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High School Radio Station Replaces Jukebox

As a junior in high school, Steve helped create radio station KSAM (for Sammamish High School) which pumped Top-40 music over speakers in the lunchroom and commons throughout the day at this Bellevue, Washington High School. The article below was printed in the 1971 Sammamish High School annual, and features a look at KSAM and Steve Lawson’s involvement.

From the Sammamish Totem Yearbook – 1970

Article from Sammamish High School Annual about the founding of KSAM Radio and Steve Lawson's involvement.Steve Lawson Broadcasts on KSAM Radio at Sammamish High School

KRAB FM 107.7

1969 is remembered as the Summer of Love.  Steve Lawson remembers it well.  While Steve didn’t participate in much of what made that era famous, he did pursue his “love” for radio.  At age 16 Steve made use of his brand new driver’s license and made a weekly journey to volunteer at KRAB FM a listener supported radio station broadcasting from a former donut shop in Seattle’s Maple Leaf neighborhood. On Saturday nights, from 6PM to 11PM Steve would spin discs of Indian ragas and pygmies chanting on KRAB 107.7 FM Radio Seattle.

The picture above (center) shows off the old KRAB building really well.  But Steve’s not even in the picture.  He was probably in school the day it was taken. The guy circled is the very talented Greg Palmer.  He was station manager.  Sadly, Greg passed away on May 8, 2009.