Tom Campbell 1978

   

After his service in the United States Air Force, Campbell landed his first radio gig at KEEL in Shreveport, Louisiana, thanks to Al Hart, who would later become a renowned newscaster and radio personality in San Francisco.

Campbell's career took him to Minneapolis, Minnesota at WDGY, and to WONE in Dayton, Ohio, before he settled at KYA 1260 AM in San Francisco in 1967. He was famously generous, often lending his personal phonograph, record collection, and even his car to listeners, with the understanding that they would return them, which they invariably did.

His home and car phone numbers (indeed, he had one of the rare car phones in 1967) were listed publicly in the white and yellow pages across the Bay Area, and he welcomed calls from listeners even at his residence.

Tom Campbell hosted two programs for us: "Tom Campbell Stateside" and the more album-focused "Playback." Tom generously shared a few boxes of these from his garage. I'm deeply appreciative. Now, it's time for "Playback."

Tom Campbell Playback 1978

More Tom Campbell