Bobby Simon Requests A Raise, Gets Canned From KZOK

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• It was 1974 and I'd been at KAYO for about three years, full time for about six months. I walked into John DiMeo's office one day and, after we exchanged pleasantries, I said, "I just came by to hit you up for a raise." I told him I thought a full-timer at such a successful station should make at least $1000 a month. I was making $950 working weeknights from bedtime until the bars closed. John picked up his phone, punched a button, and said to someone, "Give Dick Ellingson a fifty dollar raise." I thanked him, he said "You're welcome", and that was that.

• I remember Norm Gregory, I remember Bobby Simon. John Rivers?

  • I used to record tons of radio airchecks in the 70s and one of my cassettes is KZOK from 4/4/79. It's John Rivers as the main morning drive jock paired with Bob Hovanes doing the news. I just listened to it a bit ago to refresh myself and if I were to compare John Rivers delivery to anyone, he was pretty similar to John Fisher of KMTT fame. (In writing this out, it occurs to me the interesting factoid that Bob Rivers was the second "Rivers" morning DJ at KZOK, 20+ years after John Rivers.)

    • Twenty years apart, both from Chicago...
      FISHER:
      WLUP (The Loop): Fisher was a prominent figure in Chicago radio in the 1980s and early '90s, known as "The Fishman". He had successful stints at WMET, WCKG, and WLUP, where he hosted the night show from 1990 to 1992.
      KMTT (103.7 The Mountain): In 1992, Fisher relocated to Seattle and became a mainstay at KMTT, "The Mountain", according to a Chicago Radio Spotlight interview. He worked there for over two decades, holding roles as both morning and afternoon host.
      Other Seattle Stations: Following his time at KMTT, Fisher worked at Hubbard AC KRWM (Warm 106.9) for a few years and then hosted the morning show at Audacy's KSWD (94.1 The Sound) until 2022.
      KPNW: Most recently, in 2023, Fisher joined KPNW Seattle (98.9) for middays.