I've always been a student of the history of my business. When I came to St. Louis to work at WIL in 1985, I was fortunate to have a tutor for local radio history in the person of the station's all-night guy, Scott Arkin. I worked for a couple years at Broadcast Center and, while there, managed to pick up a lot of the local history from folks like Jim Bland, Jack Warnick, Bob Sheehan, Al Stevens (also the then- 7PM-12M guy at WIL) and others.
And some years later, I partnered up with STL Radio historian Frank Absher, whose diligently researched website I'm privileged to design and manage to this day.
One name that keeps coming up in any discussion of the history of radio in St. Louis is Shelley Grafman, who pretty much single-handedly put together the radio phenomenon that was/is KSHE.
Anyone in the radio business in America in the 1980's who was paying the least bit of attention knew of KSHE. There was no other station, from Chicago down to Dallas, or from Denver across to, well, whatever big city East of STL would make sense here, that did as much for the community or for their listeners, than did KSHE (from a press release from a few years ago):
One could think that the internationally renowned patriarch of the AOR (album oriented rock) radio format could have been inducted long ago. After all, Grafman and the loud, proud station that he moved from nowhere to top-ranking status year after year have influenced several generations of devoted listeners, won the admiration of rockstars, earned the respect of record companies, and generated untold millions upon millions in advertising dollars, which then were reinvested in the St. Louis economy.
Grafman and his “Real Rock Radio” opened the “Gateway to the West” to concerts, concerts and more concerts, putting St. Louis on the rock & roll map and making it a priority stop for virtually every band to hit the road. Nationally renowned, it was KSHE that played new artists first, and has been credited with breaking Rush, Journey, Styx, Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, Fleetwood Mac and many other chart-topping AOR-oriented superstars.
As the gold and platinum albums, plaques, awards and accolades attest, Grafman made the station about the music, the listeners and the city. He brought KSHE’s promotional weight behind many local causes, including the American Red Cross blood drive and Juvenile Diabetes Bike-a-thon. Through nationally renowned promotional events like the legendary “Kite Fly,” Easter Egg hunt in Forest Park, free concerts and live broadcasts, KSHE became embedded in the consciousness of St. Louis music fans. Grafman was also an active member in the St. Louis chapters of ADL and the JCCA.
I did the Morning Show for almost six years at KIX104 with market legend Frank O. Pinion. The station was on the tenth floor of the Gold Tower at Westport Plaza. One morning, on our way down in the elevator to the parking garage, Frank and I were joined by an older, grey-haired gentleman who said nothing and got off on the ground floor. We continued down to the garage.
As we walked to our cars, Frank asked me, "You know who that was on the elevator?"
I shook my head.
"That," FOP said, "was Shelley Grafman. He invented KSHE."
I wanted to run back up the steps and try to find him, just to shake his hand and thank him for being a pioneer. Shelley was a radio hero, one of the greats who had truly made a difference in my business. You don't get to meet many guys like that. And I deeply regret now that I didn't pursue him. Mr. Grafman passed away soon after. It would have been an honor just to talk with him for a minute.
Grafman was inducted posthumously in 2003 into the St. Louis Radio Hall of Fame, citing his “contributions, both locally and nationally, to the radio industry.”
Which brings us to this:
Nominees for the St. Louis Walk of Fame must fulfill two main criteria:
1) They must have been born in St. Louis or spent their formative or creative years here.
2) Their accomplishments must have had a national impact on our cultural heritage.
There's no question that Shelley Grafman fulfills both criteria.
This November, KSHE will celebrate it's 40th anniversary as a rock station. That would be a mighty fine milestone to coincide with the award of a Star on the STL Walk of Fame to Shelley Grafman.
Whaddya say, Joe Edwards? Can you make this happen?
What Rock'n'Roll says about Shelley Grafman...
Gregg Rolie, Rock'N'Roll Hall of Fame inductee and founding member of Santana and Journey:
“KSHE was the radio station in St. Louis that you had to be on in order to be successful and Shelley was the man to go to. He gave Journey that break and was monumental to our success along with countless other bands. Music in America would not be what it is without the vision of radio pioneering men like Shelley Grafman.”
Legendary national recording artist Charlie Daniels added:
“I think it would not only be fitting and proper, but downright necessary to honor Shelley with a star in the St. Louis Walk of Fame.”
