KISW (FM)
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KISW-FM, "The Rock of Seattle", is an FM radio station in Seattle, Washington at the frequency 99.9.
Format
KISW is an active rock format.Air Staff
- The BJ Shea Morning Experience Weekdays: 5:00 AM - 10:00 AM pst
- Ricker Weekdays: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM pst
- The Mens Room Weekdays: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM pst
- Jolene Weekdays: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM pst
- Tom Leykis Weekdays: 10:00 PM - 2:00 AM pst
History
During the 1950s this station played classical music, but by the 1970s had switched to a hard-rock format.KISW has had several owners over the years. During the 1970s it was owned by Kaye-Smith Enterprises (with the family of Danny Kaye as part owners). It was then purchased by Alexander Broadcasting Company, then by Nationwide Communications, Inc. The current owner is Entercom Communications Co.
In 1991 as an April Fool's prank the radio station changed their format to "Classical Rock" for a day.
In August, 2000 the popular "Twisted Radio" show led by Bob Rivers left to join rival radio station KZOK, resulting in a slump in the station's ratings. Howard Stern's nationally syndicated show was signed in May, 2001 as a replacement. But by 2005 Stern switched to satellite radio.
On November 30, 2005, The Tom Leykis Show was moved from sister station KQBZ, (which flipped to country) even after nearly 1,000 fans called the station and sent emails to stop the switch through protest sites such as http://www.wewantleykis.com
On January 3, 2006 at 5:00 am pst, The BJ Shea Morning Experience replaced Howard Stern.
Mascots
Duck
KISW Radio Seattle had a Duck mascot that promoted the station from 1977 to 1980. The KISW Duck attended public gatherings, fairs, festivals, rock concerts, sporting events and other area events to promote the station visiblility in the station listener area. The KISW Duck attended the 1978 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California and was briefly seen on the National TV broadcast. The game featured Washington and Michigan. The game was won by Washington 27 to 20. The KISW Duck regularly attended rock concerts and once performed with the TUBES rock group during their show at the Paramount Theater in Seattle in 1978. The KISW Duck was also well known for giving away donuts to listeners who drove by the station every Friday morning. The KISW Duck is probably best known for being the victim of a police beating that happened at a Richard Pryor show in 1979 outside the Paramount Theater in Seattle. Although it was never clear what triggered the incident the charges were eventually drop by the Seattle city attorney. The story of the beating was covered in several national music trade publications at the time. The KISW duck was portrayed by Daniel O'Brien a Seattle native and local promoter who was, beside being the KISW duck, one of the founders of a local entertainment magazine known as "The Rocket". The KISW Duck quacked his last quack in 1980 when the station dropped the promotion.
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