Who was #1 in your book with LOCAL talent in the market you grew up in.....List your top 5....what the heck!
Bob McAnulty
Paul Oscar Anderson
Pattee
Barney
Fenwick

"Uncle" Don Wright
Barney Keep
Ron "Ugly" Thompson
Michael O'Brien

Robert W. Morgan
Real Don Steele
Roger Christian
Art Laboe
Casey Kasem

Andy Barber
Gary Lockwood
Dan Foley
Bruce Murdock

In Seattle...and all four worked (work) in PDX too.

Others include Charlie Brown, Tracy Mitchell, Emporer Smith, Lan Roberts, Scotty Brink, and I could go on, but these stick out.

"Tiger" Tom Murphy
Dick Novak
Barney Keep
Pat Pattee
Russ Conrad

KJR Early 60s

Pat O'Day ( he is the only one I remember the name of at age 9 or 10, the other air staff was good too , I just dont remember names right now )

Portland early and mid 60s

The Emperor...Don Steele ( The real )
...Tiger Tom Murphy
.."the' Roger W. Morgan
...Pat Patee...
...Old Barn..ey Keep
...Scotty Wright ( 91 clear )
...Bill Howlit ( 20/20 news )
...Jim Fenwick ( night talker on "Gee Whiz' )


Portland the 70s

Bruce Murdock
Craig ( the days of our desire ) Walker
Gary Lockwood
Ron Leonarddddddddddd !
Jim ( Merry motion skin lotion ) Liniger
Barney Keep ( still the old Barn )
Michael O'brien ( you've been O'brienized )
Ben Hazen ( pay yourself first at the Benj Franklin )

I might pop up with some more later

Lujack

Pogo Poge
Jack Merker
Robert E. Lee
Jay Mack
Don Martin
Ray Durkee
Johnny Roe
Joe Finan
Johnny Williams
Bill Western
Ted Adkins
some of who bounced back and forth between that market and this one. One guy, Jay Mack, used to complain that you couldn't get a drink in Portland in the mid-sixties.

Only 5???

Ron Leonard
Michael O'Brien
Jimmy Hollister
Uncle Don Wright
Bill Schonley

I feel extremely lucky that I've had the chance to work with all of these greats that I enjoyed so much as a kid listening to AM Radio!

Market: New York City

Herb Oscar Anderson
Bruce "Cousin Brucie" Morrow

@Cweaklie: What market was that?

I couldn't listen to KISN from my vantage point, but here are some Portland personalities I could hear, 1973-79:

Gordon Scott
Ron Leonard!
Uncle Don Wright
Gary Lockwood
While I listened to KPAM-FM a lot, they didn't go for the personality approach to programming.

Eugene AM in the same time frame:

Gordon Scott (KEED/KUGN)
Doc Holiday (KEED/KBDF)
Bill Dudley (KASH)
Bill Jackson (KBDF)
The KUGN Morning Show - Dale "Uncle Fuzzy" Reed, Fred Webb and Wendy Ray.

In 1986, I moved to Altoona,PA, whose radio market trends lagged the rest of the country by about 10 years. WFBG-AM had a hugely popular DJ who went by the name of Sean McKay on the air (his real name was Robert Puffer). There were billboards of him about town, and virtually everybody knew who he was. I remember that one day in class, one of the teachers used McKay in class as an example of a convincing storyteller who easily blurs the line between truth and fiction.

These stories often involved some mishap that McKay couldn't fully disclose on the air. A little morsel of the story would be tossed out on the air, then a record or commercials would come on, after which another little bit would be revealed. As the story was thus slowly revealed, people would start calling in to the station try to pull more information out of McKay. One of the most memorable stories was that McKay had left his car running while he stepped into a convenience store, and when he finished shopping, the car was gone. The station made him a deal to provide him with loaner vehicles (including a pest extermination truck), but if he wasn't able to find his car by the next day's show, he would be fired. (OK, I guess that story is a bit of a stretch.) Occasionally, there were stories about fights that McKay would get into with the station manager (although the details couldn't be revealed because he "wasn't allowed to talk about it on the air").

One day in early 1987, the big news story was that McKay had been arrested after he tried to buy cocaine from an undercover agent. He was sentenced to five years in prison, and it was revealed in the press that he had a prior drugs record from the early 1970s. According to the local paper, his drug use had indeed put a strain on his relationship with WFBG station management.

