DIR/King Biscuit Flower Hour Radio Show Main Page
(Updated 09/14/15)
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DIR/King Biscuit Flower Hour Radio Show Index
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King Biscuit Flower Hour Records Commercial CD/DVD-A Index
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[Note: To Minimize Reader Confusion, Please Be Aware That All Referenced Dates Are In MM/DD/YY Format.]
As stated on my site main page, this effort has evolved from my initial intentions to index King Biscuit Flower Hour radio shows, to now cover it and other DIR Broadcasting shows that were eventually offered as a full monthly package to subscribing stations in the U.S.
Note - This main page and its affiliated index are only for the syndicated KBFH radio show releases in various formats. For commercial releases see the links for King Biscuit Flower Hour Records Commercial CD/DVD-A Main Page and the King Biscuit Flower Hour Records Commercial CD/DVD-A Index a the top of the page.
The DIR Corporation And The King Biscuit Flower Hour
Overview/History
For perspective, it might be helpful to give a little history of the state of radio broadcasting in the U.S. As the 60's were coming to a close, A.M. radio was still the dominant force across America. But changes in the FCC regulations governing the operation and licensing of stations and their charter to serve local communities through a new mandate, resulted in the creation of a growing chain of fledgling of sister FM stations in these same A.M. markets. Initially seen as almost obligatory, loss leaders to the corporate owners, they often disregarded them as merely legal compliance necessities. They invested the minimum funds to make them operate, but had few expectations from their output and largely left them alone.
This absence of management involvement fostered a much more liberal and unrestrained broadcast format that by default encouraged creativity and experimentation with content and style. F.M. in the late 60's and early 1970's was typified by slow paced, introspective, somewhat intellectually stimulating DJs and programming, that quickly attracted the more 'hip' audiences of the era. The DJs spoke to the audience often as a friend would, and radio became a form of comfort, relaxation and security for its listeners. This was the beginning of the progressive rock radio experiment.
It was into these times that a small group of men in New York City had the inspiration to try and provide a new kind of music experience for radio listeners. Their idea was to give listeners the best concert level music that they could deliver via a syndicated music radio series to their home radios.
Up to this point A.M. had syndicated music programs, but they were top 40 countdown shows, reviewing the hits of the week. What these guys envisioned was truly inspirational and would prove to be a groundbreaking model for subsequent shows over the next 30 years.
In the beginning, its founders Bob Meyrowitz, Peter Kauff and Alan Steinberg were wrestling and gambling on a new and largely undeveloped?concept of presenting recorded contemporary music concerts in a "live" style setting. For them this was venturing into a new experience, where the outcomes were unknown.
They initially founded DIR Broadcasting Corporation back in 1971 as a base of operations for producing and distributing music related content. DIR was the acronym for the company actually named Designs In Radio, though the letters were also called ?b>Dig It Radio?by listeners. Under its corporate umbrella, its first syndicated radio program was the legendary King Biscuit Flower Hour that featured concert performances by various contemporary rock artists.
Like any new organization they experienced growing pains with some stumbles with advertised shows that did not happen the way they were planned, and other hiccups. But these were clearly outweighed by the success they had and was subsequently reflected in the growth and evolution of the frequency of the series, due to listener response and willing sponsors. The series launched in 1973 with 54 subscribing stations, which then grew to 75 by June of that year.
The program was initially broadcast on Sunday nights from 1973 until 2005, although new programming ceased in 1993 and previous shows were repeated from that point on. During its prime, the program was carried by more than 300 radio stations throughout the United States. The show’s name was derived from the influential blues radio show ?a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Biscuit_Time" title="King Biscuit Time">King Biscuit Time?of the 1940's, which was sponsored by the King Biscuit Flour Co., and the then contemporary hippie phrase “flower power?
?
The first KBFH show was broadcast on February 18, 1973 and featured Blood, Sweat & Tears, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Bruce Springsteen. The long-time host of the show until the mid 1990s was Bill Minkin, whose voice has been described as “the perfect blend of hipster enthusiasm and stoner casualness.?/span>
The concerts were usually recorded with a mobile multi-track recording truck, then mixed and edited for broadcast on the show within a few weeks. In the 1970s, the show was sent to participating radio stations on reel-to-reel tape. In 1980, D.I.R. began using the LP format, producing the show on a three-sided, two record set. The first show on compact disc was an Eric Clapton concert broadcast on September 6, 1987. By the year 2000, King Biscuit was using CD-R media to distribute the show. These tapes, records or compact discs were accompanied by a cue sheet which gave the disc jockey a written guideline of the content and length of each segment of the program.
Although closely associated with classic rock in its later years, the King Biscuit Flower Hour dedicated much air time to new and emerging artists, including new wave and modern rock artists in the late 1970s and through the early 1990s.
