This Christmas Eve on Radio Free Phoenix, join us for the 22st Anniversary edition of “A Rock ‘N’ Roll Christmas”. From 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve through Christmas day at 10:00 p.m. (MST). We will be playing an incredible deep and outrageous mix of Rock N Roll Christmas Tunes. Hosted by Andy Olson, this is the only show in the country that gathers together such a smorgasbord of absolutely cool Christmas Rock & Roll — Featuring top flight Christmas Rock mixed with a generous helping of parody & novelty holiday tunes along with great background information on the artists and songs. Since 1988 this show has been gracing the Phoenix Airwaves, first on KSLX, then KDKB, KZON and then back to KSLX and then on Radio Free Phoenix!
Join Radio Free Phoenix and Andy Olson for a Music & Interview Special with singer-songwriter, Melanie this Saturday on RFP. Melanie will be Phoenix in concert at the Rhythm Room.
DJ Ron Wortham, once dubbed “Spokesperson for the Phoenix Hippie Community” by The Arizona Republic, died last week.
Wortham started in Phoenix radio,reporting overnight news on KOY, and went on to become one of the first generation of Phoenix underground rock radio DJs. Wortham, along with the legendary album rock programmer, Bill Compton, was at the forefront of Phoenix album rock radio, as a founding member of the underground KCAC airstaff.
The early days of Phoenix album rock radio were the days of free love, head shop commercials, a station sponsored, drug hotline, and Wortham and Compton enjoying communal living, on an old west valley ranch, with many of the original KDKB staff, as well as members of Phoenix’ underground newspaper, Rebirth.
Ron emerged as a desert hippie DJ, at a time when rock and roll wore it’s mysticism like a bandana, and he became an open minded believer in alternate theories. Some of Ron’s rock and roll psychic connections were uncanny, including his fascination with the boy on the cover of his favorite Moody Blues album. His son Dustin, born many years later, would grow to look exactly like the boy in the picture. In the new century, though social media, Ron was still questioning authority, and pondering the improbable.
Recently, Ron was excited about the new frontier of underground radio, the internet. In his autobiography, Plant Your Seeds, Wortham expressed excitement in this new kind of radio,
“KCAC you see, had children and grandchildren. KDKB was one of those but there have been others as well. Since this was written at least four of the powerful personalities that made that radio station, have died. They are William Edward Compton, Hank Cookenboo, Gary Kinsey (Toad Hall) and Dwight Tindle… good friends, all.
Radio Free Phoenix dances in the spirit of KCAC. Totally Free Form, for a whole new generation of growing and freely formed Creative Spirits that refuse to let a wall or a box define their existence. In that respect, Radio Free Phoenix represents Hope and that too, represents Faith.
Bill is gone, now. So is Toad. So is Hank and Dwight. Others have been eaten by the monster that is our society’s Correctional System. So someday, shall I be gone also in some way or another.
I think I must have been left behind to show you where the spirit resides now, and invite you to join the dance……. A dance that is now, over 35 years old.
You are free also, to participate in a blog of surviving KCAC veterans and fans who as you might imagine, are fun to be around and to read and write to and even hear again. There is a growing collection of audio clips all over the blog, of old tapes of Bill particularly and others, that have been donated from the closets, cassettes and tape reels of many “old timers” like us.– KCAC Lives
Ron was on the air in Phoenix at KOY, KRUX, KCAC and KDKB. He deserves his place in the history of Phoenix Rock Radio.
Ron Wortham never stopped trying to change the world, and never stopped rocking. He will be missed greatly, by a generation who loved his sound and his soul, and by his friends at Radio Free Phoenix.
It was on Halloween, Monday, October, 31, 2005, that My best friend, Bennie Baressi died tragically when he was hit by a speeding SUV at the corner of 43 Ave and Northern in Phoenix. The last song he played was an acoustic version of “Leaving On A Jet Plane” for a couple of girls he met. He finished the song and jumped on his bike (with guitar on his back for the ride home).