In a few years, he would be working a shift at a rimshot FM station as part of a work-release program, but the magic was gone by then.

As a pre-teen, my mom drove us to school every day. On the radio every morning, it was Craig Walker and 62 KGW. What I remember most is a Rod Stewart song and the KGW trip giveaway. People would call throughout the day guessing the geographic location of the prize.

But on snow days, I can most remember listening to Jim Howe, Pat Boyle and Bob Chase on 1190 KEX. Evergreen School District -- closed. Yeah!!!!

Growing up in Jacksonville Florida, I fell asleep many nights listening to WAPE-AM (The Big Ape)...Jay Thomas, Bobby Ocean, I can only imagine what that studio was like...and I remember the day the Greasman made his debut. I was hooked.

As I got older, it was Y103, one of those legendary free-form FMs with moody jocks and an eclectic playlist. I distinctly recall the night before they changed formats in 1978, I believe -- memorable because the PD of the station got on the air and made an almost teary goodbye to the audience.

From there it was Rock 105, Lynyrd Skynyrd at the top of every hour and Lex & Terry before they were syndicated stars. North Florida in the 70s and 80s was interesting radio turf.

I grew up between Portland and Seattle and could listen to both KJR and KISN. The real Don Steele on KISN. Pat O'Day, Lan Roberts, and the "Little Teeny, Tiny Philly Harper" on KJR. Later on, T.Tommy Watson on KLOG, and Uncle Don Wright on KGW.

Randy in Eugene. I grew up in Portland and Denver and it seems there were several people who moved between the two cities. Johnny Williams, KISN to KICN in Denver, then KDAB and KIMN, bothe Denver...Bill Western from KISN to KICN then KIMN...Jay Mack from KIMN to KYMN then back again.
Boy, this is a pretty exciting thread...

NYC 77 WABC

Herb Oscar Anderson
Cousin Brucie
Charlie Greer
Scott Muni
Chuck Leonard

in 1966 (I was 15) or so many made the shift to the emerging FM dial, specifically WNEW-FM.

Scott Muni
Allison Steele
Rosko
Jonathan Schwartz

From the wilds of Hood River over several years in the 1960s...if I drove up in the hills at night I could pick up The Wolfman on XERB (along with the preacher with the "magic prayer cloth, send for yours today") Shane on KGA during his mesmerizing run, my buddy (and later best man at my wedding) Rick Donovan on KING, Coyle and Sharp on KGO.
And of course every time we were in Portland it was KISN, later KGW. (Used to have the bumper sticker that read "kaygeedoubleyou." Very cool.)

I grew up here too. Grandparents always had Barney Keep on...loved him, and Jim Hollister (Sinister Cinema too).

During the 70's:

Murdock (WAKE UP!!!)
Craig Walker
Glynn Shannon (No Stars Basketball!)

Then, I discovered KGON and never went back:

#1 in my world: Iris Harrison
Mike Turner
Gloria Johnson
Marty Party
Bob Anchetta
Dick Sheetz (can still hear that voice...)

You can go to the History Page on this site and scroll down to Archive #1 and hear Dick Sheetz in a montage of 1981 Portland radio.

Thanks, Randy...I did that when I was introduced to this board...great memories of a cool guy who would always talk to you when you called at some unholy hour, even just a bored 15 year old girl (or a pack of us). He'd always laugh and say "You're keeping me awake!" and remind you it was a school night

I don't remember any of the DJ's names but the stations were:

KXOK - 630
KSD - 550
KMOX - 1120

All stations in St. Louis, MO.

When KSHE (94.7 FM) switched from "lite" rock to what is now classic rock in 1966 I switched to FM and really didn't go back to AM.

"sixtytwokaygeedoubleyou" They had a lite rock station in 1966! I am amazed!

Ron "Ugly" Thompson
Michael O'Brien
Buddy Scott aka Mother Bear
Bill Howlett
Bill Schonley

Rich Patterson: "I feel extremely lucky that I've had the chance to work with all of these greats that I enjoyed so much as a kid listening to AM Radio!"

So true Rich.

