Heavy Metal Era
In 1984, Fred Sands purchased the radio station at a bankruptcy auction.
Fred Sands advertised in trade publications indicating he was desirous of hiring a general manager with major market experience. Gary
Price, an industry veteran, took the job and worked with
Fred Sands, who was intimately involved for the first
year.
The antenna was moved from Signal Hill, California to Dominguez Hills, increasing the coverage area. In addition, they ordered and installed state of the art equipment for the new studio location and hired a new engineer.
With all the new improvements, Sands and Price recognized that KNAC needed a new sound as well. They selected a heavy metal format, targeting younger demographics. For the first time KNAC FM 105.5 appeared in the Arbitron ratings and, once established, the station cash flowed a seven figure sum each year. During the nine year “Hard Rock”
era, the KNAC Program Directors were Jimmy Christopher, Tom Marshall, Pam Edwards, Gregg Steele and Bryan Schock. Among the Music Directors at KNAC during the “Hard Rock” era were Ross Goza and Michael Davis. On air as a DJ Michael Davis was known as KNAC’s “Jack The Ripper”
Sands and Price worked together for about ten years. Sands sold the radio station in 1995 for five times what he paid for it in 1984.