KJR

Dick Stokke, a popular KJR DJ in the 1950s belts out a tune with Phil Everly (left), Clyde McPhatter, and Frankie Lymon.

Following Lester Smith's purchase of the station in 1954, KJR became a pioneer Top 40 music station, continuing with this format until 1982. Smith moved the studios to the transmitter site on West Waterway in 1955. In 1957, the station was sold to entertainers Danny Kaye and Frank Sinatra, and Smith remained the station's General Manager.

KJR hired a young disk jockey named Pat O’Day (real name, Paul Berg), who became a sensation among the local teenage audience.

Lee Perkins, Pat O'Day, Dick Curtis and Jerry Kaye, 1962

Within a short time he was KJR’s program director, leading a staff of popular deejays, including Larry Lujack, Lan Roberts, Emperor Smith, and Dick Curtis. KJR zoomed to an amazing 37% share of the Seattle audience and stayed on top for nearly a decade.

Roberts

John Stone is working on Friday, November 11, 1960. [ LISTEN ] (13:26) A more laid-back approach to early Top 40 radio courtesy of John Stone. The voice heard on the station promos in Seattle radio legend Pat O'Day.

Sinatra sold his interest in the station to Smith in 1964, and the resulting partnership became known as "Kaye-Smith Enterprises." In the 1960s, under the programming guidance of Pat O'Day, the station was top rated in Seattle and well known for introducing the Pacific Northwest to many recording stars such as Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, Merrilee Rush & The Turnabouts and the Ventures.

The KJR Cash Call with Lan Roberts. [ LISTEN ] (8:48)

Capitol Records promoter Dan Niles delivering a new Beatles single to KJR's Tom Murphy.

Dick Curtis & Dennis Wilson 1966

Competitors against KJR's top 40 format in the 1960s and 1970s included KOL 1300, KING 1090, and KIRO 710. KJR was sold to Metromedia in 1980, and evolved to adult contemporary in 1982, following in KING's footsteps. In 1984, Metromedia sold the station to Ackerley Communications for $6 million. (Ackerley would buy KLTX in 1987.) In June 1988, the station shifted to oldies, playing the music that had made the station famous throughout the 1960s and 70s.

It's the Kevin O’Brien Program, and Pat O’Day steps in following the Frank Thompson newscast, to announce that the KJR Cash Call Contest has been increased to $100,000 dollars! “It’s contest time!” [ LISTEN ] (3:46)

Pat O' Day is heard playing records in 1968. [ LISTEN ] (12:00)

Here's Dick Curtis promoting the Seattle “Trips Festival,” on May 30, 1967. In addition to The Byrds, other major acts at this festival included Jefferson Airplane, The Electric Prunes and northwest favorites, Don & The Goodtimes.

WHO WORKED AT KJR? Here is the list: Larry Lujack, Scotty Brink, Norm Gregory, Burl Barer, Pat O'Day, Eric Chase, Bob Shannon, Dick Curtis, "World Famous" Tom Murphy, Bobby Simon, Jerry Kaye, Gary Shannon, Ichabod Caine, "Emperor" Lee Smith, Lan Roberts, Kevin O'Brien (Kevin Metheny), Robert O. Smith, Charlie Brown, Bwana Johnny, Matt Riedy, Marion Seymour, Sky Walker, Tracy Mitchell, Bob Brooks, Chuck Bolland, Mark "Jeffries" Bolland and Gary "Lockjock" Lockwood.

It's a KJR reunion show with Kevin O’Brien and Gary Shannon. [ LISTEN ] (31:24) Dave Gates is the host, as the boys look back at their KJR Top 40 years.

Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: Puget Sound Media.