View source for KLOS

{{short description|Rock radio station in Los Angeles}}
{{about|the radio station|other uses|Klos (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = KLOS
| city = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]
| country = US
| above =
| logo = KLOS LOGO.png
| image = KLOS2 Logo.jpg
| logo_size =
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption =
| area = [[Greater Los Angeles Area]]
| frequency = {{Frequency|95.5|[[MHz]]}} {{HD Radio}}
| rds =
| branding = ''95-5 KLOS''
| language =
| format = [[Mainstream rock]]
| subchannels = {{ubl|HD2: ''KLOS2'' ([[Talk radio|Talk]])|HD3: [[KIRN]] [[simulcast]]}}
| network =
| affiliations = [[Westwood One]]
| owner = [[Meruelo Group|Meruelo Media]]
| licensee = KLOS Radio Holdings, LLC
| operator =
| sister_stations = {{ubl|'''Radio:'''|[[KDAY]], [[KDEY-FM]], [[KLLI (FM)|KLLI]], [[KPWR]]|'''TV:'''|[[KWHY]]}}
| founded =
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1947|12|30}}
| last_airdate =
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|KECA-FM (1947–1954)|KABC-FM (1954–1971)}}
| former_names =
| former_frequencies = 99.5 [[MHz]]
| callsign_meaning = "Los" Angeles
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| facility_id = 35078
| class = B
| power =
| erp = 63,000 [[watt]]s
| haat = {{Convert|954|m|ft|sp=us}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|34.227|N|118.067|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=inline,title}}
| translators = {{Radio Relay|98.9|K255BZ|[[China Lake, Kern County, California|China Lake]]}}
| repeaters =
| webcast = {{ubl|{{Listen live|url=http://player.listenlive.co/24591}}|HD2: {{Listen live|url=http://player.listenlive.co/65841}}}}
| website = {{ubl|{{URL|https://www.955klos.com}}|HD2: {{URL|https://klos2.com}}}}
}}

'''KLOS''' (95.5 [[FM broadcasting|FM]], "95-5 KLOS") is a commercial radio station [[City of license|licensed]] to [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], and serves the [[Greater Los Angeles]] area. The station is owned by [[Meruelo Group|Meruelo Media]]. KLOS airs a [[mainstream rock]] [[radio format]] and has broadcast rock music in some form since 1969. The [[radio studio|studio]]s are on West Olive Avenue in [[Burbank, California|Burbank]].

The [[transmitter]] is atop [[Mount Wilson (California)|Mount Wilson]]. The station is rebroadcast on [[Broadcast relay station|FM translator]] K255BZ in [[China Lake, Kern County, California|China Lake, California]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://radio-locator.com/info/K255BZ-FX |title=K255BZ-FM 98.9 MHz - China Lake, Etc., CA |website=Radio-locator.com |access-date=2018-05-08 }}</ref>  KLOS broadcasts using [[HD Radio]] technology.  The KLOS morning [[drive time]] show, ''Heidi &amp; Frank'', is featured on the [[broadcast syndication|nationally syndicated]] television program ''[[Dish Nation]]'' and is rebroadcast around the clock on KLOS-HD2.  The HD3 [[digital subchannel]] carries a simulcast of [[KIRN]].

==History==

===Early years===
The station first [[sign-on|signed on]] the air on {{Start date and age|1947|12|30}}.  The original [[call sign]] was KECA-FM, [[simulcasting]] the programming of [[AM broadcasting|AM]] [[sister station]] [[KABC (AM)|KECA]]. The two stations were owned by [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC Radio]].  In 1954, the [[call letters]] of the AM and FM stations were changed to KABC and KABC-FM, to reflect their corporate ownership. In 1960, KABC-AM-FM adopted an [[Talk radio|all-talk]] format.

On January 1, 1968, due to new [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) rules requiring FM stations to have separate programming from their AM counterparts, KABC-FM tried something new.  It became the first station in Los Angeles with an [[all news radio|all-news]] format. This experiment did not last long. KABC-FM dropped all-news programming on March 11, 1968, the same day that [[KFWB]] 980 AM switched to the format.

