Did you know KEST-AM once helped launch a music legend? KEST-AM stands as a testament to San Francisco’s diverse and ever-evolving radio landscape. Today, we’ll uncover the story behind this station.
KEST-AM began its journey on November 30, 1925. It signed on as KGTT broadcasting from the Glad Tidings Temple. Imagine the airwaves filled with religious programming powered by only 50 watts. Robert J. Craig the pastor served as the station’s manager and announcer.
A few years later, the station became KGGC. This stood for Golden Gate Broadcasting Company. In 1939, Sherwood Patterson purchased the station. He changed the call letters to KSAN. New studios emerged in the Merchandise Mart near Market Street. A 250-watt transmitter was installed on the building’s roof.
KSAN became known for its popular music and engaging disc jockeys. Les Malloy called himself the Midnight Son. Vic Paulsen was known as the Rising Son. KSAN also devoted considerable attention to horse race results.
In 1958, KSAN made a significant shift. It switched to a full-time rhythm and blues format. This targeted black listeners in the Bay Area. It became the first local station to broadcast R&B around the clock.
KSAN’s transmitter sat atop the Merchandise Mart building. The studios were also located there. Until the 1950s, San Francisco radio stations dedicated little time to ethnic programming. KSAN and KWBR were exceptions. They broadcast programs for Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, German, and Japanese communities.
On July 3, 1964, KSAN was sold to John F. Malloy and Delmor A. Courtney. Malloy was a local radio star. Courtney found fame as a bandleader. Under new ownership, KSAN became KSOL. The new name emphasized its Soul Radio format.
KSOL helped launch the career of Sly Stone. He was a DJ at the station before forming Sly and the Family Stone. The station aimed to serve underserved communities in the Bay Area. This included ethnic groups seeking programming in their own languages. The station adopted the call letters KEST.
In 1974, KEST changed its format. It featured old-time radio dramas and comedy recordings. It was known as KEST Theater Of The Air. In 1977, KEST shifted to religious programming. But surprisingly, it kept the Freeway Funnies until 1980.
In the early 1990s, KEST adopted a multilingual ethnic format. It became part of Douglas Broadcasting. Today, KEST-AM is owned by Multicultural Radio Broadcasting. It offers over 100 hours per week of Cantonese and Mandarin programming. This includes news, talk, information, and variety.
KEST-AM transmits with 1,000 watts during the day and 960 watts at night. It shares a transmitter site with KSFB. The site is located off Bayview Park Road near the Bayshore Freeway. KEST-AM continues to serve San Francisco’s diverse community. It broadcasts in multiple languages and provides relevant information to niche markets.