Remembering Seattle’s Steve West
• Seattle broadcasting legend Steve West passed away on March 11 at the age of 81, due to complications stemming from his brave triumph over cancer 25 years ago.
Throughout his lengthy career, West’s belief in building radio stations that fostered talent, delivered authentic entertainment, and served the local community left an indelible mark on Seattle’s radio landscape. His influence resonates in the memories of the stations he helped create and the stories shared by so many people he inspired.
West’s radio journey started in 1962 at KHOK-AM/Grays Harbor, and after a stint in the National Guard, he joined KPUG-AM/Bellingham, where he met his future wife, Sharon, beginning a beautiful 58-year partnership.
In 1967, noticed by two legends, Pat O’Day and Les Smith, West moved to Seattle as the all-night DJ and newsman for KJR-AM, and was next recruited to transform KTAC-AM/Tacoma. His philosophy was simple but powerful: radio is an entertainment, people business — if you treat your people with respect and let them have fun, good things will happen.
After a successful stint KJRB-AM/Spokane, West returned to KJR-AM as Program Director, revitalizing it into a powerhouse Top 40 station with the popular air staff of Charlie Brown, Ichabod Caine, Gary Lockwood, Chet Rogers, Tracy Mitchell, Mark Jeffries and others.
In 1979, West made the bold move up the dial to become General Manager of KISW. At the time FM was still seen as a fringe frequency in Seattle — but that decision helped reshape Seattle radio. Under his leadership, and with a family of widely celebrated personalities like Langon & West, Crow & Hovanes and Steve Slaton, KISW became “Seattle’s Best Rock.” After KISW was sold in 1986, West launched another station from the ground up — KXRX-FM, locally known as the “X” at 96-dot-5.
Denise Madden, a former Account Executive who worked for West at KXRX, said of her former boss, “There are certain people the world needs for it to make sense. Steve & I hadn’t seen each other or worked together in 33 years, but he called me every year on my birthday to stay in touch. Steve’s generosity & spirit touched us all for a lifetime, and I can’t imagine not hearing that infectious laugh once more.”
West is survived by Sharon, his wife of 58 years; children, Kerrington and Kelli and their families, his sister Garnet; plus, the extended family he collected along the way, and many, many, great friends.
A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on Saturday, April 12 from 1-4pm at Seattle’s Georgetown Ballroom. More details to follow.
