This sicks. Again corporations going for (perceived) ad dollars instead of ratings and the people's desires. The urban A/C and smooth jazz sectors here in the Bay have long rejected syndicated shows (that did not originate here- there are Clear Channel DJs that originate from here that can be heard up and down the coast). Ramsey Lewis and Whoopi failed miserably (ironically at the hands of KBLX) on KKSF. Although the Tom Joyner show is immensely popular among the urban a/c crowd (read: black folk 25-54) throughout the rest of the nation, it failed miserably and KISQ had to bring Renel back out of "retirement". This is a true death knell for radio in the Bay. Ever hear urban a/c radio in other markets ? Joyner in the morning, then Michael Baisden in the afternoon with either another syndicated show or maybe a local person on the evening drive ? It's depressing to say the least. KBLX could have a gold mine if they went back to Smooth Jazz (as they were in the late 70's early 80's- more fusion jazz than smooth jazz) with a touch of R & B. As it is now, the only smooth jazz station in the area is KJZY which for one doesn't reach most of the Bay proper (but is local enough when listening online), two has a very wack playlist- way too much Sinatra and Buble). We know why Entercom bought KBLX but Harvey is not going to do it. Outside of those few who've been waiting on Harvey up here, many listeners will gravitate to KISQ and to KMEL and Chuy Gomez- who is a good throwback kind of radio personality)
Rich: I'm supremely disappointed that I had to hear this (part of the story) on KTVU last night and not from 415 Media first- although you did tip off the pending Inner City bankruptcy :(
I remember when KRE AM in Berkeley was the first 'Urban-black' station in the bay area, and I believe that's where KBLX took many of their current programming ideas from. KRE just a little station along the waterfront in Berkeley, but it had a strong and loyal following. KRE had a unique format, and was one of the first stations to go with this new format that was emerging nationally in the early and mid 1970s.
With DJs like Jai Smith and the late, great Roy Williams who had wonderful on-air personalities, plus credible news people like Rob Singleton, KRE made its mark in the area.
And they played everything from Mo-town to soft jazz, to funk and blues, and even some disco. The O-Jays, Earl Klugh, Grover Washington, The Hues Corporation (remember 'Rock the Boat?"), BB King, Bobby Blue Bland, Sly and the Family Stone, the Four Tops, and the Main Ingredient (Cuba Gooding's dad was in that group), were just a few of the many artists featured on KRE, ("Creative Radio for the San Francisco Bay Area.")
Smokey Robinson's memorable hit from 1974 "Quiet Storm," was also played quite a bit that summer, and I'm sure it was the inspiration behind KBLX's longtime moniker.
To be sure, it had an eclectic, urban format with DJ's who played their own favorites, along with spontaneous on-air conversation. KRE also was a very community involved radio station, and was an important part of the east bay community. Few radio stations around the country honor those community commitments anymore, as the toothless FCC won't enforce them. Thus emboldening corporate radio continues to slash and burn a once proud profession.
You might also remember that KRE operated out of the old studios along the Berkeley waterfront, just off the HWY between GG Fields and the Bay Bridge turnoff. Now of course, this is the site of the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame.
I know I sound like an old timer, but man the good old days were rollin' in the east bay in the 70s! Good radio, plus all of those interesting characters like Bobby Seale, Huey Newton and Sonny Barger, and of course all those great pro sports teams. Oakland won five World Titles between the A's, Raiders and Warriors from 1972 through 1976.
To borrow a phrase from a song by the great Pete Seeger, "Wasn't that a time!"
Afternoon guy Antoine Davis and weekender Doug Lee have also been let go. Yes 4 announcers (1 part-time) keep their jobs for now, per AFTRA negotiations. But Entercom will not keep this format for long.
I'm not a Kevin Brown or his sidekick Nikki Thomas (who is staying) fan, but I know they're popular with many listeners in the Bay. It's sad to see the local morning show replaced by a syndicated one, again.
The majority of the Media in the Bay Area TV/Print/Radio "SUX." We have lost some really great Radio stations in the Bay...KKSF, anyone? And the rest of them, refuse to tell the "Truth" or "Like It Is," just so they can placate enities like the SF 49ers, or some dumb Politican. Am I jaded....Yes! What happened to reporters like Hank Plant?
Had to do it, I purchased XM radio for my car this morning. I loved KBLX. There was a hip-hoppy song playing this morning that got on my nerves so much I had to turn it off. There are differences in the tastes of we Urban ethnic-types. On my morning drives I have had to pull over to the side of the road to laugh at something Kevin Brown has said. Yes, I'll miss him. Steve Harvey, I don't really want to hear TALK in the morning because I'm busy doing things that require some attention, that's why music is great background.
Wow, KGO, now KBLX. Terrestrial radio is going the way of cassette tapes and VCRs!
