Al, since 2003 I have written the daily Rewind features for LARadio.com. Today, August 4, is the anniversary of Hunter Hancock's death. Here is the column I wrote for today. It answers your question. Yes, the question that Bob already answered. So sue me!
LARadio Rewind: August 4, 2004. Hunter Hancock, the first white disc jockey in the western United States to play r&b, dies at 88 in a Claremont retiremont home. Born in Uvalde, Texas, Hancock worked at KMAC in San Antonio and KPAB in Laredo before coming to Los Angeles. He joined KFVD in 1947 as an announcer and host of Harlem Holiday, a Sunday jazz show which slowly evolved into an all-r&b program. In 1951 he moved to KFOX, then returned to KFVD (later KPOP) in 1954. He also hosted a KGER gospel program, Songs Of Soul & Spirit, and a short-lived Friday-night program on KNXT-Channel 2, Rhythm 'n' Bluesville. In 1959 he co-founded Swingin' Records, which had a top-5 r&b hit with Big Jay McNeely's There Is Something On Your Mind. In 1957 Hancock moved to KGFJ and began hosting a nightly top-20 countdown show, Huntin' With Hunter. For many years he was the most popular Los Angeles disc jockey among black listeners. In the '60s, Hancock was working 9 am to noon and growing increasingly frustrated over being told what to play. He quit radio in 1968 and went to work for Western Outdoor News. Hunter Hancock hosted his own memorial service at Claremont United Methodist Church. A recording of "Ol' H.H." led guests in the singing of hymns and the recitation of the 23rd Psalm.
