Monday, June 29, 2020

The 93 KHJ-LA Complete Boss 30 - 1972



KHJ 1972 (Community Appeal)
In the realm of AM Radio, KHJ seems to have been leading edge for so many BOSS concepts that would eventually shape all things radio. Their influence can still be heard wherever one tunes in...although many of their inspirations have been passed over for the sake of staying fresh and modern. Some of their ideas have been lost in the wake of format radio. Some have become antiquated as the world itself changes and tries to stay efficient. Many of the BOSS characteristics have been sacrificed due to world politics. 

However, the KHJ BOSS model was very good at maintaining an appeal that was as broad as radio has ever known. This can be traced to various strategies and well-planned objectives that were distinctly their own. Starting with the TOP 30 playlist, KHJ was supremely acute in terms of keeping their finger on the pulse of modern music. 

Focusing on a mere 30 songs every week served to magnify the station's prowess in regards to something it is seldom recognized for. KHJ had an affinity for holding everyone's air-wave attention. Their playlists represented virtually every category of music and the net result was a huge listener-ship. By avoiding specialization their efforts resulted in a brilliant cross-section of new music in general...not just rock and roll. 

Today that is an unheard-of notion that is no longer anywhere to be found. But, for KHJ, the practice worked well for the music business and for its own BOSS ends. It was the exact opposite of what exists today...and there was an inherent side effect of the TOP 30 at KHJ. Their playlists represented all members of Los Angeles' community. Young, old, commercial, esoteric, Beatles/British, baroque, rock, folk, soul, reggae, beat, pop, classical, comedy, romance, protest, surf, country, western, vocal, instrumental, middle of the road, novelty, Latin, blues, local, international, spoken word, and seemingly every other category that one can think of. Perhaps there was no electronica or industrial or thrash or grunge...these types of music had not been invented yet. 

It was all very melodic and in retrospect, this open-minded approach to genre bore many aspects that may not have been planned. Nevertheless, their omnipresent influence had undeniable effects that were a joy to behold. KHJ in all of their strategizing had created perhaps the most friendly place to ever represent Los Angeles. 

For, the broad range of music found on the TOP 30 was an accidental unifying agent for the entire community. It not only allowed everyone a way to keep abreast of all new music...it gave them a unified platform to tune into and feel a sense of belonging to. That might have been naive and innocent but everyone was included. Nothing like it exists nowadays...and that may be why this series seems so magical. It reaches out to everyone...and, Los Angeles has not been so unified as a community since. KHJ BOSS Radio wasn't just a station to play while driving the car...it was a foundation that represented everyone! - Kwai Chang


1971 to 1972    Yandex    Zippy
1972 Part 1 (January-February)    Yandex    Zippy
1972 Part 2 (March-April)    Yandex    Zippy
1972 Part 3 (May-June)    Yandex    Zippy
1972 Part 4 (July-August)    Yandex     Zippy
1972 Part 5 (September-October)   Yandex    Zippy
1972 Part 6 (November-December)   Yandex    Zippy

This begins phase 3 of the KHJ project; phase one was to go back to the beginning from the first KHJ survey (65-66-67). phase two was to upgrade my original posts with more airchecks and update as many tracks as possible the actual single versions, or if I got really lucky, mono promo mixes of stereo singles (68-69-70-71).  It wasn't until 1971 was originally being put together that I realized how this series was supposed to be presented. But I knew that would take a lot of work. And it has.

Phase 3 finishes the story, so 1972 is the beginning of the end.  I plan to end the series at 1974 - by then KHJ was beginning to show its age, playlists were getting tighter, and it seemed the music was getting to be a bit corporate. Less about magic and more about moving merchandise. Nevertheless, I have an idea that should make 1974 a stunner. You'll see.

To be honest, airchecks for these years were a huge problem. As I was beginning to assemble 1972, I found more airchecks for 1972 and1973. Whew. But................ some of the airchecks suffer in quality.

I never really know what these projects are like until I finish and start listening. And I'm really happy with the way this turned out. There are some sections of this that really sound like you're listening to AM Top-30 radio in 1972. Also, the group that has been assisting me really came up with the goods and there are A LOT OF hard-to-find original single mixes here. Also included are a (very) few songs that made the national top-10, but were ignored by KHJ. And the music holds up pretty well!  This is a great time for soul groups and one-hit wonders.  Prepare to be surprised. This one's a winner. Take a long drive with 1972 KHJ  blasting through your speakers, even better, annoy the neighbors with this playing while having a backyard BBQ. It will a time-warp for everyone!

Finally, I need to give a big public thanks to a small team of people who have been supporting this project with their time and collections. What I made alone was good. With their help, it has been astounding. When the series ends, two posts from now, They will be thanked by correctly.
Blank Frank

19 comments:

danbis1008 said...

Thank you so much for all your effort. So many surprises and memories spared, both good and bad, hearing again some long forgotten single of old favourite "b" side. Once finished you will deserve well earned credit from both myself and many admirers out there in the world,

Silvio said...

Thanks a lot...cheers...

hotrodmike said...

Great job to all concerned. It sure is fun to hear a bit of how it was with these volumes. Well done and Thanks!

Paul Redbeard said...

You've done it again!! Many thanks, Paul

ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ said...

Thanks again. Really bringing back the memories of my Jr. and Sr. High School years. Looking forward to 1973 and 1974 as I was in the military then and missed out on the day to day from KHJ.

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to 1974...I was in the area that year and our work truck only had AM...these are a wonderful time capsule

Chi-Town said...

Thanks to you and your helpers, BF. I will be sorry to see 1974 posted but all good things must come to an end eventually. Besides the music and air checks, I've also been enjoying your dissertations as well as those of Kwai Chang. Thanks again for this wonderful glimpse of AM radio history.

zipper said...

Thanks for the upgrades plus the new volumes. Stunning work Frank & learned colleagues. Cheers y'all!

GW said...

Thanks! i think 1972 or 1973 were my last year listening to AM; until, a few years ago I started listening K-Surf, since all the LA FM stations are dismal.

Anonymous said...

Another big one! Kudos from: The Chairman

Noises From Apt 2A said...

Another well executed edition of KHJ Boss 30 ... as we approach the end of the series I would like to ask once again if you've given thought to the birth of FM Rock Radio ?

Cheers

Davetuba said...

Thank you !

Peerke said...

Thanks for this wonderful series. Simply excellent.

Anonymous said...

Greetings BlankFrank!

Another great compilation of another great year! Just started listening...

I wanted to point out; Track 25, has an intro to George Harrison's Bangladesh Concert single "Awaiting On You All", but is not followed by the song....... Just in case you want fix the aircheck)

cheers and again, Great Blog!
obey-gravity

draftervoi said...

The TOP 40 (or 30, in the case of KHJ...) was an interesting place in the late 60's. When "free form FM" or "underground radio" came along at the end of the 60s, the "Top 40" format was treated with contempt by the hip critics. But the music...the music was often as eclectic as anything on the FM dial. Frank Sinatra, James Brown, and Buck Owens on the same channel, in the same hour? That's wonderfully diverse.

BlankFrank said...

@obey-gravity, "Awaiting On You All" is simply an aircheck. It was never released as a single so not in the Boss-30. I added the aircheck (though I knew it was confusing) because it fit the newly-released Bangladesh into KHJ context.

Anonymous said...

oh, okay yeah had me real confused lol

thanks for letting me know...
cheers
obey-gravity

cadiz said...

thanks

Aussie said...

thank you so much