Rock Music ~ KOME Style

Thank you for talking with me Loren, it’s a pleasure to be able to talk with someone who was so deeply involved with KOME during its greatest times on the air.

I read a few of your stories over at Ted Kopulos KOME website, and it sounded like you all had a total blast working at KOME.

When you were growing up, did you plan on a career in Radio/communications?

When I began to transition into a young adult, quite honestly no career path was really “planned” until after I graduated from college as an English Major, with a minor in Speech and Mass Communications.

I found the mass communications courses most interesting, and it slowly occurred to me that the two things I really loved, music and photography, were both addressed in the field of mass communications, through radio and television.

So the transition to radio was quite natural, even though I worked for 3 years at a television station before my first job in radio.

Have you always been involved in Rock Music in some way?

Well, “always” is quite a long time. But let’s put it this way. Since about the age of 8, I gradually became aware of a new phenomenon as I listened to music on my parents’ radio in Los Angeles. I started hearing an interesting new music that really appealed to me, performed by people I did not know.

Gradually, certain names kept repeating — Bill Haley and the Comets, Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps, Duane Eddy, Link Wray, then Elvis Presley (what an event hearing him for the first time on radio was for me!) Eddie Cochran, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins. Those people made a BIG impression on me at a very early age.

So as soon as I could be sufficiently persuasive, I asked my mom and dad to buy me a drum kit. Although I wanted to play guitar, my cousin Jeff had already started to learn it, and I didn’t want to appear as if I were copying him. Then a band came to town, and I remember looking up and watching the drummer, who seemed to be having lots of fun. I decided that’s what I’d learn. When the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan, the world changed overnight!

What are your favorite Rock Bands?

Well — this question could take pages! But I’ll try to narrow it down just a bit. However, I do ask your indulgence as this is one of those questions which I truly enjoy answering. So in no particular order, here goes:

The Kinks, The Tubes, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Yardbirds, The Rolling Stones, Def Leppard, Black Sabbath, The Who, Bill Nelson, Steve Winwood, The Police, Procol Harum, Sparks, The Sensational Alex Harvey Bank, Dave Davies, Ray Davies, Gary Numan, Jimi Hendrix, The Animals,The Moody Blues, Yes, The Pretty Things, Sting, Cheap Trick, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Peter Frampton, Duran Duran, Howard Jones,
Living Color, Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, Steppenwulf.

What years were you at KOME?

1978 — 1982

What was your job at KOME?

I started out doing an unpaid job, that of Music Librarian. This consisted of listening to LPs, deciding which tracks were worth playing on-air, and marking them on the LP sleeve.

I was given this first job by Mikel Hunter, the legendary Program Director from Los Angeles. The Movie “FM” was a very tame interpretation of his reign on the West Coast.

After a few months, the KOME Promotions Director decide to go elsewhere, and I applied for the job and, miraculously, was appointed to that position. I say miraculous because working in radio at a rock station was my dream come true.

As KOME’s Promotion Director, I was responsible for setting up all the on-air contests, securing prizes, supervising the promotions in the field, writing on-air copy and creating radio and television ads and on-air promotions, jingles, slogans, etc.

I was also in charge of ordering all of the promotion items, which actually was a job all by itself, because it included distribution of these items to our advertisers and listeners,.

Besides the obvious promotion items, like the legendary KOME decals, hats, shirts, pins — there were also pens, lighters, desk sets, beach balls, shopping bags, crystal pyramids, brass paper weights, antenna balls, posters, desk graphics, key fobs, paper holders, coffee mugs, playing cards, patches, frisbees, nightlights and — my favorite — the KOME Glass.

The KOME “glass” (which boasted under the KOME Logo “our glass”) was both uniquely extraordinary and a “product” of its time.

This was a 4 inch square clear glass with the KOME logo underneath and, for who knows for what purpose, 4 etched “lines” ground right into the glass. Very “peculiar”, highly unique and, shall we say, a true “market”-driven promotional item.

There were usually 3-6 things happening at any one given time at the radio station, so there was always a list of items I had to constantly track.

The best part of being the Promotion Director was giving the station tour to visiting rock stars when they came to the station. I was able to meet many of my favorite musicians and briefly get to know them. They were all interesting, whether outgoing, friendly, sullen, withdrawn, sarcastic, crazy or simply brilliant.

It was pure Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus!

Did you know when you went to the station that it would grow to be the best Rock Station in the West?

No, none of us had any idea of what a profound influence KOME would have on multiple generations of listeners. When I joined the station, my goal was very simple. I wanted KOME to be Number One in the entire market, which we eventually managed to do.

KOME’s influence, however, gradually spread far beyond San Jose, even far beyond San Francisco and the Bay Area. We became a true institution for Rock in Northern California. I couldn’t be happier or more proud of what we achieved during those years.

