Ron Jacobs: Renowned Radio Programmer / Creative Promotion Practitioner, Launched 93/KHJ Boss Radio, Co-Created American Top 40, "Recycled" KGB Radio In San Diego And Created The "San Diego Chicken"
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(Mar. 9, 2016) -- LBREPORT.com is deeply saddened to report the passing of Ron Jacobs, a brilliant radio programmer and promotional practitioner.
Mr. Jacobs died in his sleep on March 8 at his Pearl City, Hawaii home; he was 78.
In 1965, Mr. Jacobs was hired to put the "more music" format (locally dubbed "Boss Radio") on 93/KHJ in Los Angeles by the format's creator, Bill Drake. Drake and Jacobs had competed head to head in Fresno; the station with Drake's more music format won but Drake respected Jacobs' promotional and competitive savvy (and Jacobs studied and respected the "more music" format that had bested him.) In the ultimate compliment, Drake hired Jacobs (despite a marijuana possession conviction years earlier in Hawaii) to bring the "more music" format to L.A. at 93/KHJ.
Within months, KHJ trounced its market competitors. KFWB (L.A.'s first full time rock station) dropped its music format entirely within two years; KRLA (which brought the Beatles to L.A.) tried various musical experiments that sent its ratings further downward.
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The Drake format focused attention on the music, imposed strict rules on when DJs could talk or had to stay quiet, reduced clutter (eliminated horns, time-tones and the like), limited commercials and preceded each song with a quick a capella jingle ("93/KHJ!" or some variation for "Goldens," "Hit Bounds" or simply "More Music.") When Mr. Jacobs ran 93/KHJ, the station aired constant contests; when one ended, another began seamlessly, along with creative promotions that drew attention even in the jaded L.A. radio market. He detested mediocrity, didn't settle for adequacy and strove for excellence.
Mr. Jacobs respected talent and coached those he hired to do some of their best work, including Robert W. Morgan, the Real Don Steele, Sam Riddle, Charlie Tuna and Humble Harve.
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During the turbulent mid-to-late 60s, Mr. Jacobs pushed the restrictive AM radio envelope with a playlist that included the Byrds, the Mamas and Papas, Sonny and Cher, Bob Dylan and the Doors. To celebrate KHJ's first year on the air, he staged an "Appreciation Concert" at the Hollywood Bowl with an admission price of 93 cents and all profits to a charity. (See poster at right.)
In 1969, Messrs. Jacobs and Drake created a tour de force: the 48 hour "History of Rock n Roll." Recorded in KHJ's production room on reels of magnetic tape and edited using a special razor blade and a grease pencil by production genius Bill Mouzis, the unprecedented special spanned an entire weekend and drew huge ratings. A copy of the program is now in the Library of Congress.
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By 1970, Mr. Jacobs had left KHJ for other challenges. He joined in launching "American Top 40," one of the most successful syndicated radio programs of all time, again using major talent (Casey Kasem) to create a clean, classy product.
In 1972, Mr. Jacobs accepted the challenge of reviving KGB AM/FM in San Diego, a former "Boss Radio" outlet that hadn't adapted to musical and cultural changes. Mr. Jacobs began by stunning the market with a cryptic announcement: KGB, a San Diego institution, would be "recycled" on air. He then defied convention by debuting a new format that focused mainly on the FM station (a move ahead of its time) with a locally branded progressive rock format. Jacobs again outflanked his competition, emphasizing KGB's local roots with promotions that included recording and marketing a "Home Grown" album featuring local artists.
And he created an irreverant mascot -- hiring a fellow to appear all over town in a chicken suit -- the "KGB Chicken" (which became known nationally as "The San Diego Chicken.")
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Mr. Jacobs began his radio career in his hometown of Honolulu; in the late 1950s, he launched K-POI, Honolulu's first full time rock station. (As a DJ, Mr. Jacobs was one of the initial "K-POI Boys.")
Mr. Jacobs returned to Hawaii in 1976 and for a time returned to the air on KKUA in Honolulu. He was an occasional guest on late night Honolulu TV shows, wrote and produced various projects and in recent years offered online audio products.
Only days ago, Mr. Jacobs marked the passing of Charlie Tuna, a 93/KHJ "Boss Jock" whom he'd hired. He didn't write a word; he simply put a photo of a yellow-floral spray on his Facebook page.
A little over a week later on Mar. 8, remembrances began appearing on Mr. Jacobs' Facebook page, confirming that he too had passed away in his sleep.
During the turbulent mid-to-late 60s, Mr. Jacobs pushed the restrictive AM radio envelope with a playlist that included the Byrds, the Mamas and Papas, Sonny and Cher, Bob Dylan and the Doors. To celebrate KHJ's first year on the air, he staged an "Appreciation Concert" at the Hollywood Bowl with an admission price of 93 cents and all profits to a charity. (See poster at right.)
