LEGENDARY BAY AREA DJ'S...WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

[TVC1500]

Nope. Not him. This guy took some unfair and inaccurate shots at Van Dyke's PD skills on one of the radio-info market forums a year or so ago. But wouldn't we all like to know who "Boss Jock 1947" really is? Let the educated guessing begin!

---Michael Hagerty

Boy, that's a pretty rare crowd these days especially since he claims to have worked there between '65 & 73. Not a lot of those guys left are there? Can we go through the KHJ Boss Jock honor roll? (insert tymphony here
& sound off) .....

 

[charlievandyke]

It seems like I should jump in here and say something. My posting name is also my legal name. I made the legal change many years ago. It has never been a secret. I do not use any other names to post.

A while back, I did send a personal e-mail to "Boss Jock 1947" after he made a few comments I thought were a bit off target. He replied that we are supposed to know each other...but he refused to tell me his identity. At that point, I decided that anyone who will post opinions and hide behind the bushes is someone whose comments I can't value. I do have a pretty good guess about the identity...but it really doesn't matter. Life goes on and we all live with our own reality.

Back on topic, I will say that I feel honored to have worked with some of the finest air talent ever to hit the air in San Francisco...or in the case of many of the SF staff...other markets as well.

On this thread, a bit of time must be given to Ted Atkins, the Program Director at KFRC during my tenure...and the person who turned KFRC around and gave me some of the most fun years I ever knew on the air. KYA and its staff were top flight...a noble competition. I always admired the KYA crew...almost as much as the team on which I played.

So...maybe that answers at least one question. Happy to answer any others...here or personally. Thank you to those who have posted comments. I enjoyed every day on the air.
And life now is still beyond my expectations.

All good wishes to all,
Charlie Van Dyke
[email protected]

 

[TVC1500]

Wow...it worked!...God must be listening....one of the greatest KGB-KHJ Boss Jocks and 610 men...Shall I try again? .....

 

[landtuna]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned KEWB. Those of us living in Marin County couldn't get a good KYA/KLOK signal at night so we switched to KEWB. From the early 60's it was Top-40 flipping to a talkie in 1966.

 

[Marv-L.A.]

Was Mr. Van Dyke ever the PD at any of his stops in LA, SD, or SF?

 

[DavidKaye]

It seems like I should jump in here and say something. My posting name is also my legal name. I made the legal change many years ago. It has never been a secret. I do not use any other names to post.

I've looked at your other posts. Great stuff. It's nice to read from someone who has been at some of the legendary stations.

 

[XM RADIO]

Charley Van Dyke,, what a great VO for KTVU ch 2,,, The current Vo guy on KTVU doesent have the Power like Charley van Dyke !!!! The intro to the 10' o clock news on KTVU needs help,,,, Charley, wasnt it in the early 90s you were working for Cox? Who is that VO guy currently on KTVU????

 

[calguy]

Was Mr. Van Dyke ever the PD at any of his stops in LA, SD, or SF?

Charlie Van Dyke was the PD at KGB in San Diego in 1971.

I believe he became the Program Director of KHJ starting in late 1974 and until the arrival of Michael Spears in 1977. I know that he did AM Drive there in 1976 and 77 and possible as early as 74 or 75.

And finally if I'm right CVD was PD and PM Drive at KLIF before becoming the Program Director and morning man at WRKO in Boston in 1979.

Hope this answers your question.

calguy

 

[skyrocker]

Marv-L.A.--> Was Mr. Van Dyke ever the PD at any of his stops in LA, SD, or SF?
calguy--> Charlie Van Dyke was the PD at KGB in San Diego in 1971.

Vouched for! --He was MY PD in those days, bringing new
dimensions of professionalism to the hungry barbarian
Boss Jocks in residence. He had already been to the
Majors we were aspiring to and we learned tons from him.
During his tenure, KGB sparkled. CVD is truly legendary.

calguy--> I believe he became the Program Director of KHJ starting in late 1974

As well as KHJ's morning man. Remember, he was in
Morgan's shadows yet was one of the warmest and most
consistently entertaining and memorable jocks KHJ ever knew.

And as its PD, Charlie was not only quite the polished pro but,
naturally included in his programming procedure two
elements that absolutely spoiled us jocks, making comparisons
with our future PDs difficult. He LISTENED to us, and he
BUFFERED us from corporate politics. As a result, the
talent was free to be our most creative and entertaining.