Bennie Baressi was a gifted singer-songwriter and was an explosion of musical ideas from the day he picked up his first guitar. He touch many people in his life and the following are some of the tributes we received in his honor…..
Ben & Eileen
Sorry to hear this sad news. Ben was such a nice guy.
Mike and Kathy Mazurowski
When I met Ben 32 years ago I had no idea what an important part of my life he would become. We shared good times and bad and our friendship weathered the years. He was my brother. There is a void in my life that will never be filled yet he will be with me always. Goodbye Ben, my friend.
Fred Cawthon
I am so sorry for your loss, my heart aches for all who knew him. He was a bright star in a sometimes dim world. Bennie will delight all who are with him now as he plays his music in heaven.
Cheryl Sweet
Eileen and Ben’s Family,
May GOD be with you in your time of sorrow. Ben will be remembered for the wonderful love that he had for life. Eileen, remember that you have friends to help you through this hard time. Please call me if you need anything at all that goes for his family too. I worked with Ben while he was at Maverick House and he was truly cared about by staff and friends he met here!!!
God Bless!!
Michelle Cordova
Bennie was one of my oldest and dearest friends. His smile, laugh and wonderful musical talent will be greatly missed. May God smile upon you Ben!
Andy Olson
Thanks for letting me know, Andy. I remember Bennie quite fondly.
Alice Fitchet
Comments: Im soooooooo sorry for your loss,you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Laura Pope (a dear friend of Patti’s)
I know Ben will be greatly missed by his new recovery family and you his family as well. All of us here at Maverick House lost a great client but he will never be forgotten. God Bless.
Kay Filippone (Maverick House)
Peace and comfort to your family.
Diane De George
Gone but not forgotten! Gonna miss you BEN!!!
Tracy Jaramillo (Maverick House)
Ben, You gave a bit of sunshine to me when we met. I will miss you.
Allan Gange
Goodbye Ben
Bridget Sharpe
My condolences to Ben’s family and friends. I met him at Andy Olson’s wedding and have been enjoying the music Andy has sent out in tribute.
Sincerely,
Liz Boyle Radio Free Phoenix
Goodbye Bennie, and yes you will always be missed. Thank you for being a friend of mine for 37 years or more. Memories and music will always be a part of a wonderful friend and brother. I love you and always will.
Chester Wright
You are an inspiration to myself and others Ben. See you at Home.
William S. Kissel
Just got the news..very sad today..will post a few things later and set up a site with some pictures. We have a lot of them from when we were “Horsebeeks”.
Matt and Tambra
I am Matt Schoneberg’s little brother. Only met Ben a couple of times but my brother and his wife Tambra really loved Ben and I will have to listen to some more music that they did together as a trio. Goodbye Ben.
Fred Schoneberg
Ben was one of my dearest friends in Phoenix. In recent years we grew apart which I regret…he was a sensitive, vibrant amazing talent…we had so many good times. I felt we were like brothers. Ben you will always be alive in my heart & I will carry your infectious smile & laugh in my memory forever…Rest well my friend…
Jeff Jones
BEN I’ll miss your kind soul always. We’ll sing again soon someday.
Ken Sowell
Much will be missed with Ben. Don’t forget friends like these.
Marconias
Goodbye my best friend, soulmates till the end. Now you’re heading down another road, singing a little tune as you disappear around the bend. Goodbye my sweet sweet Ben.
Beany
I will never forget Bennie. He always made me smile even when I didn’t want too. I know he’s smiling now. I will really miss his music. I know my boyfriend will always think of him every time he plays his guitar. He wrote a very special song in Bennie’s memory. We will really miss him!
Janet Ryan
Ode To The System – Bennie’s Song
When I returned From war
The boy next door played the guitar
We all had dreams of becoming a star
So Bennie played his guitar
Learned sweet songs to play at the bar
So Bennie played his guitar
Learned sweet songs
Self-medicated and in depression
It was no way to build his ambition
So Sheriff Joe’s men turned his drugs into lithium!
