Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

The Last DJ

Gary Beck has a certain way about him. He is the midday disc jockey at KSDS, the City College radio station otherwise known as Jazz 88.3, and his demeanor takes me back to 1971 to a film character named Dave Garver, played by Clint Eastwood, who dodged a stalker and spun jazz on KRML in Play Misty for Me. His first day at Jazz 88.3 was 36 years ago.

“I’ve done shows there while working at or between stations since 1974,” he says. Beck also taught City College radio programming and production in 1988 and 1989.

“Here’s the list of stations I’ve worked at, in order from the beginning: KSDO, KSDS, KITT, KOGO, WNEW, KPRI, XTRA GOLD, KLZZ, MAGIC 102.9, KIFM, Z90, KBEST, WDHA, and Sirius Satellite Radio.”

Beck names Bob Coburn — the longtime Rockline host who worked in San Diego at KGB-FM in the 1970s — as an inspiration.

“He didn’t mess around, didn’t try to be cute, and knew what he was talking about.”

As Beck is approaching 40 years in the industry, a conversation with him can become an insider’s view of the history of free-form FM rock radio, and when he mentions the names of announcers long gone, it becomes a roll call of radio’s better days: Scott Muni, Allison Steele, Digby Welsh, Perry Allen, Ernesto Gladden…

Ever see Play Misty for Me?

“Yes. I own the film on DVD.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

You have some of that Clint Eastwood mojo…

“I have been told that over the years. I had the pleasure of meeting Clint two years back when he was in town for a coastal commission hearing. I talked with him about Flags of Our Fathers and our mutual passion for jazz.”

Have you ever been stalked by a radio fan?

“No.”

Do you pick all the music for your show?

“Yes.”

Do outside influences come to bear on your song choices?

“Being a longtime free-form jock with over 38 years in commercial radio, I’ve always been mood-driven. It’s a feeling-and-senses thing with me and always has been. And I have a great ear — thanks to God, Mom, or somebody.”

Night or morning person?

“I’m definitely a night person. I seem to be at my best at twilight. It may have something to do with what time we were born. For me, it was 5:35 or 5:40.”

Frustrated musician?

“No, not really. I have been able to express myself musically through my shows over the years. I did play the trombone as a kid.”

What’s your definition of “cool”?

“The word ‘jazz’ defines cool and always has to the right person.”

Is traditional jazz dying out?

“No. I think jazz, like all great art forms, goes through periods of rise and decline.”

CD or vinyl: Is there a difference?

“Oh, yes. In fact, I love analog so much I still have my old Pioneer tuner from the ’70s, and I still get it serviced at the old Mission Hills Radio & TV.”

Career high point?

“Interviews always come to mind. Two standouts: John Lee Hooker and Willie Dixon, both of whom became friends years back.”

Have you ever thought about quitting radio and doing something else?

“I tried to get out of radio in 1995 when I became disillusioned with the whole thing, but somebody brought me back. Career-wise, I’ll stay on as long as it remains enjoyable to me and my audience.”

Beer or martini?

“Both. But my favorite is Bushmills [Irish whiskey] with a splash of water. I would do commercials for them for just about nothing.”

Five things you wish you owned:

1) “A home with a view.”

2) “A couple of dogs.”

3) “A sailboat.”

4) “A neighborhood bar.”

5) “A radio station.”

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Gonzo Report: Three nights of Mission Bayfest bring bliss

“This is a top-notch production.”
Next Article

Wild Wild Wets, Todo Mundo, Creepy Creeps, Laura Cantrell, Graham Nancarrow

Rock, Latin reggae, and country music in Little Italy, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Harbor Island

Gary Beck has a certain way about him. He is the midday disc jockey at KSDS, the City College radio station otherwise known as Jazz 88.3, and his demeanor takes me back to 1971 to a film character named Dave Garver, played by Clint Eastwood, who dodged a stalker and spun jazz on KRML in Play Misty for Me. His first day at Jazz 88.3 was 36 years ago.

“I’ve done shows there while working at or between stations since 1974,” he says. Beck also taught City College radio programming and production in 1988 and 1989.

“Here’s the list of stations I’ve worked at, in order from the beginning: KSDO, KSDS, KITT, KOGO, WNEW, KPRI, XTRA GOLD, KLZZ, MAGIC 102.9, KIFM, Z90, KBEST, WDHA, and Sirius Satellite Radio.”

Beck names Bob Coburn — the longtime Rockline host who worked in San Diego at KGB-FM in the 1970s — as an inspiration.

“He didn’t mess around, didn’t try to be cute, and knew what he was talking about.”

As Beck is approaching 40 years in the industry, a conversation with him can become an insider’s view of the history of free-form FM rock radio, and when he mentions the names of announcers long gone, it becomes a roll call of radio’s better days: Scott Muni, Allison Steele, Digby Welsh, Perry Allen, Ernesto Gladden…

Ever see Play Misty for Me?

“Yes. I own the film on DVD.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

You have some of that Clint Eastwood mojo…

“I have been told that over the years. I had the pleasure of meeting Clint two years back when he was in town for a coastal commission hearing. I talked with him about Flags of Our Fathers and our mutual passion for jazz.”

Have you ever been stalked by a radio fan?

“No.”

Do you pick all the music for your show?

“Yes.”

Do outside influences come to bear on your song choices?

“Being a longtime free-form jock with over 38 years in commercial radio, I’ve always been mood-driven. It’s a feeling-and-senses thing with me and always has been. And I have a great ear — thanks to God, Mom, or somebody.”

Night or morning person?

“I’m definitely a night person. I seem to be at my best at twilight. It may have something to do with what time we were born. For me, it was 5:35 or 5:40.”

Frustrated musician?

“No, not really. I have been able to express myself musically through my shows over the years. I did play the trombone as a kid.”

What’s your definition of “cool”?

“The word ‘jazz’ defines cool and always has to the right person.”

Is traditional jazz dying out?

“No. I think jazz, like all great art forms, goes through periods of rise and decline.”

CD or vinyl: Is there a difference?

“Oh, yes. In fact, I love analog so much I still have my old Pioneer tuner from the ’70s, and I still get it serviced at the old Mission Hills Radio & TV.”

Career high point?

“Interviews always come to mind. Two standouts: John Lee Hooker and Willie Dixon, both of whom became friends years back.”

Have you ever thought about quitting radio and doing something else?

“I tried to get out of radio in 1995 when I became disillusioned with the whole thing, but somebody brought me back. Career-wise, I’ll stay on as long as it remains enjoyable to me and my audience.”

Beer or martini?

“Both. But my favorite is Bushmills [Irish whiskey] with a splash of water. I would do commercials for them for just about nothing.”

Five things you wish you owned:

1) “A home with a view.”

2) “A couple of dogs.”

3) “A sailboat.”

4) “A neighborhood bar.”

5) “A radio station.”

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Extended family dynamics

Many of our neighbors live in the house they grew up in
Next Article

Gonzo Report: Goose may have indie vibes, but they’re still a jam band

Fans turn out in force for show at SDSU
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader