Rock Radio 50 Years Ago ☼ JULY 1976

Rockin’ a Red, White & Blue Radio DJ Summer!    

Of course, I have a Red-White-Blue article for you this month! How could I not? It’s such a special edition that it’s going to be offered in segments for the first couple of days. Feel free to wait ‘til it’s presented in its entirety, but either way, it’s a leisurely read. Grab a Summer libation, relax and enjoy …   

Personally, I’m a proud American and feel privileged that I and other 39ers+ experienced the 200^th anniversary of the United States in 1976 and will enjoy this month’s 250^th celebration! But I can’t help feeling a touch of sadness this year, as we slide into the most patriotic of months with so much animosity and hatred. It should be a happy time to celebrate how much we have here, and what our ancestors did to shape this country.  

Both celebrations—50 Years Ago, JULY 1976—and JULY 2026—mark years of civil unrest, political upheaval and societal struggles. The difference, is 50 Years Ago, no one doubted the democracy of America or sought to destroy it, even as they vehemently protested some of its doctrines.

Whether born-n-bred or chose to come here, I hope you share my patriotism for the best country on the planet. If you don’t, either feel free to leave, or stick around, work peacefully to make changes and quit your whining.

So, let’s get Rockin’ JULY where there is nothing more American than apple pie, Rock & Roll, and Rock Radio DJs! Let the celebration begin …

Up first, is a quick peek at Tom Peake (November 13, 1955-May 29, 2026), with a Radio Heaven tribute for this pioneering Radio DJ, who followed the music skyward on May 29^th. Contrary to being solemn and sad, let’s celebrate Tom’s stellar career in broadcasting! One of DJ/Broadcast industry's favorite sons, Tom was a beloved member of its groundbreaking hallowed ranks, as suggested by BFYP DJ Extraordinaire, Bill Gardner.

According to Bill, Tom—or Peaker, as his coworkers fondly called him—was the “heart and soul” of KOOL/94.5 Phoenix, during the nearly ten years they worked together.

All-in-all, Tom spent nearly forty years at KOOL Radio, retiring in 2019—a rare DJ occurrence, for sure. Radio-Online reported in 2016 for his 37^th year with KOOL, “Peake's history with KOOL-FM began on September 1, 1979.” They quoted Tom, ‘I honestly don't know where the time went,’ added Peake. ’Looking back over the last 37 years, I think I've been the luckiest person in radio to have spent it all at such a legendary station as 94.5 KOOL FM.’"

Tom began as a weekend host and finished his tenure as Music Director—oh, and still hosting the midday slot behind the mic. “At one radio station,” exclaimed Bill. “Unheard of.” Another KOOL anomaly Bill remembered, “ … we seemed to all like each other! I’d listen to Tom Peake on my way driving home … I recall one time he played Oliver’s ‘Good Morning Starshine,’ [1969] and warned everyone on air about every "Gliddy glub goopy, nibby nabby noopy, la la la lo lo, sabba sibby sabba, nooby abba nabba’ to expect.  :-).”

Maybe you’ll recognize more than Bill Gardner and Tom Peake in this ad feature from 2004. The lineup included: Bill Gardner, Tom Peake—who by this time had been there 20 years, Camelback Jack, Lee Bortell, and Allie Torres. As with Tom Peake, a life well-lived isn’t counted by the dollars you leave behind … it’s the abundance of fond memories and smiles that linger well after. (Image coming soon.)

There's much more to come! July 1976 News & Muse, the International Day of Rock 'n' Roll, our Featured Radio Survey and not just one, but THREE Songs of Note in July-appropriate nostalgia! Come on back later today and throughout the week while we ready for America's 250th Anniversary.   

Rock JULY 1976 and … with patriotic power!  

BFYP Book 1 (1954-1959) on Amazon         
BFYP Book 2 (Swinging ‘60s) on Amazon 
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Share your Golden Oldies R&R fun on X: @BlastFromPastBk 

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LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and author by way of Rock & Roll. Two books (of three planned) are published in her Blast from Your Past^TM series, available on Amazon: Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959^TM (eBook only; coming soon in updated print edition) and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties^TM (eBook & print). Coming soon-ish … Book 3 – The Psychedelic Seventies!^TM 

Note: FYI – All links in the BFYP site are personally visited, verified, and vetted. Most are linked to commonly accessed sites of reputable note. Occasionally, since I often feature real people and/or singular sources there may be an unsecured link. As with everything cyber-security, use at your own discretion and risk. This site is wholly owned by LinDee Rochelle & sponsored by PenchantForPenning.com^TM. No compensation is received for any mentions of businesses, products, or other commercial interests. *All holiday and special event days are found at Brownielocks.com’s calendar site. Enjoy! 
            RE: AI – The Blast from Your Past site has never and will never (knowingly) be written or assisted, by Artificial Intelligence. It’s just stupid ol’ “I” and I enjoy writing these articles. They soothe my soul. So why would I hand that indulgence over to an artificial, soulless entity that can’t feel pleasure?!

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