The series also ventured into unusual themes for occasional shows like presenting Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita, a NYC theater performance by Monty Python, tribute specials to the National Lampoon Radio Hour, and a comic strip opera featuring Alice Cooper, John Entwistle, Justin Hayward, Elkie Brooks, Nicky Hopkins and Carmine Appice.
Additionally, from 1975 - 1980 the regular concert series schedule was periodically interspersed with a 'Conversation With' series that featured music and interviews with other entertainment notables like George Harrison, Roger Daltry, Joan Baez,?Woody Allen, Brian Wilson, Jimmy Page, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, Rod Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, The Blues Brothers, Bob Seger and The Rolling Stones.
It also presented concert segments from current music festival series like Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam, California Jam II, the St. Louis Super Jam, the M.U.S.E. concerts, and various benefit concerts, as well as historic performances from the original 1969 Woodstock and the subsequent reunion concert in 1979.
Unfortunately, over the next 3 decades, KBFH would also fall victim to the greed and pressures of homogenized corporate formula radio. And by then, the bloom was off the rose of FM radio.
By the end of the KBFH series and the sale of its assets to Wolfgang's Vault, DIR had impressively amassed over 850 rock concerts, approximately 200 live interviews, and almost 400 country music concerts, which the company recorded on its separate Silver Eagle brand, along with 150 comedy shows.
DIR Radio Programs & Distributed Series
"Introducing the King Biscuit Flower Hour, a rock radio show that's going to rock the boat.
Instead of playing records, we're going to tape recording sessions, concerts and whatever else, live. And we'll play them back just the way we taped them.
Which means you'll get to hear lot of stuff you can't hear on records. As well as stuff you can. (After all, what ends up on the floor is sometimes as good as what ends up on the record.)
The King Biscuit Flower Hour, with new guests every week, will be hosted by Bill Minkin on FM only. Check the list below for times and stations.
On February 18, you'll hear John McGloughlin & The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Bruce Springsteen, and Blood Sweat & Tears, live, in concert. So you can be sure you'll hear a lot of the blood, sweat and tears that goes into Blood, Sweat & Tears.
This show is created and produced by DIR Broadcasting. For further information, write Bob Meyrowitz at DIR Broadcasting, 78 East 56th Street, New York, N.Y. 10022. Or call 212-486-9560."
And with that auspicious ad text in the 03/01/73 issue of Rolling Stone magazine, this soon to be legendary live music radio show, was announced to the listening world.
Under DIR's corporate umbrella, its first syndicated radio program quickly attained meteoric popularity, so it then subsequently created and produced a long list of other syndicated radio programs with varied musical focus and formats that included:
BBC Presents - a BBC program series licensed from London Wavelength for an 8 month term in 1975
British Biscuit - the DIR produced replacement for BBC Presents
The Conversation With - series, hosted by WNEW-FM DJ, Dave Herman
With Mary - interview series hosted by Mary Travers of Peter, Paul & Mary
Silver Eagle - country music (premiered 01/03/81)
Live At The Bottom Line - live concert shows from this intimate NYC venue
The Robert Klein Hour - variety interview/talk show
Rock News
Direct News
The Inside Track With Lisa Robinson - interview series
Scott Muni’s World of Rock - hosted by the WNEW-FM DJ
Pioneer's Of Rock (aka 'Pioneer's In Music', hosted by Dave Herman)
Highlights (or Highlife?) - jazz series hosted by LA DJ, J.J. Johnson (premiered 08/86)
The Howard Stern Show - initially? produced shock-jock Howard Stern's first national radio shows?-?1986
North American Rock Radio Awards - annual radio show
The Way It Went Down - 13 part history of the sixties
plus they also produced 150 comedy shows.
In addition to syndicated radio show programs, DIR ventured into television and commercial music video and special event production on a limited basis.
In 1978 DIR produced a one hour television special called simply Ringo, that was broadcast 04/26/78. It was built around a Neil Israel synopsis that was a musical-like, updated version of Mark Twain's "The Prince And The Pauper". The story incorporated 5 songs, "Sixteen, Yellow Submarine, With A Little Help From My Friends, Heart On My Sleeve, Hard Times and A Man Like Me". Guest performers included Mack Rebenack (aka Dr. John), Carrie Fisher, Angie Dickinson, George Harrison as narrator, Art Carney, Mike Douglas, John Ritter and Vincent Price.
In 1984 DIR/KB also produced a special event concert video for Warner Brothers entitled Dio - A Special From The Spectrum of a 08/25/84 performance at the Philadelphia Spectrum that was released on VHS video tape.
Subsequently in 1989, DIR/KB also produced a filmed for television presentation of an Ozzy Osbourne Concert performed on 06/04/89 at the Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA.