Said he did not need his mom or girlfriend
Hey Joe, you never thought, they may have needed him??
Now Bennie’s in heaven, playing his guitar!
Finely free of the system!
Bennie played his guitar
He did not see the car
If you knew Bennie, you’d know he’s grinin’
Now I only have one question?
Hey Joe, are you sure Ben needed your protection?
For without it, we can only make a projection
I can hear Bennie playing
No longer in fear of our drug war
Bennie playing his guitar
With no one to say he’s not a star
Bye to the man next door
Ben, you know I’ll miss you
So lucky to have know you.
Rodney Vaun Zohner rvzjer@aol.com
Editor note: Bennie was the victim of a long and intense campaign of police harassment in Phoenix that played havoc with his life but never destroyed his spirit. To report police abuse click here
Goodbye For Now – We Will Meet Again
I say goodbye to a friend
You forgave me for my wrongs
Even helped me with my songs
When I think of music
I think of you
In life you were never losing
You’re a friend that was true
I say goodbye for now
As if we were on the phone
Your music always made me proud
And will always be in my home
I thank you for being a friend
Always looked at you as a brother
I will miss our conversations
A teacher of music like no other
I’ll say goodbye for now
We will meet again someway, somehow
For you know I loved you
Your friendship was always true
May your songs live on and on
Your voice I will always hear
Friendship forever in a song
And you will always be so dear
To Bennie with love always,
Chester “friends forever” 11-3-05
Chester Wright
Bye bye sweet Bennie. I met Ben around 87 playing solo at Waynes West. He came up and asked if he could sing with me. Leery of letting strangers onstage, I said “no”. Ben sat down in a booth directly next to the stage and sang with me from there. Beautiful harmony on every song. I asked him onstage and immediately became a duo. We seemed to know and love all the same stuff. I was so blessed to find him. Later we added Tambra and became Horsebeeks. We laughed so hard when we came up with that name. It was the worst of a lot of horrible names we came up with, but, to our surprise, Tambra loved it so we were Horsebeeks. Bennie had the most beautiful voice I have ever heard and I’m sure I’ll never find anyone that’s as good a fit. We read each other’s mind. I have hundreds of tapes of us and a few videos. We still love to listen to them. We laughed and sang a lot. What could be better than that? Except, perhaps, to be able to do it again. Somehow,some way, I’m sure we will. Sing and play beek! We love you and miss you.
Goodbye For Now
Matt and Tambra
Good-bye Ben, A great friend and a very special person.
A friend who’s smile and laughter could shine light on those depressed and with hard times. Who had beautiful music in his heart and mind.
Good-bye Ben, one of the most talented people I have ever known. I know that Jesus is waiting for you with a guitar in your new home.
Love forever,
Dave Wright
Comments: Bennie was one of the most talented musician’s I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.
He always had a smile and a hug and was always glad to see me. My fondest memory is of him singing “Unchained Melody” at the Karaoke Bar. He was the DJ and the King of the room. He was the energy. People came to see him and to hear his beautiful voice. He was blessed with many talents and the natural ability to make beautiful music.
God Bless you Bennie. You will be missed.
Candy (Dave Wright’s friend)
I’m so sorry to hear of Ben’s passing. Although I did not know him, I can see he had a smile that lit up the world. My thoughts & prayers are with his family. Peace…
Jasi
The best legacy we can leave in this life is to have made a difference in the lives of others. Looking back in reflection on Bennie and all the love and affection I’ve seen pouring out from those that knew him–is that he touched a place and space in their lives that nobody else could have touched. In a multitude of ways, he left calling cards here and there that were full of hope joy and discovery. Bennie never lost the child within, he continued to explore an honest and innocent reaction to the world, no matter what was thrown at him. In this manner I am grateful to have had him as a lifelong friend.
