KCAC (AM)

KCAC-AM
City Phoenix, Arizona
Broadcast area Phoenix metropolitan area
Frequency 1010 kHz
First air date 1961
Format rhythm and blues, freeform, Spanish language

KCAC (1010 AM) was a radio station in Phoenix, Arizona that began with a rhythm and blues format in 1961, changed to a Spanish-language format in 1966, and then served as that market's first free-form station from 1969 to 1971, when it declared bankruptcy. In its free-form incarnation, it had a major impact on Phoenix's counter culture of that time and its DJs formed the basis of KDKB-FM, which has gone on to be a notable Album Oriented Rock station.

History

In 1961, KCAC originated as a rhythm-and-blues station, located at 20 E. Broadway, in Phoenix.[1] It was one of the few radio stations in Arizona that were African American-owned and -operated. Among its DJs were Jim Titus, who, while at KRIZ radio in 1958, had become Phoenix's first African-American radio announcer.[2]

KCAC's management decided to change to a Spanish-language format four years later, but the station was not a success.[3]

KCAC switched to a free-form format when William Edward Compton became its station manager in 1969. He served in that capacity and as a DJ until it went off the air in 1971. In an attempt to describe its free-form format in 1970, a guest columnist in the Arizona Republic described it thus:

Free-form programming as used by KCAC allows the individual announcer complete discretion. This allows some of the innovations in rock air time denied under Top 40 programming, as well as opening the door to other musical forms. A typical show on KCAC will include elements of jazz, blues, folk, classical, hillbilly, country, soul and, of course rock. The absence of prescheduled news programs allows occasional hour-and-a-half collages of uninterrupted music.[4]

When KCAC went bankrupt in 1971, Compton collaborated with KDKB co-owner Dwight Tindle to "invent" KDKB and its air sound.[5] Several KCAC DJs made the move with Compton to KDKB—including Gary Kinsey (on-air name, Toad Hall) and Hank Cookenboo.[6] The 1010 AM frequency was subsequently bought by Golden West Christian School who operated KHCS on it.[7][8]

References

  1. ↑ Dean, David R. and Jean A. Reynolds (2004). African American Historic Property Survey (PDF). Mesa, AZ: Athenaeum Public History Group. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  2. ↑ D’Andrea, Niki (September 2013). "Jazz & Blues". Phoenix Magazine. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  3. ↑ Heath, Eward W. (April 10, 1966). "It's A Big Switch KCAC Has Made". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  4. ↑ Davis, Mark (August 3, 1970). "Differences Between Rock and Rut". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  5. ↑ Tindle, C. Dwight (2011). "Birth Pangs". Retrieved September 26, 2013.
  6. ↑ Walker, Dave (November 13, 1991). "KDKB at 20". Phoenix NewTimes. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Phoenix Radio Station Burglarized 2nd Time". Arizona Republic. August 17, 1971. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  8. ↑ "KHCS Radio Has KCAC Frequency". Arizona Republic. February 4, 1972. Retrieved 4 November 2013.

Coordinates: 33°24′24″N 112°04′23″W / 33.4067°N 112.0730°W / 33.4067; -112.0730

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