tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post4918213563964663422..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: R.I.P. Charlie TunaBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63763946580688006822020-04-22T19:31:20.196-07:002020-04-22T19:31:20.196-07:00I was a starving DJ myself, heard CT skipping in f...I was a starving DJ myself, heard CT skipping in from KOMA nights at my first radio job at KLMR, Lamar CO.<br /><br />I'll never forget CT's line, "I'll turn a you on if you"ll Tuna me in."<br /><br />But what I really miss was KMBY (AM 1240 Monterey CA) in the early seventies. The format was Top 40; I did weekends there at the studio which was right on Cannery Row, looking out towards Monterey Bay.<br /><br />R.I.P. to Charlie and all the radio greats like him! And R.I.P. to most Top 40 stations. I still have an old 1974 airtape from KMBY, if anybody is interested...<br />Lou Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11229889674723797814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83562933725689945352016-03-12T16:55:34.883-08:002016-03-12T16:55:34.883-08:00I used to listen to Charlie Tuna when he was at KO...I used to listen to Charlie Tuna when he was at KOMA, Oklahoma City--we got him on the skip, up in the Colorado Rockies. This would have been around 1967--so maybe there was more than one Charlie Tuna? The guy I heard was suave, funny, raucous and freewheeling, and his shows made the day fly in a really fun way. I have a couple of scoped airchecks of him I listen to from time to time. Takes me back. Sorry he's gone.dugsdalenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-52532024167104748192016-03-02T17:21:04.452-08:002016-03-02T17:21:04.452-08:00You always hear the hyperbole about someone after ...You always hear the hyperbole about someone after they passed...<br /><br />They were great...wonderful...insightful...caring...real people...<br /><br />Folks, Charlie was ALL that and more...plus he was a GIANT radio talent...Just a brief listen and you knew he LOVED RADIO, his job and those listeners...<br /><br />Somewhere in those heavenly radio clouds above he is spinnin' the hits and talking up the song...<br /><br />He WILL be truly missed, but ALWAYS remembered... Artie in Sin Cityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14926750887476570729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20335492338291873672016-03-02T06:25:48.942-08:002016-03-02T06:25:48.942-08:00On The Vanishing pleasure of listening to the disc...On The Vanishing pleasure of listening to the disc jockey<br />http://politicalmavens.com/index.php/2010/08/31/listening-to-dj/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78184624949590162342016-03-02T00:16:45.358-08:002016-03-02T00:16:45.358-08:00Charlie Tuna did the announcing for a Beach Boys s...Charlie Tuna did the announcing for a Beach Boys show in Long Beach in 1981 in Long Beach. You can find it on Youtube. Joseph M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77645259376569138392016-03-01T22:40:11.252-08:002016-03-01T22:40:11.252-08:00Boy, this is bad news. I'm getting kind of afr...Boy, this is bad news. I'm getting kind of afraid to open your blog lately. So many greats from our life leaving. I was lucky enough to listen to Charlie Tuna on KHJ as a young kid before moving to the islands. Going to college in LA, I got a chance to hear him again. Same smooth style. Fun to listen to and comforting like hearing an old friend.<br /><br />I truly appreciate you Ken not only for informing us, but writing such moving tributes to these blessed people. I don't know why, but this one's hurting a bit. <br /><br />Rest in peace Charlie Tuna. Aloha and mahalo nui loa.H Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12482221297668464504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-54899528946289765652016-03-01T21:53:02.035-08:002016-03-01T21:53:02.035-08:00I've often wished you and Mr. Isaacs had worke...I've often wished you and Mr. Isaacs had worked on "WKRP in Cincinnati," if only because your background in and knowledge of the radio industry might have provided the show with some terrific stories.