An Early Talk Radio Ad From A Radio Maverick

Elgin Martin’s tenure at KOW radio in the 60’s was marked by wild promotional and marketing schemes. It was the first talk station in San Diego. “The Big SIX NINE” they called it. “We’ll do the talking. You 69.” That was another on-air slogan. But perhaps the most ill-advised was this one from 1965 following a heavy winter rainstorm. “Glug, Glug, Glug… You wanna come up for air? Well you don’t have to stop …….(long pause)……SIXTY NINEING!!” KOW, The Big Six Nine, eventually became XTRA, 690 out of Mexico. But for a generation of San Diego’s early talk radio listeners they’ll forever hear Gene Sloans early morning pitch “Well no one said it’d be easy. Time to lay back, roll your knees up toward your chest and…. SIX, NINE.. The BIG ONE… SIX NINE FOREVER… 69 It! Go Ahead! DO IT! WITH A KOW.. K-O-W, SIX NINE.. SAN DIEGO!