50 Years Ago this Month - Timing Everything for Real Don Steele

Radio in the West would never have been the same without fast-talkin’, slow-walkin’ “Real” Don Steele (1936-1997).

Beginning with KBUC/Corona in 1960, the California pioneering DJ tested a half-dozen markets from California to Washington, before heading back to his native Hollywood.

Steele’s fortuitous timing teamed him up with popular KHJ/Los Angeles a few weeks before debuting its “ultra hip” Top 40 Boss Radio format, May 3, 1965. It set the standard popular music format for nearly a decade. Yep, timing is everything … (more)

“Gotta get some-a that grooo-vy kinda love*!” stands out in the often unintelligible twenty+ minutes of a quick-chatter, tongue-twisting Real Don Steele aircheck on ReelRadio. Worth a listen for the moments and memories of a classic Rock jock. (*The Mindbenders, “A Groovy Kind of Love.”)

KHJ’s 1966 one year birthday bash clip is a spectacular sampling of Steele’s energetic platter-playing style. His fast-paced patter slowed a tad for Kaopectate and Yardley Slickers ads, but not for much else.

Don Steele (a.k.a. Donald Steele Revert) spent the best part of Rock Radio at KHJ. He remained in his beloved SoCal throughout most of his career, skating through short stints at KIQQ, KTNQ, KRLA AND KODJ/KCBS-FM, and grabbing a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1995), before retiring from KRTH in 1997.

Featured Radio Survey(s): For your enjoyment, a couple of Real Don Steele Rockin’ radio surveys from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Enjoy the moment … again!

Blast from Your Past Gifts

Blast from Your Past on Facebook

Share on Twitter: @BlastFromPastBk