Dave Herman History With WNEW-FM And DIR
In 1975 DIR Broadcasting? joined forces with WNEW-FM's Dave Herman to produce a series of 2 hour radio specials that would be broadcast only 4 times a year. They were called "Dave Herman's Conversations" and featured Dave in very informal, relaxed conversations with the world's biggest rock stars - Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles, Rod Stewart, David Bowie, Peter Frampton, Jerry Garcia, Brian Wilson, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey and more. Over the years of his association with DIR he did about 20 interviews for this series. The series was co-produced by DIR, Dave Herman and Drea Besch.
Interviewed
George Harrison (originally recorded 04/05/75 and aired on WNEW-FM 05/24/75; later re-edited for DIR show.)
Roger Daltrey
Joan Baez
Elton John
Eagles
Rolling Stones - Mick Jagger + co.
Jerry Garcia
Rod Stewart
Bruce Springsteen
David Bowie
Bob Seger
Peter Frampton
Grace Slick
Brian Wilson
Ringo Starr
Pete Townshend
Blondie - Debbie Harry, Chris Stein
Woody Allen
John Belushi & Dan Akroyd
Jimmy Page
Following his departure from daily broadcasting, Dave joined Bob Meyrowitz to launch Eyada.com, where he was Director of Programming. This was the world's most ambitious internet radio company ever undertaken, with five simultaneous live streaming programs. It was 1999 and way ahead of its time. Eyada did not survive the bursting of the internet bubble in the summer of 2001.
Dave Herman passed away 05/29/14.
DIR/King Biscuit Flower Hour Bullet Point Facts
?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> Often some of the best songs of an artist did not make the broadcast shows. But, with the numerous reuse of the recorded performances, many of the songs originally unused, would be subsequently aired during repeat/Best Of The Biscuit shows.
?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> Additionally, [see KBFH Records Commercial CD/DVD-A release index] more complete concert performances did get released through commercial CDs, though not aired on the syndicated radio program.
?span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> DIR recorded many performances over the years, but probably for multiple reasons [sudden loss of popularity, licensing issues, not the best performance by the artist] certain shows were never broadcast. Again, some of these other tracks were subsequently released in commercial CD releases.
- On 01/02/82 a three-alarm fire raged through the lower floors of the Manhattan office building that housed the offices and tape archives of DIR Broadcasting, including those of the successful "King Biscuit Flower Hour.'' While flames were contained to the floors below the third, smoke and steam filled the upper floors of the brick building. It was reported that many of the original recordings were lost as a result, though these may only have been the final mixed, encoded, broadcast duplicating master tapes.
- Probably as a result of this tragic loss by fire, by 2000 the DIR archives of the King Biscuit Flower Hour show master tapes were relocated to a secure vault deep within a mountain in upstate New York.
- Relative to Wolfgang's Vault's acknowledged holdings, they do not list shows/venues for all artists known to have been part of the subscription distributions. It is assumed that some of these may simply have been lost over time and were never able to be transferred to Wolfgang's Vault.
- Wolfgang's Vault's own listings acknowledge that for some shows they only have copies of the edited broadcast reels as sources of recordings.
DIR Show Hosts
William (Bill) Minkin was the initial and long-time host of the “King Biscuit Flower Hour? He was the host of the show during the majority of the shows issued on reel-to-reel from 2/18/73 - 2/10/80. He continued to host the shows as they transitioned to LP and then eventually to CD media, until the KBFH ended new show programs at the end of 1992.
?/span>
Richard Robinson hosted some shows in 6-7/74.
Ed Sciaky and Mark Coppala hosted some shows in the late 80's
Dan Neer hosted some of the repeat shows in 9/95
Brian Saxton hosted the British Biscuit shows that were initiated in 7/1/75 and is known to have run through 7/16/78.
Bill Minkin also hosted the Best of the Biscuit shows that were initiated in 11/2/75 is known to have run through 5/3/87.
Show Series Numbering and Dating
KBFH Series Duration
Most references of the King Biscuit Flower Hour series, accurately identify the first show as being broadcast on 2/13/73, and is usually presumed to be the start of performance recordings by DIR for the KBFH programs. This was the legendary triple bill, premiere show with Blood, Sweat & Tears, The Mahavishnu Orchestra w/John McLaughlin and a nearly unknown singer/songwriter named Bruce Springsteen. All three of these performances were recorded in 1973, within weeks of the show's broadcast.
Therefore it is interesting that in fact there was a noteworthy, but little known earlier recording, that was subsequently broadcast in the series. This was of the 8/30/72 "One To One" concert held in Madison Square Garden in NYC with John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Stevie Wonder, Sha Na Na, Roberta Flack and Melanie. This was a two concert series organized by Geraldo Rivera to benefit the Willowbrook Home, a facility for learning disabled children.