 

[TVC1500]

I always thought KGB could have won that war of '71 eventually without blowing
everything up. It was an awesome station with a killer lineup.

 

[michael hagerty]

Was Mr. Van Dyke ever the PD at any of his stops in LA, SD, or SF?

Charlie Van Dyke was the PD at KGB in San Diego in 1971.

I believe he became the Program Director of KHJ starting in late 1974 and until the arrival of Michael Spears in 1977. I know that he did AM Drive there in 1976 and 77 and possible as early as 74 or 75.

And finally if I'm right CVD was PD and PM Drive at KLIF before becoming the Program Director and morning man at WRKO in Boston in 1979.

Hope this answers your question.

calguy

Just to put a finer point on it, CVD went to KGB as PD in the summer of 1970. He left in January 1972 to do 9-12Noon at KHJ. By September, he was morning drive at WLS, Chicago for a year, and then returned to KHJ for morning drive in September, 1973. He replaced Gerry Peterson as PD in January, 1975 and both programmed and did mornings until May, 1977. In my book, a great PD, responsible for giving KHJ a second golden era.

----Michael Hagerty

 

[DavidKaye]

Just to put a finer point on it, CVD went to KGB as PD in the summer of 1970. He left in January 1972 to do 9-12Noon at KHJ. By September, he was morning drive at WLS, Chicago for a year, and then returned to KHJ for morning drive in September, 1973. He replaced Gerry Peterson as PD in January, 1975 and both programmed and did mornings until May, 1977. In my book, a great PD, responsible for giving KHJ a second golden era.

....Or...the poor guy couldn't hold a job. KGB, KHJ, WLS, KHJ in just 3 years. Sheesh! In any other profession that kind of resume would be so bad that professional resume writers would try to think up ways to gloss over the job changes.

 

[michael hagerty]

Just to put a finer point on it, CVD went to KGB as PD in the summer of 1970. He left in January 1972 to do 9-12Noon at KHJ. By September, he was morning drive at WLS, Chicago for a year, and then returned to KHJ for morning drive in September, 1973. He replaced Gerry Peterson as PD in January, 1975 and both programmed and did mornings until May, 1977. In my book, a great PD, responsible for giving KHJ a second golden era.

....Or...the poor guy couldn't hold a job. KGB, KHJ, WLS, KHJ in just 3 years. Sheesh! In any other profession that kind of resume would be so bad that professional resume writers would try to think up ways to gloss over the job changes.

The key phrase here is "in any other profession". But jocks and PDs racked up a long line of calls typically. When I met Michael O'Shea in 1979, he had just become PD at KMPC, Los Angeles...his 15th station in 13 years.

In Charlie's case, when Bill Drake himself says "We need you."...what are you gonna do? So that's KFRC to KGB to KHJ. When you're doing 9 to noon and WLS offers you morning drive against Tom Murphy on 'CFL, you rise to the challenge. And when KHJ (this time with Paul Drew running RKO) says "how'd you like to replace Robert W. Morgan and not freeze your tail off?" well, hey......

---Michael Hagerty

 

[rickradio]

The key phrase here is "in any other profession." But jocks and PDs racked up a long line of calls typically. When I met Michael O'Shea in 1979, he had just become PD at KMPC, Los Angeles...his 15th station in 13 years.

In Charlie's case, when Bill Drake himself says "We need you"...what are you gonna do? So that's KFRC to KGB to KHJ. When you're doing 9 to noon and WLS offers you morning drive against Tom Murphy on 'CFL, you rise to the challenge. And when KHJ (this time with Paul Drew running RKO) says "how'd you like to replace Robert W. Morgan and not freeze your tail off?" well, hey......

---Michael Hagerty

So, it's not a matter of not being able to hold a job then, but a matter of being very sought after, and taking each opportunity as it presents itself. Come to think of it, I don't know of a single jock who wouldn't KILL to have major-market PDs/corporate execs know them and their work and want it enough to pound on their door like that, and being in such high demand as to be able to put "KFRC, KGB, WLS, KHJ, WRKO, KLIF" on their resume. Can you imagine being able to put the call letters of six major-market legends on yours? I wish I could.

