Gary Lockwood – 62 KGW (1973)

By the late 1970s, KGW stood out as one of the final thriving Top 40 outlets still operating on the AM band nationwide. This era marked a major shift, as audiences increasingly gravitated toward FM for music listening, leaving AM formats struggling to retain younger listeners.During the late 1950s, KEX had carved out a strong presence with contemporary hit music. The station’s most iconic feature was its enduring morning program hosted by Barney Keep, a beloved Portland personality who commanded the airwaves from 1944 all the way through 1979—spanning an impressive 35 years. Another longtime fixture at KEX was Bob Swanson, who hosted a popular midday talk and music show starting in 1966 and continuing until his retirement in 1996, making him a fixture for three decades.In the 1950s, the dominant force in Portland radio was KISN on 910 AM, which reigned as the market’s top station during that period. Come the 1960s, however, KGW surged ahead to become one of the city’s premier outlets. It embraced a high-energy Top 40 format, branding itself as “Super 62 KGW” and delivering the biggest hits of the day. Competing in the same Top 40 space was KYMN, broadcasting on 1520 AM, which also attracted fans with its hit-driven programming.

Gary Lockwood 62KGW/Portland (30:44)