The DIR Network was on hand to record the One To One event and in December of 1972 aired excerpts, including the five John and Yoko songs later featured in the KBFH series special show. These five performances, all taken from the evening performance, have never been officially released, with the exception of a short excerpt of “Give Peace A Chance.?Compared to the afternoon show, it is said that John seems more comfortable here and the band performances are stronger. One may wonder why the afternoon performances were favored for the officially released LP/CD, when the evening performances may indeed be superior.
This concert ended up being the 6th show to air in the series, but only on the limited number of radio stations which were among the initial subscribers. This fact has largely contributed to the show's obscurity.
Most online references to the syndicated series also state that the series continued through 2007, though new shows stopped being recorded sometime in the end of 1992. After that, the existing recorded shows were simply repackaged for distribution. Wikipedia, and therefore other sites on the web, list the series as running through 2007, which is a classic example of a 'systematic error'. As far as I can determine, the last known distributed show had broadcast airing dates of 11/28-12/04/2005.
Additionally, it is known that Wolfgang's Vault purchased the original master reel inventory and rights to the program in early 2006. Therefore it seems unlikely that there were any shows issued in 2007.
From everything that I can verify, I therefore assume that the series ended in late 2005.
Chronology Of KBFH Radio Show Series Frequencies
Though the first show was broadcast on February 18, 1973, the series regular start was with the 4/29/73 show. This set the pace for a once a month series, airing typically on the last Sunday of the month.
In early 1974, the series began to broadcast new shows on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. [If there were five Sundays, they usually shifted the second show to the 5th one.]
On 1/5/75 DIR initiated a new show titled “BBC Presents Live From London? a BBC hour-long syndicated show which was intended to air on the 1st and 3rd Sundays in alternation with the existing KBFH 2nd and 4th Sunday show airing sequence. These originally produced BBC UK shows were distributed by London Wavelength, which licensed them to DIR.
In late July it was announced that DIR would be terminating its licensing and distribution relationship with London Wavelength, and the last "BBC Presents" show aired on 7/20/75 (or possibly 8/3/75).
?
By late summer, DIR announced the production of their own series to be called “The British Biscuit?which aired its first show on 8/24/75. Additionally, they announced that they would initiate a "Conversation With" series of interviews done by Dave Herman of WNEW-FM. These were initially intended to run when there was a month with a 5th Sunday. The first one aired on 8/17/75.
At this time, DIR loosened its show airing policy and allowed subscribing stations the latitude of broadcasting a particular show between 7 and 11 pm on the respective Sunday nights.
In late 1975, DIR introduced the concept for a ‘best of?show to initiate repeats of shows in their now growing archive of recorded live performances. These were sometimes a largely straight rebroadcast, but with new intros and revised commercial breaks. In other cases they presented edited segments of different shows and created a new, hour long show.
This then established the general monthly sequence for the show series of:
the 1st Sunday would be a “Best Of The Biscuit?show
the 2nd Sunday would be a new KBFH show
the 3rd Sunday would be a “British Biscuit?show.
the 4th Sunday would be a different new KBFH show
the 5th Sunday would be a "Conversation With" show, if the month had a 5th Sunday
[From the currently known shows, it is not clear whether all four segments actually ran each month.]
Then starting sometime between 4/1/88 and 12/31/88, DIR changed its show airing policy further to allow subscribing stations even greater programming latitude. This change defined the period for broadcasting a particular show as being a full week, starting on Monday of a specified week and ending on the following Sunday evening. For my index purposes, at that point, I state the show airing date duration.
By 2000, DIR slightly changed this again to define the period for broadcasting a particular show as being the “week of? and then listing only the Monday of that week. It simply implied that the period ended on the following Sunday evening.
Corporate Ownership, Management And Distributors
Known Presidents/Owners And Other Staff Of DIR Broadcasting Inc.
Robert “Bob?Meyrowitz was President of DIR Broadcasting Corporation and also the creator of the radio program the King Biscuit Flower Hour. He sold his interests in DIR Broadcasting and KBFH in 1992.
Subsequently, Mr. Meyrowitz served as Chairman of CTN Media Group Inc. where he facilitated CTN's rapid growth by leading their fund raising efforts, which netted approximately $60,000,000 from both public and private equity rounds. The company was also co-owned by Peter Kauff.
He was later the co-creator of the world famous Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He was the owner of the UFC until he sold it to Zuffa in 2001. In the late 1980s he started Semaphore Entertainment Group (SEG), which was one of the first groups to develop content for Pay Per View.
