing the Hall of Fame introduction for Gentleman Jim Lange, which was presented by my great friend Len Shapiro on Tuesday -- our new son had just arrived home, and I didn't attend the lunch so I could be with my wife and kids.

I'll update the Radio Museum and Legends websites over the weekend (I hope) and will include the Hap video and the ballot for the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame's Class of 2007.

By the way, you don't have to be a "Broadcast Legend" to be a member of the group, or to attend the quarterly lunches. If you're a fan of local radio and television, it's a chance to meet people like Al Hart, Frank Dill, Tommy Saunders, Ben Fong-Torres, Chris Borden, Terry Lowry, Bob March (Captain Satellite) and many, many more -- heck, you might even bump into Mike Amatori or Tom Benner!

You might start planning now to attend the September event, which will be a tribute to James Gabbert. Ben Fong-Torres has already sent over some rare video, we've got some great audio clips, and overall it should be a ton of fun. In addition, Tall Tom Campbell says he may fly up from L.A. for one of the events, and I'm sure that John Mack Flanagan may be coaxed into coming along, too.

More info is available at www.BroadcastLegends.com

DJ (humble member of the Legends' Core Executive Team)

 

[LKellerIII]

"But alas, it is a business, so ABC has found a need and filled it. Don't blame Mickey, blame the fact it's not 1965 any more..."

Sad, but true. The time for the MOR format has long past. When I was growing up, my parents listened to the big-time MOR stations in LA, including KSFO's sister station KMPC. The talent on that station, was huge, and included Gary Owens, and Geoff Edwards. They also listened to Bob Crane on KNX (pre-Hogan's Heroes) and Steve Allen on KHJ before it went "Boss." I loved listening to Gary Owen's show from time to time, but even then, I'll admit I found the format a little too old, and slow. Not enough music, and certainly not the right kind of music for me. I preferred the faster-paced 'more-music' Top 40 stations, and later the underground FM stations. I just turned 55. It's only in the past couple of decades that I can appreciate Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra.

ABC filled a format hole. At the time, right-wing talk must have seemed like a risky format for the liberal Bay Area. That liberal-leaning Jack Swanson put the format together (from what I understand) just proves business is business. By the way, have you ever wondered what Swanson and his increasingly shrill and over-the-top right-wing wife (Melanie Morgan) talk about at night? Scary...

 

[RadioStarOne]

Scary? It's Just an act to generate the ratings to fill the paychecks? Funny I never meet anyone so over the top in person! Melanie is a wonderful lady and Jack a wonderful pro!

 

[SFStatic]

Hap was a great guy, and it's cool to see him so honored. The video/slides of his career were great.

I think part of the point Lange was making was that KSFO (and other stations for that matter) would sound better with more local talent, and less syndicated. The present business model doesn't seem to permit plowing much money into the on air product, and the listenership has suffered. This also goes for music formats...you can get all the music you like on your iPod...but not the companionship and current info (like traffic- you need a good reporter to synthesize what's important and get you those, without the noise of minor items) that live talent provides.

BTW, it was nice that Mickey was at the luncheon. As DJ said, you don't have to be either old, or a "Broadcast Legend" to join the group, or go to the luncheons.

 

[BossRadioDJ]

Scary? It's Just an act to generate the ratings to fill the paychecks? Funny I never meet anyone so over the top in person! Melanie is a wonderful lady and Jack a wonderful pro!

I refer to her as "The Actress Who Plays Melanie Morgan," and I don't mean it as an insult any more than if I said "The Actor Who Plays Rush Limbaugh" (or "Howard Stern" or "Michael Savage"). She understands that the point of radio -- whether you like the message or not -- is to ENTERTAIN YOUR AUDIENCE.

 

[anotherlistener50]

I produced the "video" tribute to Hap that was presented at the Legends lunch, along with writing the Hall of Fame introduction for Gentleman Jim Lange, which was presented by my great friend Len Shapiro on Tuesday -- our new son had just arrived home, and I didn't attend the lunch so I could be with my wife and kids.

I'll update the Radio Museum and Legends websites over the weekend (I hope) and will include the Hap video and the ballot for the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame's Class of 2007.

By the way, you don't have to be a "Broadcast Legend" to be a member of the group, or to attend the quarterly lunches. If you're a fan of local radio and television, it's a chance to meet people like Al Hart, Frank Dill, Tommy Saunders, Ben Fong-Torres, Chris Borden, Terry Lowry, Bob March (Captain Satellite) and many, many more -- heck, you might even bump into Mike Amatori or Tom Benner!

You might start planning now to attend the September event, which will be a tribute to James Gabbert. Ben Fong-Torres has already sent over some rare video, we've got some great audio clips, and overall it should be a ton of fun. In addition, Tall Tom Campbell says he may fly up from L.A. for one of the events, and I'm sure that John Mack Flanagan may be coaxed into coming along, too.

