Diablo Valley Airchecks from the 1980's KWUN 1480 now defunct and 990 KKIS

[MarioMania]

Clear Channel owns the Kiss-FM Name..I don't thing 92.1 can use it, but AM can

 

[thehawk]

I sadly recall the day iin late 1967 when all of us where fired from KKIS by GM Bill Exline, because the station was switching from Top 40 to (cheaper) easy listening (similar to KABL of the time). Quite a shock.

KKIS PD Radio Ray Farrell, suddenly adrift, ended up in San Diego; I think that's where he was given the name Bobby Ocean.

KKIS was a fun station to work at because Ray (his real first name) was creative and encouraged a fun sound on the air. For a few days he and I had a "contest" about who could best do the voice of Bullwinkle Moose (I'm pretty sure I won ).

During my time the KKIS studios were in downtown Pittsburg, and the transmitter was across the Sacramento River at Collinsville (essentially an abandoned fishing village).

 

[DavidKaye]

KKIS was a fun station to work at because Ray (his real first name) was creative and encouraged a fun sound on the air. For a few days he and I had a "contest" about who could best do the voice of Bullwinkle Moose (I'm pretty sure I won ).

Not to be telling tales I shouldn't be telling, but his first name isn't Ray and his last name isn't Farrell. But Raymond is his middle name.

During my time the KKIS studios were in downtown Pittsburg, and the transmitter was across the Sacramento River at Collinsville (essentially an abandoned fishing village).

When Dick Scholfield owned it in the mid-70s he wanted to distance KKIS are far from Pittsburg as possible. Pittsburg had fallen on hard times and he preferred to be identified with Walnut Creek. Thus, he ran a remote 49% of the time from KDFM's Quail Court studio near downtown Walnut Creek and played up the Walnut Creek aspect. The other 51% of the time KKIS was run from Collinsville. I believe they may have still had a rudimenary Pittsburg studio but I don't believe it was used. Maybe it was a sales office.

 

[thehawk]

Well yes, Bobby Ocean's real real name is Ernest Raymond Lenhart (it's not a secret). But I think before he radio-ized the last name, he was Ray to friends (and maybe family), while using a variety of radio names. So to me, Ray is his real name. But he's been Bobby Ocean since the late 60s so perhaps he no longer responds to Ray or Ernest.

Radio/stage names are an odd thing. When a TV funnyman moved from Ohio to LA at Steve Allen's urging to became an actor in McHale's Navy, he found an earlier actor had registered his real name Tom Conway. So he registered stage name Tim Conway.

He had a son, who for many years has been a talk show host on LA stations, using the name Tim Conway Jr. But since Tim Conway (Sr) is a fake name, how can there be a Jr? Dad did a legal name change? Or is Jr a stage name too?

It's a time-honored branding technique. Movie actor Creighton Chaney took to using his father's famous name, calling himself Lon Chaney Jr.

Even billionaire Bill Gates is doing it. He's actually William Gates III; his family nickname is Trey. But he became famous as simply Bill Gates. Then his father moved into a public role (with Gates' foundation, etc), so started calling himself Bill Gates Sr even though he's really William Gates II. This leads reasonable people to think William Gates III is Bill Gates Jr. But what about "Trey"?

I have to go sit down now...

 

[DavidKaye]

Well yes, Bobby Ocean's real real name is Ernest Raymond Lenhart (it's not a secret).

Oh, okay. I didn't want anybody's cover to be exposed or anything. Some people are very guarded about their nom de radieux.

Radio/stage names are an odd thing. When a TV funnyman moved from Ohio to LA at Steve Allen's urging to became an actor in McHale's Navy, he found an earlier actor had registered his real name Tom Conway. So he registered stage name Tim Conway.

There are several interesting examples. Actor Michael Keaton's real name is Michael Douglas, and my understanding is that Michael Douglas's actual name is Kirk Michael Douglas, not Michael Kirk Douglas. Michael Keaton chose his last name based on the success of Dianne Keaton. Michael Keaton couldn't go as Mike Douglas, either, given that this was the name of the big band singer/TV performer. Similarly, actor Stewart Granger's real name was James Stewart.

In radio, of course there are lots of pitfalls. There are so many people named "Phillips" and "Mitchell" that the mind reels, especially since those are mostly air names. I seem to remember at least two different "Johnny Mitchells" in the Bay Area, though one of them also used "Sebastian Stone".

