When L.A. invented rap radio: The rise of KDAY
In 1983, KDAY-AM became the first radio station to play wall-to-wall rap music, thanks to an ambitious new music director and some soon-to-be famous DJs.
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When L.A. invented rap radio: The rise of KDAY - LA Times
- Thread starter speer360
- Start date
www.latimes.com
I can’t believe KDAY is 40. The station came along way from being on AM radio in the 83 to 91. Off topic I know but KDAY, KPWR, KJLH and KRRL were even doing special mixes of all eras of hip hop. Happy 50th birthday hip hop.When L.A. invented rap radio: The rise of KDAY
In 1983, KDAY-AM became the first radio station to play wall-to-wall rap music, thanks to an ambitious new music director and some soon-to-be famous DJs.
As a boy, I lived close to the KDAY transmitter in WLA many, many years ago. Was able to pick up the signal in plumbing pipes in my home! Those were the days..... 
Wasn't KDAY, at least since when it went fulltime, off Alvarado in Echo Park? That is NW of downtown.As a boy, I lived close to the KDAY transmitter in WLA many, many years ago. Was able to pick up the signal in plumbing pipes in my home! Those were the days.....
One early memory of KDAY is riding the Crenshaw bus in LA around 1980. A group of teenagers boarded carrying one of the largest boom boxes I had ever seen. The station playing was AM 1580 KDAY. It was cranked up loud enough for everyone in the bus to hear. This was pre-rap. They were playing songs by The Barkays, Teena Marie, and Frankie Smith.
Pulled the FCC history cards. The move to 1700 N. Alvarado was in February of 1968.
The previous transmitter site was 11600 Palms Blvd, just west of the 405, north of Venice, south of National. So anyone alive before February of 1968 could have had that experience.
Thanks. I should have looked at the card. Or searched on the CP in Broadcasting. Too lazy!
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