R. J. Adams - Radio Career

Radio Career

Adams began his 30 year radio career as Bob Shannon in the spring of 1964 with a weekend shift at KXIV Phoenix, Arizona until going full-time, thanks to the efforts of play-by-play announcer Al McCoy who got him his first full-time on-air job at KLBU Yuma, Arizona and from there it was on to KUTY Palmdale, California before making the giant leap to KDWB as Kelly in St. Paul, Minnesota by the end of the year. But it wasn't until Shannon arrived in Phoenix in mid June 1966 that he garnered his first major success at KRUX Phoenix, Arizona by rapidly climbing to number one in the market by beating all competitors by twenty plus points utilizing a variety of crazy characters and outlandish antics such as the invasion of his show by the television rock group, The Monkees. The episode aired as the finale of the Group's first seaon. Following his departure from Phoenix Shannon held air shifts at WKBW Buffalo, New York and WKYC Cleveland, Ohio until landing the coveted early evening slot at KXOK St. Louis, Missouri where he again rose to the number one show in the market beating his nearest rival by twenty plus ratings points