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Kfrc Ultimate Oldies Party
KFRC is an FM broadcast radio station based in San Francisco, California. It is one of the oldest radio stations which began broadcasting as an AM station way back in 1924. Till 1991, for over 80 years, the station was broadcasting on 99.7 MHz FM.
This station was one of those few broadcasters which played music from the 1950s and '60s. It targeted listeners who are 50 and above. The oldies at KFRC were at one time very popular and did good business too. Popular oldies aired at KFRC included Kool and the Gang's "Celebration," Santana's "Evil Ways" and Orleans' "Still the One".
In September 2005, KFRC-FM, which was the only oldies outlet in San Francisco changed their format ahead ten years and switched to a 1970s and 1980s music format. It was a difficult to take was done so to target a more vibrant audience and save itself from further loses. In September 2006, this radio station switched to a Rhythmic Hot AC format.
Harrison Holliway was the first manager of KFRC which went on the air on 24th September, 1924. The first programs to be aired were speeches made by local dignitaries. Concert, symphony and dance orchestras followed. The programs were received as far as New Zealand across the Pacific Ocean though the signal was just 50 watts. Two years later in 1926, a wealthy California distributor for Cadillac automobiles by the name Don Lee purchased KFRC. After Lee's death in 1934, its management was taken over by his son. Soon in 1936 KFRC and Los Angeles based KHJ in switched to a new Mutual Broadcasting System.
Change of hand again took place when in 1949, RKO-General acquired KFRC. 1950s witnessed the rise and popularity of TV and like other radio stations, KFRC too lost ratings as well as share. However, in the 1960s it came back strongly with a Top 40 rock and roll music format. This format helped KFRC to establish itself as the dominant station in the region. This domination continued through the 1970s. Its golden era also witnessed the rise of popularity of programmer Bill Drake.
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Artist Biography - Kfrc Ultimate Oldies Party
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 The Top 40 format continued its golden run all the 1970s. However, in the 1980s this format had shown signs of decline in popularity. Hence the programming of KFRC saw another change featuring a 1940s big band format. It came to be known as Magic 61.
The successful Bill Drake era was revisited in the 1990s, and KFRC once again played rock hits of the 1960s and 70s. The oldies format once again was very successful in the Bay area market. It reached number one with the popular 25-54 demo. Amongst the oldies program directors, Bob Hamilton, Brian Thomas from 1994 to 2003, Tim Marinville in 2003-04 and Bob Harlow were popular.
Recently the oldies format was again changed. With advertisers wanting to target vibrant younger population, KFRC had no option but to change the format. It was done to save itself from suffering further loss. However, the oldies format which was known to create magic is known for its association with KFRC.
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For more information , enjoy the official homepage of
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