What a flashback! I worked Traffic at KWFM in the mid '70s. What a great
trip it was! Morning chats with Matt Siegel (who I see on TV ads for his
show in Boston - no hair!! :) great seeing photos of his old shag "do").
Afternoon discussions with Dave Gordon. Laughs with Larry Sottosanti.
Dancing to Bob Meighan. Sitting next to Tom Waits during the studio
concerts. Jerry Jeff Walker, picking up bands at the airport - OMG -
all the back stage fun we had!! Worked at Choo-Choos in college -
worked at WHFS in
Bethesda, MD in the '80's (someone here mentioned that station) - I
miss you folks - I miss those days - no commercials - just MUSIC. Radio
is not like that anymore. But I'm still dancing at the edge of the
ocean!
We were like a family - it was awesome.
Thanks for the great flashback I had tonight.

I stumbled onto this site doing a Google search. What a great find. This
brings back great memories. I was born and raised in Tucson and remember
the only radio that really existed then was AM top 20. FM was in its
infancy and had little to offer except 92.9. I remember having a KWFM
bumper sticker on my ’70 Mustang. My favorite Djs were Karen Stern
and of course Bob Cooke. Anyone remember the "Disco Dystrophy Kangaroo
Court"? Bob would select a worthy current disco record and put it on
trial. The inevitable verdict was death and he'd proceed to carry out
the sentence by smashing it to pieces. Classic and original radio. They
don't make radio like this anymore. Thanks for a great tribute.

I "Stumbled Inn" to this site while Googling for some digital Street
Pajama tracks, and I'm so glad that I did!

Even though I never worked there, KWFM played a huge role that still
impacts my life today. I moved to Tucson in 1980, got a job working for
Perlin Advertising and took part time gigs writing for NewsReal and
running the American Country Countdown show (country music's answer to
Casey Kasem) weekends at KCUB. The whole time I was at KCUB, I wanted
to be Karen Stern or Margie, playing the Dregs, Zappa, Delbert
McClinton and Graham Parker.

Eric Schecter was working at KCUB part time as an engineer, and through
him I met Bob Cooke, Bob Bish and Lauren Pace (Lauren had worked traffic
for KW and went on to own the legendary Hand Me Ups on Grant Rd). It was
Bish and Lauren who introduced me to Bob Baldwin in 1982 - must have
been the right thing because we've been married 20 years.

Bob Cooke was without a doubt the most brilliant dj I'd ever heard then
or since. Listening to his airchecks tonight had me laughing and then
tearing up all over again like it was 1982 all over again. (At the time
of his death, my boss in the copy dept. of Old Pueblo Traders was a
friend of Tanya Robinson, the woman who killed him - made work damned
awkward and I quit shortly after to write copy and produce commercials
at KAIR/K-JOY). I didn't know Bob Cooke well. I felt the loss mostly as
a fan and through people who were close to him - my Bob still
occasionally laments that he owed Cooke a dinner at Blue Willow that he
never had a chance to pay up.

I've spent about 3 hours tonight reliving good music and good times
Ninos, Dooleys, Pawnbroker; Street Pajama, Bob Meighan, Giant
Sandworms, Los Lasers....thanks for the trip back to Bob's Berzerko
Lounge and the progressive radio Camelot of Tucson's musical history. 

I landed in Tucson from the East Coast in 1980 and started working in
radio. (I'm nobody you'd ever heard of - worked mostly in production in
other formats) 

I was lucky enough to occasionally hang out with some of the K-Dub
folks: Eric Schecter, Bob Bish (who introduced me to my husband) and,
all too briefly, Bob Cooke. Listening to the sound checks, hearing his
voice after nearly 26 years - I'd nearly forgotten how freaking
brilliant he was. Hardly knew him, but his death hit me hard - it was a
big loss to the Tucson radio community as well as to him family and
friends.

Those were good time years for a while - dancing to Street Pajama, Bob
Meighan Band and Los Lasers on the too-small dance floor at Ninos,
hanging at the Stumble Inn and (the original) Gentle Ben's,  Giant
Sandworms playing at BB & LP's "wedding", the "Party on the Patio" at
Yanks... I feel so fortunate to have been part of that time and I'm
grateful that KWFM lives on, thanks to this site!

What a treat to see this.  Brought back some great memories for me.  I
was the Local Sales Manager from sometime in 1981 through 1983, when I
moved to Sacramento to work for KZAP.  Any one know where Jim Ray is? 
I know Jim Hardy is in Puerto Vallarta.  How about Lee Dombrowski or
Kimberly Craft?