More info is available at www.BroadcastLegends.com

DJ (humble member of the Legends' Core Executive Te

is tall tom campbell, the same tom campbell who worked at kya via florida? also did "the bedroom" water bed commercials?

 

[LKellerIII]

"I refer to her as "The Actress Who Plays Melanie Morgan," and I don't mean it as an insult any more than if I said "The Actor Who Plays Rush Limbaugh" (or "Howard Stern" or "Michael Savage"). She understands that the point of radio -- whether you like the message or not -- is to ENTERTAIN YOUR AUDIENCE."

Yeah - I understand that talk hosts are playing a part to a certain degree. With Limbaugh, that's sometime apparent - his pompous act sometimes comes off like he's satirizing himself. Savage and Morgan probably go over the top for effect, but I hope they are both consistent with what they really believe. In other words, I don't believe that either is really a liberal pretending to be conservative.

Melanie did a guest shot for Hannity and Colmes on Fox News, and she can off as an ubber-bitch. If it's all an act, it's a good one.

 

[MikeAmatori]

"I refer to her as "The Actress Who Plays Melanie Morgan," and I don't mean it as an insult any more than if I said "The Actor Who Plays Rush Limbaugh" (or "Howard Stern" or "Michael Savage"). She understands that the point of radio -- whether you like the message or not -- is to ENTERTAIN YOUR AUDIENCE."

Yeah - I understand that talk hosts are playing a part to a certain degree. With Limbaugh, that's sometime apparent - his pompous act sometimes comes off like he's satirizing himself. Savage and Morgan probably go over the top for effect, but I hope they are both consistent with what they really believe. In other words, I don't believe that either is really a liberal pretending to be conservative.

Melanie did a guest shot for Hannity and Colmes on Fox News, and she can off as an ubber-bitch. If it's all an act, it's a good one.

I have worked with both Savage and Morgan, I think what they would both like to be is Rush Limbaugh. They want to be thought of as pundits, deep thinkers and as somebody who is inflencing the political and social climate of the country. What they both come off as is cartoonish, "Look at Me's" Words for effect only. Words that will focus the spotlight on them!

I have always thought of Rush as an entertainer that uses right wing consevative politics as his Act. I have never tought that Rush took himself to seriously, at least not as seriously as some of his listeners do, which is a problem with an act like that.

In the the case of the other two, They WANT to be taken seriously! I don't think I can totally disagree with EVERYTHING either of them say, BUT, It is only their opinion! However, what I sense from personal dealings with these folks is that they want it, and need it, to be your opinion too, and if it's not...your against them, AND what is "In their Opinion Only" Correct. Which is not entertaining it's just kinda misguided and creepy.

 

[LKellerIII]

"I refer to her as "The Actress Who Plays Melanie Morgan," and I don't mean it as an insult any more than if I said "The Actor Who Plays Rush Limbaugh" (or "Howard Stern" or "Michael Savage"). She understands that the point of radio -- whether you like the message or not -- is to ENTERTAIN YOUR AUDIENCE."

Yeah - I understand that talk hosts are playing a part to a certain degree. With Limbaugh, that's sometime apparent - his pompous act sometimes comes off like he's satirizing himself. Savage and Morgan probably go over the top for effect, but I hope they are both consistent with what they really believe. In other words, I don't believe that either is really a liberal pretending to be conservative.

Melanie did a guest shot for Hannity and Colmes on Fox News, and she can off as an ubber-bitch. If it's all an act, it's a good one.

I have worked with both Savage and Morgan, I think what they would both like to be is Rush Limbaugh. They want to be thought of as pundits, deep thinkers and as somebody who is inflencing the political and social climate of the country. What they both come off as is cartoonish, "Look at Me's" Words for effect only. Words that will focus the spotlight on them!

I have always thought of Rush as an entertainer that uses right wing consevative politics as his Act. I have never tought that Rush took himself to seriously, at least not as seriously as some of his listeners do, which is a problem with an act like that.

In the the case of the other two, They WANT to be taken seriously! I don't think I can totally disagree with EVERYTHING either of them say, BUT, It is only their opinion! However, what I sense from personal dealings with these folks is that they want it, and need it, to be your opinion too, and if it's not...your against them, AND what is "In their Opinion Only" Correct. Which is not entertaining it's just kinda misguided and creepy.

I couldn't have said it better, Production Boy - it is creepy, and they don't come off as deep thinkers, just narrow minded. Lee Rodgers is articulate and witty enough to be entertaining - even when he goes over the top with the right-wing rant, but neither Morgan or Savage have the chops to bring it off.

