The Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame (BARHOF) and the California Historical Radio Society (CHRS) are proud to announce that Audacy’s Live 105 (KITS 105.3 FM) in San Francisco will be the recipient of their Legendary Station of the Year Award for 2026.
Live 105 is marking its 40th anniversary in 2026. Two years before Billboard magazine launched its Modern Rock Tracks chart, Live 105 was already playing the music that would define an era. In the process, the station became nationally-known within the radio and music industries.
The station is credited with launching or boosting the careers of many major modern rock acts. Long-running concert series such as BFD and Not So Silent Night brought these artists together with Live 105’s loyal listeners.
The original incarnation of Live 105 was guided by program director Richard Sands and music director/air personality Steve Masters. That 1986-1997 version of Live 105 put KITS squarely on the music industry map. Notable air talent for many of these years included Alex Bennett, Lori Thompson, Lisa Carr and “Big Rick” Stuart.
Aaron Axelsen launched his Soundcheck program in 1999, spotlighting new music with a focus on local artists. He would be a fixture at the station until a round of layoffs in 2020. Live 105 had been rebranded ALT 105.3 and would briefly be known as Dave FM before returning to its roots in 2023.
“Live 105 was simply the coolest station in the Bay Area during the 1980s, into the 1990s, and beyond. And its listeners knew it was just that,” said Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame founder David Jackson.
“What an incredible honor for an incredible brand, and for the equally incredible people who’ve made Live 105 the legend it is,” said John Allers, Vice President of Programming, Audacy. “Very few radio stations have influenced and inspired listeners, artists, and radio professionals the way Live 105 has over its 40 years.”
Said original program director Richard Sands, “How does a station become legendary? I’ll tell you, as someone who was there from the very beginning. A lot of hard work, passion, and love. Love and passion for the music, of course. But also love of radio itself. And let’s not forget the people…some of the most creative, dedicated, energetic, and at times dysfunctional people anywhere walked through those doors to make the impossible possible everyday, allowing Live 105 to become an intimate and everlasting part of Bay Area listeners’ lives.”
A list of all stations to have received the Legendary Station honor since its inception in 2009 can be found here.
The Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame will salute Live 105 at a festive public event at “Radio Central” in Alameda (the home of the California Historical Radio Society) the evening of Friday January 30, 2026. Many notable members of the Live 105 family will be in attendance. Tickets can be reserved here.