History of 96.5 (KYYX, KXRX, KYCW, The Point)
Prepared for 2002 Soundies

The story of 96.5 begins in 1958, when KLSN signed on the air, broadcasting at 14,500 watts from a studio in University Village. At first they played classical music tapes; later on they adopted a new format: "Concert, Pops, Foreground Music, and Jazz." Big Bob Anthony was on the air in 1970. 

In 1972, KLSN was sold for $200,000; the new station, KYAC, had a Rhythm & Blues format, with Sunday morning broadcasts from Messenger Elijah Muhammed. Burl Barer was made an honorary Soul Brother in a ceremony in the Seattle Center Arena in front of 10,000 screaming Motown fans.

O'Day Broadcasting-headed by "the founding father of Northwest rock & roll, Pat O'Day--stepped in and bought the station in 1977. Pat changed the calls to KYYX, "Contemporary Top 40, 96 Kicks." He put Bob Bingham in as GM and moved the studios to 1305 Third Avenue. The station was now at 81,000 watts. The lineup of the station in 77-78 was Lan Roberts 6-10, Bobby Simon 10-2, Robin Mitchell 2-7, Burl Barer 7-Midnight, and Eric McKay Midnight-6.

Brent Larson and Bob Summers were also part of the same era. Summers remembers when Pat decided to buy an unlimited hydroplane, called it "Miss KYYX, had the station sponsor it, and introduced Brenda Jones, the first female unlimited hydroplane driver.

Bingham resigned a year later, and O'Day took over the GM's job while he also did mornings. In 1983, KYYX moved to 4020 Madison Avenue and the calls changed to KKMI. Pat O'Day was still on the air in 83, and you might remember Emporer Bob Hudson and Larry Lomax from 84. In 1985 Dennis Behan of Seattle Radio bought the station and changed the calls to KQKT or KQ96, with Stephen Jacobs as GM, and Myles Cameron and Howie Castle on air; the station had an automated contemporary format. 

Steve West stepped in as GM in 86. That same year, the station was sold to Shamrock Broadcasting for $7.5 million, the calls became KXRX, and the station began a 24-hour Adult Rock format. Studios were at 3131 Elliott Avenue. Power was boosted to 100,000 watts. Some of the names you surely remember are Marty Riemer, Mike West, Gary Crow, Roberta Penn, Norman B., and Brew Michaels. 

Gary Taylor replaced Steve as GM in 94, the same year that Shamrock sold KXRX to Alliance for $11.7 million. Alliance took a major step for the Seattle market, and changed the format to "Young Country," KYCW, which meant that this market now had two country stations on the air. Scotty Brink was on board, as were Wynn Richards/Uncle Wynn, and Brademan/Brady Wright. 

Two years later, Alliance sold their Seattle properties to Infinity, and Infinity turned around and sold KYCW to EZ. Fred Schumacher was now the VP/GM. American Radio System merged with EZ the following year, acquiring KYCW as part of the package, and then Infinity acquired ARS, regaining control of KYCW. Lisa Decker replaced Fred as GM in 1999. 
At the end of 1999 the station moved to 1000 Dexter Avenue, and Young Country KYCW became KYPT, The Point, "Seattle's radio station for the 80's and more." Until then, radio's idea of music from another era meant 60's Motown and Beatles, or 70's Led Zeppelin classic rock, but The Point was an early adopter of the 80's format and is still going strong today.