===Rock formats===
In early 1969, KABC-FM adopted a [[progressive rock (radio format)|progressive rock]] format known as "Love". Under the direction of Allen Shaw, head of ABC FM Special Projects, the [[Broadcast automation|automated]] programming aired on ABC's other [[owned-and-operated station]]s—[[KOSF|KGO-FM]] in San Francisco, [[WDVE|KQV-FM]] in Pittsburgh, [[WPLJ|WABC-FM]] in New York City, [[WLS-FM]] in Chicago, and [[WRIF|WXYZ-FM]] in Detroit.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-02-17-BC.pdf#page=73 |title=ABC Radio sends its 'Love' to FM |magazine=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications Inc. |page=77 |date=1969-02-17 |access-date=2019-06-12}}</ref> The syndicated format was [[Voice-tracking|voice-tracked]] by Brother John Rydgren.

Not long after its debut, Love was dropped in favor of live, locally programmed [[Freeform radio|freeform]] rock music at KLOS and its FM sister stations. In 1971, the station adopted the KLOS call letters.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=1971-04-10 |title=Vox Jox |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3AgEAAAAMBAJ&q=klos+kabc-fm+intitle%3ABillboard&pg=PA27 |magazine=Billboard |volume=83 |issue=15 |page=27 |access-date=2011-01-04 |via=Google Books}}</ref> The switch was made to avoid confusion with its AM talk station.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=1972-03-11 |title=Yates: Freeform on way out |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uSgEAAAAMBAJ&q=klos+kabc-fm+intitle%3ABillboard&pg=PA40 |magazine=Billboard |volume=84 |issue=10 |access-date=2011-01-04 |via=Google Books}}</ref> In late 1971, the freeform progressive rock sound ended, as Shaw and KLOS program director Tom Yates launched the first [[album-oriented rock]] (AOR) station in the United States. Under AOR, KLOS played only the top tracks from the best-selling rock albums and used the slogan "Rock 'N Stereo". The initial slate of [[disc jockeys]] on KLOS includes Jeff Gonzer, [[J. J. Jackson (media personality)|J. J. Jackson]], [[Jim Ladd]], and Damion. By 1972, KLOS had become the top-rated FM rock station in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.michaelbloomphotography.com/i-am-a-dj/fm-radio-in-la/ |title=Background: The history of "Free-form" FM Radio in L.A. |publisher=Michael Bloom Photography |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=May 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530174427/http://blog.michaelbloomphotography.com/i-am-a-dj/fm-radio-in-la/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The station promoted an outdoor rock concert called "California Jam" held on April 6, 1974, at the [[Ontario Motor Speedway]] in [[Ontario, California]].

KLOS has sponsored a [[Blood donation|blood drive]] in conjunction with the [[American Red Cross]] annually since 1982. Blood donation centers are set up throughout the station's listening area for several days, usually in the summer months, when donation levels are typically low.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-08-08-me-32535-story.html |last=Hayes |first=Dade |title=3-Day Blood Drive Will Begin Today |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=1996-08-08 |access-date=2018-06-28}}</ref> In 2014, the blood drive collected approximately 7,900 units of [[whole blood]], which can be separated into red blood cells and plasma. As a token of gratitude, the station has given donors rewards such as T-shirts and vouchers for concert tickets.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/131993/33rd-annual-klos-blood-drive-a-huge-success |title=33rd Annual KLOS Blood Drive A Huge Success |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=2014-08-01 |access-date=2018-06-28}}</ref>

In the spring of 1987, KLOS general manager Bill Sommers hired longtime rock radio programmer Charlie West to be the station's new program director. West hired Stephanie Mondello as music director for the station. By fall, West brought ''[[the Mark & Brian Show]]'' ([[Mark Thompson (DJ)|Mark Thompson]] and [[Brian Phelps]]) to KLOS for the [[Drive time|morning drive]]. The station's [[Arbitron]] ratings grew steadily under West's direction; by 1988, KLOS emerged as the leader among Los Angeles album rock stations, finishing fifth overall in the market with a 4.3 [[AQH Share|share]], up from a 3.6 in the previous rating period.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-07-24-ca-10080-story.html |title=KLOS Rides the Big Retro-Rock Wave |first=Patrick |last=Goldstein |date=1988-07-24 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2018-05-08}}</ref> When West left KLOS in early 1989, Mondello assumed programming duties, directing all key decisions and overall revenue and ratings strategies. The station maintained its fifth-place ranking overall in the market and reached the number-one position in its target young male [[Demography|demographics]], defeating main rivals [[KNX-FM|KLSX]], [[KROQ-FM]], and the upstart [[KQLZ (defunct)|KQLZ]] (Pirate Radio). Mondello left KLOS in late 1990.