Bennie, may your light shine always………
Andy Olson
So, So sorry for your loss. You and yours will be in our prayers.
Carol and Tom Catchings
Ben, Your songs will be missed and your smile will never be forgotten. Love you and miss you always!
Krystal
You changed my life forever–thru the 12 years I knew you, I found the most unique friend, artist, and soul-mate–will miss you always.
Tina/Tink..
Listen to a great song Ben recorded that is reflective of his soul.
Celebrating the music and influence of Frank Zappa on Zappa Universe. Join Zappa aficionado, Tom Tuerff, every Sunday at 6:00 pm (Arizona Time) for an entire hour of great Zappa music. Tom explores Zappa solo, Zappa with The Mothers Of Invention, Zappa with Captain Beefheart plus those that have worked with Frank Zappa over the years and bands that have covered his tunes. An outstanding program and a great primer for those that have always wanted to know more about the man and his music.
Not everyone listens to radio, and there are many reasons for making this choice – too many commercials, seemingly endless, repetitive cycles of specifically chosen music within a particular format, political affiliations among large broadcast companies, idiotic shock-jocks, or overly opinionated talk show hosts. You name it, it’s out there, and it’s causing changes resulting in alternative programming content, also in the manner in which the sonic transmission is received. You can’t have it all, unless you do it yourself.
Wouldn’t you like to reach into the vast depths of your musical awareness and personally select melodic content, massage it to its most pleasing sound and texture and ultimately create the most perfect aural, lyrical playground imaginable? Some people have taken that very thought and put their dreams into audible reality; it can be heard on the Internet.
Phoenix, Arizona resident, and friend, Andy Olson is one of those people who have taken this concept, creating and operating his own personal 24/7 radio station earlier this year. It is now readily available via Internet connections at www.radiofreephoenix.com.
Andy has been a Valley radio personality for more than 20 years spinning various forms of Rock-n-Roll at several stations, KSTM (The Storm), KOOL, KZON (The Zone) and is currently in his second run with Classic Rocker, KSLX. So with a couple decades spent in the “air-chair”, he now takes that experience, plus his infinite musical knowledge and an insatiable passion to play a mix of eclectic sounds that is reminiscent of what was called “underground” when FM radio was emerging in the 60s and 70s.
Andy’s medium of choice is the world-wide-web; he explains, “With the advent of the Internet came the ability to send digital music files over the net either thru email, downloading or streaming. Streaming offers the ability for anyone with the ingenuity and resources to start their own radio station, and to have it reach every corner of the world.” Radio Free Phoenix consistently interacts with listeners on a global level.
Multiple wireless electronic devices make it relatively easy for our ever-mobile society to communicate, even listen to music. Among various media is Wi-Fi (Wireless Internet).
Andy further illustrates, “With the proliferation of Wi-Fi, Internet radio will one day be as common and easy to listen to as broadcast radio, especially for those on the go. It offers unlimited musical formats and allows listeners to hear music that is not being played on today’s tightly formatted radio stations.”
And the quality of the sound may even be superior, Andy continues, “Radio Free Phoenix streams audio on the Internet with a low speed connection (for dial up) and a high-speed connection (for cable, DSL and high speed). The high-speed connection (128 kbps) is in stereo and is equivalent to or better sounding than FM radio. This is the plus side of Internet radio. The sound is sweet to the ears!”
The musical content at RFP is equally superb; Andy describes the play list as “everything from Rock, Folk, Blues, Psychedelic, New Wave, Americana, Progressive, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and new music too”. You’ll hear well-known performers, but not always their more familiar tracks; you will also be introduced to an extensive collection of new artists (over seven thousand songs and two thousand artists). It’s an enjoyable musical odyssey, experiencing obscure, eclectic sounds that are not commonly available on your radio dial.