<br /><br />Lovely tribute, Ken!Rashad Khannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67987780039696190732016-03-01T19:09:46.526-08:002016-03-01T19:09:46.526-08:00I was blessed to work with many great and talented...I was blessed to work with many great and talented people during my years in L.A. radio., and I didn't think I could ever hurt as bad as I did when Don Steele passed away, but Charlie's death is going to hurt for a long time. Rest in peace my friend. It was an honor to work with you.Jeffrey Leonardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-24388775426959787382016-03-01T18:38:00.700-08:002016-03-01T18:38:00.700-08:00Not familiar with Charlie's work being from ba...Not familiar with Charlie's work being from back East, but it appears he was among the nicest folks in the business. And as an announcer, he apparently was the West Coast version of Dan Ingram (high praise indeed).<br /><br />Another Top 40 legend silenced...VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10704531526536952372016-03-01T18:29:22.714-08:002016-03-01T18:29:22.714-08:00What? No "Wheel of Fortune" shout-outs?...What? No "Wheel of Fortune" shout-outs? :(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-28047813414779049842016-03-01T17:04:25.333-08:002016-03-01T17:04:25.333-08:00Having lived my entire life on the East Coast, alw...Having lived my entire life on the East Coast, always enjoy reading about great jocks from other parts of the country - especially nice guys like Charlie Tuna. His voice reminded me a bit of the great Phils broadcaster Harry Kalas. MikeK.Pa.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58233999289128020402016-03-01T15:07:06.636-08:002016-03-01T15:07:06.636-08:00Well written, Ken. I met Charlie three or four ti...Well written, Ken. I met Charlie three or four times and by golly, he was really, truly NICE. And he just loved what he did. Don Jennetthttp://www.reelradio.co/djnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48621291429035255592016-03-01T13:51:05.441-08:002016-03-01T13:51:05.441-08:00Charlie was a "wonder kid" in the spirit...Charlie was a "wonder kid" in the spirit of Charlie Van Dyke and Robert W. Morgan IMHO. As a kid I used to listen to CT when he did Casey's show or was announcing for Scrabble. Charlie took this fan and made him one of his Facebook friends. I was honored. I'll miss his daily posts, his sense of humor and his voice. God's speed Charlie Tuna. You passed on peacefully in a sleepy slumber. You were blessed in life and in death. :-(Dave Schreyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06371330732489997400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-35882413321694103912016-03-01T12:15:03.123-08:002016-03-01T12:15:03.123-08:00As recently as a year ago, I could listen to Charl...As recently as a year ago, I could listen to Charlie Tuna on the "rock" station in Palm Springs. It was a great throwback to the old days. Steve G.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61420876132236566132016-03-01T11:30:52.742-08:002016-03-01T11:30:52.742-08:00What a shock. Charlie tuna was one of the greatest...What a shock. Charlie tuna was one of the greatest personalities ever. When I was in college in 1970 working at our campus radio station, we found an aircheck of tuna from 1968 on KHJ. Couldn't believe how good this guy sounded. I'm from the East Coast but I've always followed LA radio. I spent two months in LA in 1972 and couldn't wait to hear Charlie coming out of my radio on KHJ. Sadly,he left KHJ a month before and Robert W Morgan,who I never heard before returned to do mornings. I became a fan instantly,but missed hearing Charlie. Through airchecks and further SoCal visits I followed Charlie whatever station he was on. These are the days before streaming. I really disliked KRTH in the last few years,but I would stream Charlie on the weekend just to hear him. From what I read he lived a clean healthy lifestyle..never smoke or drank and he dies from cancer at 71. What a dream team in heaven now..Tuna,Morgan,Steele and Gary Owens.Ricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48938831430987082872016-03-01T11:23:46.696-08:002016-03-01T11:23:46.696-08:00<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189447895397170825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76072175793037101832016-03-01T08:55:30.927-08:002016-03-01T08:55:30.927-08:00"He worked in Hollywood and never left Nebras..."He worked in Hollywood and never left Nebraska." Yes, sir.