Blackface to Radiate Laughs -- January 8, 2025

San Francisco Bulletin, 13-January-1925

Blackface was a popular form of entertainment 100 years ago, even on the radio where the burnt cork was not needed. I am not familiar with the vaudeville team of Chic Mcguire and Tom Brisendine. They performed during a break in a musical broadcast on San Francisco radio station KFRC. Please excuse the racism.

San Francisco Bulletin, 13-January-1925

Elton John 75 -- March 25, 2022

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Happy 75th birthday to Elton John, singer, composer and really good piano player. I always enjoyed his music when it played on KFRC, especially "Rocket Man." I admired his keyboard playing, and that he wore hats, caps and glasses. Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin wrote a long string of hit songs. 

"Bennie and the Jets" got stuck in my head recently. 

A lot of his music turns up in movie soundtracks. 

He has raised a pot of money for AIDS-related charities. 

Don McLean 75 -- October 2, 2020

 

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Singer and songwriter Don McLean was born 75 years ago today, on 02-October-1945. I was surprised when I first heard "American Pie" on KFRC. I remember people arguing about what it meant. I was part of the crew in a dance performance during a summer program and one of the songs was "Vincent." I still like that one. 

Eddie Money, RIP -- September 13, 2019

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Eddie Money was very popular in the San Francisco Bay Area when I was a kid.  I remember hearing his music on KFRC.  Some of my friends must have bought his albums, but I don't remember.  He died and a bunch of friends and family members are bummed.

Leon Russell and Leonard Cohen, RIP -- November 14, 2016

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It has been a rough week.  Last Tuesday I was looking forward to having our first woman President.  In addition to that, Leon Russell and Leonard Cohen died.

I loved listening to Leon Russell's music on KFRC. 

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I didn't know who Leonard Cohen was until much later, even though I heard many of his songs over the years.

Carter B Smith, RIP -- January 28, 2011

I was sad to learn that Carter B Smith had died. I remember him on KNBR and KFRC. I was too young to remember him on KRE or KSFO with Don Sherwood, and I didn't listen to KABL. His radio career lasted more than 50 years.

Radio Site #3 -- February 21, 2009

Hotel Whitcomb on Market near Civic Center was built in 1910. It served as a temporary City Hall until the current one opened in 1915. I was sad to see some years ago that it no longer says "City Hall" over the entrance.

The Whitcomb housed at least two radio stations over the years. KFRC started there in 1924. It moved its studio and transmitter the City of Paris store in 1925. KYA's studios were there from 1930 to 1934 and its transmitter was there from 1930 to 1937.

I think I remember Jazzbeaux broadcasting from there in the 1970s, but I can't find a record of it.

KFRC -- October 29, 2008

KFRC has really been gone for a while -- it moved away from 610 AM in 2005, iirc -- and I haven't listened to it much for many years, but I was sad to hear that call letters disappeared Monday morning. I listened to KFRC a lot when I was in grammar school and the first couple of years of high school. Disco drove me away.

KFRC started broadcasting on 24-September-1924 as the official station of the San Francisco Bulletin. I remember when they celebrated their 50th anniversary. After the Bulletin, the station was owned by the City of Paris, then became the foundation of the Don Lee Network. It was the home of the famous "Blue Monday Jamboree".

The Phillies and Tampa have finished game five after a two-day rain delay. Philadelphia won.