Today, the Living Legends Foundation celebrates Los Angeles, paying tribute to the Black radio stations that helped define & elevate the culture.
KGFJ delivered daily R&B soundtracks through the legendary voices of Big Jim Randolph, Lucky Pierre, Alvin John Waples, Walt “Baby Love,” & the Magnificent Montague, who coined the phrase “Burn, Baby, Burn” to celebrate a hot new record – later transforming it into “Learn, Baby, Learn” as a call for peace during the Watts uprising of 1965.
KACE, owned by former Green Bay Packer Willie Davis through his company All Pro Broadcasting, became known for its deep community outreach & Urban Adult programming. Alonzo Miller, Gillian Harris, Lisa Lipps, E.Z. Wiggins, Cal Shields, Don Savage, Charlie Vincent, Bill Shearer & newsman Ralph Sutton each lent their talents to the station’s success.
KUTE emerged as an early Urban Contemporary FM outlet under Inner City Broadcasting. Programmed by Lawrence “LT” Tanter, it helped define FM listening habits for Black audiences across LA. It was also here that Carole Carper made history as the city’s first Black female News Director. Other notable air talent included Lee Bailey, Lucky Pierre, Frankie Crocker & Bill Stevens.
Originally owned by John LaMar Hill, KJLH is now operated by Stevie Wonder’s Taxi Productions. Rooted in music, service & community engagement, the station has featured memorable voices such as Rod McGrew, Lawrence “LT” Tanter, Cliff Winston, Tony Valdez, Levi Booker, newsman Carl Nelson & Lon McQ.
KDAY reshaped Los Angeles radio in 1983 by fully embracing rap music under the direction of Greg Mack, alongside Dr. Dre and DJ Yella. Earlier contributors to its evolving sound included Jim Maddox, JJ Johnson, Lee Michaels, Doug Banks, Don Mac, Steve Woods & newsman Roger Aldi.
KBLA 1580 AM launched in 2021 under the leadership of Tavis Smiley, becoming Los Angeles’s first Black-owned & operated talk station. Its current lineup features Dominique DiPrima, Cornel West, Areva Martin, DL Hughley, Jesse Jackson Jr., carrying forward a legacy of Black voices shaping culture, conversation & community.
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