Monday, April 30, 2007

Legend of Black Radio Passes On


UPDATE: Bernie Hayes Comments on Rod King

__________________________

my comments

St. Louis, (And Black Radio) loses a radio pioneer

Dr. Jockenstein (Rod King) died today. King was a radio fixture for three decades. He was one of the great DJ’s of Black radio, from an older tradition, where Black DJ’s & their stations were really a part of uplifting the community (unlike today). The nation is losing these great African American DJ’s, as many are now getting up in age and passing on. I am no longer a fan of Black radio- have not been for several years, because the whole format has changed so much....DJ's like Jock are a rarity on the radio, since many are moving on.

Jock got his nickname from George Clinton many years ago, after the two worked together for a concert. They were friends ever since. Whenever Parliament came to town, Jock was the man….. This was also the case with other artists who visited the city over the years.

Jock was also a member of the St. Louis Radio Hall of Fame, which includes some very well known broadcasters, known locally and nationally. See his Hall of Fame entry online under the name “Rod King”.

Jock was also active in the community for all sorts of causes over the years….too many to list. He was always involved in something.

Bernie Hayes, another great St. Louis DJ, columnist, and a nationally respected historian of Black radio, will no doubt have comments about the passing of Jock…. I will try to post the comments here.

I was already working on a playlist of St. Louis Soul (music from artists who were born in St. Louis, got their start or developed their craft in St. Louis, or were a big part of the St. Louis community)….. So that will partly be my toast to Jock and DJ’s like him, who are now passing on.

___________________

Here is an article from the St. Louis Post Dispatch online

DJ 'Dr. Jockenstein' dies at 55
By D. Paul Harris
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
04/30/2007

Roderick G. “Rod” King, , aka, Dr. Jockenstein, the legendary disc jockey who for three decades mentored other DJs and played the music and offered the talk that drew thousands of fans and radio listeners, died this morning at St. Anthony's Medical Center after a long illness.

King suffered a stroke in 2002 and never fully recovered. He was 55.
King worked at several local radio stations during his career. His last radio stint was with KMJM-FM, 104.9, where on Saturday afternoons hosted the “slammin jammin oldies” program.

Sylvester Caldwell, a.k.a. “Sylvester the Cat” a longtime friend and colleague, said King was a “true radio personality” and a mentor to generations of disc jockeys.

“Jock has paved the way and opened the door for upcoming jocks like me to carrying the torch,” said Caldwell, 47, who currently host the “slammin jammin oldies” program. “He was truly one of a kind.”

No comments: