Book on KROQ

Former CityBeat columnist Erik Himmelsbach has taken his Valley Boy persona to the blogopshere. In his second post, he talks about the book he is writing about legendary Los Angeles radio station KROQ.

I just got back from Cleveland, where I was able to cross two more names off a long list of interviews for a book I’m writing about KROQ from 1972 to 1986 (the book’s called "The Sound Salvation"). It’s part history – how the station inadvertently birthed the alternative rock industry; and part memoir – a look at the connection it had to young listeners such as myself, who couldn’t deal with the cock rock and stoner ramblings of dinosaurs like KMET, KLOS and KWST.

I realize that KMET was once considered L.A. radio’s holy grail, but by the late ‘70s it had become a straitjacket of hesher rock; it was suburban whiteboy music, all spandex, ridiculous facial grimaces, and Paraquat Kellys. KROQ, on the other hand, sounded like it’d been beamed in from another planet.

Erik used to be managing editor of the late L.A. reader and now produces TV shows. Some might recall that back in 2004, he didn't care much for blogs. Now he's at ValleyBoy.net.

Edited to remove erroneous reference to KROQ being 'late'