He had a son, who for many years has been a talk show host on LA stations, using the name Tim Conway Jr. But since Tim Conway (Sr) is a fake name, how can there be a Jr? Dad did a legal name change? Or is Jr a stage name too?

Probably a stage name. KQED's Greg Sherwood (son of Don Sherwood) is not a Sherwood as far as I know. I think his name is still Cohelan.

Even billionaire Bill Gates is doing it. He's actually William Gates III; his family nickname is Trey. But he became famous as simply Bill Gates. Then his father moved into a public role (with Gates' foundation, etc), so started calling himself Bill Gates Sr even though he's really William Gates II. This leads reasonable people to think William Gates III is Bill Gates Jr. But what about "Trey"?

Yeah, as far as I know, Bill Gates Jr is the father and Bill Gates III is the billionaire son. But then juniors and seniors seem to have some kind of right to change their suffixes.

 

[recto101]

I noticed when Bobby Ocean's name comes up he been off and on Bay Area Radio for many years sometimes hes on KCBQ and KHJ for some years before returning to SF.

I first heard Bobby Ocean in the summer of 1970 when I was spending a lazy summer surfing (and generally not doing much of anything) on the San Diego beaches. IIRC - Ocean was on 136/KGB that summer, and his competition at KCBQ was Lee "Baby" Simms (retired a few years ago from KISQ). I guess Bobby later went over to KCBQ.

Ocean served on a number of other Bill Drake consulted stations including KYNO (Fresno) at the beginning of his career, KFRC (repeatedly), and KHJ. I believe he still fills in at KOIT, and they actually let him talk quite a bit, despite the station's "Less Talk" branding.

I remember Ocean's Voice used in promos in Merced recently of an oldies station in Fresno Merced area while I was driving to LA in Januarary 2011. I'm guessing he is voice over artist in other markets like fresno while he is still working for Entercom's KOIT.

 

[recto101]

Well yes, Bobby Ocean's real real name is Ernest Raymond Lenhart (it's not a secret).

Oh, okay. I didn't want anybody's cover to be exposed or anything. Some people are very guarded about their nom de radieux.

Radio/stage names are an odd thing. When a TV funnyman moved from Ohio to LA at Steve Allen's urging to became an actor in McHale's Navy, he found an earlier actor had registered his real name Tom Conway. So he registered stage name Tim Conway.

There are several interesting examples. Actor Michael Keaton's real name is Michael Douglas, and my understanding is that Michael Douglas's actual name is Kirk Michael Douglas, not Michael Kirk Douglas. Michael Keaton chose his last name based on the success of Dianne Keaton. Michael Keaton couldn't go as Mike Douglas, either, given that this was the name of the big band singer/TV performer. Similarly, actor Stewart Granger's real name was James Stewart.

In radio, of course there are lots of pitfalls. There are so many people named "Phillips" and "Mitchell" that the mind reels, especially since those are mostly air names. I seem to remember at least two different "Johnny Mitchells" in the Bay Area, though one of them also used "Sebastian Stone".

He had a son, who for many years has been a talk show host on LA stations, using the name Tim Conway Jr. But since Tim Conway (Sr) is a fake name, how can there be a Jr? Dad did a legal name change? Or is Jr a stage name too?

Probably a stage name. KQED's Greg Sherwood (son of Don Sherwood) is not a Sherwood as far as I know. I think his name is still Cohelan.

Even billionaire Bill Gates is doing it. He's actually William Gates III; his family nickname is Trey. But he became famous as simply Bill Gates. Then his father moved into a public role (with Gates' foundation, etc), so started calling himself Bill Gates Sr even though he's really William Gates II. This leads reasonable people to think William Gates III is Bill Gates Jr. But what about "Trey"?

Yeah, as far as I know, Bill Gates Jr is the father and Bill Gates III is the billionaire son. But then juniors and seniors seem to have some kind of right to change their suffixes.

Dont' Forget Michael Savage whose real name is Michael Weiner as in that ts spelled exactly like Anthony's Last name.

 

[DavidKaye]

Dont' Forget Michael Savage whose real name is Michael Weiner as in that ts spelled exactly like Anthony's Last name.