By 1994, KLOS was facing increased competitive pressure from KROQ-FM with the rise of its [[grunge]]-based [[modern rock]] format as well as KLSX and [[KCBS-FM]] (Arrow 93) which focused on [[classic rock]]. The station altered its format in response, dropping its existing DJs and most of the classic rock music in favor of more [[alternative rock]] content.<ref name="RR 1994-11-25">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/90s/94/RR-1994-11-25-OCR-Page-0019.pdf |last=Maxwell |first=Cyndee |title=The Format's Brave New World |magazine=Radio & Records |page=19 |date=1994-11-25 |access-date=2019-07-15}}</ref> This format and personnel change lasted about three years, after which most of the alternative music was jettisoned and classic rock returned. In 1997, KLOS hired John Duncan, previously at [[KZPT|KYYS]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri]], as program director and took the station in an adult rock direction. As part of his efforts to turn around the station, Duncan brought back Jim Ladd and hired Garth Kemp and other longtime Los Angeles radio personalities. During this period, KLOS ran a billboard campaign with lines such as, "We lost our mind for a moment, but we're okay now". Within eight months, the station moved from number 18 to fifth place among Los Angeles adults ages 25–54, reclaiming its status as the market's top adult rock station. Duncan left KLOS in late 1998.

In 2005, classic rock rival KCBS-FM flipped to [[adult hits]] as "[[Jack FM]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/05/RR-2005-03-25-OCR-Page-0003.pdf |last=Jacobson |first=Adam |title=Infinity/Los Angeles fires 'Arrow', hires 'Jack-FM' |magazine=Radio & Records |page=1 |date=2005-03-25 |access-date=2018-06-18}}</ref> The switch made KLOS the market's only full-time classic rock station until the launch of [[KKLQ (FM)|KSWD]] (100.3 The Sound) in April 2008.

In October 2006, KLOS restructured its daily lineup of radio hosts, Cynthia Fox, "Uncle Joe" Benson, and Jim Ladd saw each of their daily air shifts increase by one hour. However, this resulted in the temporary dismissal of former evening DJ Gary Moore; he returned in late 2007. Former overnight jock Mark Miller, previously from the long-defunct KQLZ, hosted ''The Best of Mark &amp; Brian Saturday Special'' shows Saturday mornings. Miller's overnight shift was replaced with automated programming, billed as "KLOS After Hours". This show follows the usual classic rock format, though occasionally KLOS plays deep cuts and live versions of songs that are not usually played during the daytime.

In 2007, the station came under the ownership of [[Citadel Broadcasting]] after it merged with [[The Walt Disney Company]]'s ABC Radio.

Occasionally, KLOS abandoned its format to air an "A to Z" special, where songs from the KLOS library were played alphabetically by title. Running 24 hours a day (with breaks only for ''Mark &amp; Brian'' and Jim Ladd's show), it generally lasted about two weeks with no songs repeated. Unlike the station's regular playlist featuring primarily classic rock hits, the A to Z also included a large number of obscure album tracks. In its final years, the A to Z special aired around the Christmas holidays. Since the dismissal of program director Rita Wilde in 2009,<ref name="AA 2009-01-22">{{cite news |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/51805/rita-wilde-exits-klos-bob-buchmann-takes-the-pd-ch |title=Rita Wilde Exits KLOS, Bob Buchmann Takes The PD Chair |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=2009-01-22 |access-date=2019-06-17}}</ref> the A to Z countdown has not aired on KLOS. However, then-classic rock competitor KSWD, which hired Wilde, revamped the idea with a very similar, though shorter, compilation of familiar hits and deep tracks.

