Rock Radio 50 Years Ago ~ AUGUST 1974

It’s a Beachin’ Summer of ‘74 at BFYP!   

Oh, do I have a mid-summer’s dream article for you! Grab a brew or your other fave libation, kick back, and enjoy the read. It’s gonna be a long but most excellent adventure! 

With three fun Rock Radio music charts vying for the coveted Featured Radio Survey spot, we shan’t be lacking for a cool mountain of memories to help stave off our summer sweat. One of those charts grabbed the spotlight for this gal’s hometown San Diego connection. Oh yeah, it’s gonna be fun. Let’s get Rockin’ 50 Years Ago this Month … 

AUGUST 1974 Radio News & Muse ♪ 

Back then, and to a large degree even now, long hair on guys equates to a rebel … but today there are many more varying degrees of rebelliousness and its intent. In music of any era though, rebel is good! And when it came to playing the maverick music for listeners of the 1970s’ Rebel Rock Radio, our own BFYP DJ Shotgun Tom Kelly had the hair—and the ATTitude—for it! 

Though it pains me to admit I don’t have BFYP Book 3—Psychedelic Seventies—finished yet, Shotgun, who I interviewed for inclusion, was a vibrant part of San Diego’s AUGUST 1974 music radio scene, of which KCBQ played a vital role. Scroll down for a BIG surprise that will tune you in to his 1970s life behind the mic & more! In the meantime, check out the flowing mane on this guy ...  

And I have a not-so-secret source of rebel gossip from back in the day … our DJ Extraordinaire, Bill Gardner, featured in July’s BFYP article continues his story of the Bill-and-Shotgun’s most excellent adventure to NYC for Bill’s Billboard Award.

“We hit not only New York,” Bill revealed, “but several East Coast cities that trip, including my hometown, Philly. Shotgun actually 'shared a doobie' with my FATHER in their staid suburban home! 

“Andre [Bill’s younger bro also in radio—see below!] and I will never forget it, and always laugh about it to this day. We also visited Washington DC. Shotgun brought his video camera and was recording many things, among them of course, the White House and when security approached us, they told him he wasn't allowed to record the White House on videotape [the only means of recording back in the day] and asked us to leave 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue! I think it's because we both had long hair back then.” Hmmmm, like I said—rebels. 

Bill spilled more beans, “We also visited Toronto and when I asked him to PLEASE pack my extra six bottles of Labatt's Blue beer in his suitcase for our return flight over the border, to head back to San Diego, he was very nervous. But I'd run out of room! I reassured him everything would be fine ... don't worry! When we got back, several of the bottles had broken in his suitcase via the airline's rugged luggage compartment, and all his clothes were soaked in it and smelled like BEER!”

Like that was a problem in 1970s San Diego? LOL Yup, August 1974 was a hairy time for San Diego’s favorite DJ! Bill snapped this photo as Shotgun slumbered at a NYC friend’s place. 

More fun with Shotgun below, On Your Tinny Transistor Radio … 

August 10^th: The era of glam rock and all things to excess, was a perfect backdrop for the hot, steamy, Summer August Jam at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Dubbed “Carolina’s Woodstock,” it drew more than double the expected attendance, weighing in at 200-300,000 music lovers jammin’ over the weekend. Like Woodstock, the organizers weren’t prepared for unruly patrons and weather, which eerily imitated Woodstock’s muddy quagmire. Hearty entertainers included The Allman Brothers, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and The Marshall Tucker Band. A fitting five-year anniversary tribute to Woodstock; and of course, it was sponsored by local radio powerhouse stations of 1974, WAYS and WROQ. 

August 16^th: Arguably credited with starting the punk rock era, it was today, The Ramones debuted their unique style and resonance—a simple but effective three-chord sound—at the infamous CBGB’s in New York City. They had so much fun, they continued concerts with rare breaks for twenty-two years. Sadly, all four original members jammed up to music heaven in early-to-mid 2000s. You may know “The Blitzkrieg Bop!” their first single release, February 1976. 