I'm wondering if anybody with the last name "Savage" is using their real name. How does the name derive? As to Michael Weiner, he's never hidden behind it, having written numerous books under the Weiner name.

I think "Savage Nation" sounds better than "Weiner Nation", though he does whine a lot. Whatever became of him anyway? Is he still being syndicated?

 

[LKellerIII]

Dont' Forget Michael Savage whose real name is Michael Weiner as in that ts spelled exactly like Anthony's Last name.

I'm wondering if anybody with the last name "Savage" is using their real name. How does the name derive? As to Michael Weiner, he's never hidden behind it, having written numerous books under the Weiner name.

I think "Savage Nation" sounds better than "Weiner Nation", though he does whine a lot. Whatever became of him anyway? Is he still being syndicated?

It looks like the Savage Weiner (Jim Eason's non-affectionate nick-name for him) is still doing OK. If his affiliate list is up to date, he still has about 2 dozen stations, though notably not LA, SF nor (I think) NYC. The list gives actual cities of license, and I don't know the NYC area that well.

 

[Tom_KYA1260]

I remember calling Lee Baby when he got back on the air in S.F. and told him I had some of his old airchecks from KRLA and he said he didn't have any so I dubbed the tape and sent them to him. As for B.O., I called him when he was at KYUU and asked about Mike Novak and he said he'd tell me if I sent him a $45 money order.... Guess who I think is classier?

 

[Tom_KYA1260]

I would have a lot more pics and airchecks of KWUN when I was there for a second tour in 1987 but the last owners were the most incompetent, unprofessional bunch of radio-illiterates I'd ever seen, so I got rid of the pictures and airchecks I made that year with no regrets. I had some good stuff too.

I'm not sure who you are referring to. The last owner was Immaculate Heart Radio, a Catholic group owner. But by then the station had been dismantled and there was basically just the license and a small TIS transmitter used just to keep the license in existence. It was attached to a NOAA weather radio, and I think was located near downtown Concord.

So, my guess is not that they ran the station into the ground through incompetence, but that the land was literally taken out from under them by a landlord who had other plans. That's my take, anyway.

I took a look at the FCC's deletion letter and it was made out to Concord Area Broadcasting, so I think the Immaculate Heart deal was a syndication deal.

 

[recto101]

Dont' Forget Michael Savage whose real name is Michael Weiner as in that ts spelled exactly like Anthony's Last name.

I'm wondering if anybody with the last name "Savage" is using their real name. How does the name derive? As to Michael Weiner, he's never hidden behind it, having written numerous books under the Weiner name.

I think "Savage Nation" sounds better than "Weiner Nation", though he does whine a lot. Whatever became of him anyway? Is he still being syndicated?

It looks like the Savage Weiner (Jim Eason's non-affectionate nick-name for him) is still doing OK. If his affiliate list is up to date, he still has about 2 dozen stations, though notably not LA, SF nor (I think) NYC. The list gives actual cities of license, and I don't know the NYC area that well.

The largest station in California Savage is on is is KSTE. Savage was behind the herbal remidies books in the 1970's Look the reason Weiner changed his name to Savage once he came to San Francisco is because he used to recommend Cannibis, and hemp in the 1970's.

 

[SFStatic]

A few years ago, Savage had over 300 affiliates. If he only has a few dozen (which I doubt), that's not good. Most syndicators look to 100 or more in order to be able to successfully attract enough advertising revenue. There was a time way back in the day when Glenn Beck only had 20, and San Francisco became his biggest market.

 

[recto101]

I would have a lot more pics and airchecks of KWUN when I was there for a second tour in 1987 but the last owners were the most incompetent, unprofessional bunch of radio-illiterates I'd ever seen, so I got rid of the pictures and airchecks I made that year with no regrets. I had some good stuff too.

I'm not sure who you are referring to. The last owner was Immaculate Heart Radio, a Catholic group owner. But by then the station had been dismantled and there was basically just the license and a small TIS transmitter used just to keep the license in existence. It was attached to a NOAA weather radio, and I think was located near downtown Concord.

So, my guess is not that they ran the station into the ground through incompetence, but that the land was literally taken out from under them by a landlord who had other plans. That's my take, anyway.

I took a look at the FCC's deletion letter and it was made out to Concord Area Broadcasting, so I think the Immaculate Heart deal was a syndication deal.