===Cumulus era===
On September 16, 2011, [[Cumulus Media]] purchased Citadel, acquiring KLOS and sister station [[KABC (AM)|KABC]].<ref name=abj-citadelcumulus>{{cite news |title=Cumulus now owns Citadel Broadcasting |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/09/16/cumulus-now-owns-citadel-broadcasting.html |access-date=2011-09-16 |newspaper=Atlanta Business Journal |date=2011-09-16 }}</ref>

On August 17, 2012, Mark Thompson and Brian Phelps appeared on KLOS for the final time, effectively ending ''[[The Mark & Brian Show]]'' after 25 years (including two years on previous station [[WJOX-FM|WAPI]] in [[Birmingham, Alabama]]).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/58526/mark-thompson-retires-from-klos/ |title=Mark Thompson & Brian Phelps Retire From KLOS |date=2012-08-17 |website=RadioInsight |publisher=RadioBB Networks |access-date=2018-05-08 }}</ref> Three days later, on August 20, Cumulus announced that Heidi Hamilton and Frank Kramer, former hosts on [[KNX-FM|KLSX]] and KABC, would host morning drive beginning September 4 as ''The Heidi & Frank Show''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/70034/heidi-frank-take-mornings-at-klos/ |title=Heidi & Frank Take Mornings At KLOS |date=2012-08-20 |website=RadioInsight |publisher=RadioBB Networks |access-date=2018-05-08 }}</ref> On August 15, 2016, Cumulus announced that Frosty Stillwell, with whom Hamilton and Kramer have co-hosted at the same two stations, would join the duo weekday mornings effective September 6.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/107741/frosty-rejoins-heidi-frank-at-klos/ |title=Frosty Rejoins Heidi & Frank At KLOS |website=RadioInsight |publisher=RadioBB Networks |date=2016-08-15 |access-date=2018-05-08 }}</ref>

In February 2016, KLOS launched ''Horns Up'', a Saturday evening program hosted by Stew Herrera<ref name="AA 2017-05-30">{{cite news |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/166175/third-ride-for-ronnie-rally-raises-40k-for-ronnie- |title=Third 'Ride For Ronnie' Rally Raises $40k For 'Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund' |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=2017-05-30 |access-date=2019-06-12 }}</ref> that featured [[heavy metal music]]. The show has since been replaced with a regular classic rock mix.

Canadian radio personality and comedy writer [[Greg Beharrell]] joined KLOS in January 2017 as a weekend host and social media content producer.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/161438/klos-los-angeles-adds-night-version-of-frosty-heid |title=KLOS/Los Angeles Adds Night Version Of Frosty, Heidi & Frank, Taps Greg Beharrell To Join Staff |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=2017-01-10 |access-date=2020-08-06 }}</ref> He moved to weeknights in January 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/182999/klos-los-angeles-moves-greg-beharrell-to-evenings |title=KLOS/Los Angeles Moves Greg Beharrell To Evenings |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=2019-01-08 |access-date=2020-08-06 }}</ref>

On February 8 and 9, 2018, KLOS was one of 14 Cumulus-owned rock radio stations to take part in the "St. Jude Rocks" nationwide fundraising campaign. KLOS listeners contributed more than $725,000 to [[St. Jude Children's Research Hospital]] in [[Memphis, Tennessee]] as part of the over $2 million total raised by participating Cumulus stations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/174099/klos-los-angeles-helps-raise-over-725k-for-st-jude |title=KLOS/Los Angeles Helps Raise Over $725K For St. Jude Rocks |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=2018-02-15 |access-date=2018-06-28 }}</ref>

===Meruelo Media era===
On April 15, 2019, Cumulus announced the sale of KLOS to [[Meruelo Group|Meruelo Media]] for $43 million. This brings KLOS under common ownership with [[Rhythmic contemporary|rhythmic top 40]] station [[KPWR]], classic hip-hop outlets [[KDAY]] and [[KDEY-FM]], and [[regional Mexican]] station [[KLLI (FM)|KXOS]] (which itself would be purchased by Meruelo over a month later; it is now [[Spanish language|Spanish]] rhythmic contemporary-formatted KLLI, "Cali 93.9"), as well as two Spanish-language television stations, [[KBEH]] and [[KSCN-TV|KWHY-TV]]. Meruelo began operating KLOS under a [[local marketing agreement]] beginning on April 16;<ref name="KLOS Meruelo">{{cite news |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/176147/cumulus-media-sells-klos-to-meruelo-media-swaps-bridgeport-to-connoisseur-for-allentown/ |last=Venta |first=Lance |title=Cumulus Media Sells KLOS to Meruelo Media; Swaps Bridgeport to Connoisseur for Allentown |website=RadioInsight |publisher=RadioBB Networks |date=2019-04-15 |access-date=2019-04-15}}</ref> the transaction closed on July 17.<ref name="AA 2019-07-17 KLOS Meruelo">{{cite news |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/187962/done-deals-meruelo-media-closes-on-klos-kxos-los-a |title=Done Deals: Meruelo Media Closes On KLOS, KXOS/Los Angeles |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=2019-07-17 |access-date=2019-07-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Venta |first=Lance |title=Meruelo Media Closes On KLOS & KXOS; Makes Staffing Announcements |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/179004/meruelo-media-closes-on-klos-makes-staffing-announcements/ |website=RadioInsight |publisher=RadioBB Networks |date=2019-07-17 |access-date=2019-11-04}}</ref> The sale of KLOS to Meruelo comes shortly after the sale of the former sister station [[WPLJ]] in New York City, as both stations were initially owned by ABC. Under the aegis of Allen Shaw, both stations were given the "Love" format followed by, in 1971, the live-and-local AOR format, together retaining the latter for 12 years (WPLJ flipped to top 40 in 1983; it became a non-commercial [[Contemporary Christian music|Christian music]] station as "[[K-Love]]" in 2019).