Growing up it was:

Phil Harper
Uncle Don
Stoner
Bob Anthony
Craig Walker
Glynn Shannon
Pretty much the entire KGW Crew

Have worked with:

Tom Parker (K-lite 97.1)
Briefly with Stoner (Oldies 106.7) but he won't remember me
Bob Anthony-helped out with Air 1 during a pledge drive for a couple of days
Bryan O'Neal (several stations)
Jim Donovan (KCNR)
Bill Jackson (Several Stations)
Glynn Shannon (KCNR)
Ted Rogers (KPDQ)

Currently working with the Schonz on Standard TV and Appliance radio and TV commercials. He's da' bomb!! Best Schonz out take: "bat manure"

Dr. Don Rose
Bobby Ocean
Bill Lee
Marvelous Mark Mckay
Shotgun Tom Kelly

Growing up in the Bay..it was always KFRC The Big 610 for me and the above listed were always great!

Jerry Kay KJR
Dick Curtis KJR
Mike Phillips KAYO & KJR
Gary Lockwood KJR
Lan Roberts KJR
Hal Raymond KAYO
Tom Murphy KJR
and so many others

KJR-60s

Lee Perkins
Pat O'day
Jerry Kay
Larry Lujack
Bwana Johnny
Tom Murphy
Buzz Barr
Emperor Smith
Big Jim Martin
Lan Roberts
Charlie Brown
Jockey John Stone
Bobby Simon
Mike Phillips
Russ Rebel
(just to name a few)

I was amazed they could fade one record out into the next.I could not do that with my record player.It was one tthen play another.

I understand that in the 1800s, some magicians employed an early form of television to conjure up images. Imagine being in the crowd and seeing something that virtually no one thought existed! It's a little like having 2 turntables, taking 1 out of gear, cueing up the record, putting it back in gear and starting it.

Art Roberts - WLS
Ron Riley - WLS
George Klein - WHBQ/Memphis
Kris Erik Stevens - WLS
Clyde Clifford's legendary Beaker Street show on KAAY/Little Rock

I'm Ron Leeeooonaaaaaarrrrrrrrd!!

Craig Walker

Steve Naganuma

Glynn Shannon

Bob Anchetta

My Top "Listened To" is a follows:

Roger Hart (Go Figure)
Craig Walker 62KGW
Gloria Johnson/Steve Naganuma Q105
John Williams (Even the SMITHS Home Furnishing Spots were entertaining)
Z100 Morning Zoo (Martinez Days)
JJ Jeffrey (KISN)

Fortunately, I've worked with just about EVERYONE and or knew everyone through my Father. I feel honored to have worked with all of you!

I thought it was top five AM people we listened to as teens.

Barney Keep
Pat Pattee
Tiger Tom Murphy
Michael O'Brien
Bobby Noonan (all of them)

As a little kid:
Barney Keep
Don Wright

Eugene:
Uncle Fuzzy
Gordon Scott
John Napier
Melinda Coats

I'm kid of blown away that Ron "Ugly" Thompson did not make the list!

kind"....sorry!

Awesome thread!

I was a KGW / KEX kid. The names have already been posted too.

You can edit your post if it's very recent. Just click on the icon on the bottom right on the same line as your name.

CLEVELAND, and while CKLW was a force on my radio dial, and WLS came in once you were west of Cleveland, the guys that gave me the itch were
John Lannigan WGAR
Chuck Collier WGAR
Chick Watkins WGAR
Mike Rineri WIXY
and The Wylde Child WIXY
Special mention to Pete Franklin and Sportsline on WWWE and Gary Dee with insult talk....

Lannigan and Collier are still on the air in Cleveland

after the move west, Lockwood and Ryan&Ryan kept the drive alive. Dave Cool was brutally funny if you liked dry humor....

In no particular order, here are the personalities that come to mind (The heck with arbitrary limits!):
Wes Ryan
Dan Nims
Clayton Henry
Bob McCarl
Lee Barker
Martin Doerfler
Barney Keep
Teeny Tiny Phil Harper
Craig Walker
Dave Hood
Bruce Murdock
Glyn Shannon
Mike Phillips
Michael O'Brien
Cliff and JJ

Wes Ryan was a great production wizard & the voice of Kisn.

When I was a kid/teenager??? I think some are just listing names that span a larger time than when you were a kid.

