KJR Radio: Those Golden Years (Mid-’60s)

Gary Shannon was a connoisseur of Channel 95. The first time I met him, back in ’66 when he was at KPUG in Bellingham, Gary talked about his admiration for the KJR air staff — especially so Larry Lujack. Gary considers himself to be part of the “second generation” of KJR jocks. In his view, the Golden Years at KJR were in the mid-sixties. That fantasy line up of deejays consisted of Lan Roberts, Dick Curtis, Tom Larson, Pat O’Day, Larry Lujack, Tom Murphy, Jerry Kay, Big Jim Martin and newsmen Charles C. Bolland and Les Parsons. Those classic earworm image liners, by Pat O’Day’s buddy Joe Long from Dallas, are well-represented here. Gary is not the only person to feel that these years were the best ever at KJR:  Future “Superjock,” Larry Lujack, said that mid-sixties KJR was “the best rock ‘n’ roll radio station that has ever existed.” A radio station’s popularity is ultimately determined by whether or not listeners are attracted to the programming. At that time, KJR jocks dominated the ratings book with a 30% audience share. Here’s a page from a 1965 issue of Billboard Magazine.

We all know that memories are funny things — they vary among individuals. The Golden Years at KJR are often defined as 1965 & ’66. But, to many fans, those Golden Years extended into the late ’60s or the early 1970s. This composite aircheck/video montage is based on Gary Shannon’s memories and what he personally considers to be KJR’s Golden Years. The audio cuts date from the years 1965 – 1967.  These photos and the recorded sound files, being more than 50-years old, are not in pristine condition. However,  as Charles C. Bolland would say: “That’s the way the ball bounces!” Please click on the video to start up our old Sony reel to reel aircheck machine. (The video is at ad free Vimeo, so click 2x on the start button – first to go to Vimeo then again to start the video.)