KROQ (1500 AM) was a radio station licensed to

Burbank, California Burbank is a city in the southeastern end of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Located northwest of downtown Los Angeles, Burbank had a Census-estimated population of 102,755 as of 2023. The city was ...

, serving the

Los Angeles metropolitan area Greater Los Angeles is the most populous metropolitan area in the U.S. state of California, encompassing five counties in Southern California extending from Ventura County in the west to San Bernardino County and Riverside County in the east, ...

History

KBLA

The station began broadcasting on June 21, 1952, holding the call sign KBLA. It originally operated on 1490 kHz AM and ran 250 watts.History Cards for KROQ
fcc.gov. Retrieved May 13, 2019. In 1958, the owners obtained a construction permit to change frequency to 1500 kHz AM, with a power upgrade to 10,000 watts 24 hours a day. However, the station encountered several obstacles prior to completion.

Hubbard Broadcasting Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. is an American television and radio broadcasting corporation based in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was founded by Stanley E. Hubbard. The corporation has broadcast outlets scattered across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri ...

's KSTP in

St. Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (often abbreviated St. Paul) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 311,527, making it Minnesota's second-most populous city a ...

, contested the proposal on the basis of interference that it believed would occur within its nighttime coverage area. The

Glendale, California Glendale is a city located primarily in the Verdugo Mountains region, with a small portion in the San Fernando Valley, of Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is located about north of downtown Los Angeles. As of 2024, Glendale ha ...

, city council and zoning board also rejected KBLA's proposed tower site.KBLA sues Glendale on tower site rebuff
, ''

Broadcasting Broadcasting is the data distribution, distribution of sound, audio audiovisual content to dispersed audiences via a electronic medium (communication), mass communications medium, typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), ...

''. July 6, 1959. pp. 48, 50. Retrieved May 14, 2019. KBLA filed suit against Glendale and its mayor Cal Cannon, alleging that Cannon, who was general manager of

KIEV Kyiv, also Kiev, is the capital and most populous List of cities in Ukraine, city of Ukraine. Located in the north-central part of the country, it straddles both sides of the Dnieper, Dnieper River. As of 1 January 2022, its population was 2, ...

, conspired to influence the zoning board to deny KBLA's permit. The station ended up operating at 1,000 watts at night using a directional array, protecting KSTP but shrinking the coverage area of the station. Its tower site was located in the

Verdugo Mountains The Verdugo Mountains, also known as the Verdugo Hills or simply The Verdugos, are a small, rugged mountain range of the Transverse Ranges system in Los Angeles County, California. Located just south of the western San Gabriel Mountains, the Verdu ...

. The power increase and frequency change were completed on February 12, 1965.KBLA Hikes Power; Bows New Personnel
, ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

''. February 27, 1965. pp. 50, 51. Retrieved May 14, 2019. In August 1964, the station began shifting to a contemporary hits format in anticipation of the power increase and frequency change.KBLA Awaiting FCC Nod; Format Changes in Works
, ''

''. August 22, 1964. p. 6. Retrieved May 14, 2019. The station had been airing

block programming Block programming (also known as a strand in British broadcasting) is the arrangement of programs on radio or television so that those of a particular genre, theme, or target audience are united. Overview Block programming involves scheduling a ...

. ''

The Lawrence Welk Show ''The Lawrence Welk Show'' is an American televised musical variety show hosted by big band leader Lawrence Welk. The series aired locally in Los Angeles for four years, from 1951 to 1955, then nationally for another 16 years on ABC from 1955 t ...

'' aired mornings on the station until 1965. The initial personalities heard on KBLA during its contemporary hits period were

Tom Duggan Thomas Duggan Goss (August 20, 1915 – May 28, 1969) was an American journalist, writer and actor. He appeared on NBC and ABC as a radio and television commentator in Chicago and Los Angeles and was a crusader against Chicago mob involve ...

, Sid Wayne, Jim Wood, William (Rosko) Mercer,

Tom Clay Tom Clay (born Thomas Clague; August 20, 1929 – November 22, 1995) was an American radio personality and disc jockey. Clay was born in New York, and in the 1950s he was popular in the Detroit area on WJBK-AM both as a DJ, and for his on ...

, and Dick "Huggy Boy" Hugg. The station became completely automated in July 1965, but live DJs were brought back in December, with hosts Harry Newman, Roger Christian, Harvey Miller (Humble Harve), Dave Diamond, Vic Gee (Jim Carson), and William F. Williams. By 1966 Emperor Bob Hudson, Bob Dayton and Hal Pickens had joined the airstaff.

