Roger Carroll 1977

 

Roger Carroll with Doc Severenson

Roger Carroll had an interesting story about how he became a DJ:

"Many years ago when ABC never played records live orchestras were dropped TV was just starting . I was at TV  and told by my boss ABC Chief announcer  Dresser Dalhstead I was going to radio and play records on the network daily three hour record show (the older guys refused to play records) I told Dresser , a good guy I was a network TV announcer and I did not play records. Dresser's exact response "get your ass over to radio or you ain't gonna be a network announcer".

Dress told me later he was even attempting to cross toes so he wouldn't break out laughing with my response.

ABC started selling quarter hours and I was getting network talent fees then of course the older guys wanted to do record shows. Then I got afternoon drive on ABC O&O KABC and then the Cowboy , Gene Autry offered ask me to come over to KMPC when my ABC contract ended...playing records was the best thing that happened in my long career"

It was a good thing for everyone.  Thanks Roger!

Roger Carroll 1977

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Barbara Randolph 1971

 

Barbara Randolph c 1962

 

Barbara Randolph brought a lot of rock to AFRTS. Detroit born Randolph was born in 1942 eventually adopted by actress Lillian Randolph with a singing career that included a stint at Motown. Her movie roles included Guess Who'd Coming to Dinner.

 

In the late 60s, she joined our network

 

Barbara Randolph 1971

Mary Turner 1983

     

In the 80s and 1990s Mary Turners show was so popular she had two programs on the network.  Her regular Mary Turner Show and "Off The Record", where she interviewed rock's biggest stars.

She made waves in Los Angeles radio too, and eleven year run at KMET and returning in the 90s to KSLX.  Now she's involved in many charitable causes including the Betty Ford Center in Ranch Mirage.

Mary Turner - Off The Record - 1983

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Chiquita 1949

   

 

We tried to serve all soldiers.  Part of that being our native Spanish speaking troops.  Chiquita debuted during WWII and was still going strong in the 1950s.  I'm trying to locate more information about her.  Apparently, she had some small movie roles in the 1940s.

Gracias amiga por todo!

Chiquita - 1949

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Herman Griffith 1972

     

Here's Herman with Roger Carroll, Jim Pewter, Gary Owens and the rest

In the early years of the Vietnam war there was not a lot of rock programming coming from the network.  Herman Griffith played rockin soul for the "brave and bold on the Records Caravan."

 

Herman was at KGFJ between 1963-66 and we know little else.

 

Herman had helped Roland Bynum get is first big Los Angeles gig and a few years later disappeared.

 

During those years, Herman was on our team.  I just wish I had more of these...

Herman Griffith - 1972

 

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Andy Mansfield 1963

  

Andy continues his tribute to Glenn Miller, here's part four.

America's Popular Music - 1963

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Tom Campbell 1971

    

Paul Bunyan was very young Tom Campbell

In 1971, Tom Campbell was still the new guy, he did a show about what were the 10 most hated songs on the radio.  There were truly some clinkers...

Tom Campbell 1971

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Roland Bynum 1981

 

It's a Wednesday happening on AFRTS with the Bynum...Still has it.

Roland Bynum 1981

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Bill Stewart 1967

  

Today Bill Stewart's guest is Rudy Vallee.  Rudy was the biggest of the big in the 1920s and kept going for five decades.  It's a fun listen.

Bill Stewart - 1967

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Jim Pewter 1968

 

Nice work if you can get it. (courtesy and copyright of Playground Productions)

In 1967 Jim was managing Forever Records.  They put out a two record set to benefit the USO.  "Jim Pewter Salutes the USO Shows with 21 Hits From The Past"  I've got to pick up a copy.  Jim shared this original artwork picture with 21 teen models in Pasadena.

Jim Pewter  - 1968

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Don Tracy 1984

  

No holding some people back.  Don was in Hartford, parlayed that into Los Angeles.  At the top of his game was doing the AFRTS show for a long time.  Thanks Don!

Don Tracy - 1984
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Diego Garcia 1995 Stephen Payne

 

Stephen joined the United States Navy in 1991. He graduated from Defense Information School (DINFOS) at Fort Benjamin Harrison. He was a Navy broadcaster during his deployment in Diego Garcia, in the British Indian Ocean. By the time of Stephen’s Honorable Discharge in 1996, he held the role of Journalist Third Class, and he was awarded two Navy commendation medals as well as a Navy Achievement Medal. On this visit Stephen is with Marine Elizabeth Allen.

Stephen passed away in 2025 at 56 years old.

Stephen Payne - Diego Garcia 1995