Got Fogerty's live of "Almost Saturday Night."  I was at Riopelle's "In
the Round" shows at the Celebrity Theater.  Listened to Meighan but
never caught him live.  Saw Jerry Riopelle about a dozen times.  Would
really like to get a line on some Meighan material.

Anyone have any leads or know of who may sell his work???

Thanks!

I came to Tucson from northeast Missouri in the Summer of '72. I was
stationed at DM, working at the hospital. It didn't take long for me to
discover KWFM, and my radio stayed tuned to it till 1977, when I left
Tucson. 

KWFM introduced me to a universe of artists I had never heard of, and
probably wouldn't have if not for their outstanding crew and
programming.
Sometime in '76, KWFM simulcasted a concert by Tom Waits. I mention it
because I didn't see it in the history, and it was a really good show.

KWFM also introduced me to the National Lampoon Radio Hour, whose cast
included John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Michael O'Donahue, and other folks
who went on to The Not Ready For Prime Time Players.

I can tell you for sure that KWFM kept a lot of lonely serviceman far
from home company on a lot of nights, and I was one of them. Thanx for
a lot of great memories and music.

Man, what memories this site brings back. I started listening to KW when
I was about 15, in 1976. The many great times that I associate with
listening to this station all come flooding back, Choo Choos, the Gran
Faloon Salloon, and just hangin' out with my buds....and somebody
always had an FM radio so we could party while we listened. Thanks for
a fantastic site.

Wow!  This brings back some memories! I loved KWFM!  As a youngster,
rock musician and budding radio guy myself, that was the pinacle to
which I aspired.

I have a Bob Cooke story... I was a student DJ in the late 70s on
KUAT-AM (the local public radio/jazz station).

Bob called me during my shift one night to ask if I'd ever considered
doing commercial radio.  He said he thought I'd do well in the
business. 

That blew my mind! Having this pro-DJ calling to talk to me was a
thrill that I still recount decades later.  It meant a lot to me. I was
so sad when he left us...and in such a bizarre way!

I still do a bit of announcing on TV and Radio in Tucson, but one of my
buddies (also a budding student DJ at the time) is still burning up the
airwaves in Tucson...Mike Rapp.

A hearty pat on the back to all those who made my college years more
liveable by letting me tune into KWFM on my radio!

Mike Serres

This site is fantastic!  It's a great tribute to the staff, the
listeners and to the Old Pueblo. KWFM was the best and a great part of
broadcasting history.  What a time we had, growing up in Tucson and
listening to KWFM.  The station was my inspiration to go to UofA, major
in Radio/Television and become a DJ/Announcer in the 80's and 90's. 
Those days of creative FM programming are gone forever but never
forgotten.  Party On!

Mike Kraushar, AKA Pete Michaels
FORMER DJ AT KLPX & KSTM "The Storm" in Phoenix

It's great to see that so many people have signed this guestbook and
visited the KWFM page over the past 2 years.  KWFM meant a lot to many
people.  I especially like listening to all the old airchecks from
folks I knew and to remember that era in Tucson.  This is a great web
page!  Keep up the great work!

Mike Kraushaar (aka Pete Michaels)
Former DJ at KLPX, KSTM and currently at RadioFreePhoenix

One of my favorite memories was sitting on 4-Wheel Hill near Snyder &
Harrison with all my buddies and our girlfriends around the fire with
KWFM cranked up.  It was about 1978 and whenever "The Smoke Off" by
Shel Silverstein came on (it was a new record then so it came on KW a
couple times each night) we'd all shut up and listen to the lyrics with
a big grin, then roll another number and have a good ol' time!  KW was
the happenin' thang!

was norm flint, KWFM's GM in 1970, the producer of a garage band in
Monterey, CA in 1967, called The Rock Shop? I just found their only
song "Is That Your Halo?" on Fuzz, Flaykes, and Shakes Vol. 4 on a CD
produced in Germany. The Norm Flint I know was also a DJ from KMBY 1240
AM before being the producer of the Rock Shop. Great song!

Both smiles and tears seeing this site..... I met Bob Cooke at a KWFM
party in 1977 when I heard someone say "blah  blah  blah...Union, NJ."
I turned around and said "who's from Union?" There was Cooke, after we
exchanged names we found he graduated Union High with my younger
brother and I graduated with his older brother. (His DAD was the
principal of Union High during my time there). An instant bond was
formed. I hung out at the booth many night's with Bob and always felt
special when he would say  "Hi, Bob Cooke....AND FRIENDS...here at
KWFM"  Many, many very good times with him at the station as well as
off work. His death was not only a tragedy for his friends, family and
fellow workers, but a loss for Tucson and beyond.

This has been a very enjoyable trek down memory lane being some 25-30
years ago. If anyone wants to talk about old times, I'd love it.

