Is it time yet?

[mikecroaro]

...."he went North in '97 to the totally irrelevant and faltering "Magic 97","

Just my .02 cents worth......I thougt KMGG "Magic 97.7" was an excellent oldies station (circa 1997-1999).  I enjoyed their playlist more than any other oldies station I have listened to.

Mike Croaro

[1069_KIFR]

Lost in Space, you said "after his departure from that ill advised destination" Referring to Magic 97. Who advised him to go there.

It seemed like no one in SF was hiring at that time. Or he preferred not to work for those owners or programmers. I don't know the real situation. Did/does John Mac(k) have an agent sugesting he move to the North Bay?

[John Mack Flanagan]

My name in infamy? God, I hated (hate...) my name. I wanted something jammin' like Uncle Howie The Weird beard! or Chuckie Baby Baker, I worked with them in West Texas. McFlanagan, McFinnegan, McFarrigan, it just never worked. There were those who had a cult following about my middle name, MACK, (I was named after cowboy movie star Johnny Mack Brown ... but no one ever called me Johnny) but the whole thing just never worked. I just did what I did, and let the rest fall into place. Thanks for thinking of me. I love you all. What the world needs, a little kindness and love. When you think of me, think of good things. ... -John-

[michael hagerty]

My name in infamy? God, I hated (hate...) my name. I wanted something jammin' like Uncle Howie The Weird beard! or Chuckie Baby Baker, I worked with them in West Texas. McFlanagan, McFinnegan, McFarrigan, it just never worked. There were those who had a cult following about my middle name, MACK, (I was named after cowboy movie star Johnny Mack Brown ... but no one ever called me Johnny) but the whole thing just never worked. I just did what I did, and let the rest fall into place. Thanks for thinking of me. I love you all. What the world needs, a little kindness and love. When you think of me, think of good things. ... -John-

John:
   For what it's worth, I never met a jock who didn't think you had the coolest name. Instantly memorable.

   And back in the 80s, I dated a Tucson native. Had a KFRC aircheck in the cassette deck when I picked her up for dinner one evening....she switched it on, heard your voice and name and immediately remembered listening to you a decade and a half before at KTKT.

   You did what we all were supposed to do, but few of us did as well as you....you made a lasting connection with your listeners. The fact that you're so fondly remembered here 30 years after leaving KFRC is proof of that.

---Michael Hagerty

[Lkeller]

My name in infamy? God, I hated (hate...) my name. I wanted something jammin' like Uncle Howie The Weird beard! or Chuckie Baby Baker, I worked with them in West Texas. McFlanagan, McFinnegan, McFarrigan, it just never worked. There were those who had a cult following about my middle name, MACK, (I was named after cowboy movie star Johnny Mack Brown ... but no one ever called me Johnny) but the whole thing just never worked. I just did what I did, and let the rest fall into place. Thanks for thinking of me. I love you all. What the world needs, a little kindness and love. When you think of me, think of good things. ... -John-

John:
   For what it's worth, I never met a jock who didn't think you had the coolest name. Instantly memorable.

   And back in the 80s, I dated a Tucson native. Had a KFRC aircheck in the cassette deck when I picked her up for dinner one evening....she switched it on, heard your voice and name and immediately remembered listening to you a decade and a half before at KTKT.

   You did what we all were supposed to do, but few of us did as well as you....you made a lasting connection with your listeners. The fact that you're so fondly remembered here 30 years after leaving KFRC is proof of that.

---Michael Hagerty

I agreed with Michael  - John Mack Flanagan is a great name - more distinctive than most, and great to say on air,  For what it's worth, I never liked the fake sounding names jocks adopted in the late 60s and early 70s, though some real names never sounded that good to me on air - Ted Quillin for instance...great jock, but not a great name.  Joe Yoakam and Gene Weed always worked for me though...and I'm probably mangling the spelling on both of those.

Keep in mind, Michael, that JMF is probably best known for his work on KFRC because it was such an iconic station, but he also did stellar work at KCBS-FM/KRQR, KWSS in the South Bay, KYA-FM in the late 80s when it was an oldies station battling 99.7/KFRC, and K-Big 98.1 up into the mid 90s. Also K-101 if I remember correctly.

[skyrocker]

Thanks for thinking of me. I love you all. What the world needs, a little kindness and love. When you think of me, think of good things.

It seems to have happened suddenly, looking back at it now, but it has been awhile.

The once buoyant, boisterously cheerful voices behind the mics and music of the 60s and 70s are not with us any more. DJs, as we have known them, are dead.

They died out, not because of the times or advancing digital age, but because of lack of support, no back up. Once clusters of frequencies began to form, loyalty to Listeners and their Pipers, faded to black, replaced immediately with the ubiquitous, intemperate, piggishness that we know now.

