Don Bleu

Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame
Class of 2007

From David Ferrell Jackson’s introduction of Don Bleu during the Class of 2007 celebration:

As I wrote these introductions, it was 18 degrees, cold and clear in Minnesota. Maybe that explains why so many former sons of Minnesota have found their way here.

Already, our Hall of Fame has welcomed in Ken Ackerman, Al Hart and Jim Lange. Dr. Don Rose once toiled in beautiful Duluth, as did Bill Moen.

To these ranks, we proudly welcome Don Bleu, a native of East Grand Forks in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

In 1968, after an early career in Minnesota and North Dakota, the True Don Bleu became a star at the powerhouse Top 40 station, KDWB, in the Twin Cities, holding forth there for the next decade.

His success in Minneapolis-St. Paul led him to Top 40 giant KHJ in Los Angeles and then, in March 1980, the Bay Area beckoned him to 99.7 KYUU. He became the morning man at KYUU in July 1981.

Since then, he has twice been named National Adult Contemporary Air Personality of the Year by Radio & Records Magazine, and became a TV star, hosting “The Gong Show” as well as programs for the Discovery Channel and HGTV.

Don also won a Northern California Emmy Award in 1982 for Outstanding Achievement, Commentary/Analysis, for his recurring record reviews segment on “Evening Magazine” on KPIX-TV (Channel 5).

These days, he’s “Bleu in the Morning” on Star 101.3 FM, making those Bleuper calls, and getting his legion of listeners up and on their merry ways every day.

In 2005, True Don Bleu was inducted into the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting Hall of Fame, honoring the very best of Minnesota radio.

Today, the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame is proud to honor Don Bleu as one of San Francisco’s very best, as a member of the Class of 2007.

Don Bleu & Rick Shaw on 99.7 KYUU, August 5, 1988

IN STEREO! The end of Don Bleu’s shift, plus the start of Rick Shaw’s program. (Courtesy of Mike Schweizer.)

Special thanks to Don Bleu for photographs, biographical information and special materials included in this presentation.
The Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame gratefully acknowledges the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting, which provided some of the biographical information included in this presentation.