Jonnie King
[email protected]
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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