• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Early FM Top 40 in Seattle

qzvx said:
A correction to information posted earlier:
KING was at 94.9 while KRSC was at 98.1
When the Bullitts bought KRSC, they moved KING to 98.1 and donated 94.9 to Univ of WA.
Click to expand...

The reason for KING-FM's moving was because Dorothy Bullitt liked the 98.1 dial position (smack in the middle of the analog FM dial...)
 
Bongwater said:
TexasTom said:
Bongwater said:
Automated CHR survived in Bellingham during the '80s (via KISM and KNWR) I think KNWR used TM Stereo Rock
Click to expand...

Yes, KNWR used TM Stereo Rock. They went on with the announced version of this format (the unannounced version had run briefly in Tacoma on KNBQ a couple years earlier) in late 1979 and stayed with TM Stereo Rock until the mid-80s when they flipped to AC as "The Soft Rock Cafe, KAFE".
Click to expand...

Actually, KNWR became KAFE In October 1989.....
Click to expand...

Thanks for the correction -- I hadn't rememebered that it lasted that long. By then, the format was something of a historical anomaly (with satellite delivery taking over from tape automation), and not many of these stations were left (although this format did continue to run on a North Texas station, KDSQ, until sometime in 1990).
 
FMSteve said:
Little Boy Blue, Isn't this the old KAYO building on 4th Ave S.? I could swear this is it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blinkingcharlie/7524854066/
Click to expand...

I found permit history for the site..looks like demolition permit paid for in Jan/1987 and work completed shortly thereafter. Not sure if construction company is still around as it would be interesting to see if they still have any pic's of that project.

http://web1.seattle.gov/DPD/permitstatus/Project.aspx?id=8606427
 
LITTLEBOYBLUE said:
Bill Wolfenbarger can clarify ... as I recall there was quite a bit of KOL-AM/FM overlap in mid-70's (KOL became KMPS in Sept, 1975). That was probably first stab at Top 40 in the market. KNBQ (now KIRO-FM) was doing an automated version of Top 40 with Drake-Chenault supplied reel tapes around the same time frame. In 1976, "the fm kvi" went on air @ 101.5 (now KPLZ), leaning slightly more Adult than pure Top 40. KYYX did full-on Top 40, but with automated toys and jocks tracked their dropins. KNBQ went "live" around 1978/early 1979, about the same time fm/KVI became K-PLUS (with calls change to KPLZ). Then, KYYX went to "rock of 80's"/"wave" format, abandoning the Top 40 ... and by then AM was dying as go-to-destination for music. KUBE launched, taking over old KBLE-FM frequency ... became the real powerhouse in town (mostly with support from veteran morning man Charlie Brown)....KHIT launched @ 106.9 using a Bremerton station relocated to Seattle .... but didn't last too long (became "new age"). KUBE-KPLZ-KNBQ battled for a bit, with KNBQ dropping out to take on oldies as KBSG. KUBE-KPLZ continued into the 1990s, when the music product basically killed the dominance (HipHop, fragmented pop, etc.). KUBE eventually chose the Rhythmic path, KPLZ tried to stay mainstream; but by 1994 decided to refocus as adult CHR, then gold-based AC (launching the "Star 101.5" moniker), then back to currents-based Adult format that it does now.

The ironic thing behind all this, is that KOL was probably a little too early to try to be FM leader and was focused on holding the "album" brand on their FM as long as they could. KJR bought KISW, and launched it right away as active rock station. They wound up competing head-to-head for years with KZOK. KING's FM was locked in to classical because of the woman who owned the company adored the format. All this took place years ahead of station limits .... otherwise, highly likely KJR and KING would have launched an FM counterpart and shifted their product to FM as the audience was shifting; but their format choices on their FM's were already locked in to other choices. So all the AM Top-40 heritage stations died when AM music died (including KTAC in Tacoma, whose FM was dedicated to "Beautiful Music"). When KOL was sold, their FM was dedicated to Beautiful music as well (which was the #1 billing format in the market in the mid-70's ... what is now the WOLF @ 100.7 was KIRO's FM entry into Beautiful Music as KSEA and owned the ratings). Eventually, KMPS (former KOL) decided there was huge opportunity to launch their country product on FM, so 94.1 because KMPS (FM)...and it wound up completely killing the legendary KAYO (1150).
Click to expand...

Prior of KOL AM/FM sale from Buckley to Hercules, the FM was already running a tape automation contemporary format. It aired 24/7 on the FM and simulcast evenings/overnights/weekend on KOL AM. When Hercules bought the combo, KOL AM went to "Modern Country" KMPS (Kountry Music for Puget Sound, and conveniently standing for Manning P Slater, the President of Hercules), and as mentioned, KOL-FM went automated beautiful music as KEUT-FM, with the Schulke format, and then later became KMPS-FM with a country format. The KMPS AM and FM country combo was sold to Affiliated Publications (Boston Globe) in 1979.
 
qzvx said:
A correction to information posted earlier:
KING was at 94.9 while KRSC was at 98.1
When the Bullitts bought KRSC, they moved KING to 98.1 and donated 94.9 to Univ of WA.
Click to expand...

I don't think part of that statement is correct. 94.9 used to be KOMO-FM, licensed to Fisher Mills. The top of the existing KOMO-TV QA tower is actually 160' of the original KOMO-FM tower that used to be located directly next door to the original KOMO (concrete) building downtown. The Fisher family, who were frequent donors to the University of Washington, donated 94.9 when they thought FM radio wouldn't ever get off the ground.

When I was VP at Fisher, I remember laying eyes on several documents about the donation. There were also several photos, blueprints and project plans to remove the former KOMO-FM tower from along side the old KOMO Radio/TV studios, and stack it atop 300' of tower on Queen Anne Hill. There are blueprints on the wall of the QA transmitter facility that show the top 160' being the former "94.9Mhz KOMO-FM support tower".
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.
Back
Top Bottom