Image Via Professor Poster
There have been many stations that have been called KSAN, this article will cover the one that on May 21, 1968, changed its call letters from KSFR to KSAN and the format switched to album-oriented rock music.
This change came about due to an event at another station, KMPX. On March 18, 1968 KMPX program director Tom Donahue turned in his resignation after a series of conflicts with the management at the station. This led to a strike by most of the KMPX staff that were loyal to Tom.
The owners of KSAN at the time were Metromedia and they recognized an opportunity quickly. Metromedia switched the format of KSAN from classical music to freeform rock, and hired Donahue and most of the his Ex-KMPX staffers, who then started at the station on May 21.
With this change, KSAN became a groundbreaking and historic rock station. Metromedia also changed the format of their Los Angeles station, KMET to the new format and continued their success in L.A.
KSAN’s rock format ended on November 15, 1980, when the station switched to a country music format.
KSAN
211 Sutter St
San Francisco CA 94108
Is there any way to access the archives from the 68 through the 70s ?
From late 60’s into the 70’s was my favorite FM Station…It was a little underground little campy very Hip with the best DJ’s- Dusty Street & Travis T Hip to name a few…The Hippie Tribe Station… I remember when it went Country- I couldn’t believe it.. Later I listen to Koom Radio- San Jose…
Could that be “KOME in San Jose” just a stoned throw south of San Francisco?
Big Daddy, New Riders of the Purple Stage ( pre demise of Pig, ) Stoneground, City Lights Books, the Chateau, 1968/69 Beaulieu Vineyards Cabernet. A lot of good things come & gone. Friends & lovers. Pointless to dwell too heavily, though – better to take Satchel Paige’s advice.
The whole 24 hours of “WHAT was THAT? or “Suddenly Lost Summer” the KSAN special is an incredible journey though radio’s history in the bay area. It’s absolutely mindblowing! Here’s the link: (you have to scroll down to the bottom for the first of the 23 parts) https://clyp.it/user/x3fjl05j
I listened in the glory days of the 70s. Teri Hemmert (“Rampant Beatlemania”) played “If I had a rocket launcher” Bruce Cockburn, banned on most radio stations for the last verse: “If I had a rocket launcher, some sonuvabitch would die!” She played it every day during the news coverage of Guatemala’s “dirty war”
Frank E. Lee & the Lee-ettes: Motown, funk, soul
Johnny Mars
Howard Hessman (Johnny Fever on WKRP in Cinncinnati) djed there to prep for his role on TV
Budweiser recorded concerts: My first exposure to Lyle Lovett & his Large Band.
Ah, what memories!!