KGO/KSFO Alumni Now At KKSF Newstalk 910

[DavidKaye]

Okay, there are Len Tillem, Gil Gross, commentaries by Ed Baxter (who's actually very good as a commentator), John Rothmann, and the syndicated sunday night Bill Wattenburg.

As of today, Monday, KKSF has added Tom Benner (former "Officer Vic" from KKKSFO), and Lloyd Lindsay Young doing weather!

Gil and Lloyd talked a bit about things, including Lloyd's recent wedding, where Gil officiated(!), so obviously they're good friends. I wonder how much influence Gil had over the hiring of LLY?

Both Len Tillem and Gil Gross's shows sounded MAGICAL today.

 

[recto101]

Good Luck to the ex KGO and KSFO people who are now at 910 AM.

 

[LKellerIII]

Okay, there are Len Tillem, Gil Gross, commentaries by Ed Baxter (who's actually very good as a commentator), John Rothmann, and the syndicated sunday night Bill Wattenburg.

As of today, Monday, KKSF has added Tom Benner (former "Officer Vic" from KKKSFO), and Lloyd Lindsay Young doing weather!

Gil and Lloyd talked a bit about things, including Lloyd's recent wedding, where Gil officiated(!), so obviously they're good friends. I wonder how much influence Gil had over the hiring of LLY?

Both Len Tillem and Gil Gross's shows sounded MAGICAL today.

Baxter is good at commentary? Really? I guess because he must write it and read it. He's a terrible ad-libber and off-the-cuff speaker - at least for a veteran broadcaster.

Now Clear Channel should publicize the station and the old KGO folks - at least on some of their own billboards. The only Bay Area stations they seem to advertise "outdoors" are KMEL and Kiss-FM.

 

[stewie]

Okay, there are Len Tillem, Gil Gross, commentaries by Ed Baxter (who's actually very good as a commentator), John Rothmann, and the syndicated sunday night Bill Wattenburg.

As of today, Monday, KKSF has added Tom Benner (former "Officer Vic" from KKKSFO), and Lloyd Lindsay Young doing weather!

Gil and Lloyd talked a bit about things, including Lloyd's recent wedding, where Gil officiated(!), so obviously they're good friends. I wonder how much influence Gil had over the hiring of LLY?

Both Len Tillem and Gil Gross's shows sounded MAGICAL today.

Agree 100%. Cumulus opened the door for Clear Channel to snatch up these folks.

It will be interesting to watch the ratings as we head into fall.

 

[stewie]

Okay, there are Len Tillem, Gil Gross, commentaries by Ed Baxter (who's actually very good as a commentator), John Rothmann, and the syndicated sunday night Bill Wattenburg.

As of today, Monday, KKSF has added Tom Benner (former "Officer Vic" from KKKSFO), and Lloyd Lindsay Young doing weather!

Gil and Lloyd talked a bit about things, including Lloyd's recent wedding, where Gil officiated(!), so obviously they're good friends. I wonder how much influence Gil had over the hiring of LLY?

Both Len Tillem and Gil Gross's shows sounded MAGICAL today.

Agree 100%. Cumulus opened the door for Clear Channel to snatch up these folks and actually be a strong News Talk contender in the Bay Area.

It will be interesting to watch the ratings as we head into fall.

 

[Finatic]

Agreed, I'm really liking hearing Gil in particular. Once it was apparent Gene wasn't coming back, I was hoping Gil would take the slot over permanently. And very interesting how they've racked up a lot of former KGO talent. Wonder if they might make a stab at getting Ronn Owens when his contract is up at KGO?

On the down side, while I'm happy to hear these folks again, is there a long-term future for talk radio, particularly LOCAL talk radio? The hosts are shall we say, quite senior, and the listeners are mostly senior. I love the format and would love to see it thrive, but am afraid it's a dinosaur.

 

[DavidKaye]

On the down side, while I'm happy to hear these folks again, is there a long-term future for talk radio, particularly LOCAL talk radio? The hosts are shall we say, quite senior, and the listeners are mostly senior. I love the format and would love to see it thrive, but am afraid it's a dinosaur.