In 1999, Meyrowitz created Eyada.com, the first internet radio station. As stated above, Dave Herman was also involved in this venture.
in 2007, Meyrowitz created Rope Partners along with Peter Kauff, to promote the creation of a new mixed martial arts league.
In January 2008, Meyrowitz announced the formation of his new MMA company, YAMMA Pit Fighting. YAMMA was a joint venture between Meyrowitz’s company, Rope Partners, and Live Nation. Yamma folded the same year, holding only one event on April 11, 2008.
Since 2010, Meyrowitz has been President & CEO of The Clouds Arena and CEO of Presspass TV in NYC.
Peter L. Kauff was Vice President of DIR Broadcasting Corporation for the radio program the King Biscuit Flower Hour from 1973 - 1989.
From 1968 to 1973, Mr. Kauff served as Vice President of Premiere Talent Association, the leading talent agency in the newly emerging 'rock-n-roll' touring industry. While he was at Premiere he represented The Animals, The Who, Neil Diamond, Jimi Hendrix, Jethro Tull and Led Zeppelin. His experience at Premiere enabled him to create a network of career-long relationships with many of the industry's most respected executives.
Mr. Kauff served as Chief Executive Officer of DIR Broadcasting Inc. from 1973 - 1989. While under his leadership, DIR became the number one supplier of national music programming to nearly 300 DIR affiliated stations.
Peter L. Kauff was Executive Producer of syndicated radio programming. Radio programs included; King Biscuit Flower Hour, Howard Stern (national), Scott Muni: Ticket To Ride, Rick Dees Top 40, Live At The Improv. Radio specials included David Bowie: Live From Rotterdam, Billy Joel: Live From Russia, Glass Spider Tour Announcement, and U2-Trip through Your Wires. Produced the HBO Special, :Ladies Of Rock and Roll".
Mr. Kauff was Chairman of Rudge-Kauff Management (~1992-93). Along with partner Peter Rudge they coordinated record company activities and implemented logistics in conjunction with tour managers for clients including, Sophie B. Hawkins, James, Eve's Plum, Jon Carin (Pink Floyd) & Michael Monroe.
Mr. Kauff served as Vice Chairman and later as Chief Operating Officer of CTN Media Group Inc. where he facilitated CTN's rapid growth by leading their fund raising efforts, which netted approximately $60,000,000 from both public and private equity rounds from 1991 - 1997. The company was co-founded by Bob Meyrowitz in1991.
He later served as Director of Skytron Corporation.
Mr. Kauff passed away 12/20/13.
Alan Steinberg was Executive Vice President of the radio program the King Biscuit Flower Hour in 1975. He was listed in show ads from 10/28/73 through 9/4/77.
Paul Zullo held several senior management positions at DIR Broadcasting, including senior VP and GM. He also produced the company's radio show, The King Biscuit Flower Hour. He seems to have replaced Alan Steinberg when he was listed in a show ad for 4/29/79.
After leaving DIR, he co-developed Muze in 1986.
Andy Denemark was Executive Director of Station Relations of DIR Broadcasting Corporation for the radio program the King Biscuit Flower Hour in 1978.
Len Handler was VP Creative 1996 - 2001
Holley A. Linscott was an Assistant to Producers at DIR Broadcasting/King Biscuit Flower Hour, including the annual award ceremony arrangements for The Rock n' Roll Radio Awards from 1979 - 1981.
Scott Kushner was a producer of the King Biscuit Flower Hour at DIR from 1981 - 1985.
Amy Fritch was a Graphic Designer 1996 - 1997
Others known to have been associated with DIR/King Biscuit Flower Hour in its early days:
Esty Todman
Bob Pearlstein
Joe Allen
Phil Stogel
Pete Cameron
Inalee Myback
Ron Nevison
Peter Rudge
Frank Barcelona
Marc Metzler
Barry Ehrmann was President of King Biscuit Flower Hour Records 1/92 - 1/96 and during his tenure?was responsible for the acquisition of the classic King Biscuit Flower Hour radio archives, consisting of 20 years of live concert recordings from over 450 artists, and the subsequent release of these concerts on CD.
Steven Ship, was president of King Biscuit Entertainment Group, the parent company for the King Biscuit Flower Hour syndicated radio show in ~1998 - 11/00, and was involved in the Stone Pony revival concert series agreement.
George Alexandrou is a principal of Berry Hill Films, and served as President of the King Biscuit Entertainment Group 2005-2006 where he executed a multi-million dollar sale of King Biscuit's assets to Wolfgang's Vault in 2006.
William Sagan, CEO of Norton LLC and a Wayzata, Minnesota entrepreneur formerly engaged in the health-care industry, had previously purchased the archive's assets, plus all related intellectual property of Bill Graham Presents in mid-2002. Then he subsequently purchased the King Biscuit name and audio archives in 04/14/06. He currently has consolidated the music archives of both companies under Wolfgang's Vault.
