Remembering Steve West
• We were saddened to hear the news that Steve West, long considered San Diego’s “Patriarch of Classic Alternative music,” has died after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 68 years old.
The British-born West notably joined heritage Alternative XTRA (91X)/San Diego shortly after its launch in 1983. He’s pictured here (left) back in the day at the old 91X building in Tijuana, along with former morning duo Russ T. Nailz and Pat Gorse.
Except for a brief “hiatus” in the mid-’90s when he went to work for the former 92.5 The Flash (now Magic 92.5), West spent three decades at 91X until he was downsized in July 2014. Two months later, he was wisely acquired by Entercom Alternative rival KBZT (ALT 94.9) to host aweekend specialty show, Legends of Alternative.
Former 91X PD Kevin Stapleford, now VP of Programming for LiveXLive, shared his memories of West, telling RAMP, “I was lucky enough to know Steve West for over 35 years, which is absolutely insane to me. When he arrived at 91X, he became an instant superstar, but he took people like me under his wing. He called me on the air when I was doing my first overnight shifts to encourage me, and he let me tag along when he was interviewing people like Robert Smith and Elvis Costello. A few years later, I think the rest of the air staff was a bit stunned when I was named PD, but Steve was thrilled. He liked to call me ‘Big Boss’ because he knew it made me uncomfortable. Steve also understood his listeners better than anyone. In the last decade or so, as he went through his epic battle with cancer, he made it his mission to educate his audience on how to stay healthy and informed. Same goes for his friends. I mean, no one asked me about my colon more than Steve West. He was one of the greats.”
Former 91X PD Michael Halloran said, “Steve is known for the massive respect for the listeners he showed in every event he did. People to this day do impressions of Steve because of his accent. Plus, he was also responsible for the launch of Radio Nigel, one of the first streaming Alt stations ever.” Garett Michaels, current PD of 91X, told RAMP, “We are heartbroken that Steve has passed on. He was a founding member of 91X and a true San Diego radio legend. His influence on, and legacy at 91X will never be forgotten. Although Steve and I never had the chance to work together, I’ve always had huge respect for him. Michael Halloran will be joining me for this week’s edition of Resurrection Sunday, where we will remember and pay tribute to Steve.” West is survived by his daughter, Natasha Vintner.
ALT 94.9 morning personality Jack Taylor posted his own remembrance of Steve West and was nice enough to let us share this awesome photo of Steve. [Photo by Jack Taylor]
