Tucson's first FM Stereo rock station was in the makings as early as 1969, but officially went "on the air" April 1, 1970.
YoungMark Young on August 1, 1971. [ LISTEN ] (59:55)
Mark Young's real name was Ronald Yantz. He had previously done Progressive AM on 1400 WDOT. He pushed Top 40 daytimer WDOT to the limits in those days, with programs such as 'Collage' and 'Rock Revolution'. He mixed in progressive music with pop hits all day long."
Mark worked all over the country, including gigs in Burlington, Fargo, ND, and Moorehead, MN. Prior to KWFM, he also worked as PD at KIKX and did more than one stint there in the 60s.
In the early 60's Mark worked in NY and in 1960 was the radio voice for the John Kennedy for President commercials. He was hired by KWFM owner Alvin Korngold as the first Program Director. Mark also worked over nights at KCUB Tucson.
As with many highly creative, artistic individuals, Mark chose to live an experimental lifestyle, and in 1975 the years of over indulgence claimed his life at the age of 34.
Mark Young's real name was Ronald Yantz. He had previously done Progressive AM on 1400 WDOT. He pushed Top 40 daytimer WDOT to the limits in those days, with programs such as 'Collage' and 'Rock Revolution'. He mixed in progressive music with pop hits all day long."
Mark worked all over the country, including gigs in Burlington, Fargo, ND, and Moorehead, MN. Prior to KWFM, he also worked as PD at KIKX and did more than one stint there in the 60s.
In the early 60's Mark worked in NY and in 1960 was the radio voice for the John Kennedy for President commercials. He was hired by KWFM owner Alvin Korngold as the first Program Director. Mark also worked over nights at KCUB Tucson.
As with many highly creative, artistic individuals, Mark chose to live an experimental lifestyle, and in 1975 the years of over indulgence claimed his life at the age of 34.
A strong base of loyal listeners grew as home stereo improved and prices came into reach of the masses. With the advent of FM car stereo, the strength of KWFM began to manifest itself: the audience could tune in during the commute, and so listening time expanded dramatically. KWFM became a station that did not just depend on 7 PM to 12 noon.
Jim Brady has the distinction of having the longest career at KWFM. In Jim's own words, "My tenure at KW ran from 1971 to 1980. I actually applied in 1969, months before they were on the air. I was a sophomore at Catalina High School. The school newspaper ran an article about this new FM station that was going to hit the airwaves and I wanted to be a part of it, even though I was only 16 at the time. Well, I didn't get the job, not right away, but...."
"I started hanging around in earnest in the summer of 1971. Mark Young would let me 'sit in' and do 'sets' in the evening hours to hone my skills. They finally hired me to do weekends later in '71."
On Sunday evening, December 3, 1972, Steve Howser was playing records. [ LISTEN ] (23:46)
Broadcast live August 3, 1979. Music Director Jim Brady interviews Mike King, Merle Harmon & Mark Usvolk. A nice example of KWFM's programming in the late 70s.
The station ran promotions with stereo (and car stereo) outlets such as Jerry's Audio, The Stereo Pad, and North Hollywood Car Stereo, offering FM radio adapters for thousands of Tucsonans' cars. It was a brilliant move that precipitated a ratings climb. In the spring of 1979, just after the KWFM 9th birthday celebration at Reed Park, KWFM became Tucson's #1 STATION.
Near the end of the seventies, FM radio grew across the country, and FM stations caught the attention of small corporations, and soon the family-owned operations disappeared.
JaffeListen to Doug Jaffe's show from Tuesday, January 6th or Wednesday, 7th 1976.
[ LISTEN ] (47:45). And Jaffe again on Thursday the 8th. [ LISTEN ] (45:19)
[ LISTEN ] (47:45). And Jaffe again on Thursday the 8th. [ LISTEN ] (45:19)
RayJim Ray on October 29, 1976. [ LISTEN ] (29:01)
Jim joined the KWFM team in 1975 and became their Program Director as well as the voice heard for numerous years during the morning drive shift.
Jim joined the KWFM team in 1975 and became their Program Director as well as the voice heard for numerous years during the morning drive shift.
In 1981 KWFM was sold by the Korngold family to Sandusky Newspapers, a well-run FM rock radio company that had demonstrated its ability to win in markets such as Phoenix (KDKB) and Denver (KBPI). TV promotional campaigns with commercials produced in L.A. became standard for the ratings sweeps, creating larger audience shares. KWFM was again propelled into the #1 ratings position.
DJ Chris Ryan with Frank Zappa on Thursday, October 8, 1981 [ LISTEN ] (10:52)
Frank is in town for a concert appearance in Centennial Hall at the University of Arizona. During a brief, but clever segment of Ryan's program, he promotes his new album "You Are What You Is".
Changes were on the horizon. In a move to enter the lucrative San Diego market, Sandusky sold KWFM in 1983 for the largest sum an Arizona station had ever garnered: $4.1 million.
Some materials used on this page were originally published by the following: Las Solanas KWFM, Chris Valentine Youtube
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