August 23^rd: Was John Lennon your fave Beatle? Then you likely know that on this date in 1974, he and then-girlfriend, May Pang (while on a Yoko break), in all their all-togethers, saw a UFO over the New York City skyline. Kinda makes ya wonder what “mothers’ little helper” they were enjoying at the time. Seriously though, they were serious. So much so, that Lennon started a song that Yoko finished for posthumous release in 1984, “Nobody Told Me.” Apparently around 400 sightings were recorded from other New Yorkers that night, in various stages of attire. ♪ … Everybody’s smoking and no one’s getting high | Everybody’s flying and never touch the sky | There’s a UFO over New York and I ain’t too surprised … ♪   

On Your Tinny Transistor Radio ♪  

Where were you sweating up a storm and listening to cool radio stations in August 1974? We go West this month for an odd line-up of decidedly not Top 40 Tunes. Making our way from the hot red dirt of Pueblo, Colorado, we head to heat-stricken Bakersfield, California, before hitting the cool waves of San Diego. Here’s a sample of what and who we were listening to …  

These radio stations marched to their own drumbeat in their list of popular tunes, with KAFY and KCBQ giving us their Top 26, and KDZA stretching the musical spectrum with a belligerent list of Top Forty-Two. Perhaps the Summer sun got to them as all three of these cities in the West were a little slower in picking up on new August top tunes. Their surveys, at least for their Top Ten, mimic our JULY’S WOKY/Milwaukee Top 30. The East is always a bit pushy.  

So, having explored much of August's Top Ten in July, our August Monthly Song of Note and Quirky Band Name contenders are taken from the surveys’ bottom of notable songs, as they begin scrambling up the ladder. 

Were you hanging out in the Rocky Mountain city of Pueblo, Colorado, 50 Years Ago? Strolling through the Steel City’s streets and visiting its many historic museums, you flipped the dial on your tinny transistor radio to KDZA. Wolfman Jack’s* tribute tune, “Clap for the Wolfman” by the Guess Who, jumped up 7 rungs to #10 on their “Pueblo’s Rock 1230” survey #317 for 08/09-08/15/1974. No wonder they aired his syndicated show to stir up their listeners on Saturday nights. What was #1? Going into its third week, Paper Lace’s “The Night Chicago Died.” *The BFYP series is dedicated to Wolfman Jack. Check out his early years, here.

Let’s head over to the left coast where DJ Chris Conner graces the cover of KAFY/Bakersfield; a small market station that had an historic effect on the DJs who began careers there. Some, however, like Chris, made Bakersfield home early in his radio days, and never left. He became the “voice of Bakersfield radio” for decades. Chris passed away at 70 in 2017, while still sharing the hits as a beloved DJ since 1977 at Bakersfield’s KUZZ (originally KAFY). News Director, Mark Howell, remembered Chris as “an old school, high energy radio personality on air and a great guy off mic” … Chris brought you the hits at KAFY when Paul Anka’s “(You’re) Having My Baby” was in its second week at #1; Anka hadn’t had a chart-topper since “Lonely Boy” (1959). 

So we hit the sand in San Diego next, and what a Summer treat! Who remembers the ubiquitous italic typeface of the IBM Selectric typewriter? It’s instantly recognizable in KCBQ’s list of Top 26 hits. Oh—and another now-famous DJ face on the “Q Hits” survey?—San Diego’s very hairy Shotgun Tom Kelly! 

Shotgun Tom just couldn't get enough of San Diego. With most of his career at one San Diego radio station or other, he’s been our “resident DJ” for most of the past fifty years. Radio was a mere steppingstone to a myriad of fantastic achievements in Radio and TV that led Tom to a prestigious star on the celebrated Hollywood Walk of Fame (2013). Corner of Hollywood & LaBrea if you’d like to see it.  Have a quick read with Shotgun’s excerpt from BFYP Book 2: The Swinging Sixties! And “Shotz” just released his own book of memoirs! Pick up a copy of his NEW book, All I Wanna Do Is Play the Hits! Enjoy the memories with him!