Do you have any favorite memories that you can share about your time at the station? Were you involved in the Infamous Turkey event?

Favorite memories? Wow, now there’s another question that could keep me writing for hours on end. How does one condense the thrill of being at the center of a musical universe populated by wonderful, talented, creative, crazy people 24/7 for nearly four years?

Ok…. I will do my best to mention a few of many “favorites.”

One promotion that stands out at the forefront was our KOME tour of the Napa and Sonoma wineries with a crew of very lucky contestants who won a spot on that bus with us.

We started very early one Saturday morning in front of KOME and filled up a chartered bus with everyone from the station plus about 20 listeners, then set off for the wineries.

One of the major wineries we thoroughly checked out was the Robert Mondavi vineyards. It was the 3rd winery of the day, and by then we were feeling no pain. However, we all did our very best “I’m sober, really!” impersonations.

Fortunately, none of us were driving, so as long as we could somehow get on the bus and get everyone else back on the bus, everything was OK. I think we hit about 6 wineries that day, and even though all of us just sipped very small portions, the cumulative effect was staggering. By the last winery, we were pouring ourselves into the seats of the bus. Fortunately, the ride back to San Jose was about 2 1/2 hours, so by the time we got back, we had sobered up substantially.

Another great party turned out to be the KOME Kruise on the Bay. Again, we had all the gang from KOME and lots of radio and record people for a party on San Francisco Bay aboard a chartered boat.

We even had an authentic Jamaican steel drum band on board, with complimentary Ramos Fizz drinks from the bar. Yes, it was another “no pain” KOME event.

No, none of us really got “drunk”; we simply felt a great deal lighter on our feet, shall we say. We were a party-hearty krew and knew what to do. And the best part about it is that everyone got along well.

The “turkey event” you referred to was actually the KOME Chicken Flying Contest. I take full blame and responsibility and credit for this little “turkey” as I personally dreamed up the entire concept and then I somehow convinced Mike Hunter to approve of it. It turned out to be one hell of a funny time.

We invited listeners to bring their favorite pet chicken out to a large field where we had erected one of those mailboxes you see on the side of the road, the kind where front door flap folds down so that one can retrieve the mail.

Well, we created a custom mail box with 2 drop-down doors, front and rear. The idea was that our listeners would load their favorite chickens into the rear of the mailbox, we would have the front door closed, and then we would use a toilet plunger to push the bird out the front door, and measure how far they flew.

This contest was filled with surprises for everyone, because even though we promoted it heavily, we really had no idea how many of our listeners had chickens to fly. After all, we were in a suburban environment, not a farming community.

But on the appointed day, we were rather stunned to find we had about thirty contestants and their chickens! So one by one we stuffed the chickens in the mailbox one at a time, gave them a push with the toilet plunger, then measured their brief “flight” out the other end of the mailbox until they touched down.

Eventually we found a bird that really performed quite well, and gave its owner and the next 2 runners up some very neat prizes and KOME stuff.

The main point, though, is that everyone had a hilariously good time, although we did receive a bit of grief from the local SPCA, who thought we had traumatized the birds. On the contrary, even they had a great time!

Of all the visiting bands to grace the halls of the KOME studios, who sticks out in your mind the most?

I can answer that in two ways: the “band” that made the biggest impression on everyone actually came to the station on a weekend; it was Van Halen, as they were riding the crest of their first, huge, monster album. Yes, they were “full of themselves” but also funny and charming. Diamond Dave was obnoxiously ingratiating, Eddie was very funny, and Alex and Michael were quiet but very observant.

For me, personally, the member of the band that really was the highlight of my time at KOME had to be the visit of the legendary guitarist Dave Davies, founder of The Kinks, and originator of both the “punk rock” and “heavy metal guitar.” That was an extremely vivid day in my memory banks, because to me, Dave and the Kinks personified arrogance, attitude, bad assness, naughtyness, sarcasm, intelligence, talent and English Rock in all its glory.

I wont ask who your favorite DJ’s were, know you loved them all… but in your opinion who was the DJ who epitomized what KOME was to its fans?

This is the easiest question for me to answer: it had to be Dennis Erectus, who epitomized and focused all the insanity that was KOME-FM on a nightly basis.

There has never been anyone like him, and there never will be. Dennis was totally unique, an extraordinary natural talent who was literally light years ahead of other DJs, most of his audience, and certainly far beyond the understanding and appreciation of the sycophants and talentless hacks that now populate the airwaves and offices of radio in this country.

Dennis’ fan base was utterly enormous, spanning very young children to very old adults (yes, in their 60’s) who loved him for his dry, sarcastic wit and socio-political insights. He enjoyed nothing better than to skewer hypocrisy and deflate boated egos. He ridiculed sexism and macho attitudes. He deflated hypocrites and blowhards. He championed truth over orthodoxy.

