It is with deep regret I sadly post the passing of Margie Rye (Wrye).
She was on of the KWFM originals. Sadly she passed away yesterday
December 14, 2017. I do not know the cause yet. I a hoping you can
setup some sort of tribute for her on this website. If you need to
contact me, you have my email. 

Long time listener in the 70's and early 80's.
Now doing Radio at the Burning Man festival.

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.      

On the air I was Bob Allen. KWFM introduced me to Spanish language radio
through it's sister station KEVT where I also worked (in Spanish). Some
time later after working in both languages I went to Spanish in both
Tucson & Phoenix full time where I spent 40 years.

 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. 

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.

Great site. This brings back a lot of memories for me from the mid-70's.
I was actually googling for some info on Street Pajama when I found this
related site.

What a blast it is to find this site. We moved to Tucson in 1978 and I
soon started working with Fred, Roger and Bill Cashman at Westwood to
put together a new band for the up and coming Street Pajama. I booked
and did sound for what I thought where the best years. Those gig's at
Tequila Mockingbird very cool. I have just spent most of the afternoon
listing to the Central Air Session that was recorded at Westwood for
KWFM. I happened to be in the studio that night. What a great band.
Cherie and I will be in Tucson in a couple of weeks, would be great to
see some of those folks.

What an honor to see my name listed as a former employee.  I was only at
the station for three months (I think) at at $350/mo...that's all I
could afford.  When my salary was cut to $175/mo. and was billed for
the electricity used to record my "news,"  I finally got the hint and
left.  Short time but major creativity.  News isn't fun anymore...it's
downright nasty. Reunion plans?  Please let me know...I love Tucson.

Larry Jacobs

I don't really understand why Clear Channel didn't bring back the KWFM
call leters on Tucson's 92.9 frequency, maybe a few of the old jocks,
etc.  Especially since they play a Triple AAA format now and own the
calls KWFM on 1450 AM.  Seems like the least they could have done out
of respect for Tucsonans and radio fans.

Course in this day and age of corporatism it still wouldn't really
resemble the old KW.  What a GREAT station that was.  A lot of great
memories!

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!

duuuude...  are uou guys still on the air?? or is it canned spam  
advertising with  musical interludes?  As  a former  listner  ... now
residing in florida...    I goyya sau I miss the 50 minuted of
commecial free music...  no one here  ever heard of such innovation///
here is to another 50 yrs of oublic service!!!

Had a crazy dream last night...was up on the roof of my teenage house
listing to KWFM again. Heard Street Pajama's "Screwed" in the dream.
After getting the morning caffeine, I went straight to the web looking
for that song. Thank Goodness for Google! Found this website and
remembered how much fun I had filling out 150 forms for the 79 top ten
list for rolling stone magazine! I still have three k-dub stickers on
my metal footlocker! Thanks for giving me an eclectic taste in music!
Have added the site to my favorites!

So, where ya' been since they made an offer y'all couldn't refuse?  I'M 
FROM THE SEVENTIES. . .remember those days when music was something that
Suzette could ask you to play 'in the dark'--and you could?   . . .And 
$Penny Lane$ was not 'THE WAY'?   Remember?

Looking for Gene/Bill Thayer. Back in my Navy days I was a submarine
sailor stationed in Honolulu, and was the "Ship's Entertainment Petty
Officer".

KPOI was very generous in that they allowed me use of their library and
recording facilities in order to make music tapes for the submarine's
crew music system.

While making a tape one night I encountered Gene Thayer, one of the
"Popular" ones, who allowed me to make copies of some Halloween class
Spooky Tapes made by Gene and Michael Guinn, another KPOI Jock.

Several years ago I found the tapes in my collection of Navy Days
Stuff, and took the time to do some editing and splicing and what have
you and laid the tapes to CD. I wonder if Mr. Thayer or Mr. Guinn would
be interested in a copy of the CD?

The names of the stories are "How I Found Count Dracula" and "The
Monster's Thoughts".

They are both excellent examples of classic radio drama production
work, with cool sound effects and piles of tongue in cheek humor.

Should anyone know them or their whereabouts, please have them contact
me. Halloween is about upon us and I think they would relish some of
their younger days efforts.

