KJR-FM 1970s reunion: World Famous Tom Murphy, Norm Gregory, John Maynard – audio from 1995
Tom Murphy is Norm Gregory’s special guest with John Maynard joining in at about the halfway point. Pat O’Day also pops in (on tape) to share a story about Lan Roberts; and a promo at the end includes the voices of Gary Shannon, Emperor Smith, and Chet Rogers.
Runtime: 13:48
Student engineer at pioneer Nathan Hale radio station KNH 1210 in 1970 (prior to KNHC). Also attended North Seattle Community College and L.H. Bates in Tacoma (KTOY-FM). Sam’s career began as a KJR request line operator in 1970, with his first on-air job at KRKO in 1972. In 1976 he segued to overnights at KTAC as Cory Landon, then weekends at KING. In 1978 he moved to Lewiston, Idaho for afternoons on KOZE and KRLC. Throughout the ‘80s he was an announcer and/or engineer at “the best mix and biggest variety” of Spokane radio stations; including 97KREM, KZUN, KGA, KKER (The Sam & Pam Show), KZZU, PD of KJRB, 98 KISS-FM, and the voice of KAYU-TV. In 1989 he moved to Los Angeles as Assistant Chief Engineer and weekends at KZLA/KLAC. Also engineered for KBIG, KFI, Premiere Radio Networks, CBS Radio, and others. After avoiding any actual work for nearly 45 years, now happily retired and very appreciatively back in the great Pacific Northwest!
Tuning around the radio dial in the 1960’s and 70’s was a daily treat. Several AM stations had entertaining personalities, six jocks on average, with stations staffed 24 hours. All local talent.