I'm just sick about this change. Kevin Brown and Nikki Thomas are the only reasons that I listen to KBLX in the morning. I can't stand Steve Harvey..... never have and never will!!!!! I,m sure that I will no longer listen to this station starting tomorrow morning.If KBLX can fire a personality as popular, loved ,respected and followed for the past 22 years as Kevin Brown has been then is's clear to me that it's time for me to move on to something New!Another station!!!!!
I loved KSAN in the late 60's / early '70's when it was really "alternative" radio. KSAN was so great to listen to then, and so much a part of SF history. Later I loved KBLX the Quiet Storm and KKSF Smooth Jazz; I think I even do remember KRE, like a far away distant memory. But I was even disappointed when they took away all (or most) of the classical music stations too - was it KKHI? My mother played KKHI in the car nearly exclusively when I was a child growing up; I have memories of falling asleep in the back seat while she drove with KKHI on, and would later hear full blown symphonies in my head for days and days afterwards. Classical music is still an important foundation for all forms of music, and so many kids today are now being deprived of having that hard-wired into their formative-year brains and memories like I did. I enjoyed KKHI later as an adult, along with the jazz and rock. Even those old big band stations that were still around in the 60's (or later) were better than any of the paltry selection of swill we now are forced to accept by default.
Now, there's next to nothing decent to listen to, let alone even interesting, let alone new or innovative. Rap? I'd say most stations now are "KRAP".
No more Cousin Kevin Brown in the morning?? No more music in the morning for KBLX? OMG, this is NOT a good thing! Driving to work fo rthe past 20+ yrs I have listened to Kevin Brown in the mornings. Will I listen to Steve Harvery in the mornings, NO, I don't think 6am - 10am is the right time for a comedy show.I like Stevew Harvey on Family Fude Good Bye KBLX :-(
I thought I would reserve judgment until I had a chance to listen to the Steve Harvey show. It seems like we already have the loud show format with people talking over each other with prank calls on the dial 94.1. Besides playing great music, Cousin Kevin and Nikki bounced off each other well and will be missed.
This sicks. Again corporations going for (perceived) ad dollars instead of ratings and the people's desires. The urban A/C and smooth jazz sectors here in the Bay have long rejected syndicated shows (that did not originate here- there are Clear Channel DJs that originate from here that can be heard up and down the coast). Ramsey Lewis and Whoopi failed miserably (ironically at the hands of KBLX) on KKSF. Although the Tom Joyner show is immensely popular among the urban a/c crowd (read: black folk 25-54) throughout the rest of the nation, it failed miserably and KISQ had to bring Renel back out of "retirement". This is a true death knell for radio in the Bay. Ever hear urban a/c radio in other markets ? Joyner in the morning, then Michael Baisden in the afternoon with either another syndicated show or maybe a local person on the evening drive ? It's depressing to say the least. KBLX could have a gold mine if they went back to Smooth Jazz (as they were in the late 70's early 80's- more fusion jazz than smooth jazz) with a touch of R & B. As it is now, the only smooth jazz station in the area is KJZY which for one doesn't reach most of the Bay proper (but is local enough when listening online), two has a very wack playlist- way too much Sinatra and Buble). We know why Entercom bought KBLX but Harvey is not going to do it. Outside of those few who've been waiting on Harvey up here, many listeners will gravitate to KISQ and to KMEL and Chuy Gomez- who is a good throwback kind of radio personality)
ReplyDeleteRich: I'm supremely disappointed that I had to hear this (part of the story) on KTVU last night and not from 415 Media first- although you did tip off the pending Inner City bankruptcy :(
I remember when KRE AM in Berkeley was the first 'Urban-black' station in the bay area, and I believe that's where KBLX took many of their current programming ideas from. KRE just a little station along the waterfront in Berkeley, but it had a strong and loyal following. KRE had a unique format, and was one of the first stations to go with this new format that was emerging nationally in the early and mid 1970s.
ReplyDeleteWith DJs like Jai Smith and the late, great Roy Williams who had wonderful on-air personalities, plus credible news people like Rob Singleton, KRE made its mark in the area.
And they played everything from Mo-town to soft jazz, to funk and blues, and even some disco. The O-Jays, Earl Klugh, Grover Washington, The Hues Corporation (remember 'Rock the Boat?"), BB King, Bobby Blue Bland, Sly and the Family Stone, the Four Tops, and the Main Ingredient (Cuba Gooding's dad was in that group), were just a few of the many artists featured on KRE, ("Creative Radio for the San Francisco Bay Area.")
Smokey Robinson's memorable hit from 1974 "Quiet Storm," was also played quite a bit that summer, and I'm sure it was the inspiration behind KBLX's longtime moniker.