In addition to Andy Olson, Radio Free Phoenix’s air staff presents a couple other familiar voices including: Liz Boyle (KOOL, KDKB, KSLX), and yours truly (KYOT & KJZZ). Also spinning tunes are several well-known, talented Valley radio personalities/veterans Jeannie Sedello, Lee Powell and Bill Rogers. Talk of having recurring guest deejays has also been considered as a possible weekly feature.
There is a rich history and tradition of musical excellence within this core of on-air talent; there is also a commitment to serve up some of the most enticing tunes available – anywhere. So click on and come along for the ride.
Originally from Texas, William Edward Compton’s impact on radio began in 1969 when, with only 5 years of radio experience under his belt, he set out for Los Angeles. It is our fortune that he only got as far as Phoenix. In 1969 Phoenix Top Forty AM Radio ruled the dial. Rival stations KRIZ and KRUX were locked in a continual battle to be number one. In the late 1960’s, hoping to win the ratings war, KRUX took a chance on Bill Compton. That’s when Compton began forging his own path to fame.
KRUX took a bold step for a Top 40 station when they hired him to host a new, ‘open format’ music show, something nonexistent on the dial. With Compton in charge suddenly something different began happening on the radio. Every Sunday night, using the on-air name “Little Willie Sunshine,” Compton brought KRUX head long into the ‘Age of Aquarius’ with his engagingly diverse sets. Rock, folk, jazz, R&B, blues – simply any music that spoke to him came floating through the airwaves.
But at KRUX, his open format radio was only a hint of what Compton wanted it to be. So he grabbed an opportunity to become program director for a little 500-watt daytime only AM radio station called KCAC. First, KCAC broadcast out of what would now be known as a ‘historic house’ on Camelback Road, between 7th and 15th Avenues. The presence of a bunch of hippies running a radio station not far from quiet family streets ruffled some feathers.
One day Compton walked into his station to find that KCAC had been burglarized. The station’s library of LP’s had disappeared. He appealed to his listeners to loan the station records while KCAC rebuilt its library. In no time, the faithful were streaming in to the little brown house, balancing their unwieldy stacks of LPs. The station happily accepted listener’s LP’s and offered ‘herbal compensation’ to those who came to the rescue.
KCAC later moved from the house on Camelback to inside a big music store housed in Tower Plaza, near 40th Street and Thomas. At that location, Compton broadcast live from the display window of Wallich’s Music City. The booth faced a sidewalk filled with curious teens, inspired listeners and anyone else who happened by. That kind of set up would probably result in chaos today, but Compton already had a reputation as one of a kind, Arizona’s musical pied piper. Compton respected his listeners and received nothing less in return.
Broadcasting from Wallich’s had another big upside. Compton had access to all kinds of albums and undoubtedly was partly responsible for the store’s great selection of records. At Wallich’s, would be customers were invited to listen to records before buying them. If the store didn’t have an “open copy” they’d open one. Customers were shown to glass enclosed “listening booths” where they lovingly placed records on the turntable and decided if they liked them enough to buy them.
By l971, KCAC was in financial straits, so Bill Compton joined forces with Valley newcomer Dwight Tindle, who formed “Dwight Karma Broadcasting.” On August 23, l971, KDKB and Compton signed on, broadcasting from a two story red brick building on Country Club and First Avenue in Mesa. Tindle recognized exceptional talent and as the station’s first program director Compton had free reign to create a radio station that would transform the dial.
Compton told his hand picked crew of passionate music connoisseurs to do their own thing. And they did. KDKB (affectionately called ‘Krazy Dog Krazy Boy radio’) regularly featured local artists performing live, in-studio. Compton played their records; he was a tireless champion of the music scene. KDKB even made a yearly “Arizona Sounds” compilation of local music that was culled from hundreds of band tapes.
KDKB listeners always knew they had a surprise or two in store for them. On the air there were hilarious live comic sketches, ad promotions for non-existent products and services, and award winning radio commercials that were created in house.
