KPRI106.5 A ROCK 'N' ROLL TIMELINE
WOLF - Wolf Ricketts Wolf Ricketts recalls the transition from pretend DJ to the real deal. I had always been a music aficionado/fanatic, mostly as a result of having been introduced to jazz by my dad, who had an incredible collection (thousands of 78s) that were impeccably cataloged and in mint condition. We spent HOURS listening & discovering magnificent music. Got older and started my own LP collection of jazz, blues & quality popular music. I never even thought about radio as a career. I was managing a shoe store on 5th Ave. in downtown San Diego and had brought in a small stereo to wile away the hours and create a bit of ambiance in a pretty dour environment. One afternoon, a guy (Tom Mullen) walked in and noted the tunes. "Ever listen to KPRI?” I knew of it but even then was not satisfied listening to much of the music that was being programmed by "others", (NO SURPRISE THAT). We started talking and he asked me if I was happy in my job. I WAS NOT! Tom suggested that, because my background was in sales that I should consider applying at the station to work in the sales department. I was interested and he said he would set up an interview.
Within the next couple of days, I walked up the hill at lunch and met Jack Barnard who interviewed me. We hit it off famously, because he, having played ball at Notre Dame, particularly appreciated my sports background. He hired me on the spot. Did sales for a couple of weeks. Larry Shushan asked me if I wanted to manage a SOUNDSVILLE RECORD store. Seemed a natural fit and I had a couple of babies, so the money was attractive. All was well... UNTIL, one morning, I got to work early and Ron Middag (that old devil) asked me if I wanted to check out the control room. Sure, I said... That was the end of me having any interest in sales of any kind, or really ANYTHING beyond doing what I witnessed; LMAO! As I played records, I had always programmed my own "shows", without even realizing it, blending themes, tempos, the feel of the tunes. Middag was playing "Beginnings" from CTA & segued into “Soul Sacrifice” by Santana. I will never forget this. My life was changed in an instant. Within a week, I quit the sales position (kept working at SOUNDSVILLE), but once I met Mark Williams and became quickly best friends, it was ALL OVER! He was doing graveyard and began allowing me to run the board. If memory serves: Middag left to work in LA and Mark was made PD. He put me on the air and until Peter Frankland came in with the dreaded format, I was there full time. Mark left to work at KOME and took me with him. Whew, sorry for the novella, but it all came flashing back…
Wolf Ricketts at the 7th & Ash studio with Andy Melamed on kazoo and a great shot of (Name here)'s glasses and forehead.
Discussing the finer points of segues.
As wife & child lovingly look on, Wolf & Ron elevate their outlook for the day.
1982 - I was working late nights at KSJO, one of the two South Bay radio stalwarts (my third stint at this constantly changing station). Shown here smiling with me is Tawn Mastrey, a mainstay in the Bay Area, and an amazing, funny, talented, beautiful soul. The best stone rock 'n' roll DJ that I've ever heard. She is no longer on planet earth. I've always felt that she was simply too alive to continue to deal with the complete demise of free-form radio, which was her life and obsession. I truly pray that she is resting in peace .... but I doubt it.

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