To be sure, it had an eclectic, urban format with DJ's who played their own favorites, along with spontaneous on-air conversation. KRE also was a very community involved radio station, and was an important part of the east bay community. Few radio stations around the country honor those community commitments anymore, as the toothless FCC won't enforce them. Thus emboldening corporate radio continues to slash and burn a once proud profession.
You might also remember that KRE operated out of the old studios along the Berkeley waterfront, just off the HWY between GG Fields and the Bay Bridge turnoff. Now of course, this is the site of the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame.
I know I sound like an old timer, but man the good old days were rollin' in the east bay in the 70s! Good radio, plus all of those interesting characters like Bobby Seale, Huey Newton and Sonny Barger, and of course all those great pro sports teams. Oakland won five World Titles between the A's, Raiders and Warriors from 1972 through 1976.
To borrow a phrase from a song by the great Pete Seeger, "Wasn't that a time!"
"KDIA lucky 13!"
ReplyDeleteAnyone remember that?
YES!!!!! I DO!
DeleteI still miss the original KJAZ 92.7 - but fortunately, I have about 100+ hours of tape - still sounds great today!!!
ReplyDeleteOK, doesn't look like a complete washout. What am I missing?
ReplyDeleteSo we get Steve Harvey instead of Kevin Brown... but then we still keep 3 local DJs, with the same format. Am I correct?
Afternoon guy Antoine Davis and weekender Doug Lee have also been let go. Yes 4 announcers (1 part-time) keep their jobs for now, per AFTRA negotiations. But Entercom will not keep this format for long.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a Kevin Brown or his sidekick Nikki Thomas (who is staying) fan, but I know they're popular with many listeners in the Bay. It's sad to see the local morning show replaced by a syndicated one, again.
ReplyDeleteThe majority of the Media in the Bay Area TV/Print/Radio "SUX." We have lost some really great Radio stations in the Bay...KKSF, anyone? And the rest of them, refuse to tell the "Truth" or "Like It Is," just so they can placate enities like the SF 49ers, or some dumb Politican. Am I jaded....Yes! What happened to reporters like Hank Plant?
ReplyDeleteHad to do it, I purchased XM radio for my car this morning. I loved KBLX. There was a hip-hoppy song playing this morning that got on my nerves so much I had to turn it off. There are differences in the tastes of we Urban ethnic-types. On my morning drives I have had to pull over to the side of the road to laugh at something Kevin Brown has said. Yes, I'll miss him. Steve Harvey, I don't really want to hear TALK in the morning because I'm busy doing things that require some attention, that's why music is great background.
ReplyDeleteWow, KGO, now KBLX. Terrestrial radio is going the way of cassette tapes and VCRs!
I'm just sick about this change. Kevin Brown and Nikki Thomas are the only reasons that I listen to KBLX in the morning. I can't stand Steve Harvey..... never have and never will!!!!! I,m sure that I will no longer listen to this station starting tomorrow morning.If KBLX can fire a personality as popular, loved ,respected and followed for the past 22 years as Kevin Brown has been then is's clear to me that it's time for me to move on to something New!Another station!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI loved KSAN in the late 60's / early '70's when it was really "alternative" radio. KSAN was so great to listen to then, and so much a part of SF history. Later I loved KBLX the Quiet Storm and KKSF Smooth Jazz; I think I even do remember KRE, like a far away distant memory. But I was even disappointed when they took away all (or most) of the classical music stations too - was it KKHI? My mother played KKHI in the car nearly exclusively when I was a child growing up; I have memories of falling asleep in the back seat while she drove with KKHI on, and would later hear full blown symphonies in my head for days and days afterwards. Classical music is still an important foundation for all forms of music, and so many kids today are now being deprived of having that hard-wired into their formative-year brains and memories like I did. I enjoyed KKHI later as an adult, along with the jazz and rock. Even those old big band stations that were still around in the 60's (or later) were better than any of the paltry selection of swill we now are forced to accept by default.
ReplyDeleteNow, there's next to nothing decent to listen to, let alone even interesting, let alone new or innovative. Rap? I'd say most stations now are "KRAP".
No more Cousin Kevin Brown in the morning?? No more music in the morning for KBLX? OMG, this is NOT a good thing! Driving to work fo rthe past 20+ yrs I have listened to Kevin Brown in the mornings. Will I listen to Steve Harvery in the mornings, NO, I don't think 6am - 10am is the right time for a comedy show.I like Stevew Harvey on Family Fude
ReplyDeleteGood Bye KBLX :-(
Smooth jazz sucks big time!!!
ReplyDeleteI thought I would reserve judgment until I had a chance to listen to the Steve Harvey show. It seems like we already have the loud show format with people talking over each other with prank calls on the dial 94.1. Besides playing great music, Cousin Kevin and Nikki bounced off each other well and will be missed.
ReplyDelete