King Ray Lindstrom
and Lindstrom's Legion
Kings and Emperors were
popping up on radio stations
all over the country and
Tucson had King Lindstrom and
Lindstrom's Legion. The goal
was to take over Tucson and
create "Lindyland." At right is a
copy of his "Unselective Service
Card."
AIRCHECKS
If you are up-to-date with your computer, you should be able to hear the clips below. All commentary is written by C.J. Brown. Enjoy.
THE AIRCHECKS:
1965-1982 In Chronological Order
To listen, just click on the play button. To stop, click the pause button.
The Jerry Stowe Show
June 10, 1966 - 7:42 total
Jerry mentions an upcoming dance featuring a couple of Tucson groups – The Lewallen Brothers and The Intruders. Jerry also is giving away tickets to tonight’s Paul Revere and The Raiders concert at Hi Corbett Field. I was at that show. The equipment and/or electricity failed right after the start delaying things for an hour or more. The audience became quite restless during the downtime. Jerry also plays a local hit by Tucson’s own group The Grodes called “Love Is a Sad Song. KTKT DJ / PD Dan Gates managed this group and also produced this record. Jerry also does a great Hires spot and another trademark morning coffee slurp during this aircheck. This aircheck was originally recorded by Jerry Stowe and contributed from the collection of C J Brown.
The Jerry Stowe Show
May 27, 1965 - 9:05 total
Highlights here include Jerry doing a funny “jack in the box” bit and a classic Jerry Stowe coffee slurp. Jerry plays a little heard nowadays tune by a band from Bakersfield named The Avengers called “When Its Over”. This song has a Tucson connection as it was recorded and produced by former Tucsonan Gary Paxton. We also hear some more from Oliver. This aircheck was originally recorded by Jerry Stowe and contributed from the collection of C J Brown.
The Jerry Stowe Show
Early June, 1966
1:20 total
Jerry wishes all of last nights graduates a “good night’ on this short check. This aircheck was originally recorded by Jerry Stowe and contributed from the collection of C J Brown.
The Jerry Stowe Show
Wk Ending Oct 15, 1965
2:47 total
Highlights include a couple funny bits from Jerry .And a news promo voiced by Lloyd Couch. Jerry does a Q-Plus Auto Treatment spot. The Beatles “Yesterday” is number one this week. A KTKT Pick Hit” intro and an intro for a KTKT “Flashback” are heard. This aircheck was originally recorded by Jerry Stowe and contributed from the collection of C J Brown.
The Jerry Stowe Show
Tuesday April 19, 1966
5:06 total 
This segment was recorded at a distance from Tucson. There are a few rough spots here with some background noise and static. Jerry mentions the evening DJ Joe Bailey and the nightly “Battle of the New Sounds” feature heard shortly after 9 pm weekdays when back selling that great lost girl group song by the Satisfactions “Daddy You Just Got to Let Him In”. The Battle of the New Sounds Jerry mentions was a nightly feature PD Dan Gates added to KTKT early in 1966. A great KTKT jingle introducing a KTKT classic (gold) is heard near the end here. Dan Gates also voices a short tease for his 9am program. This aircheck was originally recorded by Pat Maestro and contributed from the collection of C J Brown.
The Eric Michaels Show
April 25 1968
11:50 total
More changes at KTKT. PD Bob Holiday (who took over those duties when Dan Gates left KTKT a few months ago) also leaves KTKT and his noon to 3 pm show. In his place here is Eric Michaels. Notice the change in the hourly news, a new PAMS jingle package called “Fun” and several other efforts to both freshen up the sound and to counter moves at KIKX. KTKT is even using a few Drake style liners here. And something never heard in previous years on KTKT – at least from 6am to midnight – we now hear records back to back in a couple spots. This aircheck was originally recorded by Jerry Stowe and contributed from the collection of C J Brown.
Tom Wright
April, 1966 5:42 total
This is a short segment from the spring of 1966 featuring Tom Wright. Tom mentions a new KTKT feature called “TNT” will air shortly after 8pm. This was one of several programming tweaks added to KTKT’s evening schedule by PD director Dan Gates during early 1966. Listeners would call in and vote for their favorite song from 4-8 pm. The results would reveal the Top Nine Tunes played during the 8pm hour. Dan Gates also voices the “Lucky “grocery store spot. A Bob Wagner news tease is also heard shortly before 8pm. This aircheck was recorded by Pat Maestro and contributed from the collection of C J Brown.
Tom Madison
Sunday April 17, 1966
7:52 total
Taped a short distance from Tucson during a rain storm we have a little lighting splatter here. It is Sunday afternoon. We hear the end of a KTKT top of the hour newscast with the trademark closing liner and Lloyd Couch doing the weather. Tom is pulling his long shift of noon to 6 pm today. He is the noon-3 pm fellow during the week. All of the ads in this check remind me how heavy the spot load was on KTKT most hours everyday during the stations prime. It is a “KTKT Wonderful Weekend “as the promo liner by PD Dan Gates mentions. This aircheck was recorded by Pat Maestro and contributed from the collection of C J Brown.
