Thursday, April 19, 2018

Those Were The Days My Freinds; San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area 1970's; 415 Media Remembers a Trip Down Memory Lane

Image result for San Francisco 1976 THOSE WERE THE DAYS MY FRIENDS

When you'd wake up to Dr. Don Rose on KFRC and laugh your butt off in spite of extreme banality and corny audio. KFRC, AM radio --610 on the dial with "Marvelous Mark", Don St. John, Bill Lee, John Mack! Flanagan !

"Dr. Don, you son of a ..."


Wow, AM Radio in the 70's. Bill Graham. Days on the Green. Peter Frampton. The Doobie Brothers. The Hookers Ball. The "Streets of San Francisco" -"A Quinn Martin Production!"

And savior of the '75 Ford LTD police cruisers! Whoa baby.

I remember walking in Chinatown in the spring of 1976; god, time flies. I was listening to the Four Seasons' Oh What a Night, played, yes, of course on the magic 610, K-F-R-C!

Related imageWe ate dim sum and waited to see the Freedom Train. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. You could see the Transamerica Pyramid without any other buildings obscuring its distinctive look. Parking was difficult but not impossible. The streets were clean. A walk down Market Street was not an adventure --finding a seat at the counter at Woolworth's was; the fried chicken was worth the wait for this bright-eyed 14 year-old. "Can I get a corn dog to go, miss?" Thank You. Don't forget the mustard.


"Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away."

Image result for San Francisco in 1976 WoolworthsMy favorite year, 1976: sure, we had issues. We always do, it's called life but somehow we seemed to work it out and even if we couldn't, we'd find a way to offer compromise. What an age-old relic, compromise. BART was so cool that a trip through the underwater tube was like a Disneyland ride. On time and straight to the Embarcadero station. We had a destination to the old, old KGO studios down in the Tenderloin off Golden Gate Ave, 277 to be exact near St. Anthony's and Fox Plaza. Up a couple blocks and you were there: Jim Dunbar, Ronn Owens, Van Amburg, Monte Stickles, et al. Don't forget the "Studio Cafe" across the street. I didn't. Monte bought me breakfast there. The best greasy eggs ever.

KGO, TV and Radio. The top of the heap, 415 style. Highest-rated radio and TV. Tenderloin: birthplace of "News Scene" and Happy Talk advent. Peter Giddings and his "letter from home" and corny but sweet, "Little People Fishing Program."

Image result for KGO Radio 277 Golden Gate Ave San FranciscoQuick Industry joke: Pete on the boat with the little ones; goes to a kid and tells him to behave otherwise, "you'll never fish in this town again!" Timeless. Memo to Pete: hey, you were a weather icon so please, hold the angry e-mail. I could go very low and bring up the 12,000 times you showed us your skiing highlights down Heavenly Valley. But hey, I watched. Van did too.

Related image*San Francisco Bay Area in the 70's: Alcatraz became the favorite high-school field trip. Journey was just getting ready and about to become the coolest of cool. There was a vibe. Steve Perry was high-tuning the voice while the Great American Music Hall was preparing a George Benson show. Oh what a night!

We were all pretty mellow; the kids were alright even if our parents weren't and the country as a whole was steady if not a bit solemn. Remember, we were just coming off Watergate and Vietnam; Jimmy Carter, a fine man but a lousy president was beckoning. There was no such things as AIDS and crack was considered a part of your anatomy.

Image result for Gerald Ford SF assassination attempt in San FranciscoJerry Ford brought the country together; even in San Francisco; although he almost got waxed here by some crazy lady named Sarah Jane Moore. He wasn't hit --but it was close.

Ford; good man too just lousy tactics and a pardon that cost him the election. We could use a Jerry Ford today but that's another story.

San Francisco in the 70's: a burger at Clown Alley; I thought Bill's Place was way overrated, sorry Herb Caen, and besides, Clown Alley was faster and tastier and why have to go all the way out to the avenues when you could just grab one across from the Pyramid.

Mayor George Moscone. Best SF mayor ever. I lived in Oakland as a kid but Moscone was old school and got things done.

Related imageBig stories:

International Hotel eviction. Ouch. Scary. Richard Hongisto's worst nightmare. We had a lot of those weird incidents. Patty Hearst was old news having already been discovered alive and breathing with Bill and Emily Harris in a house on Morse Street. The end, unofficially, of the SLA and the beginning of a winnable trial but unfortunately for Patty, she picked a lousy attorney, F. Lee Bailey, who did a lot better with O.J.

