In this City of Angels, most of us spend hours upon hours in our cars or commuting on buses and the Metro lines. Luckily we have a vibrant, diverse, oasis to help us along the way. If you are looking for world music, news and commentary, health, spirit, the arts, culture, and beyond, just tune your radio dial to 90.7 FM to find powerful KPFK and its revolutionary programming.
KPFK is a public radio station based in Los Angeles and the second of five stations in the non-commercial Pacifica Foundation network. The Pacifica Foundation started in the late 1940s out of the peace movement of World War II. It became the birthplace of listener-sponsored radio — powered by the people! With no corporate collusion, KPFK nurtures alternative voices, thoughts, and artists.
“The Pacifica Network is a vital cornerstone of our independent media landscape,” said
Amy Goodman, host of “Democracy Now!” and keynote speaker at KPFK’s upcoming 60th Anniversary Benefit Gala and Concert.
KPFK began broadcasting in July of 1959 over 110,000 watts and is proud to be the strongest signal west of the Mississippi. KPFK continues to produce the majority of programs in-house, offering the flexibility to provide a platform for stories, news, music, and information to serve the cultural welfare of the communities in and around Southern California.
“Public media’s purpose is to serve the public through programs, services, and create experiences that inform, empower, bridge understandings between diverse people, encourage greater participation in our democracy, and ultimately enrich the human experience,” said KPFK’s General Manager Anyel Z. Fields. “What would the human experience be without the great people who come into our lives, the inspirational moments, the knowledge and wisdom bestowed upon us, and those discovery moments that open up the world to us? What would the human experience be without public radio stations like KPFK?”
KPFK firmly believes forging social change is a fundamental part of how radio can make a positive impact on communities.
“Having broadcast for the past 20 years on KPFK, I have had the opportunity to see the audience grow and evolve over the years. I believe the reason is because of KPFK’s fierce commitment to broadcasting mission-driven programming and involving the audience as a part of the solution,” said Lisa Garr, host of “The Aware Show.”
KPFK’s 60th Anniversary Benefit Gala and Concert will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Skirball Cultural Center. The night will be hosted by actors Jack Black and Richard Montoya. Musicians include legendary producer Don Was; David Bowie’s longtime pianist Mike Garson; founding members of The Doors, drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger; violinist Lili Haydn; bassist Stanley Clarke, and more. Proceeds will help ensure that KPFK can continue to provide thought-provoking, innovative, and community-based programming and maintain their dedicated mission of being a voice for the voiceless. To purchase tickets, visit www.kpfk.org/gala.
This article is a part of the 2019 AUG / SEPT issue of Whole Life Times.