I listened to KWFM from the time I was 12 years old (1973).   The
station opened my mind to so many types of music.  It wasn't just rock
being played, but a free, open format.  Bruce Springsteen's version of
"Fever" was a song often played and the one that sticks in my mind as
being an example of the quality of music airing at that time.

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

CHeif Engineer of KWFM (KCEE, and later KRQQ and KNST) until 1985 just
before the sale to SFX which became CLear Channel.  Great times and
places.  I worked for Behan, American Media and Prism.

WOW, what a cool find. I was a loyal listener from 72 to 79 when I moved
away. I still got that old bummper sticker on my tool box.

In 79 the station was giving away 3 albums if you were the 9th caller,
got the bumper sticker with the albums.

I to was checking the web for following groups: Street Pajama, Chuck
Wagon and the Wheels, Saddle City Band, & The Frank and Woody Show.
Anyone know if you can get their CD's if there are any?

I remember sitting in my parent's house late at night watching channel 9
with my Walkman tuned to 92.1.  Rock 'n Roll picture show was awesome!

If one radio station ever existed that pushed musical boundaries KWFM
was the ticket to every type of genre. Bob Bish kicked and so did Doug
Jaffe with whom I lived in 1974 at Euclid Terrace Apartments, went to
UofA until 1980, now married with 3 children, my long association with
"electronic" music and those concerts at the Night Train on 4th Avenue,
saw Randy Hansen, The Dregs, Asleep at the Wheel... is owed to the staff
at this remarkable station.
Great I found this website....

There were 2 great radio stations in my life during my slightly extended
time at the UA ('77 to late '81), KWFM and WXRT in Chicago (KWFM was the
better of the two.)  It's a shame what's happened since.  Kdub is gone
and XRT is a shell of its' former self (it's now owned by CBS Radio,
need I say more.)  The photos and Tune In To The Past bring back a lot
of great memories.  Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this
site.      

I lived in Tucson from '72-'80 and have fond memories of KWFM. It was a
great part of the music scene in those days, truly a great station. Of
course Janie was my favorite DJ!! Thanks for this site, it's great to
see so many people supporting it! 

I arrived in Tucson in 1980...never got a chance to work on this
frequency when it was that format...I loved the station and, when it
was on the air, listened to it more than those I was working at.

(Street Pajama)
I need a copy of "I'd Rather Smoke Butts Than Kiss Them"!!!...

Bill Cashman (producer of the ON THE AIR) album told me about this site
and I'm sure glad... it's disturbing how much I'd forgotten, but this
site refreshes the memory! The names, images, playlists... the whole
era was a hoot and a half! How cool it was that one station would play
Alice Cooper and Pure Prairie League then John Couger and then Charlie
Daniels in the same hour..... that does'nt happen much anymore..... and
bless everyone at KWFM for the way they supported the local
musicians...... and to all who experienced the CHOO CHOO's, STUMBLE INN
era, isn't it nice to still be alive!!! 

new e-mail and website ....stop by sometime

Hey, awesome site.  I was too young to be able to enjoy this station,
but I wish to God I had been there!!  I wondered if anyone knew where
to find a copy of Bob Meighan's albums, or anything by Rock Doctor?  If
anyone knows, let me know at: kurt@cfa.arizona.edu
Thanks again,
Kurt

Lived (and just 're-lived') through a lot of this history and memories.
I was girlfriend/wife (now 'ex') of DJ David Slavin (mid 70s). Listened
in many nights (he worked midnight - 6 am slot). Like so many have said
before, thanks for the memories! Interesting to see old articles and
photos, my how we have all changed!!! 

After a few years out of the business and some 24 years after being on
the air at KWFM. it's nice to see a legend being remembered.

I can't believe I have stumbled upon a website that brings me so close
to an incredibly important and never to be forgotten part of my
history.  I have been looking for ways of staying in contact with so
many of the site's contributers.  Thanks to those of you who have
posted information and thanks for never letting go of the work and
memory of my late husband Bob Cooke.

