The History

BREAKING NEWS..................Just confirmed........

Famed Internationally-Known  Radio Broadcaster, and KSBK Alumnus ART BELL has Died.
Detail are limited, but Art passed away at his home in Pahrump,Nevada.  A short announcement regarding ART BELL can be found here on the Blog, in the Personalities section.



Chief Announcer, and KSBK's leader, BOB WALES has passed away, from undisclosed illness.
We have little details, it's believed he passed away at his home in Hawaii, on Jan. 24,2017.
Bob was one of the best Program Directors ever in the history of KSBK/JORO. His "Opinon Line" Radio Show, was the Number 1 Radio Show, in the Far East. (Beating out Stations in the Philippines,and Guam) Bob was the last Broadcaster to be behind the Microphone, when JORO signed off the Air, in 1973. Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Wales Family and Friends. I know for sure.........Bob Wales appreciated all of us that carried the KSBK/JORO Banner. If he believed in you.......he would stick with you, through thick and thin! He made all of us better people.
THANKS BOB FOR ALL YOU DID, IN MAKING KSBK/JOR.O-AM, THE NUMBER ONE RATED RADIO STATION IN THE FAR EAST!   RIP .

FOUND!..............The last 45 mins of JORO!........Preserved on audio tape by Walter Edelman. I will do my best to make the Recording available..........Will keep you posted. Thank You Walter. all of us at the Blog appreciate your efforts.


As the dust settled from World War II,Bill Conine has this idea to give the official Armed Forces Radio Outlet on Okinawa, a run for it's money. Thinking that the U.S.Forces could use an alternate Radio source.With less than $10,000 KSBK started to become a reality. From 1955/1956 this reality started to unfold. He got the best Studio Equipment he could line-up,Annoucers, and most importantly,started to sell advertising to the local population, that would cater to all these American Service members.It worked!Thus began one of the most-popular radio outlets in the Far East. Eventuly, Conine cut a deal with RBC. RBC was Okinawa's largest Media Company,that owned a couple of other stations. Plus.the Islands Television Station gearing to it's own Okinawa population. Conine eventually left KSBK, Bart Richardson took over as Station Manager.
In it's "hay-day", KSBK was the Number One rated Radio Station, in the Far East.The Ratings were higher than those on Guam,Philippines, or any of the American Forces Outlets.
Following Reversion of U.S. to Japan---KSBK changed it's call letters to JORO-AM.

KSBK-AM 880, signed off the air for it's last time on Halloween Night,1973-- at :01 Second,after Midnight.Bob Wales was the last DJ to say "Fond Fare-Well", to those faithful listeners. NOTE: KSBK-AM was JORO-AM at the time of this sign-off.

Thanks To Paul Compney, I've added to the top Right.....The Guy that was responsible for the "Day-to Day Management of KSBK/JORO, Mr. Nakachi AkiraMiyako. He was the "Official" General Manager of the Station. Conine,Richardson,Greene,and later Bob Wales, all took directions from "Miyako". He was the quietest GM I have ever known. There were some of the Broadcasters,DJ's that didn't even know who he was!  He was affectionately known as: "Mr Okinawa Radio". In later Years he was a Presenter on RBC's FM/Okinawa. the Station still remains on the Air to this day.

SPECIAL NOTICE......I know somewhere on the Blog, We have said this Before but, here it goes again: There is a Company doing business as CAFEPRESS. They do Coffee Mugs,T-Shirts, and other various items carrying the logo's of both KSBK, AND JORO. This Blog, it's Owners, nor anyone else associated with KSBK/JORO, Including any Personality, have NOTHING to do with this company. Any questions you have pertaining to Shipments,Orders etc. have to be directed to them. To my knowledge, NO Royalty Payments, are paid to RBC/KSBK/JORO for the printing of the Logo's. I'm sure you can reach them on a Search Egine of your choice. Just wanted to clarify this again. We have had some Inquiries regarding this Company.