Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

darkstar

(5,786 posts)
Sun Feb 22, 2026, 11:56 PM 12 hrs ago

St. Louis classic rock stations in the 70s, ie KSHE and KADI

If you grew up in the classic rock era in the region, you know what I’m talking about. Even if not, it might interest you that KSHE the oldest classic rock station in the word, having started in 1967. These days it traffics in a lot more hair metal and latter day styles than it used to and hence deeper cuts get crowded out.

But back in the early 70s, it had a rival in the region, KADI. They were, on the whole, a bit mellower and more country rock, and in the late evenings, the mellow vibes got stronger. Great stuff as a high school senior in 75 after a night out or a night that was getting better because you were with a special someone. And chief among the DJs at this hour was “Radio Rich” Dalton. Great, soothing, late night voice. IYKYK.

Well, a bit over a year ago now, he returned to area radio on a terrestrial station called KBDZ. And indeed he does evenings, just not quite as late these days. The station is great all through the day, with an hour devoted to the 80s in the afternoon, which is just fine given the deeper tracks they still get to in the day. Nearly every day I hear something I haven’t heard in nearly fifty years. Chilliwack, progressive era Rundgren, a Marshall Tucker song I’ve never heard before.

All this is to say is that if you grew up here and remember Radio Rich, you might tune in at night on the KBDZ website. Or via old fashioned radio if you are still in the area. (I moved away in 75, moved back in 2008, and, now retired, really appreciate having old Rich back in my life.

*****
Here are the three songs *in a row* Rich played the other night that inspired this post. So even if this history and current St Lou radio scene are of no interest, here’s some late night vibes for ya.

?si=gn4s_O-l5W7thTLB

?si=0AuINkJ1VtU2JRlG

?si=ASMIlro3wFzoXtyq





3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
St. Louis classic rock stations in the 70s, ie KSHE and KADI (Original Post) darkstar 12 hrs ago OP
WCSX, WLLZ and WOMC were my go-to stations growing up in the Detroit area. RandySF 11 hrs ago #1
I was lucky enough to have an fm radio and hear the seminal beginnings of psychedelic rock. tirebiter 11 hrs ago #2
Wow, we had a SHE classic rock station down here too. FM123 10 hrs ago #3

tirebiter

(2,687 posts)
2. I was lucky enough to have an fm radio and hear the seminal beginnings of psychedelic rock.
Mon Feb 23, 2026, 12:56 AM
11 hrs ago

In 1966-67 on KMPX and KSAN in the Bay Area, KPOI in Hawaii, and the best years of KZAP in Sacramento. Seattle was in there, too. I got my 3d class license and did college and community radio along similar lines from 1973 until 2016. Good years. A good life.

FM123

(10,352 posts)
3. Wow, we had a SHE classic rock station down here too.
Mon Feb 23, 2026, 01:08 AM
10 hrs ago
RADIO103.5 WSHE-FM was a legendary album-oriented rock station in South Florida during the 1970s, famously branded with the slogan "She's Only Rock and Roll". Based in Davie, the station dominated the FM airwaves from 1972 to 1996, featuring iconic DJs and signature, high-energy rock programming
Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»St. Louis classic rock st...