‘I Left My Heart In San Francisco’Turns 50Feb 14, 2012
Reporting Susan Leigh TaylorFiled Under
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – One of San Francisco’s official anthems was recorded 50 years ago this week and the person who brought the song to life is returning for a special Valentine’s Day benefit concert. It was in December of 1961 when Tony Bennett first publicly sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at the Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel. A few weeks later, he went into the studio and recorded it. The song was not expected to be a hit as it was the B side of the single. KCBS’ Susan Leigh Taylor Reports:
In the months that followed, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” won Grammys for Record of the Year as well as Bennett winning for Best Male Vocal Performance. The song has been an anthem for the city and is played after every San Francisco Giants home victory. 50 years later, Bennett will be performing the song as part of a sold-out concert at the Venetian Room to raise money for heart research at UCSF. City leaders are trying to get the now 85-year-old singer to add a second show at City Hall that afternoon, but that has not been confirmed by Bennett’s agent. (Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. Duets: An American Classic
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12-5-11 KGO RADIO - They couldn’t stand to leave things alone. That is, the new owners, Cumulus, who decided to copy the lead of KCBS, the San Francisco station with an all-news station that has gone ahead of KGO in recent radio ratings. (Did they note that part of the increase was because KCBS recently added an FM transmitter that increased its listenership by 15%?) In any case, even if KGO has dropped in ratings, its not the first time. And, even with 4.4 share, they’ve come back from the last two Arbritron ratings (4.1 and 4.2)) and remain among the top five stations (KCBS dropped from 6.3 to 6.1). Even number five is better than middle of the pack, which is where they’re going be soon. It’s taken years of loyalty to build the station, just as KCBS has built itself as an all-new station. It’s possible that KGO could do the same but it could take years. Meanwhile, much of KGO’s audience will go to KQED, the FM news-talk leader (6.6) or KSFO conservative talk (2.8).
It’s funny how radio consultants are paid to error and that’s what they’ve done by dumping long-time talk hosts Gene Burns, Ray Taliaferro , Gil Gross and Jon Rothman. Love them or hate them for their political views, they’ve built a following, especially Burns, who has been with the station weeknights 7-10 pm nearly 15 years as well as having a popular dining show Saturday mornings. It’s interesting that these guys were let go while the younger, less-expensive, less seasoned talented weekend talk hosts retain their jobs. Only mega-star, morning man Ron Owens gets by unscathed in his 9-noon weekday slot.
The thing that has made KGO special is that they haven’t changed things much in 30 years, until now. People build a loyalty, like family and now that’s gone. KGO will become just another station that will continue changing formats to try to hit on something that will stick. It’s the old adage, ‘don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.’ Just because KGO had dropped a bit in the ratings was no need to panic. It’s like some of the sports teams, like the Oakland A’s with their Billy ‘Mr. Money Ball’ Beane, who hasn’t brough the A’s a pennant in 10 years since he’s been with them, despite some good trades – and a lot of bad ones); it’s a shame when a somewhat talented guy like Beane is capable of making good trades but doesn’t get the most out of the new players, loses their confidence and keeps getting rid of talent just for the sake of change. So what if payrolls are high, keep the good ones and let them mature , all the whilte they’re building a ‘fan’ following.’
Meanwhile, people say that Oakland can’t draw fans. Well they did in the late ’80s and with some stability and an owner who doesn’t keep talking about moving, the A’s would be good draw, new stadium or now. Not to digress, it’s the same in radio, you build on a concept, ie talk radio, and build a following of listeners who become loyal not only to certain broadcasters but the station in general.
I don’t know that Ron Owens , talented as he is, can keep the dam from bursting. Damage done. Look to perhaps a new station picking up Burns and the like and going ahead of KGO in the ratings. It would be fair play in my mind and a good lesson to the new owners of KGO. But this is not new in broadcasting. Radio stations have been doing this for years, especially of late. Seems like the old loyalty is gone. Just as you don’t see the same checker at your local market for years, anymore, its rare for a station to maintain a format very long. Too bad. KGO had a good thing but the new owners blew it for them and a lot of listeners.
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