Dave Hull

Dave Hull was born on January 20, 1934 in Alhambra, California. Known as "The Hullabalooer", he was a Los Angeles radio personality and over many years, he has been voted one of the top ten Los Angeles radio personalities of all time.

Hull began his radio career on Armed Forces Radio, a job he picked up by walking past the service’s radio studio in Casablanca, Morocco and asking how he could get on the air. “You’re on tonight at 7” was the reply - and a career was born.

The script he was given to read was in German. Hull spoke no German, so he decided to fake it - making words up as he went along. His accidental comedy routine ended up being popular among listeners including high-ranking generals in the audience. After his first show, he was hired permanently.

In 1955, he started his civilian radio career at KGFL in Roswell, New Mexico. In 1957 he went to WONE in Dayton, Ohio, followed by WQTE, Monroe-Detroit, WTVN, Columbus, and WFLA in Tampa-St. Petersburg. Finally, in 1963, he arrived at KRLA to become one of the “11-10 Men”.

A great storyteller, Hull was perfect for KRLA, which was battling KFWB in the Los Angeles ratings. His quick wit and high intelligence made for a must-listen show, and along with other talented DJs and a close tie with a little-known band called The Beatles he helped propel KRLA to the top.

KRLA Dave Hull July, 1964. [ LISTEN ]

Dave had a night shift from 9PM - 12AM in 1964, and occasionally filled in for others, which seems to be the case here. This aircheck includes a "Beatles Bonanza" with extra Beatles tunes. Portrait painter Nicholas Volpe, had just completed oil portraits of the individual Beatles and Dave offeres listeners the chance to buy four reproductions for fifty cents. The originals cost a lot more now! DJs Dick Moreland and Bob Eubanks join forces for a Downey Ford commercial. Dave proudly proclaims KRLA the #1 station in Los Angeles, a position previously held by rival station KFWB.

The Hullabalooer is on the air at KRLA on May 27, 1965. [ LISTEN ] (46:12)

KHJ’s Boss Radio format came on in 1965 and quickly knocked both KRLA and KFWB down a few notches, but Hull’s show was the one that maintained its popularity throughout his tenure at the station. Hull even had a secret source for Beatles records inside Capitol Records, allowing KRLA to play Beatles singles before anyone else. At least, until KHJ sued.

Dave and the Scuzzies in 1965

So popular was Hull that he had his own song written and performed by fans, along with a flavor of ice cream at Baskin-Robbins. The flavor was called Scuzzy, based upon a word used by Hull often on the air, as well as the name Hull gave to the band that performed his song “Dave Hull, The Hullabalooer.” The song was popular enough to reach the Top-10 at the local Wallach’s Music City. Scuzzy ice cream - a mixture of flavors - is said to have sold extremely well. The Scuzzies band, South Bay kids Susie Cappetta and her brothers and cousins, performed in Southern California and Las Vegas into the 1990s after being picked up by the Everly Brothers road manager for a record contract. (Hull said in his book, that the ice cream tasted awful.)

Hull gets the Beatles Award

Hull became close with The Beatles during their 1965 and 1966 American tours. During that time, Hull taped approximately fourteen interviews with the band. He, along with Bob Eubanks, planned The Beatles' 1966 concert at Chavez Ravine (Dodger Stadium). Hull also worked closely with The Beach Boys, The Dave Clark Five and The Rolling Stones during that period. In December 1965, Hull opened his "Hullabaloo" teen club on Sunset in Hollywood.

He got his nickname while working at WONE in Dayton, Ohio. Los Angeles radio historian Don Barrett quotes Hull as saying: "A woman wrote me from a hotel outside Dayton to say she couldn't stand all that hullabaloo. Well, Webster's defined it as a 'tumultuous outroar,' so I used it."

Dave appeared (using the name David Hull) as a talent contest manager in an October 1966 episode of The Monkees weekly television show.

Dave Hull was the first guest host on the nationally syndicated American Top 40 program, week ending November 6, 1971. He was heard in L.A. at the time on KGBS. His hilarious "Dial-a-Weirdo" call-in show on KGBS was syndicated nationally for a while in the mid 1970s.

Dave and Ringo, 1981

Hull hosted the nationally syndicated TV show Matchmaker in the late 1980s, reportedly seen in over 100 markets, a video version of his late 1970s Lovelines program heard on KMPC.

Hull held the 6-midnight slot on one of the country's few remaining beautiful music stations, KWXY, from 1994 until his announced retirement in 2010. He also remained active as a voiceover for national radio and television commercials. Hull's book, Hullabaloo!: the (Mis)Adventures of L.A. Radio Legend Dave Hull was released in January 2013.

Hull died on October 15, 2020. He was 86 years old. He was survived by his wife of 56 years, Jeanette, five children: Mark, Mike, Clark, Lisa and Brian, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.

WHERE DID DAVE WORK? Here is the list: KGFL, WONE, WQTE, WTVN, WFLA, KRLA, KFI, KGBS, KIIS, KMPC, KHJ, KRTH, KIKF, and KWXY.

Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: KRLA Beat, Meet The Beatles For Real, Rock Radio Scrapbook.

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