Back in the sixties, kids and young at heart adults loved KJR radio. Only a few aspiring teens of the era were able to live the dream and end up on-air at legendary Channel 95. Gary Shannon is one of those exceptions. He faithfully listened to KJR in his youth and, by the end of the sixties, he was a KJR deejay. (Read more about Gary here.)
Gary Shannon was a connoisseur of Channel 95. The first time I met him, back in ’66 when he was at KPUG in Bellingham, Gary talked about his admiration for the KJR air staff — especially so Larry Lujack. Gary considers himself to be part of the “second generation” of KJR jocks. In his view, the Golden Years at KJR were in the mid-sixties. That fantasy line up of deejays consisted of Lan Roberts, Dick Curtis, Tom Larson, Pat O’Day, Larry Lujack, Tom Murphy, Jerry Kay, Big Jim Martin and newsmen Charles C. Bolland and Les Parsons. Those classic image liners, by Pat O’Day’s buddy Joe Long from Dallas, are well-represented here. Future “Superjock,” Larry Lujack, said that mid-sixties KJR was “the best rock ‘n’ roll radio station that has ever existed.” A radio station’s popularity is ultimately determined by whether or not listeners are attracted to the programming. At that time, KJR jocks dominated the ratings with a 30% audience share. Here’s a page from a 1965 issue of Billboard Magazine.
We all know that memories are funny things — they vary among individuals. The Golden Years at KJR are often defined as 1965 & ’66. But, to many fans, those Golden Years extended into the late ’60s or the early 1970s. This composite aircheck/video montage is based on Gary Shannon’s memories and what he personally considers to be KJR’s Golden Years. The audio cuts date from the years 1965 – 1967. These photos and the recorded sound files, being more than 50-years old, are not in pristine condition. However, as Charles C. Bolland would say: “That’s the way the ball bounces!” Go ahead and click on the play button below to go back in time.
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View Comments
September 7, 2020 at QZVX
Bob Gonyea says:
What was the name of the young lady who drove around Seattle stopping cars to give away items and ask for song requests in the middle to late sixty’s? Maybe Suzy something…
March 1, 2025 at QZVX
Brian Schenk says:
Her name was Cheri Ness. I went to school with her from kindergarten to high school graduation at Mount Rainier in Des Moines in 1975. We still visit each other.
September 8, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
Sunshine Sherry per Steve West, former KJR PD via Gary Shannon
November 21, 2020 at QZVX
Deborah Parsons Stoddard says:
Loved hearing my dad’s voice. LES PARSONS …RIP!❤
November 21, 2020 at QZVX
Steven L. Smith says:
Deborah….We are glad that you enjoyed the montage of sounds from KJR. Your dad was one of the great ones!
Lan Roberts
June 13, 2025 at QZVX
Mick Piper says:
Curious, do you have any, or do you know where any can be accessed, MP3s of Lan Roberts? I just listened to a YouTube compilation that is part of this post, and would love to have the recording to add to my library on my iPod. Cheers!
Lan links
June 13, 2025 at QZVX
Jason Remington says:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM4ASGbG-ZI
http://lanroberts.com
Fog eaters
July 14, 2025 at QZVX
Cliff Garrison says:
When the weather was foggy; we heard the sounds of chomping and slurping , along with the sounds of swallowing and, someone saying, “Mmmhh, need more fog.”
We, also, heard the adventures of Bat Guano and Squirrel.