<br /><br />His work on 93/KHJ was revered by us geeks at the campus 'radio station' at ucla in the late '60's. We heard that he wrote out every break on 3x5 cards before going on the air! Such professionalism. <br /><br />Here are some great links to some nice videos of CT<br /><br />Charlie Tuna Retrospective Footage<br />http://www.charlietuna.com/media/030116video01PR-b-roll.mov<br /> <br />Charlie’s inspiration for radio, Jack Lewis:<br />http://www.charlietuna.com/media/030116video03Jack-Lewis.mov<br /> <br />Charlie’s journey from Kearney, NE to Los Angeles, CA:<br />http://www.charlietuna.com/media/030116video02Kearney-KOMA.mov Barefoot Billy Alohahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04586870309250699505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45340607546377021362016-03-01T08:48:45.678-08:002016-03-01T08:48:45.678-08:00A pro's pro...Charlie Tuna worked hard every m...A pro's pro...Charlie Tuna worked hard every moment he was on the air.....I guess I heard 99-% of his shows on KHJ and can never remember him stepping on a vocal.....<br />That to me...is the mark of excellence!!!!!!!!Jeff Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02769350441837910867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43628122432198557052016-03-01T07:56:59.436-08:002016-03-01T07:56:59.436-08:00Here's something you'll enjoy, Ken: Newspa...Here's something you'll enjoy, Ken: Newspapers are currently going crazy over an accusation by Lena Dunham that a Spanish magazine airbrushed a photo of her... <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/mar/01/lena-dunham-criticises-use-of-mad-photoshop-on-magazine-cover" rel="nofollow">Lena Dunham Criticizes Use of Mad Photoshop on Magazine Cover</a>. Lots of people jumped on the bandwagon, saying how "unnatural" her body looks, how terrible the magazine is...<br /><br />Except the photo wasn't retouched at all. The magazine in question, and several people on the internet, have compared with original photo and there's no difference at all. <br /><br />See for yourself:<br /><a href="http://i.imgur.com/CdeaQAI.gif" rel="nofollow">http://i.imgur.com/CdeaQAI.gif</a><br /><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1e/f0/2d/1ef02d447c3077faa999bf1908828e29.jpg" rel="nofollow">https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1e/f0/2d/1ef02d447c3077faa999bf1908828e29.jpg</a><br /><br />The magazine itself, in an open letter to her: <a href="http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/03/01/tentaciones/1456828208_318296.html" rel="nofollow">http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/03/01/tentaciones/1456828208_318296.html</a><br /><br />The newspapers aren't bothering to correct themselves, and Dunham has yet to make a statement. Another triumph of free publicity :)<br />Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13086939028445362188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-2259771896367835282016-03-01T07:46:34.320-08:002016-03-01T07:46:34.320-08:00Some of my SoCal friends were posting on Charlie&#...Some of my SoCal friends were posting on Charlie's passing...and I knew you would write a brilliant piece<br />I grew up in Minnesota and Florida,so I wasn't familiar with his work but as someone who loved music, I still have a soft spot for quite a few DJ's back then..and when you're a shy kid who loves music, the DJ becomes your friend while you do homework or put off going to bed.<br /><br />One of my favorites passed away a few years ago..and it still hurts..Dan Donovan..The Geezer in Minnesota radio...I wrote my tribute to him..nowhere near as informed as yours but it is my way of saying goodbye:<br />https://suek2001.wordpress.com/2015/12/02/a-tribute-to-the-geezer-aka-dan-donovan/<br /><br />Beyond all the comments about how the art of radio is dying and DJ's have become marginalized is this...you lost a friend and a mentor...my deepest condolences...and thank you for this tribute.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64444678070114087512016-03-01T06:24:22.084-08:002016-03-01T06:24:22.084-08:00What a line up in LA radio heaven. Morgan, Owens,...What a line up in LA radio heaven. Morgan, Owens, Steele, and Tuna!Mike Barerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14447874605833321732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76768814818121109742016-03-01T06:12:24.608-08:002016-03-01T06:12:24.608-08:00Gary Owens, Bob Eliott, Charlie Tuna...the radio o...Gary Owens, Bob Eliott, Charlie Tuna...the radio of my childhood is fading away. Late last year I was driving home from a family thing on a Sunday night, dialing around on the radio, and there he was -- Charlie Tuna, syndicated, playing 70s hits. Part of my Southern Cal childhood in the middle of Pennsylvania. His voice was still golden. I'll miss him.DonRnoreply@blogger.com