Jim Andris, Facebook

Richard J. Miller: Radio Pioneer
and Gay Community Ally

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Richard J. Miller, (Oct, 1931-Dec 28, 2012) was a St. Louis entrepreneur, first in radio and later in banking. He has been widely recognized for creating and developing innovative radio formats. "His stations helped launch the careers of a number of prominent personalities and were the first to establish the concept of Sunday night oldies shows."¹

GayTalk appeared on KADI FM 96.3 in 1979-80 and Lambda Reports appeared on KRJY  96.3 in 1989-94. Yet it was Miller who owned both of these stations, and it was he who told John Hilgeman in their initial meeting in 1988 that "he believed the gay and lesbian community should have a place, a forum, to discuss issues important to the community." Byron Davidson was contacted with a similar message by someone from KADI in 1979.

Miller bought KADI in 1969—the original owner was William Cady (KADI)—and reformatted it as progressive rock. Still owned by Miller in 1987, the call letters were changed to KRJY (on the air it was "K-Joy" with an adult contemporary format). "In late 1991, the station switched to 1950s/1960s oldies as 'Jukebox 96.'"² Miller sold the station in 1993.

References

¹Richard J. Miller, radio pioneer and banker dies.

² WFUN-FM.