The sentence a talkshow host doesn't want to hear from a caller today: "I've been listening to you for 30 years!"

The real question is whether Newstalk 910 is salable or not, whether the listener is age 20 or 70. Well, I notice that there are many local clients who get live talent reads and talent endorsements, so they must be paying quite a bit and think it's worthwhile. Segale Brothers cabinet refinishing is one example. I don't think they were ever on KGO.

I noticed that Len Tillem the last few days has had less of the estate planning stuff (a definite snoozer to anybody under age 50, and even many above that age). I'd be happy if he ditched the estate stuff entirely and just specialized in dumb drivers and loud parties.

 

[RadioJunkieMike]

I worked with Gil Gross years ago and a nicer man you'll not find in the business. I'm so happy to see him with a regular gig. Long may he wave.

But as an ex-New Yorker I have to ask if someone can explain the appeal of Lloyd Lindsay Young to me. When he was doing TV weather in NYC back in the '80s, he was a local joke. A trainwreck, really. In all seriousness, people used to ask if there was something wrong with him, mentally, he appeared so... unhinged when doing his over-the-top shtick. I found him absolutely painful to watch. And then I move out here to find out he's this beloved figure. I'm baffled by him, honestly.

 

[LKellerIII]

I worked with Gil Gross years ago and a nicer man you'll not find in the business. I'm so happy to see him with a regular gig. Long may he wave.

But as an ex-New Yorker I have to ask if someone can explain the appeal of Lloyd Lindsay Young to me. When he was doing TV weather in NYC back in the '80s, he was a local joke. A trainwreck, really. In all seriousness, people used to ask if there was something wrong with him, mentally, he appeared so... unhinged when doing his over-the-top shtick. I found him absolutely painful to watch. And then I move out here to find out he's this beloved figure. I'm baffled by him, honestly.

LLY also did weather here at KGO-TV. I believe he was quite popular. IIRC, his schtick was using unusual objects as pointers (for the weather map) - you know, a rubber chicken, or whatever. He was quite popular, but reportedly, Pete Giddings (the chief meteorologist in those days) didn't find LLY amusing, and got him canned. A few years later, he started doing weather for the Afternoon News on KGO radio from New Jersey. I believe he had returned to the New York market after being fired by KGO-TV.

 

[stewie]

On the down side, while I'm happy to hear these folks again, is there a long-term future for talk radio, particularly LOCAL talk radio? The hosts are shall we say, quite senior, and the listeners are mostly senior. I love the format and would love to see it thrive, but am afraid it's a dinosaur.

The sentence a talkshow host doesn't want to hear from a caller today: "I've been listening to you for 30 years!"

The real question is whether Newstalk 910 is salable or not, whether the listener is age 20 or 70. Well, I notice that there are many local clients who get live talent reads and talent endorsements, so they must be paying quite a bit and think it's worthwhile. Segale Brothers cabinet refinishing is one example. I don't think they were ever on KGO.

I noticed that Len Tillem the last few days has had less of the estate planning stuff (a definite snoozer to anybody under age 50, and even many above that age). I'd be happy if he ditched the estate stuff entirely and just specialized in dumb drivers and loud parties.

A&G has been on 910 for some time now. I'd hope they're closer to 35+, not 70+

 

[tripton99]

Where's Rosie Lee Allen?

 

[DavidKaye]

But as an ex-New Yorker I have to ask if someone can explain the appeal of Lloyd Lindsay Young to me. When he was doing TV weather in NYC back in the '80s, he was a local joke. A trainwreck, really. In all seriousness, people used to ask if there was something wrong with him, mentally, he appeared so... unhinged when doing his over-the-top shtick. I found him absolutely painful to watch. And then I move out here to find out he's this beloved figure. I'm baffled by him, honestly.

LLY must be a nice guy or Gil Gross wouldn't have officiated at his wedding. LLY is an acquired taste for anyone who takes radio "seriously". He's been doing this schtick for decades, popping up in NYC, SF, Sacramento, Bakersfield, wherever he can get a gig.