DIR Broadcasting, 78 East 56th Street, New York, N.Y. 10022 (initial offices in February 1973 - 05/73)
Subsequently the company's offices moved to:
- 1 East 53rd Street, New York, N.Y. (05/73 - 08/73)
- 527 Madison, New York, N.Y. (08/73 - 08/75)
- 445 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. (09/75 - 04/83)
- 32 East 57th Street, New York, N.Y. (04/83 - 07/95)
- 11 West 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. (08/95 - 04/98) as Media America, Inc.
- 18 East 53rd Street, New York, N.Y. (05/98 - 04/01) as K.B. Radio Corp.
- 151 W. 30th Street, New York, N.Y. (05/01 - 03/05)
- 350 Seventh Ave, New York, N.Y. (04/05 - 04/06) (offices when purchased)
Chronology Of Ownership Of King Biscuit Flower Hour Show
- DIR Broadcasting Corporation established in 1971.
- KBFH name was first used 9/15/72.
- DIR (1973 - late 1984 or 1986)
- Lorimar Telepictures (11/84, then 12/86 - 5/30/88) DIR Broadcasting was sold to Lorimar Telepictures in 1986.
- DIR (6/88 - 9/95)
- Media America (10/95 - 4/5/98)
- DIR Broadcasting Corporation was legally dissolved 6/4/96
- King Biscuit Entertainment Group was established in roughly late 1995
?- K. B. Radio Inc. was a wholly owned division of King Biscuit Entertainment Group
? (established 01/01/1996 and owned until its purchase by Wolfgang's Vault in 04/14/06)
?Mr. Steven Ship, President
?Customer Contact: Mr. Inci Akidil, Manager
?- in 1999 it owned King Biscuit Flower Hour and Silver Eagle Cross Country radio shows.
- Oct. 18, 2004 ?The King Biscuit Entertainment Group announced a venture with C.A.C. Media and Video Without Boundaries, Inc. to offer their content via VWB's MediaREADY line of products and OEM modules.
- Bill Sagan, owner Wolfgang's Vault, purchased the King Biscuit name and audio archives (4/14/06 - present). Subsequently WV established King Biscuit Records to manage the concert audio and video archives originating from The King Biscuit Flower Hour, Bill Graham Presents, Silver Eagle Cross Country and a growing number of other concert archives. Thousands of historic vintage recordings of live concerts featuring the greatest artists in rock and roll history are represented in these archives. In addition to the purchase of the audio archive, Wolfgang's Vault acquired King Biscuit's New York City offices located at 350 7th Avenue.
Known Broadcast Network Affiliation
- ABC Radio (Rock) Networks (5/81 - 12/31/85)
Radio Show Distribution Media Details
Relative Characteristics Of Chronological Sources Of Released KBFH Music Shows
- DIR original multi-channel source master reels - unmixed, un-encoded (~16,000 - 16 & 24 track master reels created)
- 1973-2/21/80 show multi-channel source reels subsequently edited, mixed and mastered to discrete 4-channel quad 'master' reels (these were possibly all destroyed in 1/82 warehouse fire)
- copies of these discrete 4-channel quad 'master 'reels were dubbed and distributed to radio stations by subscription (unknown quantity of reels currently scattered in numerous collector's hands, a few public archives and possibly still in a few radio station inventories)
- KBFH CDs - commercial series of ~100+ releases produced 1987 - 2003 - OOP (music remixed from original master reels with 90's technology, often adding unreleased songs not included in original reel format shows, as well as releasing some shows that never aired.)
- free & fee based download file versions on Wolfgang's Vault - acquired rights to master reels in 2006 - (<16,000 - 16 & 24 track master reels - restored and digitally transferred these shows to their full original concert form; WV's publicly indexed acquisitions do not include some originally broadcast shows - some masters lost/destroyed over time)
Tape Brands Used For Show Duplication For Subscription Distribution
1973 - 1975 : unknown brand of tape in plain white boxes
1976 - 1978 : 3M had been a sponsor since sometime in 1973. Probably as part of their sponsorship contract, in 1976 DIR began having their shows duplicated on 7? blank reels of 3M/Scotch Brand ProPack magnetic tape, for subsequent distribution to subscribing radio stations.
1979 - 11/79 : TDK replaced 3M as the audio tape manufacturing sponsor and DIR began using a different though unidentified brand of brand magnetic tape to record the shows on, for subsequent distribution to subscribing radio stations. The reels used did not have any indication that they might possibly be TDK. Additionally, they transitioned from individual boxes for each reel, to using a corrugated shipper that accommodated the double stacking of the two reel shows, in a secure package for shipment.
