When one is responsible for hiring (and firing) of any member of a SEVENTY-TWO person staff, as was the case at KHJ-Los Angeles when I became Program Director in April 1965, giving someone their walking papers is about the worst “executive” duty I had to perform. Fortunately at KHJ this only happened with Boss Jocks only a few times.
Now, I take the second word in the job description—“Director”— perhaps the most important of the two whether in the “big-time” of Hollywood or a small, clumpy cinder block station located in the midst of a cow pasture in San Bernardino (1962), it is equally depressing and also a sign that I failed. I had to reexamine my motives carefully. In the days of Real Radio, especially with a small staff and people multi-tasking, the entire crew from General Manager to weekend intern comprised a group who, thrown together in a stuff bunker all day and night tend to bond “socially.” Much more so than the hundreds, or even thousands of employees of large companies where it is possible to work for years and never meet co-worker(s).
In the days when radio meant something I was on the receiving end of all kinds of perks not generally available to PDs in smaller markets. Shoot, (no pun intended) Phil Spector used to send a bunch of the finest filet mignon's to my house in Laurel Canyon. I can go on about these goodies, some of which I have written about, but this blog is about the DOWN side of everything that people might think they know about the above “extracurricular” goodies. No, this is about the non-glamorous aspects of my career: The part where one ends up with a nice reputation, but no money.
When I moved to San Diego to program KGB-AM-FM in 1972, and with American Top 40, (which I co-created with Casey Kasem and Tom Rounds), having become the most-listened-to radio program on Earth,) well, I figured I’d seen just about everything. Nope. The studio-offices on Pacific Coast Highway were too small for “normal” operations. But three extra people worked in the place doing legal work for the owner, Willet Brown, ho was being sued by a former salesperson who made all manner of spurious claims against KGB. Plus, the sales staff left over after the format change was skeptical of my new ideas and concepts. First, the “account executives” hated rock and roll more than not and second, at night they would hang out in the parking lot, drunk and loudly putting down what we were broadcasting from the building ten feet away.
I told Willet about the chaos into which I arrived, which somewhat justified my being the highest paid PD in the biz at that time. He ordered the GM to find separate office quarters for the unsmiling attorneys and, of more importance, the virtual enemy—most of the sales stuff—were move out of our tent. We could then worry about fighting the competition (KCBQ, KDEO, KPRI) rather than the internal uptight vibes that consumed much time uselessly).
KGB hit #1 in the ARB by November 1972, seven months after we kicked off the new format on Easter Sunday, but only after playing the infamous “KGB Recycle Documentary,” a 30-minute infomercial disguised as a history of the station. But it was really a giant half-hour promo for the “recycled” KGB, which ran continuously, over and over, for 48 hours before we went live with our new sound and image. As the Easter sun rose over “America’s Finest City” we launched our “radical” new format. When KGB was named 1973 “FM Station of the Year” by Billboard magazine. I was name PD of the year and a special, “Woodstock: Max Yasgur’s Farm,” was cited as one of the top long-from programs of the years. I think I earned the (then) big salary.
Came back to Hawaii in 1976, became PD and morning drive person at KKUA. And again, it was a “worst to first” deal, in the ratings. Returned for last time to LA area in 1994 to assist in creating The World Chart Show, which is still on, and in hundreds of markets worldwide. By ’97 I returned here to stay … and things have been going downhill ever since, with flash moments of accomplishment … ever since I returned home four years ago.
The details are ugly and I’ve written about some of the precarious situations in which I’ve been involved, particularly since my 72nd birthday two years ago. (Yeah, a Virgo, with all that involves :)
Now: I find myself needing to unload many of my memorable items, selling them to those who love radio, at least back then. Sort of like the title of Norman Mailer’s “Advertisements For Myself,” I am attempting this method to spread the word of this Online Yard Sale.
