Notes: Over the Years

Many people have ask us,that worked there---"What was the song that when played, made you think of KSBK"? I'd have to say----"The Road To Naminoue", by Ronnie Fray. During the late 60's to the time KSBK went off the air, that song was the most-requested, bar none. I emailed Ronnie some years ago to let him know how popular that song was. He was totally blown-away, that the song was so popular. He had no idea it was KSBK's adopted theme song.
I remember people calling in on the request line, and tell us not to say anything at the beginning, so they could tape that song,so they could have a song to remember Okinawa.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
SO.........Where are some of the KSBK DJ's Now? This will be a work in-progress. ART BELL, as mentioned, has passed away in 2018. For years He hosted the "Coast To Coast" Radio Show. For a time, he was just as popular as Larry King, who even had him on his nightly TV Show on CNN. There are some, that have vanished.STEVE GOLD, is working in Television."SKIP" WILLIS is retired from day-today Radio. he is doing some part time work in Florida. RICK LANE, is retired. Following KSBK, Rick worked in Atlanta,Florida,New Orleans.KEN MARSHALL, is working Radio part-time. THE "PORCUPINE" JOHN RICHARDS, is on the other side of the music business. He works with various Performers who work various Projects.(Officially he considers himself Retired!)PAUL COMPNEY,is in Arizona.  After his stint on "The Rock", he worked in Radio in Green Bay Wisconsin.Following his stint at KSBK/JORO,JIM WILSON became Program Director at WHOA-AM, on Puerto Rico.BART BARSNESS, is still in Radio. He hosts an "Outdoor" type Show, out of Billings,MT. AND, as they say----the story continues............when we hear from any of the guys, we will post the info.

Just spoke with Legendary Actor, and KSBK Alumni member ROBERT COLBERT. Some of you might remember Mr. Colbert from his appearance as Bret Maverick, in the TV Show"Maverick".And the popular TV program "Time Tunnel". It was a great honor to speak with him, regarding his tenure at KSBK. He also appeared in many other feature films. (He even co-starred with The Three Stooges, in "Have Rocket Will Travel"!)  He said his time on Okinawa, and his work on KSBK was one of the high marks in his career. After all, during this time, he was asked to play a part in a local play. And the rest as they say is History!  He is retired from Show Business, and enjoying life. "Thanks" Robert for playing those Platters, and making KSBK great!


Recieved an email from Charles,who was stationed in Machinato Service area, in
1972. "Did you know any of the broadcasters on AFRTS"? YES......Even though we considered them competition--there were a couple of them that some of us socialized with.(Concerts,hanging out in Koza,and Naha) John Smith(His real name) a Navy guy, use to come over to the Apartment we had, and just told Radio stories. Basically just hung-out with us.Another DJ at AFN was Paul Brumalowe. He left there, and worked for a short time on KSBK. (I remember Paul doing some Station/Announcer ID's.)

Jim Ashton has checked in.....He was in a "Country" Band. His group,"The Sons Of The South" were the House Band for "The KSBK Jamboree". That Show was patterned after "The WLS Barn Dance,and the "Grand Ole Opry". That also brings to mind this:During his Air Force stay at Kadena--a very young Melvin Tillis appeared on the show in 1958.(He mostly did the AFRTS Shows as KSBK was changing to a full Rock and Roll format.) After Okinawa, as Mel Tillis, has become one of Country Music's greats! The "KSBK JAMBOREE" ran from 1957-1963. It was brought back as an Hour show, in 1972,which was sponsored by a "Country" themed Night Club, in Koza. I think it only lasted for 8-10 weeks. (Playing Records.....No live Music...was a Remote Show @ the
place.)
Ken, who was @ NAHA Base writes in: Where did you guys mostly hang-out? That's easy..EVERY WHERE! All of us lived in the surrounding towns: Ojana,Futema,Naha,Koza,and other areas of the Island.It would be nothing to see many of us @ the A&W,The Futema Steak House(Which by-the-way, had thee best Kobe Steak in the world!)We would frequently go to the Filmore, to hear all the groups that would play there like:TLA,and Murasaki.

Earl, who was on Okinawa, in 1967/1968 writes in: I walked from Nominoue to Kokusai Street and passing a Radio Station where the DJ was attempting to set a marathon record. He believed it to be Art Bell. Do you know the Naha Address of KSBK Back then?........First...let me say you are absolutely correct. It was Art Bell, and he
was trying to break the Teeter-Totter World Record of consectutive Hours Teeter-Tottering!. Bell did break the Record. I'm not sure how many hours he stayed on that teeter-totter, but I'm thinking it was a very long,long time. I Have for a while now still trying to see if that record still stands! It might!
As far as the Address: You got me on that!.All I can remember was the mailing address KSBK/RBC Box 4 Naha,Okinawa. A possible street address might be: RBC Building, 1F,231 Kumoji, Naha City,Okinawa. "Bubble Head Ed" writes in, saying that on a Telephone Survey Form he received from Doug Greene, the Address was: RBC, 1-66 Kumeji-Cho Naha,Okinawa. . Both of the Addresses could be correct.
Everytime we had someone come down to the Station, all of the Cab drivers knew where the RBC Building was---so we just said go to the RBC Studio's! THANKS EARL,FOR CHECKING IN!