It is known that there were some shows that were distributed to specific subscribers on a single 10 ½” reel, instead of two 7?reels. These were shipped with the standard 7?cue sheets.
Additionally, it is known that while DIR transitioned to from reel to reel tape to vinyl LPs as the media for all shows starting with the 11/25/79 broadcasts of the M.U.S.E. Rally Concerts in NYC, that there were still some shows duplicated on a single 10 ½” reel. These were shipped with the then standard LP or CD cue sheets. Various shows from June 1984 through September 1985 and August through December 1990 that were distributed in this format are known to exist. The latter reels were duplicated by Superdupe, located in NYC. These came in simply labeled, plain white reel boxes, on an unidentified brand of tape.
Reel/Box Labeling Differences Throughout The Lifetime Of The Series Distributed On Reel
2/73 - 12/73 : plain white file folder label using a 3 dot sequence before and after the KBFH and artist's name
1/74 - mid 8/74 : white file folder label with a lengthwise, colored stripe at the edge with 3 breaks; also used the 3 dot sequence in the color matching the stripe before and after the KBFH and artist's name
8/25/74 - mid 8/78 : plain white, rectangular, 2" x?4" address label listing KBFH (or BBC Presents or Conversation or British Biscuit), artist's name, the intended air date
mid 5/76 - mid 12/78 : same as above but added DIR Broadcasting and its address
mid 12/78 - 6/10/79 : with no individual reel boxes being used, a 3/4" x 1 1/2" label listing the artist, KBFH, , the intended air date, reel number, 7 1/2 ips was adhered to the plastic reel. Then a second label stated the copyright as being with DIR Broadcasting for the current year, business address and phone number
6/17/79 - 2/80 : same as above except the label size increased to 7/8" x 2" and the information from both labels was merged onto a single label adhered to the plastic reel
Cue Sheet, Track Listing & Other Enclosures Used In The KBFH Series As Distributed On Reel/ LP/CD
2/73 - 2/74 : the reels contained a reprint of the full page ad from Rolling Stone magazine for the show; no known formal cue sheets included during this period - 1 item
3/74 - mid/late /78 : a basic cue sheet (w/timed breakpoints to cue DJ for show start, music segments, imbedded national commercials, spots for local commercials, reel 1-->2 transition points, to show close, later included upcoming show listings), an affidavit for subscribing station to sign to acknowledge show airing and that imbedded commercials were played as scheduled, an addressed return envelope for affidavit, and a suggested promo spot narrative sheet - 4 items
12/78 - early /80 : still included the basic cue sheet, the promo spot narrative sheet was expanded to include a listing of the artists on the show and their band members, and a listing of the song titles for the group(s) performing and occasionally incidental information like the venues where recorded; the affidavits were possibly discontinued - 2 items
1/80 - mid /80 : LP format shows reverted to the use of a basic cue sheet, a promo spot sheet and a track listing sheet - 3 items
9/80 - 8/30/87 : LP format shows included a basic cue sheet, and a sheet that was a hybrid of artist listing, song list and suggested promo spot narrative - 2 items
1984 : the known 10 1/2" reels issued included a simple cue sheet that listed the tape segments with song titles and segment duration times; presumably imbedded national commercials were placed between segments - 1 item
1/87 - 8/87 : LP format shows included a multi-show (4-5) affidavit printed on colored paper - 2 items
9/6/87 - early /89 : CD shows included a hybrid basic cue sheet that included an artist listing, song list - 1 item
4/89 - late /94-early/95 : the sheet was expanded to include a suggested promo spot, a separate affidavit sheet - 2 items
1990 : the known 10 1/2" reels issued included a single sheet that was a hybrid of the basic cue sheets, artist listing, song list and a suggested promo spot narrative - 1 item
early/95 - mid /01 : the CD sheet was reformatted with the basic cue sheet and song titles being integrated, while it also included a suggested promo spot and expanded to 2 pages - 1 item
mid /01 - 12/02: the CD sheet dropped the suggested promo spot narrative, though the disc still included a 'promo bed' track at the end, remained as 2 pages - 1 item
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1/03 - late /05 : the CD sheet included the same contents but it was condensed to 1 page - 1 item
DIR Series Reel/LP/CD Sequences
02/18/73 - 11/18/79* ?= ?Reel To Reel
11/25/79* - 09/20/87 ?= ?LP
09/27/87 - mid-2000 ? ?= ?CD
mid-2000? - series end in 2005 ?= ?CDR
*Note: There appears to be some overlap in shows being distributed in reel and LP at the same time.
Commercially Licensed Releases Of DIR Radio Program Music
Though King Biscuit Records was an outgrowth of DIR, its history is detailed in a separate page and index. (See above commercial records links.)
