Old Walla Walla Radio Remembered

This shot of former Walla Walla Rock DJ, Dave "Rockin" Cochran of KTEL appeared in a recent addition of the city's paper, the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. It was from a column by Sara Van Donge about radio from the past, my cousin Burl Barer was also mentioned. The Gallery was a department store in what was then (July 8, 1973), Walla Walla's brand spanking new Eastgate Mall.

 

 

Union-Bulletin Does Feature On Late Walla Walla DJ

Annie Chernley Eveland wrote a full page piece on Dave "Rockin" Cochran in the Walla Walla Union Bulletin, bringing back memories to Walla Wallans coming of age when he dominated the town's evening airwaves, some excerpts...
"WALLA WALLA — The sound of a prop plane roaring in for a landing at the Walla Walla Airport opened the 1970s Night Flight radio show hosted by local rock ’n’ roll DJ Dave Herbert Cochran, recalled Richard “Rich” Greenwood, who as a teenager caught his broadcasts. Cochran died Nov. 27.

Burial was Friday at Pine Grove Cemetery in Hood River, Ore.

Variously known on air as “Rockin’ Cochran,” “Dynamic Dave” and “Sebastian,” among others, the Hawaiian shirt-clad Cochran was part of area radio activity from the late 1960s into the 1970s. He died at age 62, shortly after Thanksgiving, and was found at his Walla Walla home at 11 E. Chestnut St., said Greenwood, the Walla Walla County coroner.

Despite being a bit of a loner, Cochran reached thousands over the airwaves. Some of his first audience was captive.

It started in his early teens when he built a transmitter. He lived near the Washington State Penitentiary and had a pirate radio station in his basement with a six-block range. “His broadcasts hit the pen and inmates listened to him,” Greenwood said"

The article continues to speak of his KTEL days as well as after radio life in the town he loved.  There were rememberences from family and friends as well as excerpts that I provided from this blog. 

Peter Frampton Will Play Spring Gig In Walla Walla

In spite of having three colleges including one that has now attained University status and a growing reputation as a wine tasting destination, Walla Walla has never been a haven for rock concerts.  I can remember watching Tower Of Power and Climax Blues Band in Coordiner Hall  at Whitman College, but usually artists appearing there are on the way up, on the way down or just known locally.
However, the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin reports that Peter Frampton, whose live '76 release, Frampton Comes Alive was a monster hit, will appear at the Dietrich Dome on the Walla Walla Community College campus on March 24th.   The story by reporter Alfred Diaz, cites the James Gang, and Al Stewart as well known Rock bands that have recently played in the area.