Description
In the golden era of AM pop radio, Los Angeles’ KRLA 1110 wasn’t just spinning records—it was shaping pop culture. While Top 40 giants like KHJ ruled with Boss Radio formats, KRLA pushed a looser, more youth-culture-savvy vibe. It sponsored Beatles concerts, hosted legendary jocks like Dave Hull and Casey Kasem, and backed KRLA Beat—its own wild tabloid-style music paper. At its peak, KRLA Beat had a national readership and gave space to artists, fans, gossip, editorials, and trippy collage-style layouts that echoed the cultural churn of the late ’60s.
This issue hits like a time capsule: The Righteous Brothers call it quits on the cover, with Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield parting ways after their genre-defining run. Inside, we get letters to the editor on Vanilla Fudge, a feature on The Who, and grainy candid shots of Herman’s Hermits, Buffalo Springfield’s Dewey Martin and his bride, and Jim & Jean. An article on Andy Warhol’s light shows! There’s even a rare note about Miriam Makeba singing for the Watts Boutique—an early intersection of fashion, politics, and soul. With its offset-printed paper, bold red-and-black masthead, and classic ’60s tabloid dimensions, this issue reflects both mainstream teen appeal and creeping counterculture.
This one’s got it all: a breakup headline, Brit invasion coverage, girl-group gossip, groovy layout, and psychedelic edge. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia, tracking the story of SoCal pop, or just love the format—KRLA Beat delivers the hits. And hey, if Big Daddy Roth read Drag/Sport? Then you know the cool kids in L.A. were reading KRLA Beat.
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