Is Immaculate heart the same people that bought 1260 am from Entercom in the 2006-2007 season when Entercom was blamed for the death of a Sacramento Woman. in a contest and Entercom Sacramento had to pay for wrongful death.

 

[Starbucks]

I can tell you sweet paaaassive men haven't or do not listen to Savage lately. He has about 400 affiliates and he's up in most markets. Slightly down in a few. While Beck and Limbaugh has shown decline...he's remained at least stable. Have a nice day.


It looks like the Savage Weiner (Jim Eason's non-affectionate nick-name for him) is still doing OK. If his affiliate list is up to date, he still has about 2 dozen stations, though notably not LA, SF nor (I think) NYC. The list gives actual cities of license, and I don't know the NYC area that well.
[/quote]

 

[recto101]

Well Dr. Don Rose ended his radio career on KKIS.

 

[LKellerIII]

I can tell you sweet paaaassive men haven't or do not listen to Savage lately. He has about 400 affiliates and he's up in most markets. Slightly down in a few. While Beck and Limbaugh has shown decline...he's remained at least stable. Have a nice day.


It looks like the Savage Weiner (Jim Eason's non-affectionate nick-name for him) is still doing OK. If his affiliate list is up to date, he still has about 2 dozen stations, though notably not LA, SF nor (I think) NYC. The list gives actual cities of license, and I don't know the NYC area that well.

[/quote]

Thanks for the odd insult, sweetie - but all I did was access an online list of his affiliates, which had about 2 dozen. I realize that websites are not often kept up to date, and that's why I qualified my answer.

Savage was behind the herbal remidies books in the 1970's Look the reason Weiner changed his name to Savage once he came to San Francisco is because he used to recommend Cannibis, and hemp in the 1970's.

I seriously doubt that. I think he changed his name because "Weiner" is not an attractive sounding name - especially for a radio host who wants to portray an image of anger toward the 'evil socialist welfare state.'

My second grade teacher was Mrs. Weiner, only she pronounced it "Wy-ner." But that's not much better - then people would accuse him of 'whining.'

From what I've read, Savage used to hang out with the beatnik crowd in the 50s, and try to engratiate himself with Ferlinghetti and Alan Ginsburg. But that's no big deal. There are more than a few conservative talk hosts that admit to being liberals, pot-smokers (or whatever) when they were younger. If anything, it kind of burnishes their credentials and lets their audience know that they've seen the 'error of their ways.'

 

[Starbucks]

From what I've read, Savage used to hang out with the beatnik crowd in the 50s, and try to engratiate himself with Ferlinghetti and Alan Ginsburg. But that's no big deal. There are more than a few conservative talk hosts that admit to being liberals, pot-smokers (or whatever) when they were younger. If anything, it kind of burnishes their credentials and lets their audience know that they've seen the 'error of their ways.'

Yes Precious, Savage has admitted his mistakes. Sometimes you had no choice to be brought up in that direction by upbringing, by location (San Fran.) or geographic area and see by the time you grow up or out of it...the mistakes come out of the woodwork that can have an affect on your life, family, or career. That's why liberalism is a mental disorder.

 

[LKellerIII]

From what I've read, Savage used to hang out with the beatnik crowd in the 50s, and try to engratiate himself with Ferlinghetti and Alan Ginsburg. But that's no big deal. There are more than a few conservative talk hosts that admit to being liberals, pot-smokers (or whatever) when they were younger. If anything, it kind of burnishes their credentials and lets their audience know that they've seen the 'error of their ways.'

Yes Precious, Savage has admitted his mistakes. Sometimes you had no choice to be brought up in that direction by upbringing, by location (San Fran.) or geographic area and see by the time you grow up or out of it...the mistakes come out of the woodwork that can have an affect on your life, family, or career. That's why liberalism is a mental disorder.

Despite your goading, there's clearly no future in carrying on with this topic, so I'm going to let you have the last word...honey.

 

[Tom_KYA1260]

Is Immaculate heart the same people that bought 1260 am from Entercom in the 2006-2007 season when Entercom was blamed for the death of a Sacramento Woman. in a contest and Entercom Sacramento had to pay for wrongful death.
[/quote]

I believe so.... It's KSFB now.. great calls.