A Photo Tribute to Richard Kimball
9/23/1936 - 3/7/2019 / Rest in Peace
Richard Kimball was an incredible example of all that was special about FM radio and broadcasting in general, especially during the heyday of the "Might Met" (KMET) during the pivotal 1970s. His career spanned the gamut, with DJ roles at KMET, KWST, KSAN, and KSJO and later serving as Senior VP of Artist Acquisition for The Road at United Stations Radio Networks. But more than being a DJ and Program Director and (in later years) a live music broadcast producer, he was a very caring and special person and a great friend to all who had the opportunity to spend time with him.
We honor him here with a grouping of photos from throughout his rich career in the music industry.
We honor him here with a grouping of photos from throughout his rich career in the music industry.
Short Biography
(Courtesy of laradio.com. Thank You)
KIMBALL, Richard: KMET, 1970-74; KWST, 1975-76. Richard worked the early days of AOR radio as program director at the Mighty Met, KMET and KWST (K-West) in the mid-1970s. He March 7, 2019. He was 82. Richard was being treated for throat cancer and was undergoing chemo therapy last fall. Word of his passing was initially posted by fellow KMET colleagueMary Turner Pattiz.
Born in Oakland in 1936, Richard grew up in Sacramento. His mother played piano in various bands. “I was exposed to all kinds of music. Every weekend we listened to opera.” At 14 he wrangled a job at the NBC/tv station, KCRA. After some time in college, Richard joined the Army and spent much of his time in the Far East. “I loved the international travel.”
Before he arrived at “the Mighty Met,” he worked in the Bay Area at KDIA, KSAN, KSJO and KMPX. “When I left KMET I managed Emerson, Lake and Palmer. In 1975, a group from Detroit arrived to turn ‘K-West’ into AOR programming and I was the only local guy hired. Within 18 months I tired of a daily show. I envisioned myself splayed over some console mumbling something about Joni Mitchell. Plus, the suits and the corporate mentality had arrived and the music was no longer free-form.”
Richard became a manager and guided the careers of David Cassidy and other artists until joining Westwood One in 1980 in the rock concert division. He stayed until 1993 when he left to co-produce “Rockline” for Global Satellite. Richard owned AASK (Artist Acquisitions Service Kompany) which acquired musical artists for network programming. He also co-produced “The Road” which was syndicated in 250 markets and 29 countries. “I was sitting in Las Vegas waiting to record some artists for ‘The Road’ when a three-quarter slot machine paid a progressive jackpot of $41,000. That’s the way my life has been.”
Mary Turner wrote of Kimball. “A gentleman in every sense of the word and a gentle man.”
(Courtesy of laradio.com. Thank You)
KIMBALL, Richard: KMET, 1970-74; KWST, 1975-76. Richard worked the early days of AOR radio as program director at the Mighty Met, KMET and KWST (K-West) in the mid-1970s. He March 7, 2019. He was 82. Richard was being treated for throat cancer and was undergoing chemo therapy last fall. Word of his passing was initially posted by fellow KMET colleagueMary Turner Pattiz.
Born in Oakland in 1936, Richard grew up in Sacramento. His mother played piano in various bands. “I was exposed to all kinds of music. Every weekend we listened to opera.” At 14 he wrangled a job at the NBC/tv station, KCRA. After some time in college, Richard joined the Army and spent much of his time in the Far East. “I loved the international travel.”
Before he arrived at “the Mighty Met,” he worked in the Bay Area at KDIA, KSAN, KSJO and KMPX. “When I left KMET I managed Emerson, Lake and Palmer. In 1975, a group from Detroit arrived to turn ‘K-West’ into AOR programming and I was the only local guy hired. Within 18 months I tired of a daily show. I envisioned myself splayed over some console mumbling something about Joni Mitchell. Plus, the suits and the corporate mentality had arrived and the music was no longer free-form.”
Richard became a manager and guided the careers of David Cassidy and other artists until joining Westwood One in 1980 in the rock concert division. He stayed until 1993 when he left to co-produce “Rockline” for Global Satellite. Richard owned AASK (Artist Acquisitions Service Kompany) which acquired musical artists for network programming. He also co-produced “The Road” which was syndicated in 250 markets and 29 countries. “I was sitting in Las Vegas waiting to record some artists for ‘The Road’ when a three-quarter slot machine paid a progressive jackpot of $41,000. That’s the way my life has been.”
Mary Turner wrote of Kimball. “A gentleman in every sense of the word and a gentle man.”
The DJ/FM Radio, KMET ERA
More Recent Get-Togethers