He was utterly brilliant. And he was also my very best friend.

I have read that KOME was involved in many charitable events, can you tell me about that aspect of the station and its crew?

KOME would have numerous charity events such as the KOME baseball game, where it was “the station” versus a rock group, like “Journey.” We raised money to benefit such organizations as the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, and we held quite a few rock concerts to benefit other local charities. In this fashion we developed closer ties to our community.

What was your feelings when you heard the move to shut down KOME?

I really have to answer this question in two ways: from a radio “professional” point of view, and separately, as a participant and contributor to KOME’s initial “glory” years.

As a former radio professional, I thought the move to abandon the KOME call letters and have them disappear from radio was one of the most stupid, shortsighted, lunatic and asinine things that I have ever personally observed even purely from a “business” perspective.

I mean, just THINK of what the owner of this unique call letter combination threw away, and for what in return???!!!

This ass (or asses, if it was a corporate “decision”) threw away the fruits
of more than 30 years of promotion, public relations, close community ties, and instantaneous audio call letter and visual logo recognition; threw away a 30+ year relationship with all the advertisers and listeners in the KOME community, and yes, actually threw away the KOME community, which in reality, was most of the Bay Area at the time the KOME call letters were retired.

They were even too blindly stupid to even think of selling or trading these call letters to another station!!! Just the KOME call letters alone were worth a few million in promotional identification!

But this decision perfectly illustrates the vast stupidity that inhabits and haunts the board rooms and executive offices of the world of radio today.
It’s the same stupidity that decided to promote a Howard Stern to stardom, rather than Dennis Erectus (yes, both DJs were part of Infinity Broadcasting).

And if you buy me a drink, I might really tell you what I think about it!

From a personal point of view, I was simply stunned and dumbfounded. These are call letters — K O M E — that should have, pardon the pun, lived into Infinity (that’s an insider joke!).

Seriously, the loss of KOME was like having a friend who is here today, in seemingly good health, who then just disappears with no warning… with no symptoms, no indications of disappearance… just suddenly disappears without a trace… and then they’re just no longer there, and nowhere to be found. Their absence makes you see and view life from a very different perspective.

It’s like a very big audio /mental mind set hole that no other station could ever possibly fill again. Simply because there couldn’t possibly ever be an insanely passionate and creative place and group like KOME or the KOME Krew again in the increasingly corporate, buttoned-down world of radio.

2/2
Do you still keep in contact with the crew you worked with, how is everyone doing these days, and is there any plans for another reunion?

I keep in fairly close contact with Dana Jang, the former music director, and Jona Denz, one of our top on air jocks. However, there is a loose connection I still maintain with almost everyone who worked there.

We had our 25th anniversary reunion just a few years ago in Campbell, California, which Jona Denz was instrumental in instigating and coordinating. It was a blast to see so many, many faces from the “good ol’ days.”

What a party THAT was!

What are you doing now?

Currently, I am the president of Mark & Daniel Audio Labs based in Tucson, Arizona. We import high-end audio speakers that possess totally unique, leading-edge technology and make music sound like you are right there at the moment it’s being created.

They are spectacular speakers and, if I may, I invite your readers to check out our website: www.markdanielofamerica.com.

I am also president and manager of Hemispheric Audio & Video of America. Both companies exist to bring the pleasures of affordable of high end audio to music fans and enthusiasts throughout North America.

And finally, do you feel there is any way possible to resurrect KOME in some form? I know the numbers are now KUFX, but is there a way the fans could possibly stage a campaign to bring it back?

Personally, while I’d love to see that happen, it really can’t. You can never go back, you can’t rewind the clock, you can’t recreate even one day of it. That realization teaches one to appreciate “the moment” for in reality, as cliche’ as it may seem, it is perfectly true, and it is all that exists.

Whether or not you could ever resurrect the KOME call letters, the unique persons, and personal chemistry, that existed at that time can never be duplicated.

It’s like a great baseball team or any great sports team. Those unique individuals get together for a certain-space and time, and gradually change occurs and the team changes, so that twenty years later, while there still may be a team called the San Francisco Giants, the individuals who compose that team are entirely different than the legendary players and team you remember from your youth.

Coincidentally, I overheard someone ask Dennis Erectus this very question at the 25th Anniversary party a few years back. Dennis just sadly shook his head and said, “…it’ll never happen again, man. Just won’t happen. It’s not possible.”

And as much as I hated to admit it myself, Dennis was right.

Best wishes to everyone who keeps the legend of KOME alive,

Sincerely,

Loren Charles
former Promotion Director
KOME - FM Radio
San Jose, California

–