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"Shotgun Tom" Kelly: A Legendary Radio DJ's Career and Memoir

KTLA 5December 11, 20258 min1,169 views
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The Legendary Career of "Shotgun Tom" Kelly

  • πŸŽ™οΈ "Shotgun Tom" Kelly is a legendary Top 40 radio DJ with a career spanning over six decades, evolving from AM to FM and now Sirius XM.
  • πŸ’‘ He is known for his fast-talking, larger-than-life persona and his ability to connect with listeners.
  • 🎯 Kelly spent 17 years hosting a kids' show in San Diego called "Words of Pop," which was syndicated nationally.
  • 🌟 He also worked for an independent station in San Diego for 12 years, continuing to engage with his audience.

"All I Wanna Do is Play the Hits!" Memoir

  • πŸ“– Kelly's new memoir, "All I Wanna do is Play the Hits!", details his incredible life and career, including friendships with celebrities like Jerry Lewis and Stevie Wonder.
  • πŸ”— The book features QR codes that link to relevant content, such as his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • 🎢 Mike Love of The Beach Boys wrote a blurb for the book, highlighting the gatekeeping power of Top 40 radio during the band's rise.

Evolution of Radio and Music

  • πŸ“» Kelly began his career in the 1960s with AM radio and spent 20 years at the iconic Los Angeles station KROQ-FM.
  • 🎧 He currently hosts "60s Gold" on SiriusXM Channel 73, playing music from the era when rock and roll radio was dominant.
  • 🎀 Kelly describes the changes in the music business and how radio has adapted over the years.

Personal Reflections and Sobriety

  • ⚠️ Kelly discusses his journey with sobriety, having been 40 years away from drugs and alcohol.
  • πŸ™ He hopes that by sharing his story, he can help others facing similar struggles.
  • 🀝 He has attended many meetings with his friend Danny Trejo, whom he met at a treatment center.

Impact and Legacy

  • 🌟 Los Angeles was a significant market for Kelly, representing his
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Shotgun Tom KellyTop 40 RadioRadio DJSirius XMMemoirAll I Wanna Do is Play the Hits!AM RadioFM RadioKROQ-FM60s GoldSobrietyHollywood Walk of FameMusic IndustrySan Diego RadioLos Angeles Radio
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