Bob Dayton; Russ O’Hara on KRLA Pasadena | September 1969
Bob Dayton had come from 77 WABC about a year or so before this aircheck was recorded. Its interesting to hear an ‘east coast’ jock doing his thing on a rather laid-back KRLA. The L.A. market had three major AM top 40 stations in ‘69 - KFWB (which was in it’s last year of music programming), KRLA and of course, 93 KHJ. Nobody was going to beat KHJ and it was obvious that KRLA had to take a different approach to it’s on air style.
This aircheck was provided on reel. It was recorded at 3.75 ips, and despite the slow speed and being 36 years old, the tape survived well. I did some light hiss removal, not because there was a lot on the tape, but for some odd reason the signal had a larger than usual amount of hiss on it. Someone recording next to a telephone pole maybe?
One note, on the tape box, it says ‘Sept. 69′, but Bob Dayton is heard at the beginning making reference to August first, 1969. In context, he’s referring to Neil Armstrong’s landing on the moon… but it could have been the actual date of the recording.
Also heard on this aircheck, Russ O’Hara. I know nothing about Russ, so I’d appreciate any comments that our listeners can provide. I will say that I really enjoyed hearing O’Hara’s laid back style and voice tone. Not that it matters in today’s radio world, but the tone of an announcer’s voice WAS important in radio in 1969… for the benefit of our younger audience, that’s just another aspect of good radio that’s very much lost on today’s radio programmers. But I digress.
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You can still hear Russ O’hara’s “laid-back” style in Palm Springs, CA at 104.7 KDES (he is doing the big afternoon drive shift 3p-7p)
I worked with Russ in Tucson (KFIF), then K/MEN San Bernardino. Russ moved on to KGFJ (LA), their first “White” Jock, then to KRLA (first time). We joined forces again at KKDJ, and continued on to KEZY (Anaheim). Russ did a couple of stints at KRLA, and a couiple of other LA stations, before his current KDES Palm Springs “gig”
A great blast from the past.
Glad I found your website.
What a great trip down memory lane this was for me personally.
Bob Dayton and I were friends for many years from 1973 up to his passing. I met him when he was at WPIX in New York and our friendship continued to the end. I miss him a great deal. He was a talented, intelligent and creative force in my life. Hearing his his magnificant voice again brought me to tears.
Hey,
Russ O’hara is here in Palm Springs @ KDES radio Monday - Friday. Almost 40 years later and sounding better than he ever has!
Take care,
David
Russ is a legendary jock to this day on K-DES 104.7. I had the pleasure of working with him and he is a great personality and friend. I miss working with him and even though it been a few years i hope he is doing well.
I tripped into KDES 104.7 studio’s as a 24 year old jerk in the mid-90’s taking over the 7-midnight spot and there in the seat ahead of me was Russ O-Hungry. Of course, growing up in L.A., I was in awe and couldn’t believe how friendly and inviting he was. He helped me out tremendously and made my time at KDES great. I hung with Russ a little off the air and he enthralled me with tale after tale of radio in L.A. in the 60’s and 70’s…loved every minute of it.