*I'm just getting started.

Halloween, 1975: the Hookers Ball at the Cow Palace. I heard all about it across the bay as I played my Spinners songs on the turntable.

Not your normal crazy SF event but everyone went hog wild over news that Police Chief, Charlie Gain was there --apparently not just to monitor the goings-on. It made for fine SF tabloid fodder. Herb Caen had a week's worth of columns and the Examiner (remember those guys?) was positively giddy. In hindsight, considering the mish-a-goss of today, it was rather funny and poignant. Just another rather wacky and wonderful ess-eff story but Gain was a good cop even if his officers didn't think so. Gain was a libby and to get back at him the officers on motorcycles began putting American flags on their antennas --yeah, that'll rile him. (No)

Image result for San Francisco Giants Bobby MurcerWe laughed a lot and cried. The latter, during Giants games at Candlestick Park which was not that hated as it was later. Bobby Murcer was more onerous than the stadium. Yeah, they (the Giants) sucked but they had a guy named Lon Simmons in the broadcast booth that made up for it.

Across the bay, the Swingin' A's were just coming off 3 straight World Series victories and the Warriors were groovin' after beating the Washington Bullets in the NBA Finals of '75. A series played in the Cow Palace because the Coliseum arena was booked for an ice show. Who would have thunk!

Oakland was king of sports. I didn't even mention the R.A.I.D.U.H.S. 

Bill King, Superbowl 11, Pasadena, 1977: "Old man Willie, Touchdown Raiders!"

Image result for doggie diner oaklandWhat a day it was. Finally, the Raiders won the "big one." And Herb Caen, the kid from Sacamenna had to scribble a positive Oakland item. Which was weird since Herb was buddy-buddy with Al Davis, who was merely eccentric back then. He also knew football.

Oakland; great sports, a lake and the Quik Way near the Grand Lake Theatre. If the line was too long you could head to Telegraph and Broadway and get some Doggie Diner. The very best and tasty bad hamburgers but fine eating cuisine for the student bodies of Oakland High, Skyline, Tech and Mack, we thank you for such awesome 39 cent cheeseburgers with the sauce fit for a king.

Image result for Oakland 1976What a time. What a cool time. Even if at times, terrifying and befuddling. The Black Panthers were renegade but they were considered cool. The Hells Angels too if not a bit more crankier. My late brother, Michael, had met Sonny Barger, the Angels' chief leader; his house was near the Oakland Zoo (appropriately) and one day the cops found a shitload of money in the backyard. Wonder where that came from? Next.

Oakland was second fiddle to "The City" and was saddled with "the mysterious East Bay" -ism, thanks again, Herb Caen, but we owned the sports world and had Lake Merritt. We were proud of being sidekick to SF even though Bill Fisset wasn't Caen but the Tribune Tower was far superior to the dreck at 5th and Mission, take that! Art Hoppe.

Yeah, Oakland: Ken Stabler. John Madden. Silver and Black. Del Courtney and the band. The Oakland Coliseum; Curt Gowdy of NBC named it "The House of Thrills"; sea of hand catch; The great George Blanda. Dinner at the Grotto in Jack London Square later. ( A quieter Fisherman's Wharf)

Image result for Oakland 1976When we went to Spenger's in Berkley for dinner it was maximum pleasure. We could eat and eat cheap. I wasn't old enough, yet, to drive a car but my mom and dad loved Spengers not just for the food but there was a giant parking lot across the street, FREE parking. Huzzah!

Spengers was great but there was always a long wait; I mean LONG, like if you were lucky, an hour was considered a bargain.

Related imageMy brother would have nothing to do with that program; he managed to get all of us a table in "The Teak Room" within 5 minutes. Later on, I sort of knew what he was doing. Whatever, we rocked. Grab an extra loaf of sour dough French bread and extra butter. Huzzah. "I'll have the 'Captain's Plate, mom." $8.95 --a bargain even in those days.

And those Days on the Green? It was artful, colorful. Grateful Dead. Frampton. Boston. The Rolling Stones. I once saw Bill Graham in his '68 silver Mercedes go bonkers at a couple trying to climb a fence and crash the Beach Boys and Dolly Parton DOG the summer of '76. It was a little spooky but vintage Graham who was straight businessman --no time for freebies, the guys and gals in blue tops would see to that. Graham had a kind heart but that too is another story.

