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- Mercury and D’Arcy come to the St. Louis Media History Foundation
- Telling the story – R.E. Krings and his Budweiser days
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- DigitalSt. Louis is a key player in this remarkable technological evolution. The path toward constant communication was paved with innovation that originated and first flourished here.
- Print Many contributed to the local history of the print medium in St. Louis. Their different publications, which number in the hundreds, show a colorful developmental process through the centuries.
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- Radio Our radio sections trace the development of the radio industry in St. Louis and highlights those who have helped to shape it.
- Television Countless television personalities have made an impact on St. Louis and have called it home. This site relives those memories and highlights the history of these television pioneers.
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Radio HOF

Hamilton, Bob

Bob Hamilton – 2005

Bob’s characteristic news delivery became so well known in St. Louis that he has been imitated by stand-up comics in local clubs and at least once on a commercial announcement that ran on several stations.

He began in the business in Fulton, Missouri at KFAL and then landed in Union for a short stint at KLPW.

Hamilton joined Pulitzer’s KSD in St. Louis in 1971, where he worked as a newsman.

In 1982 he moved up the radio dial to the news operation of CBS-owned KMOX.

He won several awards for his work at KMOX and was paid the ultimate compliment when he was asked by corporate executives to continue on the job there past the retirement age of 65.

By STLMHF, 3 yearsMay 17, 2022 ago

Radio HOF

Eschen, Frank

Frank Eschen – 2005

Eschen obtained his journalism degree from the University of Missouri in 1932 and was able to quickly get a job at WIL based in part on his broadcast experience at KFRU while a student.

In 1934 he went to KSD, where he spent the rest of his broadcast career. He left for military service in World War II, returning in 1945. In 1946, he personally accompanied St. Louis Archbishop John Glennon to Rome for his installation as a Cardinal.

While in Europe, he also covered the Nuremberg trials and the sudden death of Glennon in Ireland.

Co-workers spoke fondly of Eschen’s willingness to take young announcers under his wing and give them professional guidance and critiques. He also was a regular on the dramatic productions of “The Land We Live In” when it was carried on KSD.

By STLMHF, 3 yearsMay 17, 2022 ago

Radio HOF

Cox, Almus J.C. “Slim” and Zella Mae

Almus J.C. “Slim” and Zella Mae Cox – 2005

“Slim” began his radio career in Kennett, Missouri in 1947 with Slim Cox and the Foggy Mountain Boys and several other groups. A year later he met Zella Mae and they were married in 1948.

Their first gospel radio show was on KBTM in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Later in St. Louis they first appeared on WGNU with their weekly gospel program in 1955 sponsored by Schweig Engel, followed by KXEN and WEW.

Their performances were also heard on WSM’s Grand Ol’ Gospel program in Nashville for nearly 4 years, and their daily gospel radio broadcasts have been carried by 18 stations in 4 states.

The broadcast careers of the husband/wife team of Slim and Zella Mae Cox spanned 56 consecutive years.

By STLMHF, 3 yearsMay 17, 2022 ago

Radio HOF

Brown, Gary

Gary Brown – 2005

Gary was quick to admit he was a radio groupie when he was a kid. He’d ride the Kingshighway bus to Radio Park to watch Johnny Rabbitt do his show on KXOK. In the summer of 1970 Brown was able to talk his way into a job at KWK, which had a black format at the time.

Program director Bernie Hayes said Brown would do anything he could to be around the announcers.

After an on-air stint in Kansas City at another black station, Gary “Records” Brown landed at KADI-AM and FM in St. Louis where he got the chance to establish himself as the market’s premier oldies personality. The “KADI Original Oldies Show” became a Sunday night tradition.

Brown also programmed KGLD and, at the latter part of his career, did morning drive on KLOU, even while he served as the owner of several stations in Missouri and Illinois.

By STLMHF, 3 yearsMay 17, 2022 ago

Radio HOF

Phillips, Guy

Guy Phillips – 2006

After stints at stations in Texas, Mexico and California, Guy came to KSLQ in 1979 as part of a two-man morning show with Mike Wall.

The station’s call letters changed to KYKY, the format changed and the partnership dissolved, but Phillips stayed for over a quarter century, making his morning gig at the station one of the longest continuous stays in modern times. Near the end of his radio career he filled a slot at KTRS for a couple years. Phillips retired in 2020.

He dedicated thousands of hours in community service to charitable agencies and was one of the market’s most popular MCs. He’s received the Ronald McDonald House “Hero of the Heart” award and was named “Mr. St. Louis” through mayoral proclamation.

By STLMHF, 3 yearsMay 17, 2022 ago

Radio HOF

Lundy, Ron

Ron Lundy – 2006

One of the crazy bunch of young guys who catapulted WIL to the top of the market in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, Ron Lundy left St. Louis in 1965 to go to WABC in New York. He took the air name “Wil’ Child” here for awhile and lived up to the image.

In 1960, Balaban’s Bob Whitney brought Lundy to town from Baton Rouge, citing his audition tape as a combination of “country and crawfish pie,” a folksiness that stayed with Lundy through his career. Whitney said Lundy was “a guy who radiated the fun of being alive.”

By STLMHF, 3 yearsMay 17, 2022 ago