Airwaves: July 13, 2007
Rock and Roll History
In early 1969, KHJ (930 AM) programmer Ron Jacobs, L. A. Times
pop music critic Pete Johnson, KHJ engineer Bill Mouzis and morning
man Robert W. Morgan presented one of the best audio documentaries ever
produced: The History of Rock and Roll.
Jacobs did production, Mouzis engineered, Johnson wrote the script, and Morgan
narrated what Jacobs called the very first "rocumentary," a 48-hour
special backed by hundreds and hundreds of prep hours including interviews and
fact-finding on the development of rock and roll music.
The special began on KHJ on the afternoon of Friday February 21, 1969, running
continuously through the weekend and ending on Sunday afternoon. It was quite
an achievement, and was one of the most remarkable shows to ever air on the popular
top-40 station.
Station owner RKO distributed the special a week later to other stations
in the RKO chain; those versions were narrated with local talent using the script
provided. Even later versions narrated by consultant Bill Drake were aired
on stations both on and off the RKO ownership chain.
But the first version hosted by Morgan is considered the holy grail by many,
and for years was totally unavailable. Now, you can hear a sample of it for yourself,
through Uncle Ricky's Reel Top-40 Radio Repository at www.reelradio.com.
Contributor Don Kent has made available four of the first hours that he
recorded off the radio himself back in 1969. These hours alone are well worth
the small $12 donation Uncle Ricky asks to access the recordings on the site.
Find these recordings by scrolling to the bottom of the page at www.reelradio.com/dk/;
they are labeled "Robert W. Morgan, KHJ Los Angeles, February 21, 1969."
Remembering Columbia Square
Unfortunately I received word too late for press time that KCRW (89.9
FM) was going to air a one-hour documentary on Columbia Square, the house of
CBS Radio and television for many years that when built in 1938 was considered
the most modern broadcasting facility in the world.
Fortunately, the station has made the program available for listening on its
website, kcrw.com. Do a search on "columbia," and you'll find the link
to Remembering Columbia Square.
The program focusses primarily on the studios during the golden age of radio,
and includes interviews with and reminiscences from radio and television personalities,
writers, directors, producers and engineers who worked at the famous building.
CBS no longer uses the facility, but it appears the building will be preserved
as part of a new development. Celebrate the history of this magical building
by listening to the program. You won't regret it.
Down
Emmis Communications had a slight (3 percent) revenue loss in its last quarter,
due in large part to problems with its Los Angeles and New York radio stations.
In Los Angeles Emmis owns KPWR (Power 106, 105.9 FM) and Movin' 93.9 FM;
since Power is still doing well, it would appear the switch from country to Movin'
on 93.9 has really hurt the company ... at least temporarily. Will Movin' be
able to outlast Emmis?
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Copyright © 2007 Richard Wagoner and Los Angeles Newspaper Group.
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