Ballinger's Way
NOTE: Stew Ballinger recently left us at the age of 95. He was as unlikely a pioneer in progressive FM radio as you could imagine. Yet, in 1975, he gave a wandering band of broadcast gypsies the creative chance of a lifetime and KZAM was born. In honor of Stew, I am reprinting here an article I wrote in 2005 for the Seattle Times on the occasion of KZAM's 30th anniversary reunion. Thanks Stew and may you forever enjoy your role in that Great Musical in the Sky. Alexander Stewart Ballinger Obituary: View Alexander Ballinger's Obituary by The Seattle Times --- Friday, April 1, 2005 Radio Recalling the heady days of progressive station KZAM By LeeZard
Special to The Seattle Times With apologies to the Beatles, it was 30 years ago today Sgt. Pepper taught this particular band to play. On April Fools' Day 1975, a new radio station hit the airwaves with a wildly eclectic combination of music and news, turning Seattle on its ear. The call letters were KZAM (92.5...