Munson's real name was William Ruel Bradbury and he was a career radio newsman who worked in the '60s at KOL.
Program Director Buzz Barr came up with his air name -- combining the last names of two of the top unlimited hydro drivers: Bill Muncey (Miss Thriftway) and Ron Musson (Miss Bardahl).
He started using his real name B.R. Bradbury at KFRC when management made him drop "Bill" so as not to be confused with another member of the news team. He worked stints at KFRC, KHJ, KPOL, KAYO, KJR and CFUN.
He died in 2001.
Nice topic.
It brings up an interesting question. What current hosts are using names other then their own?
KJR use to -maybe they still do- have this thing where all the hosts seemingly had to at least have a nickname. IE Gas, Wheels, Groz, Softy, Fish, et al.
Posted by: Puget Sound | October 24, 2009 at 06:12 AM
Not only did B.R. work "stints" at KFRC-San Fran and KHJ-LA, he won many awards for his outstanding journalism...B.R. was not your typical Top 40 "rip and read" newsman, he was the real deal. He started his radio career in Hoquiam,WA in 1963 at KHOK/KGHO then moved to KOL in 1965. Then to KFRC in 1970 and KHJ in 1972, then back to the NW. He was retired from radio and had his own insurance biz when he died of a heart attack in 2001.
Posted by: Rockman59 | October 26, 2009 at 12:05 PM