Tommy Kramer is all over the web these days, with his own blog, consultant duties, etc. He was a great Top 40 jock as well, as you’ll hear in this ultra-short QuickCheck of McLendon’s KNUS 99. By the time of this aircheck, McLendon had sold his AM, KLIF, and the war to beat his former station was on!
KNUS did, in fact, decimate KLIF in subsequent books, although, ironically, KNUS 99 was originally slated to become an all-news outlet on FM, which is why the call letters.
KNUS 99 - 98.7 to be exact, was McLendon's FM powerhouse. Originally slated to be an all-news station, and almost never to be because Gordon McLendon almost sold it in the 60s, KNUS turned out to be the SECOND successful Top 40 station, right behind (and later surpassing) sister KLIF…
In "98.7 KNUS"
The calls, KNUS FM 99, in Dallas first appeared in the summer 0f 1966, as a Progressive Rock station. It was part of the legendary McLendon group of station. Gordon McLendon is widely credited for perfecting the commercially successful Top 40 radio format, during the 1950s and 1960s. By 1971,…
In "98.7 KNUS"
"KNUS... With the world's Greatest Contest..." Once again, we go back to the Robyn Watts Collection for a real CLASSIC! You have one minute from the time your prize is announced to call in and claim it. Actually, you have to listen to see how this contest works. KNUS is…
In "98.7 KNUS"
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Steve West is a 41 year veteran of broadcasting. His air work as a Jock and News Anchor includes six radio markets and over two-dozen radio stations. Steve is the founder of Airchexx.com and Hitoldies.net - All the BIG Hits!
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They should have taked KNUS-FM as well. BIG MISTAKE!!!
When the McLendons sold KLIF to Fairchild, KNUS originally was to be part of the deal.
Neither the McLendons nor Fairchild wanted the FM. Ironically, it was B.R., Gordon’s father, who saw the potential of KNUS and FM in general.
When the idea of all news was scrapped, a top-40, album-cut format was launched.
Within 15 months of the sale of KLIF, KNUS beat KLIF in the ratings. Although KLIF recovered once, maybe twice, the end was near.
Today, KLIF is a low-rated, conservative talk station in Dallas on 570 AM.
KNUS was the last station owned by the McLendons. It was sold in 1979 for $3.75 million. Today, the old KNUS is KLUV, an oldies station.
Tony
Can you clean that aircheck up some?
Really poor quality — muddy — ha- … .
Maybe it’s been sitting in Dallas summer heat for 40 years.
Tony
Tony, if I were to remove the hiss you would be left with a low fidelity muddy aircheck that would sound like it was under water. I tried that :). Today’s new aircheck is much better.
That’s much better. Thanks, Steve.