And people DO actually like him. It's funny what draws in listeners/viewers. Anybody remember Matthew Lesko, the guy who sells books about how to get government grants? He wears bright suits with question marks all over them. He's sold a boatload of those books. How about weight loss guru Richard Simmons? He's a weight loss guru and yet he's overweight. He's had remarkable success, too. Both of these characters motivate people to buy because of their over-the-top style. They run their ad campaigns for a few months, sell what they're selling, and then pull back for a year or two, because a little of this schtick goes a long way.

I'm also reminded of the push car dealers on late night TV back in ye olden days -- Ralph Williams in LA and the Bay Area, for instance. Loud, annoying, but he sold cars. Tom Peterson, the stereo/TV dealer in Portland who would come on late night TV and knock his knuckles on the camera lens telling people to wake up. Annoying? Yes, but also a cherished institution. Though Tom Peterson has been off the air for years people still collect Tom Peterson bobble-heads.

 

[RadioJunkieMike]

But as an ex-New Yorker I have to ask if someone can explain the appeal of Lloyd Lindsay Young to me. When he was doing TV weather in NYC back in the '80s, he was a local joke. A trainwreck, really. In all seriousness, people used to ask if there was something wrong with him, mentally, he appeared so... unhinged when doing his over-the-top shtick. I found him absolutely painful to watch. And then I move out here to find out he's this beloved figure. I'm baffled by him, honestly.

LLY must be a nice guy or Gil Gross wouldn't have officiated at his wedding. LLY is an acquired taste for anyone who takes radio "seriously". He's been doing this schtick for decades, popping up in NYC, SF, Sacramento, Bakersfield, wherever he can get a gig.

And people DO actually like him. It's funny what draws in listeners/viewers....

agreed, and LLY's shtick actually works a little better on radio than TV. Here is is back in the day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SaYOcr5MmY

 

[HCochet]

But as an ex-New Yorker I have to ask if someone can explain the appeal of Lloyd Lindsay Young to me. When he was doing TV weather in NYC back in the '80s, he was a local joke. A trainwreck, really. In all seriousness, people used to ask if there was something wrong with him, mentally, he appeared so... unhinged when doing his over-the-top shtick. I found him absolutely painful to watch. And then I move out here to find out he's this beloved figure. I'm baffled by him, honestly.

LLY must be a nice guy or Gil Gross wouldn't have officiated at his wedding. LLY is an acquired taste for anyone who takes radio "seriously". He's been doing this schtick for decades, popping up in NYC, SF, Sacramento, Bakersfield, wherever he can get a gig.

And people DO actually like him. It's funny what draws in listeners/viewers. Anybody remember Matthew Lesko, the guy who sells books about how to get government grants? He wears bright suits with question marks all over them. He's sold a boatload of those books. How about weight loss guru Richard Simmons? He's a weight loss guru and yet he's overweight. He's had remarkable success, too. Both of these characters motivate people to buy because of their over-the-top style. They run their ad campaigns for a few months, sell what they're selling, and then pull back for a year or two, because a little of this schtick goes a long way.

I'm also reminded of the push car dealers on late night TV back in ye olden days -- Ralph Williams in LA and the Bay Area, for instance. Loud, annoying, but he sold cars. Tom Peterson, the stereo/TV dealer in Portland who would come on late night TV and knock his knuckles on the camera lens telling people to wake up. Annoying? Yes, but also a cherished institution. Though Tom Peterson has been off the air for years people still collect Tom Peterson bobble-heads.

Isn't LLoyd the one who used to shout the words "Hello San Jose!!"? (or any particular town) "Hello Milpitas!" or "Hello (insert anything/anyone)! That guy?? But it was a long hello. Hello-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o, I really disliked that. Back when he was on KGO, I used to turn the dial for a few minutes when I heard he was coming up next. I'd turn it right back when I felt his part was over. However, I think he finally quit doing that a few years ago.