However, when I was a kid, names I remember were:
Red Robinson - KGW
Roger Ferrier (Hart) - KEX
Lovable ol Barn - KEX
Ken Chase - KISN
Tom Murphy - KISN

Well, that is five.
Ken Chase was big about 1962, He also ran "The Chase" out on McLoughlin. That, The Trapadero in Vancouver, Headless Horseman in Morgans Alley, and Lake Oswego Armory were the main places where we went dancing in this town as teens in 1962/1963.

When I was a teenager I was a big fan of Magic 107. Kent & Allan in the mornings. (Jody with traffic) Cosmic John during drive time. Steve "what a guy" Naganuma at night. I believe Eric Worden was at KMJK as well. Great station.

We were on quite the roll until Golden West sold 100.3 and Q100 became Z100 and threw big big promotion dollars to steal the CHR audience Victor had orchestrated grooming. They took over #1 in 12+ and it was the beginning of the end for Magic. You forgot former Olympic luger Jack Elder did the all nighter. Kent & Allan's predecessors in the AM drive, Thomas and Ross, helped develop some of the audience that Kent & Allan took and ran with. Working there was like being in a 3 ring circus.

Was that before or after KVIX?

Question: Did "Cosmic John" on KMJK ever use a full name on air or for that matter at any Portland station?

I'm asking this for my aka data base.

Barney Keep (for school closures)
Dick Novak
Red Robinson
Tom Murphy
The Real Don Steele

In the order of catching my attention in a major way.

Was impressed by "MJ Phillips", who became Mike Phillips on KISN. His meticulous sound caught my ears early on.

Many others impressed me during the 1957-65 era:
Roger Ferrier, Frank Benny, Bobby Dean (during the KEX Westinghouse Top 40 era), Johnny Williams, Bill Western...the list is expansive.

Difficult to tabulate a Top 5. Frankly, most radio people have "moments." The sum total of those "moments" yields a batting average.

The first 5 I listed had varying styles and strengths, but contributed to my building interest in radio.

It has been great being well paid over the years pursuing a hobby of sorts. Slaving over a hot turntable, somehow seemed better than digging ditches. Actually being paid to listen to music.

I ran into Dick Novak when he worked at KYXI. He was around for the several music formats that the station evolved through the early to mid 70s, also when they went news in 76' before he moved over to KATU full time.

What a guy ! He could hit a mark better than anyone I ever knew before or afterwards over the years. And of course a great set of pipes, with a dry wit included.

Can't narrow it down to a top 5. As a teenager I had my radio roots in CHR (or Top 40). I listened to everyone on KISN, KGW and KPAM (97.1FM).

Victor Ives started KVIX in the late 80's right around the time KMJK was sold and changed format to Classic Hits 106.7.

Cosmic Jon used the air name "Jon Barry" when KMJK was soft AC (Summer 81 to Summer 82). Around August 82, KMJK went back to a CHR format and that was when Jon started using "Cosmic Jon" on KMJK.

Sacramento, '68 to '70, KROY and KXOA:

Bob Sherwood
Chuck Roy
Jack Hammer
B. Winchell Clay
Martin "Wonder Rabbit" Ashley

See the KROY site at http://www.1240KROY.com.

After that I got a job in commercial radio (ironically KXOA-FM) and segued into Album Oriented Rock, but when I got off the air at 6 AM I'd listen to Jim Carson on KFRC!

Thanks Steve!

When I was a toddler listening to AM radio, it was Craig Walker on the DUB-YOU that I enjoyed. Then becoming a todders it was Al Emerick at KGAR (I think, I'm getting old now), who also initiated me into being a one time prize winner of a Foreigner album and a ZOO key, of which the latter I still have in my radio collection. As a toddy, I was listening to the man above, the great Naganuma at KYTE and enjoyed a short stint later in life working with him. I listened to Andy Barber too, but wasn't impressed the first time I met him. Ron Leonard was great to meet and work with later in life, after listening to him in my younger days. Also enjoyed Uncle Don from the KISN days, when I first joined KKRZ, it was great to just sit and chat with him about old radio days. There's my AM digs, now I'll go and blog some FM stuff. Oh, and thanks to the "advisory committee" for letting me joining the ranks of the radio elite!

Uncle Don from the KISN DAYS is just about right!

what if coast-to-coast am was on back then????

Yeah, UDon and KISN were a great package then. When up in Seattle, I believe it was Danny Wright and Gary Bryan on KNBQ that I listen to a lot. OK, side steppin' on the subject. Sorry.