IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY...seriously.
Nine years ago today: a date that will live in (radio) infamy: the very first and truly direct massacre of KGO Radio by Cumulus.
The Bay Area was shocked.
They took a market leader which was still thriving and dominating the Bay Are and turned into smithereens --86ed some of the very best radio people and literally sent them into the streets.
On Dec. 1st, 2011 the old KGO was officially obliterated by the goons at Cumulus. Only one person, a distanced, out-of-touch, out-of-place, Ronn Owens went on the air the next day and devoted 15 minutes to the assault --then had the gall to change subjects and talk about gadgets.
Gadgets!
We'll delve more on this in a few days
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It was a keeper back in the day. 24/7 always something to listen to even if you didn't agree.
ReplyDeleteIn the 9 years, KGO has gone through several make overs so to speak. First all news, and some week end talk. Pat Thurston, Brian Copeland and Ronn (despite what Rich thinks) were the only 3 host worth listening to. There were some god awful hosts, can't even remember their names, Drex I think was on, Tim Montemayor another. Then Pat started to have John on as her guest and then he would fill in for her, and eventually when they turned back to all talk John got his own show. Certainly KGO is not today what it was 9 years ago, but this current format is the best of the different make overs Cumulus have tried. I for one am grateful for what it has evolved to, even if far from perfect.
ReplyDeleteI wonder who this person works for.
DeleteOnce again, this proves crack don't smoke itself.
DeleteI don't work for anyone that is connected to radio. I'm a semi retired senior female citizen, and I enjoy talk radio while I cook, clean or drive in my car. John was already my favorite back in the "good old days" in my opinion he was close to Gene Burns. Pat was also on back then, I think she took over John Rothmann overnight week end spot when John took over after Bernie, Christine Craft was also on, whom I also like. The hosts I mentioned Drex and Montemayor cannot hold a candle to either Thurston or Rothman. I also like Chip, although I don't plan my day around his program like I tend to do with John and sometimes Pat.
DeleteThose shows you had on that Santa Cruz radio station right after that were classic (until your Duck Dynasty blooper)
ReplyDeleteHave not listened since..
ReplyDeleteBack in the good old days when the female talker and former female talker could actually get wet.
ReplyDeleteGee Joe, I still get wet every day. Getting in and out when it is chilly is a tad daunting, but nothing you couldn't handle, unless you are a big pussy. Wanna race?
DeleteGood answer Christine, don't know why Rich think it is necessary to post crude comments. Serves no purpose.
DeleteIs the pool painted black? Brown? Or a nice off white?
DeleteDr. Joy Browne?
DeleteI had forgotten you worked at KGO, Christine. Sorry.
DeleteDe nada,Brian.
DeleteWhen the government started allowing groups like Cumulous to own multiple outlets in one market radio (and TV to a lesser extent) went down hill.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by your headline because if you asked me I would have said this happened well over ten years ago. Bad radio must slow down time.
I also want to know what kind of dirt Ronnnn had on someone for them to keep his declining mind behind a microphone. Boy was he cocky after somehow surviving that massacre.
What Ronn HAD was a 7yr contract that would have made them pay him off. So instead of paying him to go away, they paid him to stay on so they would not have to EAT the contract.He is a disgrace to Radio and especially to KGO.
DeleteAnd to think, not a mention of the unforgettable Gene Burns, who claimed to be a Libertarian back in the day when no one had heard of Libertarians. One thing I remember about Gene was his frequent criticism of high speed police chases, sometimes ending in tragedy. They don't make 'em like Gene anymore. Educated, articulate and personable. R.I.P. Gene, wherever you may be.
ReplyDeleteYes, Gene was a master. Funny I had heard of Libertarian before I heard of Gene Burns, not a lot, but know of them. I would love to hear Gene's take on the political landscape today, especially his take on Trump. I remember on of his last programs, he talked about how he had listened to Sean Hannity and I think Limbaugh or Levin, and decided we had become a nation divided against ourselves. Was he here today I'm sure he would be chocked how much more divided we are 9 years later. Sad.
DeleteYes, Gene was very much against high speed chases, with good reason. When I was a staffing coordinator for a home care agency we had a patient that had sustained a head injury in a high speed chase, he was a doctor, he would never practice again, and his wife had been killed. Some years later when I sold long term care insurance I had a would be client who wanted to buy the insurance, but did not qualify, he had also sustained injuries in a high speed chase, and suffered permanent disability, he got an annuity payment from the City of Davis.
Rich, where would a blogger like myself send you a box of See's candy for a holiday treat?
ReplyDeleteI don't remember Jeopardy ever having KGO Radio as a category.
ReplyDeleteWhat is not remembering an iconic host visiting KGO Radio in its heyday, hopefully not hosted by Lowenstein, but by someone else?
RIP, Alex Trebek (gotta get his memoirs on my Kindle)
Dec 1st 2011; A day that will live in INFAMY!
ReplyDeleteOne could say it was the Jonestown Massacre of North Bay Radio.
Trouble is, they are still drinkin' the Koolaide.
Everything is watered down now, so it don't drop you right away.