I had the privilege of working with KWFM in the glory days of Tucson
radio.

As Opti-Graphics Visual Productions I was tasked to videotape KWFM
music events, like the recordings of the Westwood Studios live
Homegrown Hour sessions, with Central Air, Bob Meighan (sp), Dusty
Chaps, Jerry Rhiopelle and others.

I also taped the fabulous KWFM 10th Anniversary bash at Old Tucson
studios.

Working with the FM greats like Jim Ray, Lee Dombrowski (GM) and 'The
famous Jim Brady'. We had some cool 'parties' too!! (sniff! ;-)

Anybody remember Mud Wrestling with MODA? Remember that? Choo-Choos? It
was on 'PM MAGAZINE' with Martha Vasquez, sponsored by KWFM!

Tucson is not the same without this station and these talented people.
I would love to find some of the albums that were created during these
sessions, and if anyone has a setlist for the KWFM 10th Anniversary
bash, I'd love to have it!

There was a local band, very talented, with a very HOT female lead
singer... what was her name?? The band was 'Street' something..,. GAWD,
I hate getting OLD!! Help me out here folks!

Just stumbled on your site. What a trip down memory lane. I was born and
raised in Tucson and was a disco hater from the get go. My wife of 28
years still remembers me listening to kw back then. I had forgotten
about the Dixie Dregs. Got to go find my cassette. Thanks again.

What a pleasure it was to learn of this site!  Remember the daizz of
KWFM well, miss em a lot!  Thanks to John Jolly for sending this my
way! 

I thought I'd been taken back to Washington, D.C., when I first heard
Bob Cooke on KW. He reminded me of Cerph, an amazing radio talent at an
amazing station back in DC's Maryland suburbs (WHFS-FM in "Beth -ezzzzz-
daah" Maryland.) He even sounded like Cerph. And, like Cerph, Cooke cost
me a hell of a lot of money. I'd listen to his show and just have to buy
a new "album," something I'd just heard on his show.

Of course, he wasn't the only talent on KW. I just connected more with
him because he reminded me of Cerph and WHFS. The KW staff was
amazing.

I don't want to be an old fart, but I truly feel bad for my kids and
the other younger people who never got to experience radio "made" by
people with great ears and not some tin-eared MBA with software and a
pile of data. Don't get me started.

I'm thinking if Global Warming raises sea level enough the KW survivors
can set up a pirate radio station in the deep water just outside the Ajo
Reef in the Dire Straits of Bob Cooke. Maybe we can hire Margie as
Captain of Music. And yes, there should be plank walking and keel
hauling every afternoon during drive time. Request lines will be open.

Just came across your Bob Cooke tribute page. Man I still miss that guy,
talk about the day the music died! Thank you for this site and for not
turning your back on Tucson's true rock heritage. For those of you who
never had a chance to tune into the greatest rock station that the west
will ever have sorry you missed it!!

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

Kelly-
You're absolutely right.
I too remember some of those days.
(Before shit got weird)
Wonderful memories tho.
Signed- A fellow stoner

P.S.__ I believe one of the first engineers KWFM had now owns a few
radio stations around these parts -
www.kcdx.com for inquiring minds.

Truly a great station! Remembering staying in the car - even after
arriving at your destination- to finish listening to Hey Jude or Layla-
played in their entirety, of course. Miss hearing all kinds of music and
great DJs.

In 1981 or 82 KWFM partnered with the U of A Flandrau Planetarium to
present "Cosmic Radiance" the first locally produced full-featured
laser light show ever done there. 

The show opening was a panorama of the Tucson skyline with an orange
setting sun, under which the KWFM logo letters faded in. The sun set as
the panorama faded out and then the letters faded out as the music
started. 

I remember going to the KWFM studios every week with an arm-load of LPs
to trade for the LPs for the featured artist for that week's show. We
mixed the show in a small studio in a converted closet covered in
carpet by the planetarium loading dock then took the tape into the
theater to add the visual effects.

I can still see the images from 'Dark Side of the Moon' in my minds
eye. (We certainly played that show a lot!) One of the best points of
my life.

Thanks for this web site's trip down memory lane.

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. 

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.

Hey, you folks got my name all wrong!  It all started back in 1976 at
KIKX 580, .........KWFM .....  KLPX ..... KKLD .....KUPD ..... KDKB
....  England .. Guam ... and the saga continues!

