M.G. Kelly began his radio career in 1970 while still a junior in high school. His first station was KTEN in Ada Oklahoma. There, Kelly played song dedications to schoolmates.
A year later, he was hired by KOMA in Oklahoma City. While at KOMA, he came to the attention of radio mogul Lee Abrams who brought him to Cleveland in late 1972 for afternoon drive at WGCL-FM.
Machine Gun is working on KSTP's All-Time Top 150 countdown on December 31, 1973.
[ LISTEN ] (16:29)
The following year, Kelly was presented to KSTP-FM in Minneapolis as part of the team that drove the 16th ranked station to number 2 in just 100 days. This dramatic ratings increase caught the attention of RKO Radio and 21-year-old Kelly was shooting straight to the legendary 93 KHJ in Los Angeles.[ LISTEN ] (16:29)
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Next came a departure from the typecasting when Clint Eastwood tagged him as the Priest, "Father John Voss" in The Enforcer. Within a three year period, Kelly proceeded to act in eight more feature films including The Buddy Holly Story and The Fifth Floor. He also was cast in nearly 50 guest star roles on prime time television.
According to Kelly, this KHJ air check contains the longest sustained scream in radio. [ LISTEN ] (1:43)
Here is the Gunner back doing his thing on (Ten-Q) in Los Angeles on March 18, 1978. [ LISTEN ] (7:47)
In 1978, during his time at KTNQ, Kelly was chosen as Billboard Magazine's "National Radio Personality of the Year." He went on to enjoy a successful voice-over career landing hundreds of national ads, movies trailers and network promos. Kelly also continued his acting, adding more episodic television shows to his previous resume including, WKRP in Cincinnati, CHIPs, Knots Landing, Hill Street Blues, Too Close For Comfort, Mork and Mindy, Happy Days and M*A*S*H and many more.
Film and TV Montage [ WATCH ]Kelly was three months away from departing for New York to join CBS Radio as producer of his new show, Top 30 USA and Dan Ingram's national program. Meanwhile, KFI invited Kelly to guest host in the afternoon slot until he moved to The Big Apple. In preparation for the first time back on radio after five years, Kelly decided to preproduce a little show opener that would summarize his time away.
And after only one show on KFI, Kelly knew the radio bug had bitten him again.
By 1984, CBS eventually convinced Kelly to move to New York City. There, he produced weekly syndicated programming for the network. After a couple of winters in The Big Apple, Kelly relocated his production and hosting duties for CBS back in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Kelly signed with Merv Griffin Productions for over 200 episodes as the announcer for Wheel of Fortune. At the same time the wheel was turning, M.G. Kelly added afternoon fire power to KIIS-FM Los Angeles.
Kelly and Steele 1988In 1986, Kelly created his second radio project for syndication called "Live from The '60s". Kelly approached his radio idol, Don Steele to be the host. Between 1987 and 1993, Live From The '60s was heard on over 200 radio stations. With Kelly writing and producing the series while Steele hosted, and was named the "Best Syndicated Show" of 1988. [ LISTEN ]
By 1989, a new oldies station in L.A. was rounding up the Boss Jocks. The Real Don Steele signed on and Kelly left KIIS-FM to join Steele, along with Charlie Tuna, Humble Havre and Rich Fields. It was a familiar dial position, "93", but this time it was FM, KODJ.
In 1990, Kelly formed a seven piece rock band called M.G. Kelly and The G-Men. The group featured Kelly on drums doing his radio shtick live. They opened for dozens of top acts including Chuck Berry, Three Dog Night, Tommy James, Johnny Rivers and The Beach Boys. Kelly and The G-Men played numerous times at The Universal Amphitheater, Pacific Amphitheater and The Los Angeles Coliseum.
In 1992, Kelly and Charlie Tuna teamed to co-host the syndicated radio program, Your Good Time Oldies Magazine. While continuing this national show, M.G. Departed KCBS FM in 1993 and headed to KOOL FM in Phoenix. There he drove the afternoon ratings from a 2 to a 6 share in just nine months. M.G Kelly continued performing live with his band The G-Men and also recorded an album with proceeds from sales going to charity.
In 1995, Kelly left the States for England where he and his wife guest hosted on Capitol Gold, London as "M.G. and Molly". Over the next four years they were also heard on KBGO FM, Las Vegas, and MIX 96 in Alberta, Canada.
Since 1998, Kelly produces and hosts what many in the radio industry call "the best works of his career." His syndicated programs include American Hit List, The Amazing '80s, Back to the '70s, Classic Hit List and Your '90s Rewind.
Kelly and Shaune Steele relaunched "Live from The '60s with the Real Don Steele". The original stellar masters created over 25 years ago by M.G. are distributed as a three hour weekly series for radio stations around the world. Kelly's syndicated shows continue to be heard on radio stations in America and around the world. (2016)
In 1998, Kelly was inducted into The Nevada Broadcaster's Hall of Fame. The same year his work from KHJ was introduced at The Museum of Television and Radio in Los Angeles.
Kelly and Shaune Steele relaunched "Live from The '60s with the Real Don Steele". The original stellar masters created over 25 years ago by M.G. are distributed as a three hour weekly series for radio stations around the world. Kelly's syndicated shows continue to be heard on radio stations in America and around the world. (2016)
In 1998, Kelly was inducted into The Nevada Broadcaster's Hall of Fame. The same year his work from KHJ was introduced at The Museum of Television and Radio in Los Angeles.
WHERE DID M.G. WORK? Here is the list: KOMA, KSTP, KHJ, KTNQ, KOOL-FM, KBGO, CKRA, KODJ, KFI, KIIS, and WYUU.
Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: Airchexx, M G Kelly, Radio Sticker of the Day.
