Aaron Edwards
Legendary Newscaster
1920 – 2010

Aaron Edwards was elected to the Bay Area Radio
Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2007

Aaron Edwards spent his early radio career in Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Palo Alto and San Mateo before joining KSFO in 1957, where he became a vital part of that station’s legendary air team, as newsman and host of the venerable “Sunday Sounds” music program, as well as serving as one of Don Sherwood’s more durable foils.

Cast off by KSFO after 26 years, Aaron moved to KGO-TV (Channel 7) as a reporter, remaining there until his retirement in 1991. He was elected to the National Television Academy Silver Circle in 1996, and the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame in 2007. He passed away on June 23, 2010, at the age of 90.

Upon learning of Aaron’s passing, Terry McGovern (BARHOF 2007) commented:

In 1969, while doing the Sunday morning show at KDKA, I called KSFO. I was trying to make inroads there, so I called at the slightest excuse, just to talk with someone, anyone, at this fabled radio station. Aaron answered in the news room that morning. There was a song on the charts, “Day After Day” by Shango. This happy little reggae-like ditty warned of the impending California earthquake that would sever the state and create beach front property in Las Vegas. Aaron laughed at this, saying that KSFO was built atop the granite floor of Nob Hill and would never suffer serious damage. Don’t remember what else we talked about. It was brief. He was busy and just a tad bit annoyed at such a frivolous call.

Some months later, on May 4, 1969, to be exact, I found myself standing in the KSFO lobby in the fabled Fairmont Hotel. I was actually standing there in the midst of people I wanted desperately to work with. I had split the plane ticket that had brought me to KLOS in Los Angeles, to talk with their PD about joining them. Now, I was in the city of my dreams, waiting to see Al Newman and Peter Scott to see if there was any possibility of avoiding living in LA and, instead, living and working in Baghdad by the Bay. (Right, a term no longer in popular usage.)

Suddenly, the lobby door swung open and in staggered Aaron Edwards, portable tape machine wrapped around him, a dazed look on his face and the distinct fumes of tear gas emanating from him. He had just been at People’s Park in Berkeley, where police had shot and killed David Rector, a protestor. These events were etched into me, so that’s why the recall is so thorough. I tried to introduce myself to Aaron, but he wasn’t having any of it, and I didn’t blame him.

Within a month, I was living and working my city of choice. I spent five years at “the world’s greatest radio station,” a slogan that few challenged. I worked with Aaron from time to time on the air, but saw little of him after leaving the station. I was lucky enough to have a conversation with him the day of my induction. I’m glad I had that opportunity. He was a great radio man.

	FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE… *Please wait for all play buttons to load before launching audio*
1962	Aaron Edwards: 49ers Fight Song On KSFO (Circa 1962)
1980	Aaron Edwards: Sunday Sounds On KSFO (Excerpt)
	— Edited or partial broadcast.