Further changes came to KLOS over the next year. On September 6, 2019, the station shifted its format to classic rock full-time, eliminating post-1990s modern rock tracks. On September 30, at 12:01&nbsp;a.m., KLOS began broadcasting from its new studios at the Meruelo Media building in [[Burbank, California|Burbank]], leaving behind its previous location on Lindblade Street in [[Culver City, California|Culver City]] (to which it and KABC relocated from their longtime La Cienega Boulevard studios in December 2016). The station also marked the return of the classic rock format to Los Angeles for the first time since KSWD flipped to the "K-Love" Christian music network in November 2017 as [[KKLQ (FM)|KKLQ]]. In late January 2020, KLOS switched back to mainstream rock and changed its slogan to "Southern California's Rock Station"; the station reintroduced post-1990s rock into the playlist while still maintaining a heavy focus on classic rock tracks. In a cost-cutting move prompted by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Meruelo dismissed several members of the KLOS staff in mid-2020, including Frosty Stilwell, Gary Moore, and Frazer Smith;<ref name="AA 2020-06-01 COVID">{{cite news |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/197012/klos-los-angeles-morning-co-host-frosty-stilwell-n |title=KLOS/Los Angeles Morning Co-Host Frosty Stilwell No Longer On FHF Morning Show; Others Exiting Airstaff Include Gary Moore, Frazer Smith, Jim 'JD' Daniels |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=2020-06-01 |access-date=2020-08-03}}</ref> ''Frosty, Heidi & Frank'' reverted to its previous title ''Heidi & Frank''.

On August 3, 2020, ''The Greg Beharrell Show'' entered [[Broadcast syndication#Radio syndication|national syndication]], with KLOS serving as the flagship station.<ref name="AA 2020-08-03">{{cite news |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/198736/yea-networks-signs-the-greg-beharrell-show |title=Yea Networks Signs The Greg Beharrell Show |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=2020-08-03 |access-date=2020-08-06}}</ref>

On October 3, 2020, the nationally syndicated ''[[John Clay Wolfe]] Show'' joined KLOS on Saturday mornings.

Former [[KROQ-FM]] morning personality Kevin Ryder, half of the iconic duo ''[[Kevin & Bean]]'', joined KLOS in the afternoons on February 18, 2021. Co-hosting ''Kevin & Sluggo'', he reunited with Doug "Sluggo" Roberts after having worked together previously at KROQ and [[KZZP]] in Phoenix.<ref name="RI 2021-02-16 KLOS KevinRyder">{{cite news |last=Venta |first=Lance |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/205053/kevin-ryder-to-team-with-doug-sluggo-roberts-in-afternoons-at-klos/ |title=Kevin Ryder To Team With Doug 'Sluggo' Roberts In Afternoons At KLOS |website=RadioInsight |publisher=RadioBB Networks |date=2021-02-16 |access-date=2021-02-16}}</ref>  Kevin and Sluggo were given their walking papers on September 6, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/klos-fires-kevin-ryder-doug-sluggo-roberts-afternoon-hosts-1236135977/|title=KLOS-FM Fires Afternoon Hosts Kevin Ryder and Doug 'Sluggo' Roberts, Latest In Stream of Cuts at Owner Meruelo Media|author=Michael Schneider|publisher=Variety|date=2024-09-06|accessdate=2024-09-08}}</ref>

