The History of Kaye-Smith
1950’s
In 1954 Lester Smith and KVSM owner Les Malloy bought KJR in Seattle along with KXL in Portland and KNEW (later KJRB) in Spokane. Smith changed KJR to a Top 40 format, hiring popular disc jockeys such as Dick Stokke, Pat O’Day, Larry Lujack, Lan Roberts, and Lee Perkins. KJR shot to number one and enjoyed almost a 40% local audience share for a decade.
In 1957, entertainers Frank Sinatra and Danny Kaye bought the three stations for $2 million, and Smith stayed on as manager.
1960’s
In 1964 Frank Sinatra sold his share of KJR to Danny Kaye and Les Smith. That led to the formation of Kaye-Smith Enterprises in 1968 which owned and operated radio stations in Washington, Oregon, Kansas and Ohio. KJR-AM Seattle, KISW-FM Seattle, KXL-AM/FM Portland, and KJRB-AM/KEZE-FM Spokane were the prominent stations in the group, which lead to other related businesses.
1970’s
One was Concerts West, a nationwide concert promotion company which produced tours for artists like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, John Denver and Led Zepplin, to name a few. A recording studio and film production company known as Kaye-Smith Productions emerged during the 70s and was utilized by local advertisers and musicians such as Steve Miller, Heart and Bachman Turner Overdrive.
In addition to the entertainment and advertising-related businesses, Les Smith helped bring professional sports to the area as a minority partner in the original Seattle Sounders (1973-1979) and as a managing partner in the Seattle Mariners (1977-1981).