KBBQ

The small station could not compete with more established and powerful competition, so they switched to

country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

as KBBQ in June 1967.KBLA to Go 24-Hour 'Mod' Country
, ''

''. June 17, 1967. p. 4. Retrieved May 15, 2019. DJs on KBBQ included Harry Newman, Bob Jackson, Vic Gee, Alan King, Bill Williams, and Larry Scott. To celebrate its first anniversary as a country station, KBBQ sponsored a country music show at

Shrine Auditorium The Shrine Auditorium is a landmark large-event venue in Los Angeles, California. It is also the headquarters of the Al Malaikah Temple, a division of the Shriners. It was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument (No. 139) in 1975, an ...

, which featured

Merle Haggard Merle Ronald Haggard (April 6, 1937 – April 6, 2016) was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential figures in country music, he was a central pioneer of the Bakersfield ...

Bonnie Owens Bonnie Owens (born Bonnie Campbell; October 1, 1929 – April 24, 2006) was an American country music singer who was married to Buck Owens and later to Merle Haggard. Biography She was born Bonnie Campbell in Blanchard, Oklahoma, United Sta ...

Ferlin Husky Ferlin Eugene Husky (December 3, 1925 – March 17, 2011) was an American country music singer who was equally adept at honky-tonk, ballads, spoken recitations, rockabilly and pop tunes. From 1948 to 1953, he recorded under the stage name Terry ...

Sheb Wooley Shelby Fredrick Wooley (April 10, 1921 – September 16, 2003) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He recorded a series of novelty songs, including the 1958 hit rock-and-roll comedy single "The Purple People Eater", and under the name ...

Tex Williams Sollie Paul "Tex" Williams (August 23, 1917 – October 11, 1985) was an American Western swing musician. He is best known for his talking blues style; his biggest hit was the novelty song, "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)", which held th ...

Jimmy Wakely James Clarence Wakely (February 16, 1914 – September 23, 1982) was an American actor, songwriter, country music vocalist, and one of the last singing cowboys. During the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, he released records, appeared in several B-Western ...

, Freddie Hart, Jerry Wallace, and

Jimmy Bryant Ivy John Bryant Jr. (March 5, 1925 – September 22, 1980), known as Jimmy Bryant, was an American country music guitarist. He is best known for his collaborations with steel guitarist Speedy West and his session work. Biography Bryant w ...

KROQ

On September 2, 1972, the station's call sign was changed to KROQ, and it adopted a

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...

format as "The Rock (ROQ) of Los Angeles".New LA Rock Station Looms
, ''

''. September 2, 1972. p. 16. Retrieved May 15, 2019. Personalities on KROQ included Charlie Tuna, Sam Riddle, Jay Stevens, Steve Lundy, Jim Wood, and Jimmy Rabbitt. On November 25, 1972, KROQ presented a concert at

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (also known as the Los Angeles Coliseum or L.A. Coliseum) is a multi-purpose stadium in the Exposition Park, Los Angeles, Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, United States. Conceived as a hal ...

, billed as "The Ultimate ROQ Concert/Festival", to benefit the Southern California Council of Free Clinics, which featured performances by

Chuck Berry Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, guitarist and songwriter who pioneered rock and roll. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Father of Rock and Roll", he refined and de ...

Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris (; Judkins; born May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American and Ghanaian singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th c ...

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons The Four Seasons is an American band formed in 1960 in Newark, New Jersey. Since 1970, they have also been known at times as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. They are one of the best-selling musical groups of all time, having sold an estim ...

, the

Eagles Eagle is the common name for the golden eagle, bald eagle, and other birds of prey in the family of the Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of Genus, genera, some of which are closely related. True eagles comprise the genus ''Aquila ( ...

, the

Bee Gees The Bee Gees were a musical group formed in 1958 by brothers Barry Gibb, Barry, Robin Gibb, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was especially successful in popular music in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and later as prominent performers in ...

Sly & the Family Stone Sly and the Family Stone was an American band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1966 and active until 1983. Their work, which blended elements of funk, soul, psychedelic rock, gospel, and R&B, became a pivotal influence on subsequent Amer ...

, and the

Raspberries The raspberry is the edible fruit of several plant species in the genus ''Rubus'' of the Rosaceae, rose family, most of which are in the subgenus ''Rubus#Modern classification, Idaeobatus''. The name also applies to these plants themselves. Ras ...

, among others. In 1973, KROQ's owners bought

KPPC-FM KROQ-FM (106.7 MHz) is a commercial radio station licensed to Pasadena, California, serving Greater Los Angeles. Owned by Audacy, Inc., it broadcasts an alternative rock format known as "The World Famous KROQ" (pronounced "kay-rock"). The sta ...

