California Historical Radio Society

10/16/2026

Because it’s Flashback Friday and it just sounds so good to reminisce!

10/16/2026

"Listening In" 10/15/26 -

Dear CHRS Members, We are continuing to work on the parking situation and are hopeful that we can reach a resolution. We know convenient parking matters to our members, volunteers, and visitors, and we appreciate your patience while those efforts continue. We’ll share updates as soon as we have so...

10/16/2026

You ready for some HALLOWEEN HORROR fun?

The Retro Roadshow is returning to the California Historical Radio Society THIS SATURDAY, October 17th!

Join us for this special event exploring the fascinating and spooky histories of science fiction, horror, and video games, including the landmark “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast from 1938. Following the presentation, get hands-on with a stunning collection of vintage computers and classic gaming consoles, all featuring games with horror-inspired elements. It’s going to be scarily fun!

More info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/4289206154546838/

10/15/2026

Back with another Radio Moments in Music!

Grateful Dead grew alongside Bay Area free-form radio and inspired dedicated radio programs.

Progressive stations such as KSAN helped introduce the Dead’s experimental music and live performances to a wider Bay Area audience.

The Grateful Dead Hour and KPFA’s long-running show Dead to the World, which features recordings, interviews, and music connected to the band.
-Write up by on IG

10/15/2026

🔊 We have web exclusive thank-you gifts 🔊

The Sound View is a 9-transistor transceiver manufactured in Japan during the 1960s, representing the exciting era when compact portable electronics were becoming widely available.

Its original packaging makes it especially appealing to vintage radio collectors and helps preserve this classic device.

We bring you these special gifts courtesy of California Historical Radio Society!

Visit support.kpfa.org to donate and select your gift today!

10/10/2026

TODAY IS THE BIG DAY!!

We'll be celebrating the entire Class of 2026 Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame (BARHOF) Inductees at the BARHOF Induction Event!

Hope to see you there, please stay tuned for views from the induction event!

We can't have today's celebration without our last Class of 2026 Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame Spotlight: THE DOGHOUSE!

Originating on San Jose’s Hot 97.7 KHQT, the ensemble show led by “JV” (Jeffray Vandergrift) and “Elvis” (Dan Lay), with producer Lance “Hollywood” Otani, would move to San Francisco’s Wild 107.7 (KSAN) and then Wild 94.9 (KYLD) and become a dominant cultural and ratings force in the 1990s and 2000s. Vandergrift died in 2023 at the age of 55.

10/10/2026

TOMORROW is the BIG DAY!

Class of 2026 Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame Spotlight!

Jack Perry holds the distinction of having served as production director at both of San Jose’s album rock giants: KOME and KSJO during their glory years from the late 1970s until the early ‘90s. Fans remember the brash imaging that drove both stations’ on-air sound. Perry would then spend twenty years with CBS as Creative Services Director, creating imaging and commercials for KCBS and KRQR.

Help us celebrate Jack and the entire Class of 2026 Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame (BARHOF) Inductees at the BARHOF Induction Event happening TOMORROW!

Can't make it? Please stay tuned for views from the induction after the event!

10/09/2026

Class of 2026 Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame Spotlight!

Keith Naftaly is a San Francisco native who describes himself as obsessed with radio as a child. He broke into the business answering the phones at KFRC. When KMEL became the Bay Area’s first Top 40 FM station in 1984, Naftaly joined as music coordinator. He was soon promoted to music director and then became the station’s program director at the age of 24. Naftaly is credited with helping KMEL deliver ratings dominance while becoming a blueprint for music stations nationwide, bridging cultural divides and amplifying urban music on a mainstream platform.

We'll be celebrating Keith and the entire Class of 2026 Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame (BARHOF) Inductees at the BARHOF Induction Event:

Tomorrow, October 10th.

Hope to see you there, please stay tuned for views from the induction after the event!

10/09/2026

"Listening In" 10/8/26 -

Just a quick note for anyone planning to visit Radio Central, Saturday, October 10th: the adjacent parking lot will not be available for CHRS parking.

10/09/2026

Class of 2026 Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame Spotlight! (Engineering)

Larry Wood is an Oakland native and graduate of Skyline High School, where he took an electronics course that required the students to build and wire a radio control room and studio. His Bay Area radio engineering career began in 1976 at KDIA. A Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer, he would go on to hold engineering positions at a dozen other stations, retiring after serving for 23 years as Chief Engineer at KQED-FM.

We'll be celebrating Larry and the entire Class of 2026 Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame (BARHOF) Inductees at the BARHOF Induction Event:

This Saturday, October 10th.

Hope to see you there, please stay tuned for views from the induction after the event!