Longtime Bay Area radio personality, Carter B. Smith, has died, due to complications from cancer.
Born in San Francisco, he had popular DJ shows on KNBR in the '70s and, after that, on KFRC (when it was Magic 61) and KABL. But in the '60s, he was known as KSFO morning man Don Sherwood's sidekick and filled in for "Donnie Babe."
Smith won numerous radio awards and was inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame in 2007.
BREAKING NEWS ALERT....
Another name bay area baby boomers grew up hearing gone,even if you didnt listen to KNBR,you saw him on local talk shows,commercials.
ReplyDeleteI take it he was a smoker? Big tobacco kills another talent.
It's a sad day because Carter B was one of the great legends of radio in the Bay Area. Those of us who grew up in that era remember him along with Dr. Don Rose, The Emperor Gene Nelson, Al "Jazzbeaux" Collins, and a handful of other really colorful (and talented) personalities. Hate to say it because it makes me feel like an old fogey, but those guys put this generation of radio people to shame.
ReplyDeleteOne positive thing came out of today's sad news: the regal Frank Dill made a surprise appearance on Murph & Mac's KNBR show this morning. I hadn't heard his voice in over a decade and it made my day just to listen to him for a few minutes as he reminisced about his old friend Carter B. And yes, he's STILL got it. Like Johnny Carson, he always made the job seem easy, whereas today's group of radio hosts on KNBR really struggle to make it sound spontaneous, genuine, and fun.
I don't believe Carter smoked. He was known as a health nut and a big runner. So I doubt it was smoking that killed him. One of the nicest men you could ever meet. Yes he could be irascible, but in general he was an absolute joy to be around. Rest in peace oh great one!
ReplyDeleteHow very sad. Another legend gone but hopefully not forgotten.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bayarearadio.org/audio/carterb/index.shtml
ReplyDeleteSays he died of a brain tumor.
RIP. Sad to see another one go by way of a disease that should have been long cured. Come on USA let's find a way to cure CANCER and not just poverty in other countries. - Michael Murdock, CEO, DocMurdock.com
ReplyDeleteBack when it was called "junior-high" I couldn't understand why my mom would crack up at Don Sherwood's jokes (I do now). In high school I listened to Gene Nelson, Tommy Saunders, and Russ the Moose. Began to appreciate Carter B. Smith when I was in college. Radio was different then. So were the jocks. Glad I was around.
ReplyDeleteRonn Owens commented on the news during his Tuesday morning show. JW
ReplyDeleteLook at you assholes..."Did he smoke????" Fuck YOU and everybody who looks like you. CB was just the best...The nicest guy in the world with the talent and sharp sense of humor to go with it. Such a big part of the Bay Area for so many years. I already miss him. Bye CB....Save me some stories.
ReplyDeleteHow old and, sad I feel today. Carter, Don and, all of KSFO.
ReplyDeleteHey, Mr. Anonymous, you don't have to be such a diplomat about how you feel! It's so easy to talk trash when you don't have to sign your arrogant missives, associating yourself with these professionals. Seems to me you're probably a big Howard Stern fan. Tru Carter and the other Bay Area radio legends could communicate with wit and sarcasm that could entertain and excoriate without pandering, dropping F bombs and playing to the lowest common denominator. That's what radio and television have become; trash cans for puerile adolescents. They don't make em like they used to!
ReplyDeleteYes, he smoked many years ago, as did they all. I loved Carter's story about how he finally quit: He had a friend who worked out on the Farallon Islands. He arranged to spend 3 days out there and took no cigarettes with him. When he came back he was done with smoking!
ReplyDeleteI talked to him a couple of times at Ronnie Schell's benefit for SFSU. He was a true gentleman and will be sorely missed. Will never forget the days of "SuperFrog" on KSFO.
A sad day! Will be greatly missed. Knew him personally since the early 1970s when he was on KNBR. My office was just half a block away. Got to know him and became friends. Very down to earth and sincere and whoever approached him he made them feel like they were his friends. When I moved away for work, I used to call him on his program to just ask him how was the weather in San Francisco, specially when it was either snowing in winter or hot and humid in the summer! He used to tease me about my misery! We kind of lost touch few years ago and I feel bad about that. Yes, he was one of a kind! REST IN PEACE GOOD OLD FRIEND!
ReplyDeleteOne of the sweetest guys I ever knew in radio.
ReplyDeleteCarter B. was unassuming, amusing and kind.
That's extremely rare.
Didn't get to hear Carter B. Smith until he was doing afternoons at KNBR, then mornings when King Broadcasting took over KSFO. Sad to see another one of the greats leave the airwaves from this side of the heavens. My best to his family, friends, and fans.
ReplyDeleteAlan Oda
Correspondent, LARadio.com
The "Prince" is no longer trapped in the body of a disk jockey!
ReplyDeleteRIP Carter & thank you for the many years of valued entertainment! You will be missed!
WHAT A WONDERFUL MAN. HAD THE PLEASURE OF ESCORTING CARTER AND A GROUP OF KABL LISTENERS ON A FEW CRUISES. WE WOULD DO TRIVIA EVERY NIGHT AT DINNER. REST IN PEACE. YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED.
ReplyDeleteSHEILA B HYMAN
My brother died from brain cancer, not smoking or drink. His body was perfectly fit from years of running and good living. He loved his profession from the early ages of 12 + when he went out on his bike to work with the Civil Air Patrol in the bunkers of the Presido. He was always and completely dedicated to radio. We are so sad.
ReplyDeleteI too am feeling sad (and oldish!) at recent news of Carter's passing - and just learned today that former tv reporter, Joyce Shank passed away a week ago in Southern California:(. My first job in SF radio was at KYA am/fm as a newscaster with Carter Jazzbeau, Gene Nelson and Sam Van Zandt; all radio royalty I know realize. Honored to have worked with them and now so wish I had stopped to chat with Carter when I saw him walking around Tiburon/Belvedere a few times. I was always dashing to and fro in my Prius and thought 'one of these times I'll stop to say hello' - Woulda coulda shoulda...a gentle reminder to seize the day and not postpone joy, or anything else since life is all too short. Carter was always a prince to me in my first real radio job and I will remember him fondly with his warm smile and much touted t-shirt collection. Joyce too, may she rest in glorious peace.
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