Young stereo sound brightens seperated KIRO FM

Marty Loken – Seattle Times
December 1966

Music designed to brighten FM radio has been introduced to the area on KIRO FM 100.7 Mc.
Called the Young Sound, it features bright, up-tempo popular music. The music comes to the station on large tape reels from a CBS subsidiary.
CBS says the new sound is aimed at the 20 to 35 age group–”those who have outgrown rock ‘n roll.” Ron MacDonald, program director at KIRO FM, believes the format will have wider appeal.
“Our FM station will appeal to anyone who has a young, modern outlook, stylish clothing, a comfortable home.” MacDonald said.
The Young Sound is somewhat startling sound for both the FM band and KIRO FM.
“It’s chicken rock!” says an out-of-town competitor to whom the service was offered earlier.
The term refers to watered-down versions of music which first became popular as rock ‘n roll.
MacDonald puts it another way. “The unique tempo of today’s popular music has been modified and blended into a smooth ‘good music’ style.
“We don’t expect to appeal to extremely ethnic tastes.”
Typical artists will include Percy Faith, the Hollyridge strings, Nancy Sinatra, and the more subdued recordings from Chad and Jeremy, the Mamas and Papas–maybe even the Beatles–in stereo.
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The Young Sound Revisited

Tony Hatch, English composer, arranger and conductor, wrote a tune called “Music”. The CBS syndicated Young Sound used it every hour to fill to the top of the hour. Petula Clark recorded a vocal version. Tony produced many artists, including Petula Clark and Benny Hill. Here is Tony’s recording of “Music”.

Mr. Music Man
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Listeners hit loss of programs.
KIRO’s separation of AM and FM was prompted by an FCC requirement to cease full duplication.
KIRO jumped in strong. The FM is completely separate and operates its Young Sound from 6 AM to midnight.
Meanwhile, the station is hearing from listeners who object to losing a favorite program. Despite its continuation on AM.
The late-night talk program, Partyline, had fans objecting even though only a small portion of the show was carried on FM.
Others have objected to being unable to find Jim French in the morning.
But the most vocal are likely to be the opera buffs. A listener who contacted Texaco, longtime program sponsor, says the firm was receptive to her complaint that the Saturday Metropolitan Opera broadcasts would be missed from FM. The gasoline company indicated it would be willing to negotiate sponsorship on FM.
The station, however, is ready to close the door to sharing its AM programs.
“There is an incompatibility in programming taste between these programs and our new sound. Plans do not call for any revisions at this time,” a company spokesman said.