Howdy and thanks for doing such a great job on your web site!  Many
great memories came flooding back.  I was very fortunate to have worked
with folks like Brian Miller, Jim Brady, Alan Browning, Bob Cooke, Bob
Bish and many more beginning in 1976.  Oh, do we have some stories to
tell when we all get together around a pitcher of margaritas?!  

I'm even luckier to still be friends with most of them today.  Our hair
has some grey in it, there are fewer of us still around and we now all
have real jobs.  But it is a rich experience to relive the crazy days
of life at KWFM before the Empire of the Formats took over....  Before
the dark times.  We were considerably more carefree back then.  

Thanks a megawatt!

Blake Williams
VBW Productions, Inc.

Awesome Website! Thanks for a Historical tour of Radio here in Tucson.
Working with Margie and some of the others I am certain we've only
heard the tip of the iceberg when it comes to some of the stories out
there of "the ole days" Thanks again for the site.

I was a part of the KWFM 9th birthday bash at Ried park and would love
to see pictures, video or audio tapes, please contact me  at
aquavato@cox.net

I ran the Pawnbroker from 1975 to 1980 and have a photo of Bob and Lau
Cooke at my home having dinner.  Also lots of Riopelle, Meighan,
Straight Shot, etc. photos. That and wild memories, what does a gal
need?  Ran into Lee Dombrowski at a Denver restaurant several years
ago, should have but didn't follow up.  Saw Steve Zind recently, what a
fine soul.

- Lisa Harber Maher 520-232-3878  

Wow...what a tribute to a great time in our lives, both as professionals
working in radio, but more importantly, as people who LOVE MUSIC!  Those
were the days when DJs were creative, when we could meet to discuss what
songs on a record would be best to play. No computers.  No consultants. 
OLD SCHOOL BABY!  Thank you for putting this site up, and I will be
making audio and video available.  Remember the Frank Zappa interview? 
I've got it on tape! KWFM rocks Tucson...my first radio gig and a great
place to cut my teeth.
Chris Ryan
KWFM DJ 1980-1987

Hello!

I am the "little sister" that Christy Price referred to in here in the
guest book. 

I wanted to thank you for this very cool web site.  I have had such a
great time listening to the "tune in" portion.   I am just going nuts
over this one.  Takes me back listening to the lost and found animals
and all the great Audio Emporium commercials.  We truly were two of the
most loyal fans and we were so sad when it ended.  Tucson radio has
never been the same.

I just did want to share with you... I found the actual album "Meet
Mississippi Charles Bevel" through Craig Moerer Records By Mail.  I
just received it the other day.  Now, I am totally in heaven.

I also found the original (long) version of Little River Band "It's a
Long Way There" on that site.  Of course, these are not out on CD's --
only vinyl.  Which is totally cool.

All my findings were thanks to your web site.  Looking through the play
lists really helped jog my memory of tunes I had nearly forgotton.  When
I started this mission, I knew I wanted "overheard" by Mississippi
Charles Bevel, however, I had no idea what the name of the album was or
that it was made by A & M--- so, with thanks to your web site, and me
doing more digging...after many years... I FOUND IT.  

You may want to sometime check out that Craig Moerer Records By Mail
web site, they have some very hard to find vinyl.  They may even have
another copy of the "Bevel" :)
 
Just wanted to say "thanks" and share my findings.
 
Sincerely,
Teresa Peterman
Long time fan of KWFM and native Tucsonan

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.

I can remember having an FM converter in my car so as to listen to KWFM
radio. I remember listening to one of the original DJ's, Jim Ray, and
immediately became a loyal listener to KWFM. One of KWFM's main
formats/strengths was to take other cuts/tracks from albumn's and play
them over the Top 40 formats by other stations. I first heard and
listened to Dan Fogelberg on KWFM. Captured Angel. I was hooked. What
memories.  R.I.P. B.C.

Hello All; what a welcome site to see the call letters KWFM. My little
sister and I grew up in Tucson, rockin' to KWFM during the 70's, This
was the best station going. My little sister found your site, then
shared with me where you were on the web. We were also able to find an
artist that we have not been able to find anywhere else, by searching
thru your archives. Lo and Behold, we found the album by Mississippi
Charles Bevel, song title "Overheard" in Portland, Oregon and it is on
the way to our hot little hands.

It was great seeing all the DJ's and some of the old local bands names,
Dusty Chaps, Street Pajama. The old Stumble Inn, Choo Choo's, Ox Bow.
Great Stuff. My sister and I will spend hours on your site remembering
days gone by and songs that will never leave the heart.

