Dick Curtis Radio Spot

In light of the recent passing of Dick Curtis, this seems like a good time to re-post a Dick Curtis article that includes a radio spot we featured at QZVX back in early 2019. Dick did a masterful job of building excitement for the upcoming Trips Festival back in 1967…..Steven Smith

This oldie but goodie is from KJR’s Golden Years in the mid-sixties. The 52 year-old recording is as crisp and clear as the day it was recorded.

The Seattle “Trips Festival” ran on May 30, 1967. I remember hearing about the event when I was a kid in high school. My parents deemed me too young, too naive and too dumb to go.  Now half a century later, I will be damned if I can even decipher the psychedelic promotional poster — although I can make out the word “Byrds.” In addition to The Byrds, other major acts at this festival included Jefferson Airplane, The Electric Prunes and northwest favorite, Don & The Goodtimes. Take a look at the poster. You might agree that it is hard to read — it’s like it was printed backwards or inside-out. Maybe it read better if you were on psychedelic drugs

Since the poster was artistically creative, but of questionable merit as an advertising vehicle, I figure the success of the Trips Festival was largely the result of Dick Curtis’ great spot on Channel 95 KJR — it let you know who was really performing. Take a listen to Dick’s original radio spot, just click on the cart machine below. (How many years has it been since you put a cart in the slot and pressed “start”?)

Dick Curtis made his radio broadcasting debut in 1957 at KREW in Sunnyside, WA.  His career took a giant leap toward the heavens three years later (1960) when KJR hired him to be a Top-40 deejay. Dick was one of the great jocks of KJR’s Golden Years, sharing the airwaves with the likes of Lan Roberts, Tom Larson, Pat O’Day, Larry Lujack, Tom Murphy, and Jerry Kay. Dick spent about 45 years in broadcasting. In Seattle he is, perhaps, best-known for his on-air time at KJR, KOL, and KVI. Over the years, Curtis was a DJ, a newsman, and he held programming and management duties.  Two KJR alumni, Pat O’Day and Dick, operated Concerts West — a northwest-based concert promotion company.

Steven Smith

Presently editor and historical writer with QZVX.COM in Seattle. Former radio broadcaster and radio station owner, 1970-1999. Journalism and speech communications degrees. I enjoy researching articles and online reporting that allows me to meld together words, audio and video. P.S. I appreciate and encourage reader comments and opinions. View other articles by Steven Smith

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