 

[michael hagerty]

I worked with Gil Gross years ago and a nicer man you'll not find in the business. I'm so happy to see him with a regular gig. Long may he wave.

But as an ex-New Yorker I have to ask if someone can explain the appeal of Lloyd Lindsay Young to me. When he was doing TV weather in NYC back in the '80s, he was a local joke. A trainwreck, really. In all seriousness, people used to ask if there was something wrong with him, mentally, he appeared so... unhinged when doing his over-the-top shtick. I found him absolutely painful to watch. And then I move out here to find out he's this beloved figure. I'm baffled by him, honestly.

I think some of Lloyd's Bay Area popularity came from simply being on the Dr. Don Rose show on KFRC for a few years.

Howard Stern once called Lloyd "The most successful mentally challenged person I've ever met." Lloyd was a guest on Howard's show at the time.

 

[1069_KIFR]

He may have toned it down a bit, but he will ALWAYS be known for the screaming HHEELLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOO ( City's Name)!!!!

 

[LKellerIII]

He may have toned it down a bit, but he will ALWAYS be known for the screaming HHEELLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOO ( City's Name)!!!!

For some reason, everytime I heard him on the KGO Afternoon News, it was "Helloooo Pinole." I guess he liked the way it sounded.

 

[DavidKaye]

He may have toned it down a bit, but he will ALWAYS be known for the screaming HHEELLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOO ( City's Name)!!!!

No, on KGO they told him to turn it off after awhile. I think he'd bring it back once a month or so, but not often.

But those folks who think of him as "mentally challenged" as Howard Stern apparently did, have to add up the stints LLY has had: WWOR NYC, KGO, KGO-TV, KBAK, a bunch of high-profile stations, and for long periods of time. He obviously knows what he's doing.

It takes a lot to jazz up the weather. KRON once had Linda Richard who appeared to write backward on a piece of glass (actually the video was flipped). KGO-TV had Pete Giddings with the weather map that flipped over. Lots of weather people drew on their maps. Then in the digital age, there were animated cloud movements and then Google map zooms. But the weather is still the weather and none of those visuals do anything for radio. For radio it's still dullsville when it comes to weather, especially here where the weather between June and September can be summed up as: "Morning fog along the coast, becoming clear and warmer in the afternoon."

 

[LKellerIII]

He may have toned it down a bit, but he will ALWAYS be known for the screaming HHEELLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOO ( City's Name)!!!!

For radio it's still dullsville when it comes to weather, especially here where the weather between June and September can be summed up as: "Morning fog along the coast, becoming clear and warmer in the afternoon."

Or depending upon which SF neighborhood you live in - "fog along the coast" ...period. I've lived in SF for 34 years, but I grew up in LA. I still can't believe how cold it can get in the summer.

Anchor Anna Chavez (one of my favorites over the years on KGO-TV) would introduce Lloyd as "L.L. Cool Y." And she would introduce one of their other meteorologists (Brian Hackman) as "The Hack-person." Always got a kick out of Anna - I've always been sorry she retired from TV news. But it probably demonstrates a streak of extreme sanity in her personality.

 

[stewie]

But as an ex-New Yorker I have to ask if someone can explain the appeal of Lloyd Lindsay Young to me. When he was doing TV weather in NYC back in the '80s, he was a local joke. A trainwreck, really. In all seriousness, people used to ask if there was something wrong with him, mentally, he appeared so... unhinged when doing his over-the-top shtick. I found him absolutely painful to watch. And then I move out here to find out he's this beloved figure. I'm baffled by him, honestly.

LLY must be a nice guy or Gil Gross wouldn't have officiated at his wedding. LLY is an acquired taste for anyone who takes radio "seriously". He's been doing this schtick for decades, popping up in NYC, SF, Sacramento, Bakersfield, wherever he can get a gig.

And people DO actually like him. It's funny what draws in listeners/viewers....

agreed, and LLY's shtick actually works a little better on radio than TV. Here is is back in the day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SaYOcr5MmY

Great aircheck, thanks for sharing.