Thanks for all your hard work, Christy

Christy Price
Tucson, Arizona

Thank you so much for the great site and time machine back to the great
KWFM and the early 1980s Tucson music scene I loved so much! Dave
LaRussa STILL rocks, and I am still thankful to him for all of his help
as I started in music... Any old Tucson scenesters who remember Jacket
Weather, The Marshmallow Overcoat or any of my other bands please drop
a line! :)

Dear Old Real Radio Hounds,

	Imagine my surprise….. KWFM certainly lives in my head and heart,
and I’m happy to see all the aged expatriates writing in to confirm
that they have not been swallowed-up by what now passes for commercial
radio. Since my mother was the first female newscaster in New Mexico
(in, I believe, 1938) I have a small bit of family investment in the
free airwaves.  Mom would like that New Times picture of me too… all
that hair….

	It is of course crucial to add some names to the employee list. Those
of us in the Public Affairs Department in 1974 (ok, that means me) were
busy recording news-maker and rocker interviews for the show entitled
“Love News Confusion,” an original creation by Dick Hermans whom I
replaced.  My personal favorite interview exists now as a CD: a killer
discussion with John McLaughlin, who presented a number of stunning
insights into his spiritual and musical paths.  Forgive me but the
interviews with Ravi Shankar, Howard Baker, John Mayall, and Cheech and
Chong (recorded at the still-standing El Minuto after their show) have
long disappeared into tape-dust.

	I am indebted to many of you for an era of very creative effort, and
my final hurrah in public media.  The experience drove me to become a
psychotherapist, where I still work with crazed individuals but now
make more than $40 a week.  

	*thanks to those guys in the next-door Spanish radio station for
calling me “Pescado” whenever they saw me
	*thanks to Matt Seigel for demonstrating that a music segue could
literally provoke an altered state of consciousness 
	*thanks to Lee Dombroski for selling advertising so that I could spend
eight hours generating thirty minutes of taped music and interviews
	*thanks to Janey Snyder for being the brilliant station on-air female
presence and for playing Allman Brother’s “Blue Sky” every time I
phoned in the request…

	Let’s quit our day jobs and start up again!  I’m ready!

Perk Clark

Wow; what a find!

After an evening of reminiscing through this web page, I'll admit - I
was one of those goofy high school interns at KHYT when Rich Robbin
showed up back in 1978!

REAL radio was KWFM - that was what I wanted.  Yeah, I wanted to be the
engineer that got to resurrect the transmitter at 3 in the morning, or
replace the pot on the board, or, even, clean the cart machines, but it
just never did work out that way.

Now, after over 25 years in aerospace (at that place south of the
airport...), I really miss what all of you did over there; thanks so
much for setting this web presence up!

Fortunately, the only thing that's marginally close is KRDX 98.5 in
Vail.  With a a good car radio receiver, it's covering a good chunk of
Tucson - give it a listen!

Now, to begin the task of copying some of the files for listening on
the road.

Just discovered this site while looking up "Overheard" by Mississippi
Charles Bevel.  I so miss that station!  At least we have KXCI...

FINALLY ! Some history about one the most influential (and early) Tucson
FM Station!!

Many of the persons mentioned here I've had 
the pleasure of meeting & working with over the 
years in and around Tucson/Southern Arizona radio.

Like Jim Brady, I too hung around the studios from time to time but
alas, I was WAY too young but was 
still Interested.  It's unfortunate that there aren't any air checks to
listen to but . . . the 
voices that made KWFM I can remember like yesterday!! My most sincere
Thanks for your web site, & if by any chance I have ANY air checks in 
my collection, I WILL DEFINATELY pass it on to here!!  

Sincerely,
Frank Luna
Chief Eng.

580 AM, 1210 AM, 1080 AM, 100.3 FM

....thanks for the memories, KWFM RULES!!!

Hey everybody!  Looks like Jim Ray is coming to town for a visit and
that means KWFM staff reunion!  Mark your calendars for November 6th
and contact me or Margie for the details.  Looking forward to seeing
you all there!

Hi, everyone, 
     I found this site while trying to locate any information on the
DJ, Nina Joy. Besides this station, she also was on the FM station
"KDKB" (The early, really cool format KDKB, not the commercial-format
station it later turned into) in Phoenix in the early '
1970's. Does anyone know whatever happened to Nina Joy...???
            Regards,
              Bill

P.S.
    I still have one of the famous (infamous?) classic KDKB "Howdy!"
T-shirts. Does anyone else besides me remember them?!
         Bill