I always thought KGB could have won that war of '71 eventually without blowing everything up. It was an awesome station with a killer lineup.

Oh yeah, you just reminded me of the "recycling" of KGB, when Ron Jacobs took over as PD from Charlie.

 

[DavidKaye]

So, it's not a matter of not being able to hold a job then, but a matter of being very sought after, and taking each opportunity as it presents itself.

I'm just funning. I was talking the other day with a software developer who has held a number of jobs. I told him, "You think your career is unstable, consider the radio DJ," and I told him about the 3-month gigs that used to be very commonplace in Top 40.

 

[LKellerIII]

"I was talking the other day with a software developer who has held a number of jobs. I told him, "You think your career is unstable, consider the radio DJ," and I told him about the 3-month gigs that used to be very commonplace in Top 40."

Actually, its more and more common in all job sectors. I work in public sector - the stereotype is that people stay for 40 years well past their "sell by date" when they've just become mindless bureaucrats. You can certainly find such people ( I work with a few), but more and more, there are highly qualified project manager types who move from agency to agency across the state...or even across the country.

 

[calguy]

Was Mr. Van Dyke ever the PD at any of his stops in LA, SD, or SF?

Charlie Van Dyke was the PD at KGB in San Diego in 1971.

I believe he became the Program Director of KHJ starting in late 1974 and until the arrival of Michael Spears in 1977. I know that he did AM Drive there in 1976 and 77 and possible as early as 74 or 75.

And finally if I'm right CVD was PD and PM Drive at KLIF before becoming the Program Director and morning man at WRKO in Boston in 1979.

Hope this answers your question.

calguy

Just to put a finer point on it, CVD went to KGB as PD in the summer of 1970. He left in January 1972 to do 9-12Noon at KHJ. By September, he was morning drive at WLS, Chicago for a year, and then returned to KHJ for morning drive in September, 1973. He replaced Gerry Peterson as PD in January, 1975 and both programmed and did mornings until May, 1977. In my book, a great PD, responsible for giving KHJ a second golden era.

----Michael Hagerty

Thanks for the info. I kind of hoped you would add more to the post. I was barely a teenager when CVD was at KGB and KHJ so I could only come up with general information. I knew about the midday slot at KHJ, but I couldn't remember the specifics of his position after returning from Chicago.

Thanks again

 

[ificandream]

Carter B said: "Paul Frees was a neighbor of mine. He had a complete studio in the house and would cut material right there with the director in N.Y. or L.A."

Apparently Frees showed up in person in LA for the recording sessions my father spoke of - perhaps because Jay Ward (Bullwinkle, et al) treated people so well. Ward had family money from Bay Area real estate, so he was not too concerned if his studio didn't turn a profit. From what my father said - it never did - though Ward's widow made a lot of money selling the rights to Disney later on.

Frees was the voice of Boris Badenov, Inspector Fenwick (Dudley Doright), "Ape" on George of the Jungle (which he did as Ronald Coleman), and many others.

Frees is also the narrator of Disney's "Haunted Mansion," as I recall. "Foolish mortals. ..."

 

[Fastphilly]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned KEWB. Those of us living in Marin County couldn't get a good KYA/KLOK signal at night so we switched to KEWB. From the early 60's it was Top-40 flipping to a talkie in 1966.

Being that I am only 36 years old I can't attest to listening to KEWB live in the mid 60's, though my mother told me about how good of a station it was....I recently bought a unscoped aircheck of KEWB to hear it firsthand for myself (air personality Johnnie G during the evening of January 19, 1966) and I really enjoyed the way the station/DJ presented the hits....From looking online, I also found out that the legendary Don Steele worked there in 1964 before going south to KHJ...

 

[Fastphilly]

I'd like to fast forward to early 80's for a moment since KFRC in my listening prime was still a well liked station by the listening youth...I've heard that Bill Lee has quit after many years at WKTU in New York...My question is what is he doing now? Also, I would love to hear him once again on KFRC 106.9.... I know about the unfortunate departure of his stint at KFRC regarding the gay community's dissapointment at whatever stunt he pulled, but I would think that 25 years later would'nt cause such an uproar if he returned to KFRC......Perhaps him being back with his energy, KFRC could start playing some of the hits that kept them great in the early 80's....