On April 1, 2025, KLOS briefly stunted with [[yacht rock]] branded as 95.5 So'Cal's Yacht Rock as an [[April Fools Day]] joke.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/297914/klos-stunts-with-yacht-rock-for-april-fools/|title=KLOS Stunts with Yacht Rock for April Fools|publisher=RadioInsight|date=2025-04-01|accessdate=2025-04-02}}</ref>

==HD Radio==
KLOS broadcasts in [[HD Radio]] with three [[digital subchannel]]s:

*KLOS-HD1 is a digital [[simulcast]] of the analog signal.
*KLOS-HD2 features a [[Talk radio|talk]] format called "KLOS2". Meruelo Media officially launched the channel on March 4, 2021, but the station has been broadcasting under the new format since September 2020. KLOS2 is operated jointly with Toad Hop Entertainment, a company owned by KLOS morning co-host Frank Kramer who serves as program director for the new service. Programming consists of continuous ''Heidi & Frank'' repeats, with plans to add original shows later.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/205762/meruelo-media-launches-talk-klos-2/ |last=Venta |first=Lance |title=Meruelo Media Launches Talk KLOS 2 |website=RadioInsight |publisher=RadioBB Networks |date=2021-03-04 |access-date=2021-03-04 }}</ref>
*KLOS-HD3 airs a simulcast of [[KIRN]].  It originally aired an [[Music of Armenia|Armenian music]] format branded as "SoCal Armenian" until around 2021.
[[File:KLOS3 Logo.png|thumb|Previous HD3 logo]]

==Notable personalities==
Throughout its history as a rock station, KLOS has been home to many prominent progressive rock and AOR DJs.

[[Chris Carter (producer/disc jockey)|Chris Carter]] hosts a locally produced version of ''[[Breakfast with the Beatles]]'' on Sunday mornings. Prior to landing at KLOS, Carter was heard on [[KACD-FM (defunct)|KACD-FM]] (Channel 103.1) in 2000 when it played [[adult album alternative]] (AAA) music. He is also the former bass player and producer for [[Dramarama (band)|Dramarama]] and produced and supervised the music for the film ''[[Mayor of the Sunset Strip]]'', a rock documentary about influential Los Angeles DJ [[Rodney Bingenheimer]] of [[KROQ-FM]].

[[Rockline|Bob Coburn]] (1980–1994), a former program director in [[Chicago]] and an assistant program director at [[KMET (FM)|KMET]] hosted the syndicated program ''[[Rockline]]''. He later worked at [[KNX-FM|KLSX]], [[KCBS-FM]] (Arrow 93), and [[KLLI (FM)|KZLA]] before returning to KLOS. Coburn died of lung cancer on December 17, 2016, at age 68.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://laradio.com/wherec.htm |last=Barrett |first=Don |title=Los Angeles Radio People, C |website=LARadio.com |access-date=2018-05-08}}</ref>

[[Marc Coppola (actor)|Marc Coppola]], who moved on to [[KGB-FM]] in [[San Diego]], was on KLOS in 1977 and reappeared when it aired [[Westwood One]]'s ''Rock 'N Roll Never Forgets''. Damion and [[Steve Downes]] both co-hosted with Marc from 1986 to 1990.

Dion hosted late nights on a part-time basis for several years. He also hosted at [[KNX-FM|KLSX]] during its classic rock era. In 2005, Al Ramirez, another longtime late-night DJ at KLOS, died of natural causes at the age of 54.

Cynthia Fox, former KMET and KLSX personality hosted the weekday show ''In Tune at Noon'', featuring a daily celebration of events in rock and roll history and the news. She left KLOS in July 2013 and eventually joined rival classic rock station [[KKLQ (FM)|KSWD]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/120264/klos-midday-icon-cynthia-fox-exits |title=KLOS Midday Icon Cynthia Fox Exits |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=2013-07-12 |access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/158144/kswd-100-3-the-sound-los-angeles-puts-cynthia-fox- |title=KSWD (100.3 The Sound)/Los Angeles Puts Cynthia Fox In Afternoons |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=2016-09-28 |access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref>