He built up the Oakland venues and promoted the East Bay like it was his own and we appreciated it. The Coliseum stadium and arena was his stomping ground; the Paramount Theatre his Carnegie Hall; the old Oakland Auditorium (Kaiser Arena) he and BGP helped restore and get back to life.

Oh, what a time it was. Friends and family. Good food. Bonding with all even though dad wasn't all that supportive but he was there on time when you needed him. Mom was just in her prime. Oh mom, I  miss you.

Mom worked for the phone company on New Montgomery and had an office facing the back entrance of the Palace Hotel; in 1976, Gerry Ford, the POTUS was there making a speech (six months after nearly being assassinated in the same city) invited me and my buddy from junior high, Chet Gohd, to come over to the city and see Ford get into his limo. Chad struck pay dirt with a great picture and I hugged mom for the invite. Never forget it.

Image result for bill grahamYES WE HAD A BLAST.

No selfies. No smartass phones. The Bay Area was unique. San Francisco-Oakland, there was a genuine symmetry even if it involved turf wars but there were always gonna be. We just made it more civil.

Ah, KYA! KDIA, "Lucky 13." Art Finley, Owen Spann, Jim Eason, Joe Starkey, Sonny Buxton, John L. Wasserman, Mickey Luckoff, Jack Swanson, KRON on 1001 Van Ness, Tommy's Joynt, the Marina Green; Ronn and Mill Valley Don and some kid from Oakland reciting "Rock Trivia" tidbits.

Crazy and happy times. Frivolity and Bizarro, sure, but established chaos. We could actually make a phone call to and not be frowned upon like today. Those were the days my friends I thought they'd never end.

Image result for Ronn Owens 70's










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50 comments:

  1. I"m 58-years old...life-long SF resident...and while I'm glad I grew up through this period you write of, Rich--I'm glad it's over...and am really quite happy in the now/the 21st century.

    We have better technology...better cars...better homes...WAAAY more/better choices in TV, radio, print...and a bunch of new media/mediums. I can catch Giant's games ON MY PHONE! I don't have to wait for Sunday morning to check the league leaders; I can instantly get it on my computer, and yes...ON MY PHONE! Wanna know what's going on down the block, or in Syria? Easy--just get on my computer...OR ON MY PHONE..and not only read but see video of what's going on. Or if I want, I can call up the Chronicle, Mercury News, LA Times...or ANY newpaper in the country on my computer--OR ON MY PHONE...and get the latest news.

    On my radio, I can listen (if I so choose) to listen to Talk radio in pretty much any city in the country. I can (and do) listen to commercial-free radio stations or music of my choice.

    If I want to go to Paris (as I do once a year) I no longer have to make three airport stops--I can hop aboard a NON-STOP flight from SFO to CDG! And on these planes, there are video screens with tons of video/movie/TV programming choices.

    Yeah, those days of yesteryear were fun for me. But so was high school--and I'm glad I lived through both.

    But the 21st century is pretty damn cool! I look forward to continuing developments/new technologies in the upcoming decades!

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    1. Ben, get your head out of your lovely ass.

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    2. I'll take the 70's, and you can have my damn cell phone...

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    3. 6:11 and 8:25

      Check your VCR's. The counter is blinking "00:00:00."
      And don't forget to pick up your Leisure Suits at the cleaners!

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    4. Ben, you can have my VCR also....

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    5. Today's cars are better. The distracted jackasses who drive them aren't.

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  2. So why did SF turn into a sh*thole? I took my relatives from London through the obligatory Fisherman's Wharf tour. The streets from the Embarcadero to Ghirardelli Square were full of litter and feces. The stench? Unbearable. The condition of this area combined with the car break ins should be an embarrassment to city leaders. Why would anyone want to return for a visit to this once great city? Modesto Lanzone is rolling in his grave from the blight around Ghirardelli.

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    1. I'd say it started around 1964 when George Christopher ended his turn as mayor and was the last Republican elected to lead the city. Since then, you've had 9 Democrats elected in a row. And here we are with the current state of affairs...

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    2. Amen, 4:50--amen!

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    3. Modesto! That's the ticket, no shit on the streets.

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    4. Nah, went there a lot when I was a kid in the 60's, it was still nice back then.

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    5. 7:16 Blight doesn't happen overnight. It's cumulative. 54 years of the same thinking, what do you expect?

