Boss Angeles

I was the program director at KHJ during the first five years of its “Boss Radio” format (1965-69), after which I joined former KRLA competitor Casey Kasem to co-create “American Top 40.”

Your story rightfully pays tribute to some great broadcast professionals, who, like the music they play, continue to maintain their appeal. As in any endeavor, much of their success derived from diligent behind-the-scenes effort. Robert W. Morgan, Don Steele and Harvey Miller are prime examples that KHJ’s operating philosophy of “preparation, concentration and moderation” remains an effective dictum.

For the record, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys did not place a late-night call asking if KHJ wanted an exclusive on “Good Vibrations.” While “Boss Radio” indeed featured world premieres of scores of future million-sellers, they were not arranged in the manner described in the article. Though entertaining, these reports tend to become exaggerated over the years. (Though Wilson did write, along with the late Roger Christian and myself, special lyrics to “Little Deuce Coupe” for KHJ’s first promotional jingle, in May, 1965.)

Today’s “Boss Angeles” listeners are lucky to be able to turn on the radio and still hear Morgan and Steele doing their thing. It’s like being able to watch Koufax and Drysdale (another pair of L.A. teammates from the ‘60s) pitch at Dodger Stadium this week--with their skills undiminished by time.

RON JACOBS

Honolulu