Jonnie King
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Jonnie King's first trip to a radio station was when he was about seven years old. On the way home that evening, his parents asked him how he liked it, to which he replied: "I think I'd like to do that."

"Do what?"his parents inquired. "Be on the radio!" he said without hesitation. Thus, he began his quest for a career.

Through the intervening years, Jonnie was an amateur magician, a drummer with many different groups and an actor. As an actor, he performed in high school, and college productions; was a regular for many years in St. Louis Community College Theatre Productions; and studied at St. Louis University. He was subsequently accepted into the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts, studying there and living in California. On his return to St. Louis and at the peak of his career, he was signed to perform at the famed "Crystal Palace" in Gaslight Square.

Still yearning for a career in radio, Jonnie began working at the old KXOK Radio Park Studios in 1965. He worked in such varied locations as KAAY/Little Rock & WDRQ/Detroit. He has been a mainstay in St. Louis Radio since moving back in 1973 and working at KSLQ, KADI, KGLD, KRJY and, of course, KHITS. Various positions held include: program director, music director and research director.

Since 1973, Jonnie has also been creator/producer and voice of the nationally syndicatedmorning radio feature "The Breakfast Serial..." a show based on programs from the "Golden Age" of radio. With a vast collection of original 45's and albums dating from the 1950''s to the 1970's, and with his vast knowledge as a musician, Jonnie is also a historian and "oldies, but goodies" expert on early records and artists from the beginning of the "Rock and Roll" era.

Jonnie's off-the-air activities include buying, selling and collecting antiques, antique advertising memorabilia, Golden Age Radio shows and radio premiums, early disneyana and comic character toys. He also has a passion for antique, custom and classic autos and automobile memorabilia. He owned everything from a '58 Thunderbird to a '67 Jaguar XKE. His spare time is currently spent working on an almost fully restored 1953 Buick Special. Riding in this car is like being in a true "time machine!"

As a matter of fact, Jonnie's "collecting" habit got so bad at one time that he opened up his own retail store: "All-American Comics & Collectibles" in the General Grant Shopping Center and ran it for seven years. But now he devotes full-time to his nighttime audience on KHITS...bringing with him the warmth and sincerity that has always been his trademark.

[Kent Hall] [Mike Watermann] [Jonnie King]
[Tim Gilbert] [Rik Anthony] [John Cooper] [Mark Richter]


 


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