I was 26 when Bob Marshall hired me to do KGO Radio's weekend boating reports on the bay. A few months later, with the OK of ABC News President Elmer Lower, Ray Tannehill hired me into KGO Radio's Newsroom. I thought I had died and gone to Heaven. Over the next 19 years I worked at KGO Radio, KGO TV and ABC Radio News till the company was sold to Cap Cities in 1986. KGO Radio was the envy of the broadcasting industry. Number 1 in the nation's 5th largest market year after year. If something big happened people turned to KGO to get the story. Now it's gone thanks in lasrge part to a couple of Stanford MBA's who, in the old days couldn't qualify to obtain a broadcasting license for a 250 watt t-pot radio station in Death Valley. I'm glad Dunbar, Wygant, Hurley, Spann, Dolan, "Fast Eddie" McLaughlin, Galli and all the other platinum broadcasters who called KGO home didn't live to see this day. KGO Radio 8-10 gone in a puff of smoke.
Times change, no more horses and buggies either. This comes from someone (72 years old) that adored the old KGO, now I enjoy podcast as much as if not more.
Wonder what the KGO intellectual property/ archives/historic swag , etc....what is that worth? 78's Tapes, wax cylinders, company videos, Did they toss all that old stuff out? Copyrights to KGO...highest bidder or dumpster.
In the end, this is just another indication that the world of the Boomers if changing beyond recognition; even this GenXer doesn't recognize it anymore. It belongs to the young people now and they don't listen to the radio, KGO or otherwise, any longer.
Radio is dead. Done. Put a fork in it!!!! Only grumpy old coots like rich long for the days of radio like they’re stuck in the past. Good riddance to kgo!
Personally, I’m glad the KGO call letters, as we knew them, are now a thing of the past. It’s time to move forward! There’s no point in dwelling on what radio used to be—radio is dead. Stick a fork in that bitch! It’s time to accept the reality and embrace the future.
(And I guarantee Rich is too chickenshit to post this comment because he treats any critique of local radio as a personal attack on himself.)
Rich, I’ve been a loyal listener for years, so I say this with the utmost respect.
It’s clear that terrestrial radio has been near and dear to you. Over the years, you've shared countless stories, tributes, and reflections on local radio—its golden days, its personalities, and the profound impact it had on you. But, as we both know, local radio has been spiraling for a long time. As you’ve aptly put it, “local radio is dead,” and at this point, no one can reasonably argue otherwise.
I get it—it’s a tough pill to swallow. But here’s the thing: you have such a sharp perspective on the media landscape, and I believe that focusing more on the present would be incredibly valuable. There’s no denying the decline of local radio, but instead of dwelling on its death, why not use your insights to spotlight where media is now and where it’s going? The landscape has changed, and local media is evolving in real-time.
You’ve made it clear that you understand the past—now it’s time to shift that energy toward the future. People need voices like yours to help navigate what’s next, not just mourn what’s gone. Your experience and perspective could play a crucial role in shaping the conversation about the new direction of local media.
Don’t forget the spineless phony who continues to lie his YouTube audience, claiming that he didn’t know about the end of KGO until 15 minutes prior. Turns out he was in a meeting with engineering two weeks earlier. Engineers know everything because someone has to implement it. He also hit up his audience for donations, all while not disclosing that he was being paid out the remaining year of his contract. Paying a full time employee as an independent contractor is illegal in California, but when you’re best buddies with a legendary host and then GM you can get what you want. That company lied to the entire staff for years, paying for research into sports gambling as a format, and never giving them a chance to say goodbye to a loyal audience. Hell, you might even be too busy to realize a sales guy was giving away sweetheart sponsorships in exchange for steak dinners. #autopilot #crashandburn
KGO810 was DOA Oct 2022. This is just a formality.
ReplyDeleteThe Mighty KGO is now K-G-O-N.