Really, no one is much concerned. Even here in the Bay Area, due to lack of concern and accompanying funds, our own Bay Area Radio Hall Of Fame has passed away, one presumes, along with all memories it held. No support, again.

The music is still around - everywhere - from MP3 players to elevators. But the Magic Pans of the era, the fun-filled, eternally optimistic Disc Jockies have disappeared into the background like perfectly camouflaged woods fairies. Some have moved on, others watch the constantly passing parade, now as bystanders.

But this is not a fun parade. No one watching it is smiling any more.

Where their world was once filled and brimming over with eager confidence and joyous anticipation, the DJ's old "live" haunt is now a graveyard for generic voice tracks and personal dreams that can never regain their luster. Cut backs that brought forth no new blooms.

Of the many harsh realities, one that's been the most difficult to swallow for most jock I know: the daily realization that not only their employers, but their listeners just didn't care.

What's the difficulty? Well, it's just that these same once indispensable people have developed a work ethic found in most excellent performers - they have learned to give everything they had. Discovering that they are no longer needed or wanted is, to put it lightly, a bit of a heart dropping shock.

So, yeah. Think kindly and gratefully, if you can, when you remember these folks. They won't be back. And, they gave it their all.

[Hunkey Snarkey]

Its  been  a  while,  its  great  to  hear  from the  legendary John   Mack  Flanagan  and  Americas  favorite  Disc  Jockey, "me Bobby  Ocean!  i  wish  it  was  1974,  and  you  could  turn  on  the  radio  and  hear  these  two  again!  The Bay Area  got  the  shaft  when  we  got  saddled  with  so  many  endless  years  of  the  Ron  and  cammy  Regime, radio  is  about  talent, and  believe  you  me  i  listened  i  enjoyed  radio,  and  Bobby  Ocean  and  John  Mack  Flanagan  put  KFRC  on  the  map. One  last  thing.  that  guy  who  was  in  charge  at XM  radio,  John  Clay  made  a  huge  mistake  getting  rid  of  Bobby  Ocean, I  would  hope  someday  Sirius/XM  digs  deep  and  hires  some  real  talent, Like  John Mack  Flanagan  and Bobby  Ocean. At  56  years  old,  i  seriously  doubt  we  will  ever  have  radio  again. And  John  thanks  for  the call  2  years  ago, what  a  way  to  brighten  my  day! Kenny  in  Concord

[1069_KIFR]

John Mack and Bobby Ocean... I'll always think kind and wonderful thoughts...always (almost sounds like a Wal*Mart slogan)

[radio dx]

I think not only is 1550 the end of the dial but it will be the end of the road for KFRC as well! I can't take any more of Scott's one man show.

[SFStatic]

Thanks for thinking of me. I love you all. What the world needs, a little kindness and love. When you think of me, think of good things.

It seems to have happened suddenly, looking back at it now, but it has been awhile.

The once buoyant, boisterously cheerful voices behind the mics and music of the 60s and 70s are not with us any more. DJs, as we have known them, are dead.

They died out, not because of the times or advancing digital age, but because of lack of support, no back up. Once clusters of frequencies began to form, loyalty to Listeners and their Pipers, faded to black, replaced immediately with the ubiquitous, intemperate, piggishness that we know now.

Really, no one is much concerned. Even here in the Bay Area, due to lack of concern and accompanying funds, our own Bay Area Radio Hall Of Fame has passed away, one presumes, along with all memories it held. No support, again.

The music is still around - everywhere - from MP3 players to elevators. But the Magic Pans of the era, the fun-filled, eternally optimistic Disc Jockies have disappeared into the background like perfectly camouflaged woods fairies. Some have moved on, others watch the constantly passing parade, now as bystanders.

But this is not a fun parade. No one watching it is smiling any more.

Where their world was once filled and brimming over with eager confidence and joyous anticipation, the DJ's old "live" haunt is now a graveyard for generic voice tracks and personal dreams that can never regain their luster. Cut backs that brought forth no new blooms.

Of the many harsh realities, one that's been the most difficult to swallow for most jock I know: the daily realization that not only their employers, but their listeners just didn't care.

What's the difficulty? Well, it's just that these same once indispensable people have developed a work ethic found in most excellent performers - they have learned to give everything they had. Discovering that they are no longer needed or wanted is, to put it lightly, a bit of a heart dropping shock.

So, yeah. Think kindly and gratefully, if you can, when you remember these folks. They won't be back. And, they gave it their all.

Very well said, Sky! As long as people remember you and JMF and a number of others fondly, you will live forever.