Thanks in advance to anyone who could clue them in and/or contact me
via e-mail, and we can go from there.

E-mail is w7tty@centurylink.net

Regards to all,

George Hutchison - Sequim, Washington

Sad to report the recent passing of the lovely and talented Nina Joy.
Danny Zelisko sent out the news on 11/29:2015. RIP Nina

Bill,
I had dinner with Nina Joy many years (10?) ago. She was out of the
radio biz and working for American Express at the time. Lost track of
her after that.
I gave her a tape of the Open Forum Program the day after Bill Compon
passed away. E-mail me if you want a copy.
Eric

Hey all, Just wanted to let you know that I'm back in AZ now for about a
year and a half. The San Diego gig went bust after 4 years, and I was
lucky to get my old job back with CBS Radio and be re-united with some
old friends. If you happen by, say hi.

Adios!

Hi Tim,
I'll scan some 8x10 promo photos I have of Bob Cooke and send them to
you. Thanks for putting together the web site.

Cheers,

Eric Schecter
a.k.a Eric Spector
KWFM 1977-1980 or so.

I grew up on KWFM ..... Nothing like growing up at the base of the Santa
Catalinas with the warm winds blowin' and Steely Dan, Bad Company and
Santana pumpin' thru on the old Kenwood.  Beautiful .....

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!

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. 

Nice site. I appreciate the historical significance of such sites,
especially with regards to the evolution and current state of radio
today. Indeed, kwfm was born in the true spirit of radio, a rarity
today outside of free-form college and pirate broadcasts. kwfm's
influence on myself and friends who grew up to be musicians was
invaluable. To this day i miss the old FM delivery, typified by voices
like Bob Bish (when I hear todays "radio personalities", zingers, and
obnoxious production thats when I reach for my revolver). It was my
observation that the station changed pretty heavily after about
1977-78, playing more toward standard hit formats. Its interesting to
me to read others' comments that post-1978 could be considered "the
golden age" of kwfm (I wouldve considered 1970-76 the golden age of FM
in general). Unfortunately my interest in commercial radio waned around
the time time krq and klpx appeared (78?) as the competition seemed to
breed less creative air programming (and my music tastes went
underground where they've remained ever since). But thats just me. 
Thanks for a wonderful site. And thanks for having a hand in the
evolution of radio. kwfm was great (especially the jerry's audio "album
of the week" on weds nights where you would even give us time to cue up
our cassette recorders! boy, try that in today's ridiculous anti-music
sharing corporate atmosphere).

Bill Cuevas

p.s. and for those of you "longing for the past", good radio is far
from dead. In fact, webstreaming makes it easier to access than ever.
Check the streams of wfmu, kzsu, wnyu, kfjc, kexp, wkcr and others.

I went to high school in Tucson 79-83 & still remember this as one of
the best radio stations EVER! I've worked in the music biz for 20 years
& the world is a better place because of KWFM! Thanks for all the great
music & memories! Cheers

John Shook where are you?

D

Hello friends! It's been so quiet on this site for over a year! Figured
it's time to post something. My radio job here evaporated at the end of
September, so I am between opportunities as it were.

We are finally going to get some much needed rain here in SoCal.

Hope you all have a pleasant Thanksgiving, 2008, and here's looking
forward to the new administration in Washington.

All the best,

Eric

P.S.: Look me up on Facebook if the mood strikes you.

Hi Everybody! Just wanted to share some exciting news with you. Soosie
and I are in the process of re-locating to San Diego. After 30
wonderful years in Arizona I have landed a job with Jefferson-Pilot
Communications as Director of Engineering for their cluster of stations
here. KBZT is radio without borders and of course KSON is the heritage
Country station here. Also there is KiFM smooth jazz to watch the sun
set over the ocean. J-P isn't corporate radio like most groups. I'm
really lucky to be able to contribute to the accomplishments of so many
fine folks here. And hey,no more hot summers! What a great bonus. Surf's
up...

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 just listened to an old tape I found of the KWFM Jazz Show with Chris
Ryan!  Sure brings back memories and it was so nice to hear Chris'
voice again.  I miss those days.  IMO, the Sunday night Jazz Show was
absolutely the best part of KWFM.  Hope Chris is doing well.