Or, hopefully, forward this to any collector of such items as (at random): 1959 KPOI deejay shirt, only 18 ever made (mine is the only one I know of and it is mint, been in storage for decades. Items from the KHJ 25th Reunion in 1990, such as the limited edition Silver Anniversary cap, which Robert W. Morgan designed and produced; only five were made with fancy “scrambled eggs” embroidery on the bill. Or, how about the original show about Elvis? The one that he called the best bio done on him at the time. I have the complete show fantastically transferred to DVD, all thirteen hours. And, for the right price, there is my original, now-leather bound script for the award-winning “Elvis Presley Story,” complete with notes, revisions, every word of narration (by buddy Wink Martindale), music cues and clearance info, original music by the late, great Dick Rosmini.
I am also selling most of my Los Aneles / St. Louis Rams memorabilia, most directly from the locker room. Anyone who knows me is aware of my acquisitive interest in Rams equipment, cards, may autographed 8x10s of the franchise's roots in 1937. You want Rams collectibles? I have a toe, literally, of this and some great NFL stuff. The game-worn autographed golden cleats worn by NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk is just one example. Too much to list! Or how about a giant color poster showing the Famous KGB San Diego in one of his bizarre poses and inscribed by Ted Giannoulas to me as, “The person who hatched me.” A bunch of song sheets from 1959 through 1978, Hawaii and California. Autographed photos from Loretta Lynn to Tiny Tim.
Then there’s my longtime interest in vintage and contemporary Hawaiian music, pretty much unknown to those on the Mainland, where I am associated with rock music and global syndication. This is an entirely different when it comes to items I am selling: CDs, promo material, artist interviews and The Biggie: The 102 square foot (17’ x 6’) mural painted for the home/studio from which I began the first site streaming Hawaiian music and artist chatter in July of 2007.
It was custom designed by noted local artist Mark Brown. Check out his no ka oe website: http://www.marknbrownfineart.com/. This fabulous piece is painted on quarter-inch composition board that was given a white background. We fitted the blank sections that Mark then took to his Kalihi studio to create the images of four of my heroes, brothers who have passed on: Israel Kamakawiwi’ole, Gabby Pahinui, Don Ho and Alfred Apaka. If those names mean nothing to you, either Google the bios of these musical geniuses or, hopefully, pass this info on to someone into Hawaii’s music.
Fortunately the mural was not damaged at all in the fire of Halloween 2009, which burned down portions of the house. And hundreds of hours of LIVE music and interviews were backed up at another location. I hope to sell this to someone or company here on Oahu. If so, Mark Brown will install the mural at its new home. Mainland shipping might prove too much to ship. Besides, this work of art was made in the islands and should “live” in Hawaii. I have sent the info re. The “Hawaii 5-0” production people here are considering using the mural as background for all manner of possibilities. Also: During the time the mural was up, dozens of local musicians (all stars of Polynesian music) inscribed and autographed this giant painting, below the art itself.
The one and only Jack Lord.
Speaking of “5-0”: I have the script of the last original episode, autographed by Jack Lord.
Actually, there is too much to list. Please contact me if YOU are interested in any item involving KHON, KGU, KHVH, KPOI, KDEO, KCCN (all Honolulu) plus KMEN, KMAK, KHJ, KGB, KXOA. Have one dozen replica TINA DELGADO IS ALIVE buttons, etc.
( California) and the CRUSIN’ album series, “The History of Rock and Roll,” “American Top 40,” “The Elvis Presley Story” (global syndication) and all kinds of bits and pieces.
I also have a collection of “T.H.” Material (stands for Territory of Hawaii, 1959, and earlier. Some wild things for the right kama’aina or “Hawaiian at heart.”
My health is slipping and I wish for this material to find cool places where they can be displayed, enjoyed and all have interesting/odd back-stories. Beside my own physical problems I am having trouble with all things computer. So please be patient. But DO email me at rj@hawaii.rr.com for any questions or comments regarding what I am posting today on September 23, 2011.
FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED ON ITEMS
FROM THE RON JACOBS COLLECTONS.
Mahalo from Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii.
rj@hawaii.rr.com
93/KHJ BOSS RADIO CURATORS, DIG:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2khqW5oohGA&feature=player_embedded
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