ReplyDeleteI was 26 when Bob Marshall hired me to do KGO Radio's weekend boating reports on the bay. A few months later, with the OK of ABC News President Elmer Lower, Ray Tannehill hired me into KGO Radio's Newsroom. I thought I had died and gone to Heaven. Over the next 19 years I worked at KGO Radio, KGO TV and ABC Radio News till the company was sold to Cap Cities in 1986. KGO Radio was the envy of the broadcasting industry. Number 1 in the nation's 5th largest market year after year. If something big happened people turned to KGO to get the story. Now it's gone thanks in lasrge part to a couple of Stanford MBA's who, in the old days couldn't qualify to obtain a broadcasting license for a 250 watt t-pot radio station in Death Valley. I'm glad Dunbar, Wygant, Hurley, Spann, Dolan, "Fast Eddie" McLaughlin, Galli and all the other platinum broadcasters who called KGO home didn't live to see this day. KGO Radio 8-10 gone in a puff of smoke.
ReplyDeleteAmazing story Peter. I sure miss the old KGO. Glad you were part of the once stellar radio station.
DeleteTimes change, no more horses and buggies either. This comes from someone (72 years old) that adored the old KGO, now I enjoy podcast as much as if not more.
DeleteThose "MBA'S" should also be parted-out like KGO was, but for them on a cadaver table.
DeleteStop insulting Death Valley. Those MBAs weren’t worthy of the far Suburbs of Indio, let alone Death Velley.
DeleteMeanwhile, Cumulus has a hands off policy for right wing KMJ in Fresno. No layoffs, no cuts or change in programming. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteKMJ makes money...go figure.
DeleteWonder what the KGO intellectual property/ archives/historic swag , etc....what is that worth?
Delete78's Tapes, wax cylinders, company videos, Did they toss all that old stuff out?
Copyrights to KGO...highest bidder or dumpster.
KMJ is for Fresno what KGO used to be for SF - a beloved community meeting ground with respected hosts who lead the city conversation on local issues.
DeleteIn the end, this is just another indication that the world of the Boomers if changing beyond recognition; even this GenXer doesn't recognize it anymore. It belongs to the young people now and they don't listen to the radio, KGO or otherwise, any longer.
ReplyDeleteRadio is dead. Done. Put a fork in it!!!! Only grumpy old coots like rich long for the days of radio like they’re stuck in the past.
ReplyDeleteGood riddance to kgo!
Personally, I’m glad the KGO call letters, as we knew them, are now a thing of the past. It’s time to move forward! There’s no point in dwelling on what radio used to be—radio is dead. Stick a fork in that bitch! It’s time to accept the reality and embrace the future.
ReplyDelete(And I guarantee Rich is too chickenshit to post this comment because he treats any critique of local radio as a personal attack on himself.)
Rich, I’ve been a loyal listener for years, so I say this with the utmost respect.
ReplyDeleteIt’s clear that terrestrial radio has been near and dear to you. Over the years, you've shared countless stories, tributes, and reflections on local radio—its golden days, its personalities, and the profound impact it had on you. But, as we both know, local radio has been spiraling for a long time. As you’ve aptly put it, “local radio is dead,” and at this point, no one can reasonably argue otherwise.
I get it—it’s a tough pill to swallow. But here’s the thing: you have such a sharp perspective on the media landscape, and I believe that focusing more on the present would be incredibly valuable. There’s no denying the decline of local radio, but instead of dwelling on its death, why not use your insights to spotlight where media is now and where it’s going? The landscape has changed, and local media is evolving in real-time.
You’ve made it clear that you understand the past—now it’s time to shift that energy toward the future. People need voices like yours to help navigate what’s next, not just mourn what’s gone. Your experience and perspective could play a crucial role in shaping the conversation about the new direction of local media.
It’s time to refocus and start looking ahead.
Don’t forget the spineless phony who continues to lie his YouTube audience, claiming that he didn’t know about the end of KGO until 15 minutes prior. Turns out he was in a meeting with engineering two weeks earlier. Engineers know everything because someone has to implement it. He also hit up his audience for donations, all while not disclosing that he was being paid out the remaining year of his contract. Paying a full time employee as an independent contractor is illegal in California, but when you’re best buddies with a legendary host and then GM you can get what you want. That company lied to the entire staff for years, paying for research into sports gambling as a format, and never giving them a chance to say goodbye to a loyal audience. Hell, you might even be too busy to realize a sales guy was giving away sweetheart sponsorships in exchange for steak dinners. #autopilot #crashandburn
ReplyDelete