LOS ANGELES (K-EARTH 101) - Southern California's legendary oldies station K-EARTH 101 announced today that Brian Beirne, Mr. Rock N' Roll, will spin his last record on K-EARTH 101 on December 15, 2004. Beirne has continuously entertained millions of K-EARTH 101 listeners in Southern Californian for 29 years, almost three decades, which represents one of the longest continuous stints in radio history. He is second all time in Los Angeles radio history for longevity at one station. Brian Beirne was the voice of K-EARTH 101 during the RKO days and he reached legendary status as a top-rated midday personality in the Los Angeles market for 27 years - a record-setting achievement in FM radio.
Beirne will be on with "Gary Bryan in the Morning" on Wednesday, December 15th live in the Hollywood studio for a special celebration of his career. The media is invited to attend this very special event.
Beirne is a true entertainer as his career includes news reporter, TV weatherman, producer of the "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concert Series" and was the former Entertainment Reporter on FOX 11 (KTTV).
He has received numerous prestigious awards including the L.A. Press Club Award for the best entertainment reporting, Billboard Magazine's Newscaster of the Year and Best Music Specials, and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991.
Beirne has one of the most familiar voices on the radio airwaves and is considered to be one of the foremost modern music historians in America ... a walking Rock N' Roll almanac.
"My career at K-EARTH 101 was a truly rewarding experience. I enjoyedpassing along the history of Rock N' Roll to the best listeners a broadcaster could have. As I have closed with for the past 29 years, Thanks for being on the show," said Beirne.
Beirne has many fond memories at K-EARTH 101. One of his favorite moments was when John Lennon and Ringo Starr called the K-EARTH 101 Request Line in 1976. Lennon and Starr were in Los Angeles listening to Mr. Rock N' Roll on K-EARTH 101 and requested their song "Yesterday". They also wanted to hear Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles' version of the song. Beirne fulfilled their request and played "Yesterday" by the Beatles, Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles back-to-back and in that order.
"Brian Beirne spells K-EARTH 101 to so many of our listeners - he is a true celebrity," said Maureen Lesourd, General Manager and Vice President of K-EARTH 101. "We truly thank Brian for 29 years of serving our radio station and our listeners with his special insight into the great rock n' roll music of K-EARTH 101."
"There are only a very few radio personalities who ever achieve legendary status, and Brian Beirne is one of only a handful of those to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame," said Jay Coffey, Program Director of K-EARTH 101.
"It has been an honor to work with Mr. Rock N' Roll and have him represent K-EARTH 101 to Southern California."
Beirne has been an active member of many charitable organizations throughout his career including the Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center, Paralyzed Veterans, N.A.O.M.I (Native American Outreach Ministries), and California PAL (Police Athletic League).
Beirne will continue to book, host and produce concerts and events both here and around the country.
In addition, he also has a ranch in Arizona where he plans to spend more time with his wife Cindee. For Beirne's last radio show, he will take call-ins from listeners and play "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck" by Elvis Presley, which was the first song he ever played on K-EARTH 101, twenty-nine years ago.
Jay Coffey will replace Beirne starting December 16, 2004.
K-EARTH 101 is owned and operated by Infinity Broadcasting, a division of Viacom Inc.
K-EARTH 101
5515 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
K-EARTH 101 - THE GREATEST HITS ON EARTH!!!