Additionally, it should be noted that occasionally, and often for new artists/groups that had limited records released, record companies would contract with DIR to license a KBFH show performance for the record company release. This saved them the effort/costs associated with remote recording to be able to put out the music commercially. (An example is that of a 1985 promo cassette by "X")
Further Reading/Viewing Regarding The Progressive Rock Radio Era & WNEW-FM N.Y.
As a follow-up to my opening comments about the progressive rock radio era that fostered the acceptance of the King Biscuit Flower Hour radio show concept, the following might be of interest to some readers of this page, especially those who lived and listened to metropolitan New York radio stations (especially WNEW-FM) in the early 1970's. For a much more interesting and detailed firsthand account of this period from a knowledgeable participant, I would suggest that you read FM: The Rise And Fall O Rock Radio by Richard Neer (2001). Neer was an FM DJ at WNEW-FM during its heyday and in his book gives lively, historical and biographical insight into this era and the legendary staff that worked there.
As somewhat companion video pieces, I would suggest that first you watch a 95 minute, PBS documentary titled Airplay that is commercially released on DVD. It documents the history of rock and roll radio from the introduction of "The Devil s Music" by 1950s AM deejays, to the FM pioneers who brought sex-drugs-and-rock to the airwaves in the 60s. It documents the silencing of rock radio by government and big business interests and, finally, its promise of rebirth via satellite.
While a PBS targeted item, it does give a reasonable, though compressed overview of the major influences and history of rock radio.
There is another 2 part, 25 minute documentary from 1982 titled Airplay, that provides a unique glimpse into a day in the life of WNEW-FM. It appears to be a cinéma vérit?/span> documentary about the station and its staff, including Dave Herman, Dan Neer, Pete Fornatale, Scott Muni, Dennis Elsas and others.
WNEW FM - New York 1982 (1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7V6wsj-Mhk
WNEW FM - New York 1982 (2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DwurRmSflA
As the biggest FM station in the city, along with the corporate offices of DIR/KBFH being there, DIR developed a special relationship with this station and regularly brainstormed with the DJ's and management staff for ideas on talent to record in concert and new concepts for programming. In return, the station got preferential treatment from the DIR management regarding programming.
Additionally, from a personal perspective, I happened to have lived in NY from 1974 to early 1977 and listened to the station and the DJ's that graced their network. I will admit to being greatly influenced by not only the music they played, but by the sensibilities of the DJ's I heard. To this day, it is a time and feeling that I miss very much.
For a west coast FM radio history perspective, I'd also recommend that you read Radio Waves: Life And Revolution On The FM Dial by Jim Ladd (1991). Ladd was an FM DJ at KMET-FM during its pioneering days (and KLOS-FM) and in his book, this legendary disc jockey similarly gives his engaging, historical and biographical perspective into this era.
My DIR Radio Show Index
As wonderful an achievement of the documentation and preservation of musical history and recordings as Wolfgang's Vault is, at least relative to DIR and King Biscuit Flower Hours shows in particular, their listings are occasionally inaccurate relative to venue location and performance dates.
As is typical in the audio trading arena, there is often a lot of confusion between the broadcast airing date of the original show, versus the actual performance date. This is presumably attributed to whatever reference labeling was attached to a particular master recording, as it was handled and passed on to the various owners of the King Biscuit archives over the years. Some of the errors may have been from hastily made references done on the road when a show was recorded.
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Regardless, it is clear that a number of WV dates are incorrect. In some cases, the master reels no longer exist and the archive's only reference is from a radio show reel and its broadcast date. Therefore, WV has occasionally listed a performance by the actual initial broadcast dates as listed on the reel box label. This only compounds the confusion, because many new listeners simply take WV's dates as being accurate.
I have tried to verify much of my information by various cross references including WV, set list sites, original radio show ads, performance tickets and posters. Even with all of this effort, I know that my index is still naturally flawed, as I sometimes have to make judgment calls between the various conflicting references I come across too.
Last, in this era of 5.1 surround sound experience appreciation, it is exciting to know that there exists a ready source of classic 1973 - early 1980 original recorded performances that lend themselves to the current standards of multi-channel surround sound conversion and listening enjoyment. And the reality is that they have been in the hands of typically unknowing collectors for decades. And in some cases the original reels were likely discarded after they were ripped to stereo for personal retention or often bootlegging purposes. And due to the general lack of understanding of what the true format was of the of source radio reels they had were, and likely the fact that they were playing them on common 2-channel stereo equipment, rather than the less common 4-channel, their content and music value was simply overlooked and misunderstood.
So, I keep the faith that some of these lost gems will occasionally surface for those of us who keep an eye out for them ;)