Pat O'Day, legendary Seattle music radio and concert maestro celebrated his 76th
birthday Friday.
If you're not a Pepsi Generation graybeard, you might know him only as the guy on the teevee machine pumping Schick-Schadel Hospital, the drug and alcohol recovery spa.
But
Pat is way more than a spokeshole. Besides owning a significant chunk
of the establishment, (having sobered up there in 1986) he was, as
historian Peter Blecha describes him at HistoryLink, the Pacific Northwest entertainment's "... Chairman of the Board, the Grand
Poobah, the Top Dog, the Big Kahuna."
New York City had Alan Freed, Boston had Arnie Ginsberg, Los Angeles had Hunter Hancock, and Seattle had O’Day. As Seattle’s highest-profile DJ of the 1960s and the region’s dominant dance promoter, Pat O’Day ran KJR AM and Northwest rock ‘n’ roll for nearly a decade.
Known for his soft-spoken humility and bashfulness, Pat lives today at Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands where he sells real
estate to rich Californians.
He's an author (It Was All Just Rock 'n' Roll), and a huge piece of the rock 'n' roll nostalgia of a generation. He pioneered many things in Top 40's radio, and one of the first DJs in the nation to experiment with an “Oldies” format.
He's a damn Republican, yet a friend of this blog who infrequently posts here about radio business, and radio history. Read his bouquets to Glenn Beck here, his advice to Seattle programmers, here, and here.
Thank you Mr. Pat O'Day.
A real treasure of the Great Northwest.
Your distinctive voice and cadence tells the listener that this is a real professional.
Posted by: Puget Sound | September 25, 2010 at 06:33 AM
Seeing the cover of Mr.O'Day's book [great read--buy it] reminded me:
I saw Mr.O'Day with Jimi Hendrix in 1968 [February I think] when Pat accompanied Jimi to Garfield HS, to speak to students assembled in the gym.
Having seen Hendrix in concert the nite before, [and having my consciousness permanently restructured], I was struck by Jimi's utter lack of pretension. He seemed like what he was: a nice guy from the neighborhood. Though if it turns out he was just visiting from a distant galaxy, I wouldn't be surprised.
Not only was Pat O'Day the architect and host of the greatest 24-hr/day party in the world--KJR in the 1960s--his professionalism, his life-positive enthusiasm, makes him an inspirational person. He enhances the quality of life.
Happy Birthday my friend! You did, and are doing, Good.
Posted by: tj | September 25, 2010 at 07:56 AM
With all due respect, Pat O'Day was more about Pat O'Day than about KJR or furthering the careers of the young artists he fed off of.
Posted by: CorporateSuit | September 25, 2010 at 11:10 AM
"soft-spoken humility and bashfulness?" He's a good guy, but the Pat O'Day I would never describe him as humble.
That said, Pat helped many, many young bands. That is part of why he is remembered so fondly from those days. He put so many Seattle musician and Seattle radio on the map.
Posted by: James J. | September 25, 2010 at 11:17 AM
Tom Doughnahue, the father of free form rock on fm, once said that top 40 stations are afraid of trusting their own judgement. Their afraid of playing the wrong record. Well Pat is certainly an exception. We would not be enjoying those Wailers and Ventures songs (as well as a lot of others) He also put every nickle he had on the line for the rock of the 80,s format on KYYX. Ive talked to a lot of local muscians who have a lot of nice things to say about Pat. He may be a republican, but nobodys perfect.
Posted by: Ed Bennett | September 25, 2010 at 11:44 AM
"Pat O'Day was more about Pat O'Day..."
That's what I thought, Suit, though it is a dissonant note in Bla"M's paean.
Posted by: Fremont | September 25, 2010 at 01:01 PM
Pat O Day helped to promote bands when there was no one co- ordinating ticket sales, promotion, even setting up equipment at gigs. Alot of concert money was cash and going out the back door until O Day came along to plug that hole. From Hendrix to Elvis, and so many local bands, people sought out his management. He owned dance halls where people could be exposed to music and have fun. Growing up in seattle in the 60's he ran the best rock stations with them most innovative dj's and sound. You would have to be someone who is confident, with a big ego to do this, however he did it well. Pat isnt perfect, but i know seattle is a better place for him being here. Happy 76th Pat, i wish you many more.
Posted by: dave, not dave ross | September 25, 2010 at 01:57 PM
I fondly remember going to a concert in the Seattle Center Coliseum (Key Arena to you young pups) in August of 1964 with my big sister. Pat introduced the band late in the evening after forcing us to listen to a hand full of other bands for a couple hours before. I don't remember any of the other bands but there is no forgetting the Beatles. Couldn't hear them because of all the screaming going on. It was worth every bit of the $4.00 ticket.
Thanks Pat. Happy Birthday.
Posted by: Chucks | September 25, 2010 at 03:22 PM
Happy Birthday, Pat. Unlike a number of radio people, you are accountable for your past misgivings. If you are a Republican, that's OK too. I will say that Democratics have become a real thorn in our collective sides lately, whether this blog acknowledges it or not - they never want to be accountable for anything, because they believe they are entitled (note I am not saying that Republicans aren't that way - because a good number of them are, but they are currently out of power). OK, enough of the sidebar...
You have made your mark on the local radio scene.
Posted by: KS | September 25, 2010 at 10:12 PM
I remember KJR and Pat O'Day. If your mom was Janie the I made a wall plack for her to give to you. It was you in a bathtub, wearing overalls and a baseball cap. If I am wrong then "my bad". Thank you for all the years you gave us growing up.
Anita
Posted by: Anita | June 25, 2012 at 04:35 PM