“A howl sound effect dropped between songs.” That’s what KKFX-AM in Seattle was once known for. The station’s story is a journey through callsign changes, format flips, and community connections. Let’s dive into the history of KKFX-AM.
KKFX-AM first signed on in 1922 as KTW. It was owned by the First Presbyterian Church of Seattle. Imagine sermons broadcast to twenty-two outlying mission houses. Over the years, KTW shifted frequencies several times. It finally settled at 1250 kHz in 1941.
Commercial programming began in 1946. In 1964, KTW was sold. A Top 40 format was tried but failed. The station shared its frequency with KWSU in Pullman. This meant KTW had to sign off at sunset. It signed back on late at night when KWSU went off the air.
A country format followed. Then came news/talk in 1971. Financial problems led to another sale. In 1975, the station became KYAC. It flipped to an R&B format.
In 1981, Northstar Broadcasters bought the station. It was renamed KKFX. General Manager John L. Hawkins brought in a “Greatest Hits” format. This targeted a general audience during the day.
But nighttime was different. “Night Beat — The Beat of the Fox” emphasized R&B and dance music. This proved popular. KKFX became known for playing “Seattle’s Hottest Music.” The howl sound effect became a signature.
The station served the Black community. It aired town forums and interviews with public officials. Local Black businesses and organizations could advertise. KYAC/KKFX sponsored community events. These included the Rainer Valley Black Community Festival.
In 1993, KKFX signed off. It returned as KKDZ. The station became the flagship for the KidStar children’s radio network. Financial problems forced KidStar off the air in 1997.
KKDZ then became an affiliate of Radio Disney. Disney later bought the station in 1998. In 2014, Disney put KKDZ up for sale. The focus shifted to digital distribution.
In 2015, KKDZ was sold. It switched to a South Asian format. The station aired music and talk in Punjabi and other South Asian languages. It was branded “Desi 1250.”
Today, KKDZ continues as part of the Radio Punjabi chain. It provides news, talk, and Bollywood music. From KTW to KYAC, KKFX, KKDZ, and Radio Punjabi, the station has a diverse history. It reflects the changing communities and sounds of Seattle.