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 was down to just two Top 40 stations at this time; 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”
russ is the man did he have hair in 1969?
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.
I grew up in New York listening to WABC from 1962 to ‘73 . In my opinion Bob Dayton was the best disc jockey the station had…he never got the credit that he deserved. Blame that on management
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.
Russ is a SoCal radio veteran, having been on many LA area stations from the 60s on, including KRLA, KKDJ-FM and a host of others. He also holds the distinction of at one time being the only white jock on KGFJ, circa 1967. My favorite time to listen to him was early 90s on KRLA. You can also catch him & Humble Harve in the background on the film “Aloha Bobby & Rose”, which came out about 1975.
Russ and I have been close friends for a long time, and while we never worked together in L.A., we did work at KRLA in the mid 80’s albeit a couple of years apart. Russ is the salt of the Earth, honest, sincere and one of the most trustworthy friends I have ever had the privilege to know. They have no idea what a jewel they have at KDES. While I was goofing off at KGBS.KHTZ/Ten-Q, he was killing them at KRLA. Russ and I did a show from The Stratosphere in Las Vegas a few years ago and we had a blast. Russ is simply a great talent, and an even better friend.
A nice air check and just as I remembered KRLA during it’s brief resurgence as an excellent Top 40 station. A historical correction- KFWB went to the All News format in 1968 – by the time of this air check, KHJ and KRLA were the only major Top 40 stations in LA, though you could also count low-powered KDAY in Santa Monica. KEZY’s signal was also strong in the LA basin. KRLA’s ratings were very good during this period, though they couldn’t best KHJ.