[[Jim Ladd]] presented his shows in a freeform manner, interrupting the regular classic rock format during his show middays and Sunday evenings. Ladd picked the music personally, often based on listener requests, and played it in thematic sets. On Thursday mornings at midnight, Ladd devoted an hour to "Headsets", which combines music with a slightly more "sonic" quality (designed to be heard with headphones, or with no background noise interfering), spoken-word poetry, and audio clips from movies and television. On Sundays, Ladd presented "Theme of Consciousness", with all songs within a three-hour window devoted to a singular word or "theme" and chosen entirely by the listening audience.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/klos-323910-ladd-radio.html |title=Legendary DJ Jim Ladd is out at KLOS |newspaper=Orange County Register |date=2011-10-26 |access-date=2011-10-26}}</ref> In addition to his work with KLOS, Ladd also appeared on [[KNAC]] during its progressive era, KMET, and KLSX. Often dubbed "The Last DJ", after the [[Tom Petty]] [[The Last DJ (song)|song that was written about him]], Ladd was allowed unusual latitude in selecting the music for his program. His show was routinely the number-one music-based show in its time slot. Ladd left KLOS in October 2011 and joined [[SiriusXM]] the following January, hosting daily on the [[Deep Tracks]] channel.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/99761/jim-ladd-to-join-siriusxm |title=Jim Ladd To Join SiriusXM |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=2011-12-02 |access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref>

Jerry Longden, who worked as a DJ from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. from 1972 to 1977, worked with Jim Ladd at KNAC 105.5 FM, Long Beach, California from 1969 to 1972.  Longden won Billboard Magazine's 1971 Air Personality Award for Progressive Rock and the KLOS Station of The Year award in 1974.  Longden and Ladd produced the successful 1974–1975 public service radio public service announcement program voiced by many prominent Rock recording artists of the day regarding hard drug abuse awareness, "Get Off" and "Get Off II", including thirty TV PSAs, (now in the Library of Congress) and were founders of The National Association of Progressive Radio Announcers. Longden was also the announcer for ABC's "In Concert" rock simulcast shows 1974-5 as well as the announcer for ''[[Don Kirshner's Rock Concert|Rock Concert]]'' from 1973 to 1980.  Longden worked evenings at KWST-FM, mid-days at KROQ-FM, and afternoons at KGIL-FM.

Joe Reiling (1977–1981, 2003–2009) started the ''Local Music Show'' (later renamed ''Local Licks''). Most of Reiling's time away from the station found him hosting his own alternative rock show worldwide on AFN ([[American Forces Network]], formerly AFRTS, Armed Forces Radio and Television Services). He was also involved in managing, producing, and programming the in-flight audio entertainment for many domestic and international airlines as well as [[Air Force One]]. Joe died on October 7, 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/170347/former-klos-los-angeles-personality-joe-reiling-pa |title=Former KLOS/Los Angeles Personality Joe Reiling Passes |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |access-date=2018-05-08}}</ref>

[[Frank Sontag]] hosted a public affairs call-in talk show that aired Sunday nights and early Monday mornings. He was part of the ''[[Mark & Brian]]'' morning team and ran the control board, also contributing to the show at times. Sontag left the station in 2009; in 2013, he became the host of a [[Christian radio|Christian talk and discussion]] program, ''The Frank Sontag Show'', on [[KKLA-FM]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Frank Sontag Joins KKLA |url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/119309/frank-sontag-joins-kkla |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |access-date=2018-05-08}}</ref>

[[Mark Thompson (disc jockey)|Mark Thompson]] and [[Brian Phelps]] were the titular co-hosts of ''[[Mark & Brian]]'', a morning drive sketch comedy show that aired from September 8, 1987, until August 17, 2012. Highlights from the show aired on weekdays for one hour before each regular weekday program. A recap edition, featuring the best of ''Mark & Brian'' each week, aired Saturday mornings.

Shana Livigni (1952–2015) was one of the first women to break into major market rock radio in the mid-’70s. She started at KLOS in 1980. She took over the morning drive on KLOS, the first woman to do that.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2015/07/22/female-radio-pioneer-shana-livigni-dies/ |title=Female radio pioneer Shana LiVigni dies – Daily News| website=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |date=22 July 2015}}</ref>

Other former KLOS personalities include Geno Michellini, "Uncle" Joe Benson, Steve Downes, and full-time fill-in Lynda Clayton. Denise Westwood (2000–2016), formerly at KMET, was heard on KLOS handling weekends and fill-in shifts. During her last few years at KLOS, Westwood also hosted the Sunday morning [[Public affairs (broadcasting)|public affairs]] show ''Spotlight on the Community''. Former program director Rita Wilde, who later went on to [[KKLQ (FM)|KSWD]], had been choosing the music on KLOS for decades;<ref name="AA 2009-01-22" /> afternoon DJ Joe Benson also left for KSWD.

