Laurie Roberts began her Bay Area career at San Jose’s iconic KOME after growing up in the East Bay and graduating from Chico State. She moved over to KSJO in 1985, and a decade later returned to the 98.5 FM spot on the dial to work at the newly rebranded KFOX, where she held down the midday spot while serving as music director and later program director.
Roberts was unmistakable on the air, bringing a voice that simply said Rock and Roll, a deep knowledge of the music, and a warm personality. Later in her career, she would wrap up her show by saying she was “putting another one on the shelf for Lefty.” “Lefty” was Mikel Hunter Herrington, her former boss at KOME. Roberts began dedicating her shows to him after he died in 1997.
Roberts’ other work included stints at San Jose’s KBAY as well as Monterey Bay Area stations KPIG and KHIP.