The Chicago-based Museum of Broadcast Communications recently announced the nominations class of 2022 for the Radio Hall of Fame. Twenty-four people were chosen by the nominating committee, including four of our own: two individuals and one set of two., KFI afternoon drive duo John and Ken, and former KABC and KRLA host Larry Elder. Actually, there’s one more from LA radio’s past: Walt “Baby” Love, formerly heard on KHJ , KFI , and KMPC . He was nominated for his syndicated Gospel Traxx program.
Two more inductees — for a total of eight — will be selected by the nominating committee itself. The winners will be announced on July 25th and honored at the official 2022 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony on November 1st in Chicago. Previous inductees include such legendary broadcasters as Abbot and Costello, Fred Allen, Jack Benny, Dr. Demento, Tom Donahue, Bill Drake, Rick Dees, Paul Harvey, Bob Hope, Kevin and Bean, Casey Kasem, Art Laboe, Robert W. Morgan, “The Real” Don Steele, Charlie Tuna, Dick Whittinghill, and Wolfman Jack, among many others, meaning that the current candidates are among really good company.
Likewise, John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou are a major reason for the continued success of KFI even as the station has tried to become less political overall. John and Ken, of course, are as political as ever, injecting themselves into local and state issues, and acting as the voice for things you want to say but can’t when it comes to local politics and political correctness. Sometimes they are off-base, but almost always entertaining.