==Awards and nominations==
Since 1991, KLOS has won two [[NAB Marconi Radio Awards|Marconi Radio Awards]], as well as three [[NAB Crystal Radio Awards|Crystal Radio Awards]] for its community service efforts.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Awards
! Category
! Recipient
! Result
! Source
|-
|rowspan="4" | 1991
|rowspan="3" | [[NAB Marconi Radio Awards]]
| Major Market Personality of the Year
| [[The Mark & Brian Show|Mark &amp; Brian]]
| {{Won}}
| <ref name="RR 1991 Marconi Wins">{{cite news |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1991/RR-1991-09-20.pdf |title=Big Guys Win Big At Marconis |website=Radio & Records |pages=1, 36 |date=1991-09-20 |access-date=2019-06-24 }}</ref>
|-
| Major Market Station of the Year
|
| {{Nom}}
| <ref name="RR 1991 Marconi Noms">{{cite news |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1991/RR-1991-06-14.pdf |title=NAB Announces Nominees For 1991 Marconi Awards |website=Radio & Records |pages=1, 39 |date=1991-06-14 |access-date=2019-06-24 }}</ref>
|-
| AOR/Classic Rock Station of the Year
|
| {{Won}}
| <ref name="RR 1991 Marconi Wins" />
|-
|rowspan="1" | [[NAB Crystal Radio Awards]]
|
|
| {{Won}}
| <!-- Insert citation here -->
|-
|rowspan="1" | 1999
|rowspan="1" | [[NAB Crystal Radio Awards]]
| 
|
| {{Won}}
| <!-- Insert citation here -->
|-
|rowspan="1" | 2005
|rowspan="1" | [[NAB Crystal Radio Awards]]
| 
|
| {{Won}}
| <!-- Insert citation here -->
|-
|rowspan="3" | 2006
|rowspan="2" | [[NAB Marconi Radio Awards]]
| Legendary Station of the Year
|
| {{Nom}}
| <ref name="AA 2006 Marconi Noms">{{cite news |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/12005/nab-announces-marconi-nominees |title=NAB Announces Marconi Nominees |work=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=2006-07-17 |access-date=2019-06-24 }}</ref>
|-
| Network Syndicated Personality of the Year
| [[The Mark & Brian Show|Mark &amp; Brian]]
| {{Nom}}
| <ref name="AA 2006 Marconi Noms" />
|-
|rowspan="1" | [[NAB Crystal Radio Awards]]
| 
|
| {{Nom}}
| <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/22178/nab-2007-crystal-awards-finalists-named |title=NAB 2007 Crystal Awards Finalists Named |work=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=2007-03-12 |access-date=2019-06-24 }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="1" | 2021
|rowspan="1" | [[Gracie Awards]]
| Host Non-Morning Drive (Music DJ/Personality) Major Market, Radio – Local
| Marci Wiser
| {{Won}}
| <ref>{{cite news |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/209321/alliance-for-women-in-media-foundation-announce-2021-gracie-award-winners/ |last=Venta |first=Lance |title=Alliance for Women in Media Foundation Announce 2021 Gracie Award Winners |work=RadioInsight |publisher=RadioBB Networks |date=2021-06-09 |access-date=2021-06-09 }}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=72951 FCC History Cards for KLOS]
*{{official website |https://www.955klos.com/ }}
{{FM station data|35078|KLOS}}
*{{FCC-LMS-Facility|28570|K255BZ}}
*{{FMXL|K255BZ}}
*{{URL|https://web.archive.org/web/20041010222025/http://www.w9wi.com/articles/grand_fm.htm |List of "grandfathered" FM radio stations in the U.S.}}

{{Los Angeles Radio}}
{{Classic Rock Radio Stations in California}}

[[Category:Radio stations in Los Angeles|LOS]]
[[Category:Mainstream rock radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1947]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in California]]