Old Seattle Radio Saturday: lou gillette

Louis F. "Lou" Gillette was the consummate Seattle radio newsman.

Bill Taylor says he began his radio career in the 1940's on KPQ, KHQ, KGA, KPOJ, KMCM & KOIN.

In 1953, he took a job with ABC Radio In Hollywood.

“When KING TV was preparing to launch its news department in the early 1950s, the two finalists for the anchor job were Lou Gillette and Charles Herring.

Herring was working at KJR at the time, and got the KING job. After several years at KJR, Lou went to KVI in the winter of 1962, retiring in 1971.”

Comments

[joanie]

I remember Charles Herring but didn't know he came from KJR. He always seemed so serious. I remember Lou a little bit. Joni Balter started at KZAM and now is a respected print journalist.

Funny, I never thought about the fact that most TV personalities probably started on radio. What other gig was there?

[Fremont]

I remember Charles Herring too, but I'm amazed that you do, Joans, as you're twenty-three years my junior! Astounding! I remember KZAM, too, but had no idea Joni Balter started there...you're right! Radio was mainstream media then.

[Pete]

Balter started at KZAM? That's amazing. KZAM, for most of its existence, was a countercultural station. Now Balter is the epitome of conventional-wisdom-spouting status quo. Damn boomers... (Fremont excepted, of course.)

[bidi]

Who respects Joni Balter as a journalist? She's a Blethen corporate hack.

[Bill Wippel]

Lou ws a great newsman. He and Hardwick had their laughs as well. Lou reported one morning that a lady was seen running naked in an alley in Greenwood, according to SPD. Later Hardwick asked Lou if had any further report on the incident. Lou replied, "NO, Hardwick. They've seen neither hide not hair of her!"

[Dick Ellingson]

I worked with Lou for a short time at Kountry KAYO. He was a lot of fun and a true professional and a gentleman. And when he opened the mike, listen to those balls! When KAYO changed to the failed 'modern country' in about '75, the new PD, who brought his old air staff with him from Cleveland, told Lou he'd have to work six days a week for the same money, and Lou told him exactly where to put that offer. His replacement was already hiding in a motel waiting. All the rest of us were fired, one or two at a time.

[Margaret DeLacy]

Ron Gillette is Lou's son, who lives in Kenmore, WA. If you would like more information about his father, let me know here.