Los Angeles radio is a fascinating study of where a lot of radio originates. As a trend-setter and a hub for national networks, L.A. is the home of top industry legendary talent. I have visited L.A. several times and spent time listening to stations like KROQ, KIIS, KOST and KLOS. Of course, L.A. has had many other legendary stations from Power to Pirate.

Check out all the research I did for PlaylistResearch on the history of Los Angeles Radio. Some legendary eras that come to mind include KHJ as the the long running AM top 40 station in the 60s and 70s and KMET as the freeform rocker of the sixties, seventies and eighties. Of course, KIIS went on to be a dominant hit music station since the 1980s.

For many years Rick Dees, whose 1976 hit "Disco Duck" hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, was the morning voice of KIIS. The host became Ryan Seacrest, a star on the popular TV series American Idol. Big names from L.A. Radio have included Don Steele, Robert W. Morgan, Charlie Tuna, Mark & Brian, Bobby Ocean and Shadoe Stevens. Check out the article here.

See also:

History of the Los Angeles Local Music Scene
How Sgt. Pepper Can Help Businesses
KWODZAP: An Alternative To Radio
Los Angeles Radio Dial
Rise of Alternative Radio
Sacramento Radio Dial
San Diego Radio Dial
San Francisco Radio Dial
The Future of Automated Radio
U.S. Regional and Local Music Scenes