Like KDZA, “The Night Chicago Died” was still hanging around at #1 for KCBQ listeners, “Compiled by ‘Q’ – Based on YOU!” Beginning to slip behind the waves, “Sundown” was down from #6 to #10.

If you’re in a hurry to find out which radio station made the Featured Radio Survey page, scroll down … or ... you’ll have more fun if you just keep reading ‘til ya get there. 

Monthly Song of Note ♪ 
I found it! Another Summer song we can cruise the main with and like last month’s “Wild Thing” it’s great for warbling off-key at the top of our lungs. “Beach Baby” by British band The First Class, entered KDZA/Pueblo, Colorado’s “Top 42” at #39 this month. Though it never passed the top twenty with Pueblo fans, it crawled slowly up to the Top Ten lists in California for San Diegans by late September and Bakersfield listeners by mid-October.  

The bouncy bubble-gum tune written by The First Class organizer, John Carter and wife, Gillian (Jill) Shakespeare, was this band’s sole solid hit—however, Carter (born John Nicholas Shakespeare) is a prolific and multi-faceted creator of many musical works and tuneful entities. One of his many outlets, The First Class was an odd little band that used “front men” and session players for their recorded music, but a mishmash of other musicians to tour as The First Class. Alrighty.  

Though sketchy in some radio markets, like KDZA, “Beach Baby” nearly didn’t get heard at all. At the time of its production, the UK was suffering an energy crisis and frowned upon using electricity for anything other than basic human necessities. To do so could have resulted in a fine or worse. But Carter was convinced “Beach Baby” was a hit and persuaded top-notch record producer, Jonathan King, to hear a master demo tape. As Wiki quotes Kasey Casem’s American Top 40, “He [King] invited the artist to come in, and, in a room lit only by candles, keeping the volume turned way down, he listened to that tape, and he knew he'd bought a hit song.” ♪ … Beach baby, beach baby, give me your hand | Give me somethin' that I can remember | Just like before, we can walk by the shore in the moonlight … ♪   

Quirky Band Name Award ♪  

A growing presence since 1964, Kool & the Gang from Jersey City, New Jersey, didn’t really catch on until 1973 w/”Jungle Boogie” & “Hollywood Swinging,” the latter hitting California stations’ charts at #19 KCBQ, and #26 for KAFY in August 1974. We’re not privy to know what group name(s) the ten-man team began with, but by 1969 the versatile band, led by brothers, Robert "Kool" Bell and Ronald Bell aka "Khalis Bayyan," had become Kool & the Gang. Their ample musical repertoire includes jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, disco, rock, and pop music. Even with some tough member losses, the groovy band is still performing and in April this year (2024) became inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.*  

Who else caught our eye on the August 1974 surveys to vie for Quirky Band Name Award? 

Do you have time to remember the good Tymes? While the Tymes is memorable for several chart-toppers in their long career in Philadelphia (since 1956 as the Latineers—the only hint of a name history), “You Little Trustmaker” wasn’t one of them. It did, however, catch the bottom rung of KDZA/Pueblo, Colorado, at #36. It also gave them recognition for their better known, “Ms Grace” that came along the following year. It was the group’s earlier top tune, though, “So Much in Love” (1963) that garnered a spot in the 2001 Songs of the Century list (#215 of 365). And by 2005, Tymes was invited into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

And a drum roll, please … which of these admiral bands grabbed the Quirky Band Name Award? It was a tough call, but for pure versatility and still-current popularity, I chose Kool & the Gang. *Interestingly, their wildly popular tune, “Celebration” (1980) came in at #214 of the 2001 Songs of the Century list.

