Saturday, February 15, 2014

Chris Edwards RIP 1941-2013; Legendary SF Broadcaster/Radio Sales

In the 80's when I got my big break at K-101 as sports director and reporter, one of the nicest guys in the biz allowed me the privilege of co-hosting his Sunday Night oldies show. That man was Chris Edwards who passed away Jan. 31 after a lengthy illness.

Edwards not made his mark in broadcasting on the air but off too--after several stints at KSFO, KYA, KABL and KGO, he began a career in sales for well over two decades. One of the best.

A mighty funny, engaging personality, Edwards was a vintage voice back in a time when old-school ruled. His knowledge of rock music-- everything from the Beatles to the Stones, to James Brown and the Temptations was legendary. You name the group, Edwards could name their hits. One-hit wonders? Edwards was a genius in that department.

He was nice too. A dignified character who was well-known in San Francisco radio circles and throughout the industry.
 
 Edwards is survived by his wife, Cynthia Reinholtz and his cousins Larry Dingee of Albany, NY, and Linda Glenn of Kingman, Ariz., and their families, as well as his sister-in-law Shirley Strickland of Jacksonville, Fla., his nieces Stefanie and Alison Strickland of Jacksonville and San Diego, respectively, and brother-in-law Elliott Riser of Mobile, Ala.

*Follow me on Twitter

8 comments:

  1. I feel a little older now- I remember him as "Big Fat" Chrissie Edwards during the KYA days of around 1968-71- a really good DJ for the Top 40 days- RIP...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chris was one of the best. It seemed like someone you knew and liked was playing music that you really wanted to hear. You looked forward to catching his KYA radio1260 shows -- and that;s the sign of a true artist! His most significant impact may have been in the mid-60's, because by 1968, most of us were tuning in and turning on to the music and djs at KMPX-FM and KSAN-FM,..

      Delete
  2. Brings back memories of the old KYA, Johnny Holliday, Russ "the Moose" Syracuse, Emperor Gene Nelson, Tom Campbell giving things away and his Matthews TV Top of the Hill Daly City ad spots, Tommy Saunders

    ReplyDelete
  3. Chris Edwards - always a class act !

    ReplyDelete
  4. Part of my childhood...when KYA was 'the station' in the city in the late 60s. RIP, Chris.

    ReplyDelete
  5. So sorry to hear of Chris's passing a true bay area radio legend!

    ReplyDelete
  6. A sad day for radio. I met Chris in the early 80's when I was brand new to K101. He was one of the nicest guys in a business not noted for having them in abundance. We stayed friends over the years and he never failed to put a big smile on my face. Any radio reprobate who has designs on PM drive in the afterlife should know that Chris has already nailed that gig.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Only today did I come across this...as we are approaching 2 years since we lost Chris. Thank you sharing the reasons why Chris was such an extraordinary person. He is sorely missed. Regards, Cynthia (his wife)

    ReplyDelete