A riotously fictitious ad campaign for the “First Women’s National Credit and Trust Bank,” (“run by and for women only!”) landed KDKB in lots of hot water. The station received a “cease and desist” letter from the state warning them to end the promotion. The Arizona State Fiduciary Board feared listeners might expect a branch to “open soon near them.”
The fake bank’s ads promised ‘interest free car loans for women,” and “free sperm from the bank’s own sperm bank” for women who opened accounts. Calls from women lit up the KDKB telephone lines asking when the bank would open its doors.
The station also broadcast “The Love Workshop,” a “radio theatre” segment known for its peculiar trademark of tasteless hilarity. There were no sacred cows at KDKB. 93.3 FM became a kind of pulpit, preaching fun and the musical dogma of the cutting edge. One of the sketch writers even landed a job at the irreverent, iconic National Lampoon Magazine.
Compton generated listeners for nationally touring acts like Jerry Riopelle, Buckingham Nicks, Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison, among others. Compton’s support affected the careers of Stevie Nicks and John Stewart, who is best known for a hit record with Stevie Nicks (made after the release of Stewart’s many critically acclaimed solo albums.)
It is next to impossible to pare down a biography about William Edward Compton. When you talk to people who knew Bill Compton you know you missed something that won’t ever again happen in radio. A picture emerges of a man whose beliefs in the power of music, community action, tolerance and non-violence were evident in the way he lived his life on and off the air.
For example, under his charge, KDKB featured comprehensive daily fifteen-minute newscasts, and a weekly show devoted to political and social issues, Valley culture, music and arts. In addition to his stewardship of KDKB, Compton was an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church, occasionally performing marriage ceremonies.
Music lovers and musicians both locally and nationally are forever in Compton’s debt. Compton turned the Valley from a ‘cow town’ into a ‘cool town’ with his visionary approach to radio, along with his laid back, unpretentious personality.
Born in Tyler, Texas in 1945, his vision for Valley radio was cut off in its prime on June 21, 1977 when William Edward Compton swerved to avoid a bicyclist on Osborn Road in Phoenix. He died instantly. After his death, a large site adjacent to Legend City was used to build a concert amphitheatre. Jess Nicks, Stevie’s father, was an owner of the venue. It was named “Compton Terrace.”
From an issue of Arizona Days & Ways from September 20, 1970
The patriarch of pop in Phoenix, KRIZ’s Pat McMahon, undoubtedly feels William Edward Compton’s hot, hip breath on the back of his neck. Compton comes across as a more with–it Dick Cavett to McMahon’s establishment comic, Johnny Carson. “Unless you really get out and mingle with the people,” he declares, “and I’m not talking about throwing a concert for them every three months–you can’t find out what they’re doing. Most radio personalities tend to isolate themselves.
In essence, what has happened is that within the past year a group of longhairs has captured a music and is espousing a lifestyle which was previously foreign to the Valley. The resultant rise in KCAC ratings has been as dramatic as KTAR-FM’s. Compton is realistic about the future, however.
“My purpose in embarking on this format is not to have a number one station,” Compton said. “I think we’re more of a spiritual-force. KCAC is an exercise in freedom”.
Compton is the station manager and, along with the other three staff members, serves as music director, disc jockey and janitor. Broadcasting is entirely free-form, and the DJ’s may say and play whatever they please. Conflicts over FCC, and over certain progressive rock lyrics with sponsors, have ensued as a matter of course, but KCAC is confident it can weather any controversial storm. Climbing ratings and revenues, Compton hopes, will enable him to set up a news department and a production room. Eventually he would like to simulcast on both AM and FM which would give KCAC 24 hour capabilities (their AM broadcast is restricted now from sunrise to sunset).
As to the future, he is optimistic that eclectic, electric rock is here to stay in Phoenix and fatalistic about hassles with government and the older generation. “You can’t drop out, man,” he asserts “and escape people and the problems people create”.
Miles Swarthout
The Arizona Republic
Arizona Days & Ways
September 20, 1970