Emmis Communications Corporation, Chairman of the Board Jeff H. Smulyan:
“When Emmis Communications acquired KSHE 95 in 1984, we knew we were getting a radio station with a remarkable legacy. That legacy owes much to Shelley Grafman, a rare radio pioneer who molded KSHE into a rock icon with deep roots in St. Louis. Today KSHE is the oldest rock station in the county, and its staying power and beloved community presence are a credit to his vision and leadership. His contribution to the city’s cultural heritage is more than worthy of the honor.”
St. Louis Post-Dispatch (ret.), Dick Richmond:
“It isn’t enough for someone to be from St. Louis to earn a star. A real star is a person who through his efforts shines light on the city in which he lives. In my opinion that describes Mr. Grafman perfectly.”
Sr. Vice President & Market Manager, KSHE/Emmis, John Beck:
“If anyone from St. Louis belongs on the University City Walk of Fame it is Shelley Grafman. Without him Rock n Roll and Rock n Roll Radio would not have been the same.”
Rick Balis, Vice President and Director of Programming for Emmis Communications/STL:
“Real Rock Radio KSHE 95 is as much an institution in St. Louis as the arch along the Mississippi riverfront, the Cardinals baseball team and Anheuser Busch. The station made its’ niche back in 1967 as a trailblazing rock maverick and has never wavered from a focus on rock music. Consistently providing top notch entertainment and regularly embracing the community has resulted in an inseparable love affair between KSHE 95 and St. Louis. Something so special doesn’t just happen. It takes an adventurous visionary with heart, passion and drive… that’s Shelley Grafman!”
Radio & Records Executive Editor, Jeff Green:
“Your dad built one of America’s greatest rock stations that spawned many fine broadcasters and influenced countless others. I and many others have regarded him as a pillar in the radio and music industry, and always will.”
Ozark Mountain Daredevils’ Supe Granda:
“The station (KSHE) is an absolute original, and will always be a St. Louis landmark. Shelley Grafman is, and always will be, the cornerstone of that landmark. His contributions to the rich tradition of the St. Louis musical community is immeasurable, and one deserving of a star on the sidewalks of Delmar.”
Former owner of rock station KADI/St. Louis, Richard Miller:
"Shelley Grafman was my competitor from 1970-1985 in what we called the “Radio Wars” between KADI and KSHE. Shelley Grafman earned my lifelong respect as a rugged creative competitor but always a gentleman and always honest and fair. Shelley himself became a resource of many record companies and his expert opinion was sought by the record industry.”
Singer (Pavlov’s Dog), guitarist, composer, & journalist, David Surkamp:
“In my not so humble opinion, Mr. Grafman’s inclusion on the “Walk of Fame” is a great big “DUH!!!!!!!!!! Without Mr. Grafman’s insight, our musical culture would still be in the stone-age where he found it before the dawn of KSHE radio. Shelley Grafman was one of the cornerstones of popular music in St. Louis for SEVERAL generations.”
Representing the music industry, Sam Kaiser writes:
“When I joined Atlantic Records in 1977, I quickly learned from the label chiefs and the artists exactly how highly regarded and renowned Shelley Grafman was. This man, who we respected and revered in St. Louis, was loved and cherished on a HUGE and international scale in the music business.”
Representing K-SHE 95, multi-decade vet John Ulett:
“Shelley Grafman was one of the most important people in the entire Radio industry in the 1970s. His wisdom and fore-sight help a new art form developed in the United States. Just the fact that KSHE is still on the air with the exact format he help put in place 30 plus years ago is a testament to what he accomplished. His efforts made St. Louis a major player on the world’s Rock and Roll stage. He should be honored by having a plaque on the St. Louis Walk of Fame."
St. Louis’ Contemporary Productions, Irv Zuckerman:
"KSHE Radio, “the Rock of St. Louis,” has been our radio partner for many years from Busch Stadium SuperJam show to the Rolling Stones. Shelley himself was giant in radio, a man who would take a chance on supporting a new artist on what was then the alternative airwaves."
VP/GM Clear Channel Dalton GA, Mark Cooper:
“I have never known any radio executive that has the impact on the music industry like Shelley Grafman did. This man genuinely cared about the station, the listeners, the artists and the community…the four corners of broadcasting success. The people of St. Louis would have never experienced the level of musical entertainment that they have were it not for Shelley. I’m shocked that this effort is necessary.”
CEO/Executive Dir. All Star Radio Networks, Ron Stevens:
“Few St. Louis individuals had the lasting impact on a generation of St. Louisans like Sheldon Grafman. He convinced rock stars around the world to make KSHE their second home when traveling through MO. And he put St. Louis on the map and minds of people around the globe. St. Louis radio would not have been the same without him, as he contributed immensely to our local cultural mindset. I, along with many who can say they worked for Shelly at KSHE, can claim a proud St. Louis heritage because of his leadership.”
