KYYX DJS

Part of what made KYYX special was the DJs, who, unlike the air personalities at other stations, were occasionally allowed to put their own stamp on what made it onto the airwaves. Here is a mostly complete list of those who graced the KYYX airwaves at one point or another.

Mike "Beaver" Bell

Michael "Beaver" Bell was born in Bakersfield California, and prior to coming to KYYX, he worked at Bakersfield radio stations KERN, KMGN, and KLYD. Mike was hired by Rick Carroll, the consultant for KYYX and the man responsible for the successful "Rock Of The 80's" format at KROQ in Los Angeles. The name "Beaver" was a compromise: it was better than "Skunk" which was the original name chosen for him by Pat O'Day, who had a penchant for giving his announcers "special" names. Mike began doing mornings on KYYX from 6-10am starting in July 1983. At the beginning of 1984, John Langan was hired to do themorning shift, so Mike got to sleep in and work 6-10pm. Post KYYX, he worked for Seattle stations KJET, KZOK, and KISW. In 1988, Mike returned to California, where he worked for KROQ in Los Angeles, KCMJ in Palm Springs, and KRAB in Bakersfield. Currently, he is a video and film producer and director.

Damien (Michael Stein)

Damien (Michael Stein) started out as a part-time DJ at KYYX, and got his first full-time radio job when the then-afternoon DJ ended up at the 4th floor window, screaming at people and threatening to jump. He didn't jump, but did leave the station, permanently, and Damien started full-time the next day. Initially working from 10pm-2am, he was eventually moved up to 2-6pm, where he was paired up with Debbie Paine. Some of the coolest things Damien remembers about those days were interviewing folks like David Byrne, Gang of Four, Spandau Ballet, and Big Country...and the sheer energy of the great music, being a little part of what really did seem like a musical revolution - "The Rock of the 80s". After KYYX, Michael went on to work for KPLZ, which has been his home on and off right up to the present day. Michael also did radio promotion for Geffen Records in the later '80s, where they had the pleasure of bringing the then brand-new Guns 'N' Roses to the world. He still treasures his "Welcome To The Jungle" welcome mat. Currently, Michael is the Production Director at Fisher Radio Seattle where he reports that one of his favorite jobs is "The Science of Baseball" feature for the Seattle Mariners Radio Network.

Stephen Rabow

Stephen Rabow began his radio career on KAOS at the Evergreen State College in Olympia. After graduation he moved to Seattle, took a full-time evening job at a major hospital and, simultaneously, a part-time position at KZAM-FM and KZAM-AM. When KZAM-AM switched to "The Rock of the 80's" Rabow launched his popular "House Party." After the "Rock of the 80s" format was eliminated from KZAM, Rabow did a short stint on Seattle's non-commercial free-form KRAB-FM and then moved over to KYYX-FM as the station became "The Wave," reviving his weekly "House Party." Pat O'Day, owner of KYYX, persuaded Rabow to work at the station in a full-time capacity as Editor of "The Wave" magazine and (what would be Rabow's first experience) as a daily air-personality: "Stephen Rabow's Hours of Adventure, Romance, Danger and Lust."Rabow returned briefly to KRAB before moving to a new station, KHIT-FM. When KHIT was sold, Rabow spent a short time at KNHC-FM as a mentor to students there, but while on vacation in Florida, he decided to change directions. Since leaving Seattle Stephen Rabow has won Emmy, Iris and Addy Awards for his on-camera and creative work. In 1991 he launched his own publishing company, Primitive Press, and now produces a monthly city magazine and annual exploring guides to the Sarasota, Florida area where he resides with his family.
You can read a longer bio of Stephen Rabow, written by Stephen himself, on the House Party page.

Van Johnson

Not much is known about the mysterious Van Johnson (or as he was billed on the air "Van Johnson, employee"). Van was hired up from California by Rick Carroll to program KYYX. He was never seen wearing anything other than all black. After KYYX went off the air, Van returned to California, and worked for a time at KROQ in Los Angeles. At that point, we lost touch with him. If you know anything about Van, please contact us at the address at the bottom of this page.

Moose Moran

Moose Moran worked in Idaho and Montana before landing at KYYX in 1982. Moose was not his given name, but like "Beaver" Bell, was a name chosen for him by Pat O'Day. Moose worked at KYYX doing nights, and later, afternoons. He left KYYX at the start of 1984 when John Langan arrived. After KYYX, Moose worked at KNBQ in Tacoma, KRKO in Everett, KAPS-Mt. Vernon and KWDB-Oak Harbor. After leaving the Oak Harbor gig, Moose decided to take his mobile DJ music service "Moose Mobile Music" full time. He and his wife Renae, a former radio news director who is now a wedding videographer, provide music for weddings and parties around the Puget Sound area.

Debbie Paine

Debbie Paine was the only female DJ to ever work at KYYX. Van Johnson heard her on the air at the University Of Washington station KCMU, where she was working at the time, and hired her to do overnights. Fortunately, Pat O'Day was happy with the name "Paine" and did not ask her to change it. After a few months, in addition to her overnight airshift, Debbie joined Damien in afternoon drive, where she delivered sports, traffic, and "weird news" in the feature "KYYX Instant Information". After leaving KYYX, Debbie worked for KJET, KZOK, and later, KISW. She also spent several years at Microsoft, where she programmed an "on-hold" radio station for Microsoft customers. Currently, she is pursuing a Master's Degree at the University of Washington.

Rockin' Rod

Rockin' Rod was working at the UW station KCMU when he was hired to be a music intern at KYYX in fall 1982. He was a board operator and then was promoted to Assistant Music Director. He also could be heard on the KYYX airwaves on weekends. After KYYX went off the air, Rockin' Rod worked at KRKO in Everett, and later, KHIT in Seattle. He left radio in 1986 and now is an insurance agent in the Seattle area.

John Langan

John Langan was heard in Arizona, California, Texas, Florida, and Ohio before coming to Seattle to work for KISW as part of the Langan & West team with Mike West. He migrated to KYYX at the start of 1984. His time as morning DJ on KYYX was brief, but memorable, and he was paired with Dick Curtis, who did news. When KYYX went off the air, Langan worked at KMET in Los Angeles and then returned to Seattle for several years at KZOK. He is currently working under the name C. Foster Kane as part of the morning team "The Radio Men" at Spokane's KKZX.

Dick Curtis

Dick Curtis did news for most of KYYX's time on the air. He was a long-time news professional who could be heard at many Seattle stations. He was also an old friend of Pat O'Day's, and for a time the two lived next door to each other. After leaving KYYX, Dick continued to do news in the Pacific Northwest for many years, although he retired several years ago.