About the SUNSET REVIEW

On the air since August of 1988,  hear the SUNSET REVIEW on KSPC,

or on the internet from www.kspc.org.

For audio samples, click the "Listen" box to the left.

IN THE

BEGINNING

The SUNSET REVIEW began broadcasting from the studios of radio station KSPC, 88.7 fm, on the campus of Pomona College in Claremont, California, in September of 1988. 

Over the years, the format of the program has evolved to its current configuration, which includes  a unique combination of prerecorded and live productions, plus comedy cuts, novelty records, and its own brand of gentle silliness, biting satire, and sardonic absurdity.  "We like to be amused," says host Roger Allen.  "And we like to share that with our audio radiance," adds co-host Randy Brian.  Both share in the preparation of written material for the program.   

Roger Allen's interest in radio broadcasting spans several decades, beginning in 1961 when he was a student at Pomona College in Claremont, California, and an announcer on the college's FM radio station, KSPC.  He eventually held administrative positions at the station, including a stint as Station Manager. 

Roger later became a commercial broadcaster on what was possibly the first FM rock-and-roll station in the Los Angeles area.  He also spent time as a disc-jockey on an FM, middle-of-the-road music station in Thousand Oaks, California,  where he was paid $1.25 and hour and all the records he could eat.

Roger has pursued other professional activities, while maintaining an enduring interest in radio broadcasting.  In 1988, four years after returning to live in Claremont, California, he suffered a massive attack of gentle silliness, biting satire and sardonic absurdity, which unavoidably led to contacting the management at nearby KSPC and launching the SUNSET REVIEW.

RANDY BRIAN

Randy Brian has been in radio broadcasting since 1977.  He has a special interest in nostalgia entertainment and published a newsletter in that area. 

After gradually insinuating himself into the SUNSET REVIEW, as a regular contributor to the program during 1988, Randy became Cohost and Music Director in September of 1989, a post he has held (tightly gripped in his left hand) ever since.  Known as "The Man of a 1000 Voices" (though no one quite knows why, since the current count is only 57.35), Randy was a welcome and wonderful addition to the program, especially since he has a humungous record collection.

In addition to his work on the SUNSET REVIEW, Randy hosts his own program, FORWARD INTO THE PAST, on KSPC (Sundays 2:00-5:00 pm Pacific Time), featuring music from the 20s, 30s and 40s, as well as rebroadcasts of vintage radio programs.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Well, yes, that is, as we used to say in the old country, a good question.  And for many it applies to the name of our radio program.  Why SUNSET ?? And why REVIEW ??

OK, here's the scoop.  The sun sets in the west, right? So that's why SUNSET, sorta...because the radio show is broadcast from Southern California, which is definitely in the west.

Now, when it comes to the REVIEW , some folks may well wonder why it isn't REVUE.  And the answer to that has to do with why it's SUNSET.  

See, the word "revue" could apply to this radio program, because the definition of that word is: "A musical show consisting of skits, songs, and dances, often satirizing current events, trends, and personality."  That kinda fits.

BUT the word "review" means: "To look over, study, or examine again."  And that's really what we're trying to do on the SUNSET REVIEW, look over, study, examine the sorts of things that happen here on the West Coast in Southern California.  

And then maybe satirize the results of our examination...just a smidge...right?

There, we hope that explains it.