 

[LKellerIII]

And I apologize for hijacking David's well meaning thread here on the Broadcast Legends Luncheon. I haven't been to one yet, but it looks like a great time. I'm definitely giving it some thought.

 

[BossRadioDJ]

And I apologize for hijacking David's well meaning thread here on the Broadcast Legends Luncheon. I haven't been to one yet, but it looks like a great time. I'm definitely giving it some thought.

I'll make sure to give everyone plenty of advance notice on the next event. If you're a working stiff, save a sick day for it, because it really is a load of fun. I spent the first one that I attended staring around the room like a Trekkie at a Star Trek convention, amazed at the famous local radio and TV stars that were there. The first time I was asked to speak at one of the lunches, I couldn't sleep for a week before -- and then, when I did my presentation, every time I looked up from my notes there was another Bay Area legend looking up at me. Scary? Yeah, scary.

For someone that is simply a fan of Bay Area broadcasting, there's nothing that compares with a Legends lunch.

I'd still like to plan a "Legends Of Bay Area Top 40" evening, with as many of the stars from KYA, KFRC, KEWB, KLIV and KOBY as we can get to attend. Anybody interested?

 

[BossRadioDJ]

is tall tom campbell, the same tom campbell who worked at kya via florida? also did "the bedroom" water bed commercials?

Tall Tom Campbell worked at KYA ... but I'm not sure if he worked in Florida; a lot of the KYA guys went through WFUN in Miami before or after coming to San Francisco, including program director Dick Starr, but I think Tom told me he himself wasn't one of them.

He did spots lots of local businesses, most notably Matthew's TV & Stereo, Wheelworks and The Comfort Zone. He could be heard most recently in Southern California as the pitchman for Linder's Furniture.

DJ

 

[anotherlistener50]

is tall tom campbell, the same tom campbell who worked at kya via florida? also did "the bedroom" water bed commercials?

Tall Tom Campbell worked at KYA ... but I'm not sure if he worked in Florida; a lot of the KYA guys went through WFUN in Miami before or after coming to San Francisco, including program director Dick Starr, but I think Tom told me he himself wasn't one of them.

He did spots lots of local businesses, most notably Matthew's TV & Stereo, Wheelworks and The Comfort Zone. He could be heard most recently in Southern California as the pitchman for Linder's Furniture.

DJ

when ..t c ....introduced himself on ....kya....he claimed he came from florida along with chris edwards.

 

[LKellerIII]

"when ..t c ....introduced himself on ....kya....he claimed he came from florida along with chris edwards."

I think of Tom Campbell as primarily a fast-talking pitchman for local businesses. I arrived in the Bay Area after his stint at KYA - about 73-74, he was afternoon jock at KNEW when it was Oldies ("California Gold") before it went Country. He was already the pitchman for Matthew's TV & Stereo, and the Comfort Zone Waterbeds. In those days, jocks still read a lot of commercials live on the air. I remember that Campbell couldn't read the commercials for the other waterbed stores, or TV/Stereo stores, they had to have Gil Haar (newsman) or somebody else read them during Tom's show.

A couple of years later, there were charges of impropriety with the Matthew's ads - bait and switch tactics, if I remember correctly. I think both Campbell and Matthew's owner (Steven Matthew David) had to pay fines, or were at least slapped on the wrist, legally speaking. Campbell was bounced off the commercials after that - David did them himself. But Campbell showed up not long after doing ads for Cal Hi-Fi - a statewide chain, including ads on late night TV.

 

[aeris]

Well, Melanie Morgan, got her "hate rants" from former KSFO employee Michael Whinner, and probably she still gets them from Michael Whinner.

Now, look what the damage both Whinner and Morgan, done to San Francisco radio, San Francisco radio is so polluted with Fascist crap.

I wish 960 AM, KQKE, was a 50,000 Watt radio station, with 3 patters, 4 towers, is non-directional, has Randi Rhodes, and dump Ed Schultz.

 

[BossRadioDJ]

Well, Melanie Morgan, got her "hate rants" from former KSFO employee Michael Whinner, and probably she still gets them from Michael Whinner.

Now, look what the damage both Whinner and Morgan, done to San Francisco radio, San Francisco radio is so polluted with Fascist crap.

I wish 960 AM, KQKE, was a 50,000 Watt radio station, with 3 patters, 4 towers, is non-directional, has Randi Rhodes, and dump Ed Schultz.

A truly brilliant post. Kudos to you for sharing your thoughts with us so eloquently.

When you say "Michael Whinner," do you mean "Michael Wiener," known on the air as Michael Savage?

And when you say "I wish 960 AM, KQKE, was a 50,000 Watt radio station, with 3 patters, 4 towers, is non-directional, has Randi Rhodes, and dump Ed Schultz" ... did you even think that was a coherent thought?

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-- The Real Don Steele, 1967.

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