Manga Entertainment, Inc., Marvin Gleicher, Pres.:
“Shelley Grafman was the leader and the innovator that brought the culture of rock n’ roll to a pinnacle and directed St. Louis to forefront…Many famous groups owe their success to Shelley and his vision. He was a true rock n’ roll radio pioneer.”
St. Louis air personality, Radio Rich Dalton:
“Shelley Grafman belongs on the St. Louis Walk of Fame! I doubt if anyone would dispute that. It is only a matter of time.”
Azoff Music Management, Irving Azoff:
“…Shelley single-handedly broke my first band REO Speedwagon. We can only remember and wish the business could be like it was when Shelley Grafman was calling the shots in St. Louis."
St. Louis Radio Hall of Fame, Frank Absher:
“Shelley was literally the catalyst that created KSHE and molded it into a nationally known rock powerhouse. He brought the right people together and developed a radio station that wielded huge influence on the music industry, while also giving the rock audience in St. Louis a station they could call their own.”
Capital Records’ promoter, Wayne Meisenholder:
“Shelley and his rock radio station KSHE was instrumental in making St. Louis one of a very few break markets in the US. Records added to KSHE play list were tracked by all the national trade magazines, Billboard, Cashbox, Record World, Gavin Report, etc. Radio stations all over the US watched the music mix that Shelly offered to its listeners. Our industry leader Sheldon Grafman started many of the careers of Capitol Recording artists. Artists like Sammy Hagar, Bob Seger, Little River Band, Pink Floyd, April Wine, Grand Funk Railroad, Leon Russell, Linda Ronstadt, and many more. Record executives around the country shouted his praises. “Now we know what it takes to make a hit record! Shelly has taken the guess work out of it.”
Former retail record promoter, Mike Glazer:
“Frankly, I am astounded that he isn’t already a member! NOBODY has meant more to the music scene in St. Louis than Shelley. I agree with the people forming the movement to induct him into the Walk of Fame, it’s time to honor him for his contributions to the history of St. Louis.”
St. Louis’ air personality, Smash:
“Everyone had different and great Shelley stories. But the main thing that threaded through each person’s testimonial was Shelley’s belief in and commitment to the human potential. I never knew him personally nor did I work for him professionally. However, with all the nothing but good that I’ve heard about Shelley…I wish I could have. His place on the St. Louis Walk of Fame should be unquestionable. Let Shelley finally be the “star!”
Brentwood Television Funnies, Inc., Richard E. Ungar:
“…I cannot imagine anyone more deserving of the honor and would very much like to add my voice to the many who seek this recognition for a radio legend. It was a matter of common knowledge in the recording industry that if you were looking for an honest opinion as to the quality of an artist, the best place to find it was in Shelley Grafman’ office at KSHE. I respectfully recommend that both Shelley Grafman and the St. Louis Walk of Fame would be equally honored to be part of one another’s legacy.”
Varsity Theatre, former owner Peter P. Piccione:
"As the owner of the Varsity Theatre, I can tell you that the Theatre, owned and operated by an independent, was always struggling for its survival at a time when the University City Loop was struggling as well, and that low ebb is when Shelley Grafman and KSHE Radio came along and reached out a hand greatly benefiting not just the Varsity Theatre, but the Loop, and I would submit the entire Region as well, by providing the public with affordable, enjoyable entertainment."
Boston Ventures’ Barry Baker:
“KSHE stood the test of time and it couldn’t have happened with Shelley Grafman. He made KSHE and St. Louis a national music destination. Shelley deserves a spot in the Walk of Fame!”
Former air personality, Joe “Mama” Mason:
“…He was well-known and respected among his peers, and it is only fitting that he receive a modicum of recognition of all KSHE Radio has been, done, and continues to be.”
Former air personality, Steven Rosen:
“Shelley Grafman deserves to be inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame more than any other media person I know…I believe by adding his name to the Walk of Fame, it will show all of us how much we loved and cared for the man who started the whole thing, Mr. Shelley Grafman.”
Chairman & CEO Universal Music, Doug Morris:
“…It is my sincere hope that you honor Shelley with a plague on the Walk of Fame. No one is more deserving of this honor than Shelley. As one of America’s greatest radio pioneers, he helped to introduce this country’s truest art form, Rock-n-Roll, to countless generations of young people. Thanks to him, seminal rock bands like Rush, Journey, Styx, Bob Seger, and Fleetwood Mac got their start."