I remember sometime in 1974 a friend's older brother told us that KWFM
was THE station to listen to, so we did.  I never stopped until I left
Tucson in 1980, but it was one of the things that got me through high
school.  I recall a hilarious pre-concert interview sometime in there
with Frank Zappa (1978?) -- anyway to hear that again?  The station was
better than buying records.

Precious stuff... Thanks mucho mon ami. Tap tap tap, is this thing on?
Sliding vinyl records back and forth to cue the next track... and
playing In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida to hit the head. Free Bird also, such
frivolity and festivity in the classic "not on this frequency - no
disco" '80's style. 867-5309, you got it! Remember that number. And who
can forget the "legendary" band Toto.  And Flock of Seagulls
 The Styx laser light show! That Frank Zappa interview was leading edge
for Tucson radio during that era. The first televised in Tucson on a
local channel music video program was brought to you by KWFM.  You see
those "I Love the '80's" shows on cable and what comes to mind? KWFM! I
lived in Seattle at the time and after a weekend visit while driving
back to the northwest would listen the excellent Sunday night jazz show
hosted by my brother Chris Ryan till the signal would fade out somewhere
near Phoenix.  Nice mix, a jazz show on a hard rock station; very all
inclusive and rare in the rock radio genre.  I was so proud of my
brother at that early stage of his radio career, and of course still am
a fan of his continued accomplishments.  After Chris cracked into the
west coast radio scene in San Diego after leaving KW, a lofty
accomplishment to be sure, did you KWFM nostalgia buffs know he played
the music as stadium DJ at the San Diego Charger games in the '90's?
Great website, keep up the good work.  Brilliant!

I just happened upon alot of familiar names looking at your web site. We
lived in Tucson from 1972-1984.  I managed Creations on 4th ave. from
around 1973-1979 and Larry Sotosanti was my ad salesman. I knew Bob
Cooke, John Shook and alot of other people at KWFM.  What struck me
while reading some of the entries was the entry from Laura (Lau) Cooke.
That time was something that will never be erased from mine and my
husband Mike's memeory.  Thanks for the memories.

I just wanted to let everyone know my dad Alvin just pasted away October
21, 2006.  He was very proud of KWFM and it always was a big part of his
life.

Susan 

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 

In 1975 Tim Buckley gave one of his last performances at an old roller
rink near 22nd and Kolb (?) which eventually became a furniture store
and who knows what it is now. It was the one concert of the many I had
seen over the years that I still feel priveleged to have witnessed. It
was also the most bizarre because the roller rink remained open while
Tim played. Teeny boppers scrambling all over the place while Tim and
his group performed on a platform with just barely enough room for them
to stand on and with no room to move. It was "bye bye baby" that night
for the 100 or so fans that turned out to see Tim for what would be the
last time.
What I want to know is this- did KWFM have anything to do with bringing
Tim to that show and does anyone remember the show? Email me if you
like.

By the by...I was working as a CSI with TPD the night BC was slain. I
missed getting the call to the scene by a whisker. I'm glad I didn't
make that one. I want to remember him the only way I knew of him...by
his voice. Bob Cooke, in my mind, is still one of the best to host a
show. He was more than just a voice. He had a wit and personality that
most performers only wished they had. Like most young people in Tucson
during the 70s and 80s I only listened to KWFM. The call letters still
roll around in my fleeting mind as if I was still there. In my 52 years
I can't say that about too many radio stations. Living in Tucson in the
70s and 80s it was only K Dub and KUAT's AM jazz station (which was on
from dawn till dusk) for me.

Aside from BC KWFM had some great voices coming over the waves. Allan
Browning's voice was made for radio as was Dave LaRussa's. Anyway,
thanks KWFM for making this web site so an old fart like myself can
relive his golden years. I now feel I can go another 52. Remember,
"Happiness is submission to Vinnie"

Wendy Korngold was a member of my age group swim team in the 70's. On
occasion, she'd show up for practice and say "Coach, do you want a
couple of tickets to the Rolling Stones concert?" 

Wendy, I still owe ya!!! Your family's radio station was one of the
best 'back in the day.' 

The spirit lives on with KPIG in San Fracisco...there are still a few
of 'em out there. 