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    6. Property values lead the nation.

      You might all be morons.

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    7. Location and tech companies. 49 square miles. No more room to build. You might be an idiot.

      With that tech money comes conservative values. Change is coming and it cant come soon enough.

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    8. So you think Zuckerberg, Benioff, Page, etc have conservative values? Then you're the idiot. If the idea that "conservative" means "tax cuts" then you don't know what the word "values" means. I'm guessing you don't know much of anything. You might thing Peter Thiel is "conservative" but he's libertarian, and only because he lives within a liberal bubble. If he, or you, went to Kansas City, you'd be screaming for the liberals to save you.

      You are the moron.

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    9. lol@7:49 thinking the way the CEO's think is the way the rank and file think. Reading comprehension is your friend.

      And who mentioned tax cuts? More affluent communities tend to elect leaders that cater to their desires. NIMBYism at its finest. I'm quite sure all the tech money buying up property in SF doesn't want the city as it currently is.

      Change is coming. It might take 5 years, might take 15, but change is coming.

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  3. Ah Yes, 1976...In my day, washing your backside really meant something.

    Oe Amazing Grace,,,.

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  4. Great years and good times. Who can forget the BLT's at the Woolworth counter and the pastrami sandwiches at Doggie Diner?

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  5. About 3 years ahead of you at Skyline but much there brings back memories and some even rings true. Thanks.

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  6. Gene Nelson--KYA
    Don Sherwood--KSFO
    Jim Lange--KSFO
    Frank Dill and Mike Cleary--KNBR

    Those two morning jackasses on KNBR should listen to old broadcasts of these and those you mentioned to understand what entertaining radio is.

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    1. Ahem, EMPEROR Gene Nelson!

      "Put on the coffee, Bubbles, I'm coming home"..

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  7. superstar bands on the same Bill at Winterland mid - 1970's at a Price a minimum wage worker could attend.

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  8. Rich,

    You nailed it on the head. Your best writing ever. I grew up in the city. Thanks for the memories.

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  9. Re: The forgettable 1975 Giants: Lon Simmons was still on the Niners that year, but in '74 and '75, he took a 2-year sabbatical from the Giants, at first due to his wife's illness, then to mourn after she passed away. Al Michaels was the Giants' announcer, and he stuck around for one more year when Lon returned in '76. Gary Park started doing the Giants games on KTVU in Lon's absence.

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  10. The comedy scene was good too, the street performers down on the wharf, Bullitt, Towering Inferno and Dirty Harry.

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  11. Great post, Rich.
    Unfortunately I can't find it in my heart to share my meager fixed income with you.

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  12. Fremont High student bodies ate at the Doggie Diner too. I knew an Ann Lieberman that worked at the New Montgomery phone company location in the 70's. Any relationship?

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    1. She was a very nice lady with a fun sense of humor. I actually met Ann when she worked in Oakland as an Overseas Operator for AT&T. I believe your brother worked in the same office part time over the holiday season. My condolences to you.

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  13. Things have changed...for the worse.

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  14. Rich,

    I really enjoyed reading this. Thank You!

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  15. Great memories, Rich. I'm born and raised in the City. Have to
    disagree on Moscone. Joe Alioto was the best Mayor in the history of SF, with Dianne Feinstein a close second. Sad to say, but Feinstein owes her political career to Dan White. She was pretty much done politically and it appeared the President of the Board of Stupervisors would be her swan song. She stepped into Moscone's shoes and the rest is history. Re: the Giants, trading Bobby Bonds for Bobby Murcer was one of the worst swaps in baseball history.

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  16. Cool recollection, Rich.

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  17. Great stuff Rich. I also grew up in Oakland (Skyline class of '74), and remember everything you describe. I loved it, probably more now upon reflection, I wish I would have appreciated it more back then.

    Btw, just a few more if I may-

    Bertola's on Telegraph Ave, no ID required was the best part, and decent steaks (and spaghetti) for about 5 bucks, I think hard drinks were 50 cents, 75 cents for a double, Smokehouse on Telegraph Ave, my dad used to take me there after Cal football games.

    Biffs near downtown at 27th Street and Broadway, 1/4 lb. Giant Burgers, various locations, probably the best cheeseburgers around, Sams Hof Brau on Hegenberger, a must before/after Warriors/A's games, or if you're with dad, Francesco's since he was buying.

