Condolences: Steven Gaspar
• Steve Gaspar, who notably worked alongside the legendary Buzz Bennett and went on to serve as Promotions Director at KLOS/Los Angeles in the early ’80s, died Oct. 20 in La Mesa, CA after a sudden and brief illness. He was 74.
Gaspar was born in New Bedford, MA and graduated from St. Augustine High School in San Diego in 1967. He attended San Diego City College for five years to avoid the draft and left with an associates degree in Broadcasting. Gaspar got his radio start at the iconic KCBQ/San Diego, working with Buzz Bennett. From there, he went to Y-100/Miami and then to KDWB/Minneapolis (again with Buzz).
After returning to SoCal, Gaspar became the Promotions Director at KLOS-FM, later enhanced to Creative Services Director for ABC Radio Networks. During his tenure, the station went from “worst to first,” beating rival KMET, a milestone few imagined possible in those days. Gaspar found ways to wreak havoc with the crosstown competitors by showing up at their concerts and providing free parking (“Compliments of KLOS”) or handing out bumper stickers with the performing act’s name. He’s also credited with creating that now famous “rainbow racetrack” sticker (below) which became the gold standard at all ABC O&Os.
Gaspar left KLOS in 1984 to launch Wavelength Video, which placed music videos in bars and restaurants. He also created the concept of “Cafe Vid,” the first hip bar/restaurant to be enmeshed in this music + video marriage. In his later years, Gaspar worked with Hewlett-Packard as a technical consultant to Best Buy stores and ran a successful media sales venture.
Gaspar’s close friend Gail Lee wrote, “Steve loved life and lived large. He loved to travel to exotic places and see amazing sights. He also had favorite local hangouts where he enjoyed music, good food, and friends both old and new. He got his thrills being in the sun while floating in his pool, connecting with people of all ages, and doting on those he considered his closest friends. He will be greatly missed. Godspeed, Steve… we’ll see you on the flip side.”
Gaspar is survived by his nephew, Stephen Carroll and a host of cherished friends and fellow radio and record company legends. Service arrangements are pending. [Special thanks to Gail Lee]
