Categories: HistoryQZVX

Al Lohman, Gary Owens & Pat Boone – spared from the KFI dumpster, 1988

When I worked as an engineer for KFI/KOST & KACE in Los Angeles during the late ‘90s, we had a new General Manager whose first edict was for the staff to clean out a storage room that was shared by all the departments. As stuff was headed for the dumpster, I noticed a box of tapes labeled “Al Lohman and Gary Owens.” I knew it was up to me to somehow prevent this piece of radio history from becoming toxic waste. The box looked kind of heavy, and I didn’t want to spill my (soft) drink, but I did manage to reach out and grab a single reel of tape…and I could hardly wait to hear it!

Sure enough, it contained segments of KFI’s Al Lohman & Gary Owens morning show from 1988, with a Pat Boone interview at the end. Now, thanks to QZVX and the internet, you can share my excitement (and decide if the heroics were warranted).

Runtime: 31:38

Sam Lawson

Student engineer at pioneer Nathan Hale radio station KNH 1210 in 1970 (prior to KNHC). Also attended North Seattle Community College and L.H. Bates in Tacoma (KTOY-FM). Sam’s career began as a KJR request line operator in 1970, with his first on-air job at KRKO in 1972. In 1976 he segued to overnights at KTAC as Cory Landon, then weekends at KING. In 1978 he moved to Lewiston, Idaho for afternoons on KOZE and KRLC. Throughout the ‘80s he was an announcer and/or engineer at "the best mix and biggest variety" of Spokane radio stations; including 97KREM, KZUN, KGA, KKER (The Sam & Pam Show), KZZU, PD of KJRB, 98 KISS-FM, and the voice of KAYU-TV. In 1989 he moved to Los Angeles as Assistant Chief Engineer and weekends at KZLA/KLAC. Also engineered for KBIG, KFI, Premiere Radio Networks, CBS Radio, and others. "After avoiding any actual work for nearly 45 years, now happily retired and very appreciatively back in the great Pacific Northwest!" ---Click here for other Sam Lawson articles ---and here for Sam Lawson airchecks

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July 16, 2023 at QZVX

Jason Remington says:

With my schedule, I am only able to catch bits and pieces of radio stations. I listen to Tim Conway Jr on KFI (ding dong) more often than anything on KIRO FM… I must admit.
https://shorturl.at/fvK26

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Thanks for saving this treasure!

September 3, 2025 at QZVX

Christine Lehman says:

OMG, Sam, just came across this and had to thank you! I too worked at KFI in the late 80s/early 90s (weekend/evening call screener – Joe Crummey, Dr. Laura, Jane Norris, and even a little for Handel on the Law back when he did it live!) and was surprised at how much history was there, seemingly just kind of ignored. So glad you were able to rescue this gem!

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