    Kips, Top Dog, and Larry Blake's on Telegraph in Berkeley. New Lucky's on Telegraph Ave in Oakland, reminded me of a mob place you'd see in the movies, I always thought guys were plotting "hits" in the dark booths, Tom Lovely's on Grand Ave, after church on Sunday mornings, Emil Villa's Hickory Pit at 43rd and Telegraph, the Merritt Restaurant & Bakery near Lake Merritt.

    I could go on, but last but not least for now, Fenton's on Piedmont Ave, a true Oakland classic, I think they're still there?

    Btw, here's some great info about Oakland, old and new-

    https://localwiki.org/oakland/_explore

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  18. The city was safe in the 70's with Dirty Harry on the SFPD. (Except when he was suspended.)

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  19. I saw that!!! How you used "Magic" to describe 610 KFRC. Since they eventually became Magic 61!!!!

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  20. Wow, this is a comment-generating column . . . Speaking of Quinn Martin, MeTV shows Cannon--starring William Conrad (who was the narrator for Rocky and Bullwinkle). We read about John Mack Flanagan's recent passing. Regarding the KGO alumni, my favorite was Jazzbeaux Collins. Ugh--Bobby "I never was a Giant" Murcer--ugh! All in all, as nostalgic as it is to look back to the 70's, I'm enjoying today with the Internet (look at this blog), three Giants world championships (who would've thunk?), and the Warriors at the center of the NBA universe.

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    1. Forgot to mention another nighttime KGO favorite: Bob Trebor. It was years before I learned his name was a pseudonym palindrome.

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  21. Other 1970's memories:
    Zimburgers
    Many movie theaters on Market Street (action at the St Francis, kung fu at the Golden Gate Theater, blaxploitation at the Market St Cinema, several porn houses including the Pussycat, Warfield Theater showing Dawn of the Dead, etc)
    Tad's Steaks on Powell near the cable car turnaround (see the states going on a circular grill in the front window)
    Creature Features on KTVU with Bob Wilkins (also Charley & Humphrey on KTVU at 3:30 in the afternoon)
    Wisemans Furniture commercials on KBHK ("This is your Uncle Sal saying nothing but thanks")
    Gensler-Lee Diamonds ads on KFRC ("The store..with a heart")
    The candy counter at Woolworth's
    Seeing movies at the Northpoint Theater

    I can go on

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    1. Yes, thanks, wonderful items you, and Rich of course, brought up! The radio jingles, like Gensler-Lee, and Sal 'nothin but thanks'...and Zims where you could order an all around choc shake,,,and going further back, before my time, the cafeterias like Mannings (see my thumbnail), ... my father born and raised in SF in the '20's through early '50's, would probably say those decades were the greatest, but boy oh boy Rich sure had a great time in those mid '70's...

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    2. 'Dialing for Dollars" you could win if the TV station called you at home and you were watching their current broadcast offering and could anseer a simple question.

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  22. i like the old format of the chronicle, they need to go back to that, its close to it now, but not quite the same, didnt san francisco have more then two papers at one time???

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  23. The SFPD rank & file were also likely none too happy with Gain's decision to re-paint the cop cars blue & White and change the word 'Police' on the side of the cars to 'Police Services'. Come to think of it, I don't blame them.

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  24. Great memories. Thanks Rich

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  25. "And savior of the '75 Ford LTD police cruisers! Whoa baby."

    I was partial to the '74 Dodge Polaras myself. Walking home from school in Alameda in the 5th grade I walked right by the Alameda PD on Oak St, and there they were; about a dozen factory-fresh 1974 Dodge Polaras right there in the parking lot, all shiny and white, ready for the markings and light dome...and there was a paint shop on the corner of Oak and Lincoln where you could smell the lacquer for blocks...that smell still brings back memories...

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  26. 2:24: The San Francisco News, the Call, and the Bulletin all pre-dated the Chronicle and Examiner, ended up merging by the '30s, and, as the Call-Bulletin, continued as an afternoon paper until folding in the '60s.

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  27. Some of your best writing in this column, Rich.

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  28. Tommy Saunders, Voice Your Choice on KYA AM1260. And the old broadcast tower close to where Candlestick Park stood. Could see the tower from Bayshore Fteeway (aka 101 for you recent arrivals).

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  29. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  30. Great memories. Especially Dr. Don Rose. I met him a few times(Brush with fame).

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