, and on November 12 it began simulcasting KROQ, with the new call sign

KROQ-FM KROQ-FM (106.7 MHz) is a commercial radio station licensed to Pasadena, California, serving Greater Los Angeles. Owned by Audacy, Inc., it broadcasts an alternative rock format known as "The World Famous KROQ" (pronounced "kay-rock"). The sta ...

. Less than a year later KROQ and KROQ-FM experienced financial difficulty, and owed employees over $73,000 in unpaid salaries and owed over $14,000 to the

American Federation of Television and Radio Artists The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) was a performers' union that represented a wide variety of talent, including actors in radio and television, radio and television announcers and newspersons, singers and recording ...

pension and welfare fund.Silenced By Strike
, ''

''. August 5, 1974. p. 30. Retrieved May 16, 2019. In June 1974, program director

Shadoe Stevens Shadoe Stevens (born Terry Ingstad; November 3, 1946) is an American radio host, voiceover actor, and television personality. He was the host of ''American Top 40'' from 1988 to 1995. He currently hosts the internationally syndicated radio sho ...

and night personality Dana Jones resigned; this was followed by the entire staff going on strike that July 29, shutting the stations down. On June 10, 1976, the stations returned to the air, for KROQ's authorization to remain off the air had expired and its license was due to be revoked. Shortly thereafter, the station would begin presenting weekend concerts, primarily featuring

punk rock Punk rock (also known as simply punk) is a rock music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the corporate nature of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced sh ...

bands. At the time,

Rodney Bingenheimer Rodney Bingenheimer (born December 15, 1946) is an American radio disc jockey who is best known as the host of ''Rodney on the ROQ'', a radio program that ran on the Los Angeles rock station KROQ-FM from 1976 to 2017. In the early 1970s, he als ...

was introducing many new and local bands, including

the Ramones The Ramones were an American punk rock band formed in the New York City neighborhood Forest Hills, Queens in 1974. Known for helping establish the punk movement in the United States and elsewhere, the Ramones are often recognized as one of t ...

and

the Runaways The Runaways were an American rock band who recorded and performed from 1975 to 1979. Formed in 1975 in Los Angeles, the band released four studio albums and one live album during its run. Among their best-known songs are " Cherry Bomb", " Holl ...

, on his Sunday night show. In 1980, KROQ ended its simulcast with KROQ-FM and began airing a

Spanish-language Spanish () or Castilian () is a Romance languages, Romance language of the Indo-European languages, Indo-European language family that evolved from the Vulgar Latin spoken on the Iberian Peninsula of Europe. Today, it is a world language, gl ...

format. In 1982, the station's license renewal was denied by the FCC, due to numerous violations by the station's owners. KROQ-FM's license renewal was also denied shortly thereafter.Burbank stations change hands during FCC appeal phase
,

. August 6, 1984. p. 54. Retrieved May 17, 2019. These rulings were appealed, and in a 1984 settlement the license of KROQ-FM was assigned to Ken Roberts, who owned a 49% stake in the stations, and Roberts was ordered to pay compensation to the other applicants for the FM frequency. However, KROQ's license had to be surrendered, and Royce International's application for a new station on the frequency was granted; Royce International was headed by KWOD (106.5 FM)-

Sacramento Sacramento ( or ; ; ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the seat of Sacramento County. Located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in Northern California's Sacramento Valley, Sacramento's 2020 p ...

owner Ed Stoltz. This new station was never built and, after numerous extension using both the KRCK and KIEV calls, the permit was cancelled on February 12, 2013. On February 5, 2020, the FCC gave Schwab Multimedia LLC final approval for a new station at 1500. KWIF was to be based in

Culver City Culver City is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,779. It is mostly surrounded by Los Angeles, but also shares a border with the unincorporated area of Ladera Heights to the ea ...

and would broadcast from a transmitter and tower in Montecito Heights. The construction permit expired on April 13, 2020. On December 7, 2020, the FCC dismissed all applications for modifications to the construction permit, concluding that Schwab "had not submitted any evidence that it had tried to construct the station". Schwab appealed the FCC's decision. On March 6, 2023, an appeals court unanimously upheld the decision. A

travelers' information station A travelers' information station (TIS), also called highway advisory radio (HAR) by the United States Department of Transportation, is a licensed low-powered non-commercial radio station, used to broadcast information to the general public, inclu ...

broadcasts on 1500 AM, operated by the City of

Beverly Hills Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. A notable and historic suburb of Los Angeles, it is located just southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Beverly Hil ...

References

{{Los Angeles Radio Defunct radio stations in the United States ROQ Radio stations established in 1952 Radio stations disestablished in 1984 1952 establishments in California 1984 disestablishments in California ROQ KROQ-FM