The Don Hinson Show
April 17 1968 - 9:48 total
It is spring 1968 and there has been lots of change recently at KTKT. Frank Kalil leaves during December 1967 after a decade of doing afternoon drive to purchase and manage KAIR. Also during December 1967 Dan Gates leaves his 9am spot at KTKT for new cross town rival KIKX. At about this same point in the time Jerry Stowe leaves his morning show moving over to the 9am to noon program. Jerry’s is replaced in the morning show by Don Hinson. Listen for Don’s Walt Brennan impersonation. Also notice Don’s “spittoon” sound effect. This aircheck was originally recorded by Jerry Stowe and contributed from the collection of C J Brown.
If you have any airchecks of KTKT, or know somebody who does, please contact us at colorchannel99@yahoo.com.
The Tom Lang Show
Summer, 1982
The close of Tom's mid dayprogram from the summer of 1982.
Ray Lindstrom Show
Friday, April 23, 1965
6:41 total
It is Friday night and King Lindy rules the airwaves in Tucson. Ray Lindstrom is now doing the 9 to midnight shift at KTKT. Having adapted the King Ray Lindstrom persona – Ray becomes our leader entertaining us nightly with not only the top tunes but plenty of humor. This scoped aircheck starts out right after the 9 pm news. This short piece has short snippets of Count Me In by Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Concrete and Clay by Unit 4 + 2, Ferry Across The Mercy by Gerry & The Pacemakers and Crazy Downtown by Alan Sherman. When was the last time that last song was played on the radio? Another highlight is the great spot for Burger Chef featuring the sing a long melody. Listen for Ray to promote membership in his kingdom by offering free membership cards. Ray does a great job with live copy as he does the Hires Root Beer spot. And listen for Ray to hit the post when talking up Wooly Bully. This aircheck was originally taped by Ray Lindstrom and recovered from his personal collection of tapes. Prepared for the KTKT Tribute Site by C J Brown
Fox Theater KTKT
"Scareathon" Comm'l
1965 :60 total
In addition to DJ and newsroom duties KTKT DJ’s also were required to spend time in the production studio recording spots and promos for KTKT sponsors and promotions. The station had a deal with the Fox Theater..they promoted the movie and the Fox ran it. They would split the revenue and the deejay involved got a piece of the action. In addition, the jock would appear for a remote broadcast live from the theater before the feature. Here is an example of Ray Lindstrom’s work from 1965 with a piece that he both wrote and voiced. This aircheck was originally taped by Ray Lindstrom and recovered from his personal collection of tapes. Prepared for the KTKT Tribute Site by C J Brown
The Terry Fox Show
May 13 1974
41:06 total
Deejay Terry Fox entertains; Jim Swinehart does the news.
Listen to the
bits on his show.
Part 1 top and
Part 2 bottom.
Just plain
silly, wasn't it?
COMING SOON...CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The Frank Kalil Show
March 1, 1966
17:22 total
Near the end of this air check listen for KTKT GM Phil Richardson to air an important news bulletin via a remote phone call. The story involves Tucson's biggest 1966 news story.
Ron Knight
June 20, 1967 - 16:25 total
Ron Knight sitting in for Bob Holiday today. Ron first worked with KTKT program director Bob Holiday when both were in Dayton, Ohio at WING earlier in the sixties. After spending 1967 with KTKT doing mostly evenings Ron went on to great success doing PM drive at WKNR Detroit, MI as Sean Conrad. Even later Ron did well on FM while at KSLX in San Francisco, CA.
Frank Kalil
Nov. 3, 1967 - 39:45 total
Frank Kalil is in top form doing his afternoon program on this fall day in Tucson. Several weeks after this recording was made Frank left his position at KTKT to become owner of Tucson radio station KAIR AM 1490. As an owner Frank's station continued to capture more #1 ratings. During the 80's Frank moved on to own and operate a very successful broadcast brokerage business based in Tucson. Frank enjoys #1 ratings today as his brokerage firm often leads the nation in terms of dollar amounts for media transactions.
Ron Knight
Nov. 10, 1967 - 11:15 total
When Ron Knight did evenings at KTKT 1967 he often was up against Dino Day at KIKX. Ron once said the difference between KTKT and KIKX was like "Knight and Day".
Ron Knight
Production Room Spots
Nov. 1967 - 4:27 total
Working in the production studio was one of those "other duties" many DJ's were expected to cover when not on the air. Here are a few fine examples of Ron creating some spots that would air later.
Ron Knight
Dec. 21, 1967 - 31:02 total
It is almost Christmas as this edition of the "Knight Flight to Midnight" takes off. Lots of good music and programming elements to hear during this air check. Soon after completing this shift Ron would head east for a short stint at WOHO AM 1470 Toledo, Ohio before moving on to WKNR Detroit, MI.
