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More on Steven B from DUSTY SAUNDERS in the Colorado press...
June 5, 2006
The report of the death of Steven B. Williams stirred memories about KBPI-FM, the station that "rocked the Rockies" in the early '80s.
Brian Maass reported last week on CBS 4 News that the body of Williams, half of the memorable Steven B. and The Hawk morning show, was found May 22 floating in the Pacific Ocean, six miles off Catalina Island. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department began a homicide investigation after an autopsy disclosed the 59-year-old Williams had been shot in the torso.
"I was stunned," said Maass, who worked as a radio newsman with Williams and his partner, the late Don Hawkins, on KBPI-FM (106.7) for four years starting in 1980. Hawkins died in Denver in 1994, following what initially was considered routine surgery.
"Steven was a sincere, engaging guy in a tough business," Maass said. "He could relate to everyone."
Maass, who had e-mail contact with Williams, said the DJ had moved from the Napa Valley to San Pedro three years ago to take care of his ailing father, who died recently.
For four years, Steven B. and the Hawk ruled the Denver morning FM ratings, mixing rock music with their witty repartee and routines. As Maass noted, following Hawkins' death: "It really didn't matter what kind of music they played. Listeners tuned in to hear them."
Their comedic style was highlighted by a self-deprecating sense of humor, rather than "shock jock talk." The duo loved to ridicule the entertainment industry, regularly parodying movie and TV stars with their original humor. One of their favorite routines was an ongoing spoof of the soap opera genre. They even created their own ongoing series: Edge of Guiding Days of My Children Turning Hospital.
Maass, who also aired newscasts for KNUS-AM (the stations were owned by Sandusky Broadcasting) recalls the pair often worked with Ed (Weatherman) Bowman, a broadcasting personality far removed from the morning team's age demographic. "The three got along well, often producing humor all age groups could appreciate."
The pair left KBPI in 1985 after getting more money from KPKE- FM (96.5), where they worked for two years. The pair then went their separate ways professionally, working on several local stations while remaining friends, according to several former KBPI employees.
Williams moved to San Francisco in 1989 to run an audio production company; Hawkins freelanced in Denver until his death. Before moving to San Pedro, Williams also worked as an assistant winemaker in the V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, Calif.
Born on May 14, 1947, in Southern California, Williams grew up on Corona Del Mar.
"Steven always wanted to be in the radio business," recalled Paul Montoya, a close friend and former chief engineer at KBPI. "He went to Honolulu in his early 20s and worked at three stations before joining KBPI."
Montoya saw Williams six weeks ago in San Pedro. "He was in great spirits, planning a sailing trip around the world with some friends."
A memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m. June 17 at Drinkwine Family Mortuary, 999 W. Littleton Blvd.
COMMERCIAL BREAK: The popularity of the Williams and Hawkins radio show and KBPI in general in the early '80s was boosted by an effective TV commercial featuring actress- model Kelly Harmon, who mouthed the phrase "KBPI rocks the Rockies" as a man's voice was heard.
A voiceover then said: "You have an exciting mouth." Harmon replied: "You have an exciting radio station."
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