How fun! KWFM was MY station! How I loved listening to Bob Cooke on
Saturdays - he had the silliest sense of humor! I recall one year when
Mikey King (of Street Pajama) sent Bob a Christmas card to "the second
funniest person in Tucson". Ah, the good ol' days!

KWFM. One of the true original community based radio stations. Real
People, Good music, support of talent and local involvement in the arts
and music scene. A lot of stations now claim to be "Community radio"
when all they are is just a soap box for a political agenda. They need
to take a look at one of the great true community radio stations, KWFM.


I miss KWFM dearly. Times change and when they do some of the best
parts of life become a cherished memory.

I remember with great fondness KWFM.  There has NEVER been a rock radio
station anywhere I have travelled that has rivaled the variety and
quality of KWFM.  I sure wish the DJ's were still on the air now,
spinning tunes just like they did back in the '70's. What a blast that
would be!

THIS IS GREAT!!!

I worked 7p-12m at KWFM from 83 to 85 for Jim Ray. I was there on the
day the music died and they changed format to soft rock. Shortly after
I went to KOMP in Las Vegas to work for Charlie Morris. Those were the
best days of my 25 year radio career. Still have the old KWFM Silk
Jacket!

Thanks for putting this together! Great Memories.

Scott Richards

This is an awesome site and great resource to the community.  Thanks for
all your effort!

My father Mr. Korngold was the founder and owner of KWFM. He started
from the ground up. It was actually named after me when I was a little
girl living in Tucson. My father has recently died, and I came upon
this website, I just want everyone to know, that his entire life he
never stopped talking about KWFM, and we, his children have the
greatest memories of all the station provided us as young kids growing
up....This is my tribute to my dad, who I loved deeply.....

I got out of the Army in 1969, returned to Tucson and went to work for
KVOA-TV, camera, vidotape, there were DJs from all of the local radio
stations floating in and out of there working the audio booth, reading
news or sports and making ends meet which is how I first heard about
KWFM coming on the air. We had one DJ from KWFM working the booth but
for the life of me I can't remember his name (TMB/CRS), I do remember
he had a droopy Peter Maxx style mustache and smoked a pipe filled with
latakia tobacco. I had this VW bus with a Blauplunkt AM/FM radio in it
and used to listen to KWFM as I drove back home from work after the
10:30 News. They were the first ones to play the entire Who album
Tommy. So thanks for the site and for jogging my memory cells.

KWFM supplied the soundtrack for my stoner-rock teenage years...fond
memories of the syndicated Flo and Eddie and National Lampoon shows on
Saturday nights before I started attending house parties every weekend.
I remember when the station first started as a pre-teen floating around
the head shops which had just moved from 6th St. to 4th Ave...donation
cups for a new "freeform" commercial free FM station...broadcast in
mono. I went to California with my parents and upon return, tuned in on
my Craig portable cassette/tuner; low and behold the red stereo beacon
was glowing! Fond memories of absolute on-the-air madness the day Nixon
resigned. How about the summer millions of grasshoppers took over the
city and people were phoning in suggestions on how to get rid of them.
I remember someone suggesting the issue of pistols to everyone, ha-ha!
(Oh my and how about Hot Rocks Records? I started going to bars way
under age
Choo Choos and that other place that was on the corner of 4th Ave and
6th St. By the way miss both Doc and Shag!) Back to FM. With the good
there is always some bad. I hated all the country rock and jazz
and when punk rock brought life and rebellion back to rock music, hated
how the station ignored this music.
but alas, it did trickle as with a Talking Heads interview
Karen Stern playing DEVO and our pal Dave Larussa with the "Anything
That's Rock 'n' Roll" show. We had the big "protest" by the UOFA in
regards to the three rock FM stations ignoring "new music" to the
dismay of recording engineer/producer Bill Cashman who released an
album by my band JOHNNY SEVIN
I'm trying to squeeze 10 years of memories into this paragraph which is
coming off as some sort of stream of consciousness / ADD rap but I will
say that I'm happy this site exists and I will return to hear more air
checks. RIP Bob Cooke
you were a talented, funny DJ who was a pal
I cherish memories of your visits to the Johnny Sevin house