Todd Nuke ‘Em visits the old KJQ building, where it all began…

X96 is turning 30 this year, and I joined the alternative music caravan at an old station called KJQ in 1988. Alternative music has been around in Utah since the 80s on stations like Super 107, KCGL, KRP, and finally at KJQ. I was fresh out of high school when I was hired by Bill Allred to be an overnight technician for KJQ AM and KJQ FM. Both stations were automated overnights, and my job consisted of babysitting the tape machines and satellite feeds, emptying the trash, and feeding Farnsworth, the station cat.
I always aspired to be on the air, playing alternative music in Utah. It is being demolished, so I had to pay one last visit to where my radio career started. It looks like apartment buildings are going to be built on the property.
I hope they are haunted by the sounds of old Cure songs, the ghost of Farnsworth the cat, and the eerie howl of our former owner shouting, “But what about the AM?!”
X96, Utah's Original Alternative
X96, Utah's Original Alternative

[@Priam42]

Thanks for the visit Todd. It could be a bit of a trick tuning up 95.5 in Logan, but was there with KJQ since 1988. I remember when you first started on the air, the clip from robocop. And Bessie the Milk Beast...what a great promo truck! I still have an old car with the KJQ sticker I put on it. Cheers!

[@stephenhess3932]

This brings back memories! I dropped by here once in the late spring of 1989 to pick up my KJQ tickets for a bus ride (chaperoned by Bill and Kerry) to see The Cure at Fiddler's Green in Denver a few weeks later. Thanks for letting us see it one last time!

[@moneyandtimefreedom3352]

I remember stopping by here with a friend late one summer night came away with an album and a bunch of cow stickers.

[@TiniMart]

Thank you for putting this on KZbin. No Facebook for me, so I don't get to see most of RFH/X96s vids

[@METAPCs]

Big fan, love the show!

[@CartoonMonkeyStudio]

Hey Todd, I was the skinny kid who got a job there out of High School in around 88 or 89 as a night time board-op. I might have taken over for you on the night shift. Shoving your voice taped on 8track to announce another full album, while running over to put another tape reel on the for the AM station (usually old time radio, the Shadow, etc.) and taking care of the station cat. I'd be there when the morning DJ's (you? took over in the morning.) Like a dumb, flaky kid, one day I up and quit with not a lot of notice and I think Bill angrily yelled at me as I was driving away in my little red 77 Honda Civic: "You've missed an opportunity in broadcasting!" -I'm sure he had to tend to the station himself that night. What a dummy I was. Hah. What an unforgettable period of time. RIP KJQ. Wish I had some recordings of some of the old 80's broadcasts.

[@richgates]

Fond memories of that building even if I was in the latter days.

[@SporgGreentoe]

I recently gave away the old techniques turntable. I got from there when Garot turned it into country gospel🤮. And I got stuck there baby sitting. Miss old Bessy sitting in the garage with baby Bessy VW bug in the other. Wonder if there's any CDs still in the old vault. Thanks for giving us a last look at the old cutting edge of Utah music history.

[@richgates]

I still feel bad for what he did to Kerry.

[@AtomicElectronCo]

KJQ had the COOLEST station ID. "Say it! You little BRAT!" (kid crying in background) "KJQ " my BF's father told me "That radio station is the DEVIL'S WORKSHOP!" which immediately prompted me to listen to it forever! 😈

[@shakeyquant]

I was in that building with you in 88

[@danieldyer1]

Any time there is a war about to break out (Ukraine), I think of your show intro “Pakistan is threatening my borders! Nukem, get them before they get you”

[@JennaPeters-n2x]

Gonzalez Deborah Thomas Elizabeth Thomas Charles

[@TabasumMahajabin]

Hernandez Karen Lopez Margaret Thompson Charles

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Jones Maria Rodriguez David Miller Linda