I guess I've been in a reflective mood lately remembering the past Los Angeles Lakers greats. And a big part of my time in Los Angeles (1976-1980) was associated with listening to music. I had a Marantz AM/FM receiver (see a picture of, I think, the model I had then here) with Altec Lansing speakers.
Most of the stations I listened to have long since either gone under or changed formats so many times no one can remember what they started with.
But along with the music were the DJs who spun those platters. I can remember the authoritative voices of Jim Ladd, Pat "Paraquat" Kelley, Mary "The Burner" Turner, Jeff Gonzer, Ace "The Space" Young, and B. Mitchell Reed of KMET and I think Brother Bob Cole from KKGO Jazz (I could be wrong on the last one, its been a long time).
This was a time in which "free-form" album oriented rock still had a chance. In fact, for awhile, KMET was number one in LA based on their focus on playing good, but not necessarily commercial music. So instead of the three minute song followed by commercials, they might play a Led Zeppelin opus like "Kashmir" or "Stair Way to Heaven" while other stations played "Mandy" by Barry Manilow.
It was that kind of era. But as in all things, its time came and went.
