US station KSHE releases 50-year archive site
By James Cridland for media.info
Posted 3 January 2017, 8.36pm est
Many radio station histories are either in a box, or - worse - in a skip.
Radio is great at reinventing itself, and in many countries, format flips, brand and ownership changes have meant that the history of individual stations are forgotten.
However, for some stations at least, history defines what the station is. So it is for KSHE 95, one of the first radio stations to play rock music on FM.
KSHE launched in 1961 as a classical music station with an all-female announcer list; but, by 1967, it had become a free-form rock station, with presenters given much of the choice of what to play. Housed in a former drive-through restaurant, the station's presenters were easy to contact, and the building - since demolished - used to draw crowds of listeners.
The station launches a 50-year anniversary "museum" later this month, with audio and video from the last half-decade, as well as press clippings and listener memorabilia.
The station, owned by Century Broadcasting since 1964, was sold in 1984 to Emmis Broadcasting, who still own the station today. It moved to Union Station in St Louis in 1986.
Press release
KSHE Radio / St. Louis to launch “The 50th Anniversary Real Rock Museum”
St. Louis - KSHE 95, "Real Rock Radio" was one of the very first radio stations to play rock music on the FM band. Almost 50 years after its November 1967 birth, KSHE is the longest-running rock station in the world. In celebration, “The KSHE 50th Anniversary Real Rock Museum” will be launched on January 9th at www.kshe95.com. There are eight wings in the museum.
The KSHE 95 Audio Wing is filled with KSHE audio history including air-checks of air personalities from throughout the decades, fascinating interviews and listener favorite audio clips.
Each gallery in The KSHE 95 Photo Wing has a theme such as Air Personalities, Rock Stars and St. Louis Concerts.
The KSHE 95 Hall of Fame is made up of videos that each focus in on an artist or band that has had a very special long-standing relationship with the station. In each video, these rock stars share KSHE and St. Louis memories like… “The very first radio interview I ever did was at KSHE. In ’74 when we came here they were already playing our music. St. Louis will always be a special place for us,” states Geddy Lee, lead vocalist, bassist and keyboardist of Rush.
The KSHE 95 Video Wing is an amazing collection of videos ranging from moments with rock stars caught backstage at concerts to KSHE events through the years and old KSHE TV commercials.
In the KSHE 95 Essentials Wing, you’ll find what have been selected as albums and songs that rise to the top of all the great rock that has been played on the station since the beginning.
The KSHE 95 John “U-Man” Ulett Wing is a toast to this 40+ year KSHE air talent.
The KSHE 95 You-seum Wing is dedicated to KSHE listeners. Listener submitted photos include themes such as Generations of Rock, World Famous KSHE and Show Us Your Schtuff.
The KSHE 95 Collections Wing is a wide array of Real Rock Radio history including: magazine and newspaper articles highlighting KSHE, early KSHE playlists, and unmistakable KSHE humor on display in Sweetmeat’s Gallery.
KSHE Program Director, Rick Balis said, “So many talented people have contributed, throughout our 50 years, to make KSHE 95 what it is today. It’s actually, amazing. More amazing, though, is the incredible listeners that we have had and have today. It’s rare. And, we cherish those relationships. The relationships are ‘generational’. Grandparents, their kids and the kids of those kids are listeners today.” He added, ‘The KSHE 50th Anniversary Real Rock Museum’ is a tribute to both the contributors and the listeners.”
Special recognition goes to our “Web Daddy”, Tony Jordan and our Director of Video, Jim Modglin.