I have not ever written or phoned in. I have followed your career for as long as I can remember. Born and raised in LA, when I moved out to Las Vegas, I was thrilled I could listen through the web. I am so excited that you are now back on the air.
BTW, I am also working on a blog, where I am writing about making money on the web. It would help us all with the economy. All information is free.
Thank you for all your contribution to the community, our lives and radio. A legend indeed.
If you can get a hold of a copy of the LA Times for May 30th (Friday), please look to the Sports section and go to the ‘Morning Briefing’.About three-quarters of the way down, you will see an item regarding yourself. My name is Bill Littlejohn and I am the one that submitted that item.It was my pleasure, as well as my honor to do so.
I first heard you on the morning show on KHJ, but I’ll be darned if I can remember when.I think I was visiting the LA area–I am originally from Richmond, CA up in the Bay Area–in the late 60’s or early 70’s.I lived in Fullerton for a short time in 1980 and I think you were on KIIS-FM, but I’m not sure.
But the most that I heard you was when I was stationed in Germany from 1976 to 1979 when you were on the Armed Forces Radio Network.I was stationed with the (Army) 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in a town called Bad Kissingen.We heard you out of AFN in Nurenberg every morning at 9 a.m.You were our AdrianCronauer. Personally, I can remember sneaking a transistor radio into my ammo pouch on guard duty and catching your show.I can remember freezing to death, stomping my feet to stay warm in the snow listening to it and can also remember being just feet from East German landmines looking into the then-Iron Curtain listening to it.
I only regret that I didn’t retain any tapes of it to save to this day, but oh, well.You helped get me as well as many others through our tours and, speaking for them, I bid you a very strong, warm, and belated THANK YOU.Today, I am 53 years old and am living in South Lake Tahoe, CA. It is 3 a.m. in the morning and I actually have K Earth on on the Internet. LA is coming to me live in the form of Richie Valens and ‘La Bamba’. Very surreal. I’ve been a semi-regular reader contributor to the ‘Briefing’ since July of 2004 and owe thanks to you for helping me break an 87-day absence from it.
I understand that you are up for the Radio Hall of Fame.Just tell me where and when to vote. Anyway, I’m going to call it a night.I actually have my second dental surgery of the week scheduled in about 8 hours, so I gotta get ready for that…But it is my pleasure as well as my thrill to finally pass on something to you about your show on AFN and how it helped me and others after all of these years.Like the title of this says…”Better Late Than Never”.
I will actually try and catch your show on the Internet–gosh, it has to be over 20 years since I’ve heard you, but I know how to dial you up now.As for you, stay tuned to the ‘Briefing’–I average about one appearance every six weeks.Today is my 44th…So, you
take care of yourself and, again….Thanks….
Just a quick note to say we listen to you every weekend on the net in beautiful Alberta, Canada.
Actually, I’ve heard tapes of you from other radio stations on the web over the past decade. I was in radio from 1979 to 1993. But, now I work with computers for a living.
Frankly I’d rather do radio, but the industry doesn’t seem too stable now, so I’m content with my current employment.
I voted for you for the Radio Hall of Fame. Good luck on that, if anyone should be in there, it’s you!
I’ve been listening to you for more than a few years. Hopefully, many more. Even met you once at a “Happy Days – all star” game in the 70s.
I know you still do a lot of personal appearances and hope to get by one of those soon, just to say hello and many thanks for the years of great entertainment.
I’ve just been reading some of the emails on your website, and I wanted to let you know that I’m glad I can hear you on the weekends, but morning radio just isn’t the same without you. You were the first DJ I listened to when I moved to L.A. in 1983, and I was so happy the first time I heard you on KODJ, and was even more pleased when you became the morning DJ on KBIG. But then one day you disappeared from there, and this strange myFM showed up. What were they thinking??!! I really miss listening to you in the morning and can’t find anyone that I really like on the air that early that even comes close to you!
Thanks for the many years of memories, and try and get back in the mornings soon!
Have you guys got “Classical Gas” by Mason Williams in your K-Earth library? It’s such a great song, and would be one of those I would pick on my list of music to have on a desert island. I didn’t hear it on the Top 500 this past weekend, but hope you can work it into your show sometime.
Love hearing you on Saturday/Sunday! You’re the best thing to happen to K-Earth since the days of Robert W. Morgan. Keep up the great work!
Last weekend, one of your listeners was telling you how much they appreciated hearing you on the air again. May I second that emotion ten times over. Most of us don’t ever take the time to call to let you know how great it is hearing that magical voice with your funny comments and wry observations. I just wanted to add an email to the chorus of the silent majority and let you know you are loved and listened to every weekend. I only hope to hear more of you in the coming months.
I just discovered your website – one of the best DJ sites on the web!
My clock/radio had just turned on at 6 AM that day in 1971. As I was about to get out of bed and place my feet on the floor, the earthquake struck (living in West LA at the time). I finally did hit the floor, but not on my feet. After crashing into the closet door at the same time you spun up Rare Earth, I thought that losing my balance caused the audio wavering; instead it was your turntable – the entire KHJ studio, in fact.
