Editorial Comment

Jack Roth (July 17, 1926 - December 6, 2009) loved doing editorials on KONO!

Each editorial was introduced by the announcement, “The following is an editorial by Jack Roth, President of KONO.”

Each editorial ended with, “The preceding was an editorial by Jack Roth, President of KONO.”

Most of Jack’s editorials just played havoc with the KONO music format. The havoc multiplied exponentially when Jack editorialized on a controversial subject. That meant the station had to provide equal airtime for quite a large number of opposing views to Jack’s opinion.

Each opposing editorial response began with the announcement, “The following is in response to an editorial by Jack Roth, President of KONO.”

Accordingly each opposing editorial response ended with, “The preceding was in response to an editorial by Jack Roth, President of KONO.”

Names of the editorial respondents were never allowed in any part of the response. Jack thought that by not mentioning a name, the opposing speaker’s views would not be as influential as his original editorial comment.

One day, Jack’s brother Bob decided that he wanted to provide an opposing opinion to one of Jack’s editorials. When I told Bob that he was just to voice his opposing editorial comment without mentioning his name, Bob adamantly opposed.

“Because Jack and I sound so much alike, I WILL mention my name in the response; otherwise it will sound like Jack is contradicting his own editorial.”

Bob started his response (which he recorded in one take) with, "This is Bob Roth."

Bob must have spoken with Jack, because the editorial response aired exactly as Bob recorded it.

John Steel

[ Home ]