Mike 

Remembering the 1st KWFM day, at the then Randolph Park. Also the many
good times listening to all my favs...ZZ Top, Lynard Skynard, Clapton,
Seger.
Always waiting to hear what concerts were coming to town. Back then
half the fun was waiting over night in line for tickets. I waited for
hours & hours to get Stones tickets in June of 78 for the July show.
The kids in front of me got the last 3 tickets! I went to TCC the
evening of the show, I ended up getting a ticket for $5.00. Wonderful
memories..I'm still a rock n roll girl !

This station so rocked when I lived in Tucson.  Air Brothers, Straight
Shot, Jerry Riopelle, Bob Meighan,  Dusty Chaps...dancig to this great
music at the Pawn Broker...so home grown and so great.

I bought a copy KWFM On The Air from 1980 at a garage sale. The first
track, " Tough Customers" by Central Air, has a familiar sound,a lot
like the Steve Morse band, The Dregs. With no liner notes I can't say
for sure. Got any input? Good album though.

Aside from that, we had a progressive station in Cleveland, WMMS, but
they keep changing formats. We do have The Fusion Show once a week on a
college station with Randy Allard hosting for 22 years.

Mike

I worked with a lot of these bands and was involved in a few of the
simulcasts. I did the in house mix for the Pills, worked with Central
Air [sound] until I got hired away. It's great to be able to get this
stuff back. GOOD JOB and a GOLD STAR to all involved in making this
happen. Thank You.

My uncle, Steve Howser, was a DJ at KWFM from 1970 to 1971. I have a
reel-to-reel tape of one of his broadcasts from that time, which I have
since converted to digital.  Contact me if interested in it.

Producer on the Matty in the Morning Show, Checking out the early days
of my boss, Matt Siegel! Pretty cool!

Memories, sweet memories!
Thank You All!!!!

An amazing time machine - I can not stop browsing the playlists and
remember the times...

Thanks for this!

Chill

Great site. listened to the show. No body made mention that the City of
Tucson would turn off the traffic ligths at midnight. Thats how small
this town was. The lights would flash yellow E&W an flash red N&S. 
 They did that so when yo were coming home from the Night(fright)Train
on 4TH it was just that mush less you had to Negotiate.

  You got to ask your self just what is wrong with clear channel for
dropping the old KW an going commercial?

Just listen to the reunion again, still sounds fresh. Was lucky to have
been around when this history was being made and didn't even know it.

 Dose any one else remember when the City of Tucson would flash the
lights yellow after midnight. So no stopping when coming home from the
Night Train (or Fright Train). 

 The band free style. Where are they now? Can any one comment on it? I
did Google them but so much crap comes up with it.
Thanks
Mark


Song: I can't take it more, still sound good.

Just listen to the reunion again. Still sounds fresh.

 I was lucky to have been here in the 70's when KW was hot. History was
being made and I didn't even know it then.
 Band Free Style. Where are they now? I did Google them but so much
crap comes up. Song I can't take it no more still sounds great. 

 Dose any one else remember when the City of Tucson would flash the
traffic lights yellow at midnight so coming home from the Night Train
you didn't have to stop. Or better known as the Fright Train. 

Hey Margie, I was hoping that you would known what happened to the 
freestyle band. I remember seeing them at tequila mocking bird, El Con
mall back then.  

 Just took a second look at the pictures from the 9th Anniversary at
Reid Park, what you don’t see are fat people. Now go by any high
school and look at the weight the kids have on. What happen?
 Can’t be the beer, we drank plenty of that back then plus drinking
age was 19 so you could start your drinking (legally) career earlier. 
We made plenty of runs to Jack in the Box at 10 PM (ya know why), so it
can’t be the snacking. 
I think the quality of what food we are sold is the problem. Plus
exercise, too much playing with computer games and not getting out. 
Let’s see if we can’t do better with the next generation. 

Just found out today (Oct 2018) about Margie Rye. Deepest sympathy.
Spent the rest of the day reflecting back tot he 70's & 80's.  She gave
me an Tucson and a year at KUPD Phoenix many years of good rock and roll
entertainment. Back before internet I would tape her's and KWFM radio
shows an play them back when working up in Springerville pretending it
was the radio. I just loved it when Margie would host concerts. Margie
you were an original.      

This is truly a fun site to visit, however what about going back a few
years to the real beginning of rock and roll, 1955 through the mid
60's.  Thanks everyone at the site.
Mark Gateman

Heh, Doug....when I was a young single woman I used "RYE" for some
anonymity at home....you are correct the real spelling is Wrye, but I
answer to either/both...haha  :)