On a later show, you played the clip back of that event. I still have that on cassette tape somewhere but it was nice to hear it again on your website (Nov 7, 2007 posting). Remember your comments after playing the clip? “That’s it – off the air for 2 ? hours. EAT YOUR HEART OUT, JEANE DIXON!” Well, at least you should be voted into the Hall of Fame as the most prophetic personality in radio history.
I was quite amused at the family resemblance shown in the photo of you and the “original” Charlie Tuna. Put on a few pounds and get the right size “Charlie” hat and you two could pass for twins.
“Fish on Friday, Mama!” (BTW, I hear it’s a dirty lie that you wrote “The Fish Report” for Paraquat Kelly & Mary Turner.)
Sorry you had to work this weekend, but I’m sure you enjoyed being a part of presenting K-EARTH’S Memorial Day Top 500 Countdown as your listeners enjoyed counting down those hits with you. Wow, Charlie got to hear a lot of the The Bee Gee’s, The Beatles, Jim Croce, The Association, White Plain, just to name a few.
K-EARTH has put together one great staff and sound. Charlie I always look forward to tuning you in. You’re Outstanding In Your Field!
I’m listening to you right now and it is great to hear you back where you belong…..on the air in Los Angeles. LA Radio was not the same without you, but even the stupidest people in radio realize that it is not the same without you. Would love to meet you one day and thank you in person for all you have done for the listeners hear in Los Angeles. Keep up the great work and I hope to hear you for many more years to come. Thanks again for making listening fun again.
One of my friends was talking the other day about you and wondered if Charlie Tuna is your birth name, or just a professional moniker. Are you open to providing the answer, or if it’s your stage name, revealing your real name?
Regards,
Sam
(NOTE TO SAM: Rather than go into an explanation how I got my radio name of Charlie Tuna here, I’ll refer you to the “NEWS” link section of my website archives and my October 1st blog. Everything you want to know is in that particular edition.)
I am a fan of yours, from when i can remember as a little boy, in the mid to late seventies, hearing you on the radio. I’m 36, just to give you a reference point. I also know that your on K-Earth Now, and thats cool also.
Just wanted to wish a great Memorial Day weekend and my family and I will be listening!
You are such a great fit for this gig. One of the smartest moves you’ve made in all these years. It’s an honor to work in the same building with you.
Maybe if our horoscopes ever line up, either across the street or down Wilshire at something more exotic, I can take you to lunch. Got this unfortunate morning job that really cuts into my day…
Hope you’re enjoying this as much as I’m enjoying hearing you at your best. I still remember you saying you have this Gleem in your eye this morning…Missed your mouth with your toothbrush.
Nice to hear you back on KRTH.
I have been listening to you since I was a teenager growing up (by some accounts) in South Dakota in the 60’s. At night we would pick-up the 50,000 watts of KOMA where I first heard you on KOMA (1520) Oklahoma City as one of the “Good Guys”.
When I moved to southern California in the early 70’s you had relocated to KHJ (93FM) as a “Boss Jock”. I have been listening to you ever since along with your subsequent tenures on other LA stations.
I listen to KRTH on the “Net” as I semi-reside in Las Vegas. I travel back to Southern California on weekends where I listen to KRTH “Live”.
The radio stations in Las Vegas are totally inadequate and very amateurish.
Best Regards.
James M. Lindseth [Michael]
Director of Contracts
JT3 LLC
Are you the same Charlie Tuna who was at KOMA in Oklahoma City around 1966? If so – bless you for still being in the business. Your show was the high point of my day even when the hours of broadcast were inconvenient for me to listen because of my school day.
Take care and keep up the good work.
Ann Corona
(NOTE TO ANN: Yes, I’m the same guy. I worked at KOMA from January 22, 1966 to January 22, 1967, and then a brief 9 month stop in Boston at WMEX radio before being offered a job at 93/KHJ in Los Angeles where I started on Thanksgiving Day, 1967.)
Saw your website this morning that you were going to be on for Shotgun Tom, so I’m listening this afternoon to my “bonus” Tuna! Maybe I’ll be one of your lucky winners of the Indiana Jones movie tickets you said you’re giving away this weekend! Hope we can hear even more of you in the future!
Hello, I am a huge music fan and I’m trying to find info on one of the biggest rock bands of all time, The Doors. I found your name on the net and was thinking you might lend some insight. I know it’s a long shot but did you attend any concerts? Very little is known about early Doors shows. I’m looking for any information at all. If you don’t know about them (or any other doors concerts) maybe you know a fellow dj or music lover who does?
Thanks for any help you can give me!
Dave
(NOTE TO DAVE: The only concert of the Doors I attended was the one I emceed July 5, 1968, the Doors famous Hollywood Bowl Concert. And as mentioned last year in one of my “NEWS” blogs, all the Doors were onstage as I introduced them, except for Jim Morrison, and as I brought him on and we passed within a foot of each other, he headed for the microphone I had just introduced him on, I noticed his eyes had the most vacant stare that I still remember it today. He certainly was and remains an enigma. Below is a YouTube video of the Doors performing “Light My Fire” that night at the Bowl!)
Love hearing all your little tidbits of information you pass along. Don’t know if you’ve ever seen this, but here’s the final word on nutrition and health. It’s a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting medical studies.
The Japanese eat very little fat & suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
The French eat a lot of fat & also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
The Japanese drink very little red wine & suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine & also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills!