AUGUST 2024 Music Events & More ♪    

BIG Blast from your Past DJ NEWS! 
Our DJ Extraordinaire, Bill Gardner, blasted the news on his website recently that he’s retiring from flying—his enjoyable “side job” to radio. Flying not only provided transportation as he flitted from station to station, spreading his golden voice across the country over five decades, but created an off-air “professional” job in-between the love-of-his-life radio gigs. While it was always a second love throughout his esteemed radio career, flying less will give him more time to devote to Rock Radio Memories on his site. He updates it every week … go now and enjoy! 

Another “grounding” love in life for Bill, is family. He also announced the recent prestigious award presented to his “little brother,” also with a big radio presence. “Congratulations to my amazing talented brother Andre Gardner!  The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia just named Andre a 2024 Hall of Fame Honoree!” Andre has graced the airwaves of Philadelphia at WMGK-FM for 22 years of his 47 in radio! And he says he owes it all to his Big Bro, Bill. Awesome. 

CONGRATS to you both for long and distinguished careers. You can read about Bill’s early radio life in BFYP Book 2 (The Swinging Sixties), available on Amazon. And I swear, Andre, yours and brother Al Gardner’s, true tales behind the mic, are coming up (sigh, eventually) in Book 3, Psychedelic Seventies. While life has gotten in the way of my career-love, writing, after an interminable hiatus I am back working on Book 3.  

August 9^th – 17^th: Like every year at this time, Graceland—the palatial grounds of Elvis Presley’s home—is celebrating Elvis Week! Not only can you visit and enjoy everything Elvis, but there’s a special opportunity for virtual access to the festivities. Through the miracle of technology, online participants can have online front row seats without even being there! Schedule & pricing. Check out Elvis: Return to Vegas Show on August 16^th, featuring Elvis on the big screen accompanied by a live band … so cool. 

August 17th: We're Rockin' on for Baby Boomers' Recognition Day! Well darn, there is no longer a viable sponsor link for this auspicious day—but you know too, our Sis site, 39 and Holding Club celebrates Boomers every month! We’re more than happy to share even more recognition for those who remember the “Good ol’ Days,” to spice up the dog days of Summer! You may recall this special day used to be celebrated in June, but now jams and jiggles in August for more celebration with Woodstock Festival memories (August 15-18, 1969)! I hesitate to assume, but it’s likely not ALL Baby Boomers loved Rock & Roll—just the zaniest, hippest, and most fun ones! LOL  

BFYP Featured Radio Survey ♪♪  
AUGUST 16, 1974 ~ KCBQ/San Diego, California, where the surf’s up and long hair is “in” no matter what decade or music is making waves. In August 1974 Shotgun Tom Kelly ruled the airwaves on KCBQ, playing all the hot tunes of Summer listed in the “Q Hits.” We were feelin’ salacious and steamy with Roberta Flack’s “Feel Like Makin’ Love” (#5) and “Tell Me Something Good” (Rufus) at #7. Clear time in your day to check out … 50 Years Ago this Month in Rock & Roll Radio! Where were you that groovy day when your radio played … 

Let’s Celebrate AUGUST 1974 ~ And … Rock On!  

BFYP Book 1 (1954-1959) on Amazon         
BFYP Book 2 (Swinging ‘60s) on Amazon 
Blast from Your Past Gifts 
Share your Golden Oldies R&R fun on “X”/Twitter: @BlastFromPastBk 

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LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and author by way of Rock & Roll. Two books (of three planned) are published in her Blast from Your Past^TM series, available on Amazon: Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959^TM (eBook only; coming soon in updated print edition) and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties^TM (eBook & print). Coming soon-ish … Book 3 – The Psychedelic Seventies!^TM 

Note: FYI – All links in the BFYP site are personally visited, verified, and vetted. Most are linked to commonly accessed sites of reputable note. Occasionally, since I often feature real people and/or singular sources there may be an unsecured link. As with everything cyber-security, use at your own discretion and risk. This site is wholly owned by LinDee Rochelle & sponsored by PenchantForPenning.com^TM. No compensation is received for any mentions of businesses, products, or other commercial interests. *All holiday and special event days are found at Brownielocks.com’s calendar site. Enjoy! 

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