by Ben Fong-Torres, Radio Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle
Sunday, August 17, 2014
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KOSF’s Celeste Perry, above, KBAY’s Sam Van Zandt, and KCBS news and programming director Ed Cavagnaro will be inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame. Photo: Courtesy Celeste Perry
Cavagnaro, who’s worked at KCBS since 1977, is one of nine broadcasters who will be inducted into the hall in September. Cavagnaro, who won in the Specialty category, will be joined by KCBS sportscaster Steve Bitker.
Some 3,000 ballots were cast, and voting was tight in several categories, including program host. The two top vote-getters will be inducted: Celeste Perry, whose credits range from KYA and KSFO to KFRC-FM and, now, KOSF (103.7), and Sam Van Zandt, veteran of both San Francisco (KYA, KIOI, KNEW, KSAN, KCBS-FM) and South Bay radio (KBAY mornings since 2005).
Two newscasters will be enshrined: Bob Lazich, heard for 30 years on KNBR until 1995, and Peter Finch of KFOG and now KGO, where he anchors evening newscasts.
Another inductee with KFOG connections is Bill Ruck, engineering manager from 1978 to 1999 at the Cumulus cluster – KFOG, KNBR, KTCT, KSAN – who also worked at KUSF, KALW and KJAZ.
The Hall of Fame will welcome, in the executive category, Jo Anne Wallace, whose steady leadership as VP and GM of KQED-FM took the NPR station to the top of the ratings in 2011. (It’s remained at or near No. 1 since.)
In the pioneer slot, the hall will induct DJ Norman Davis, who dates back to 1958 and KOBY, the first Top 40 station in the city, KYA, KSFO, KOFY and most notably KSAN, which earlier in the year was named legendary station of the year.
The Hall of Fame announcements were part of the California Historical Radio Society‘s annual Radio Day by the Bay, the first to be presented at its new home on Central Avenue in Alameda. While “Radio Central” is being renovated, the society used a neighboring high school auditorium for the day’s main events, including a set by the Golden Gate Radio Orchestra and a production of “The Lone Ranger” by the Old Time Radio Players, including Dave Parker, 90, who was in the actual “Lone Ranger” radiocast from 1948 to 1951. Auctions of vintage radios and equipment were conducted by Finch and Mike Adams.
READ THE REST OF THE COLUMN, INCLUDING WHERE SOME OLD KGO TALK HOSTS ARE BEING HEARD, HERE AT THE CHRONICLE WEBSITE.
