Some of the station’s most iconic DJs look back on three decades that shaped San Diego

Logan Broyles | Downtown News

The iconic local station that encapsulates the spirit of San Diego culture is about to celebrate its “dirty thirties” in style.

The 91X 30th Birthday Bash is being held this month on January 12 at the House of Blues in Downtown, with performances by local boys Slightly Stoopid, P.O.D. (Payment on Death), Buck-O-Nine, and Vokab Company.

Longtime listeners will get a chance to reflect on so many great and influential memories that the station has brought to this city, from Reggae Makossa to the 91X Block Party (four songs in a row by the same artist), to the short-lived 91X Morning Show.

Whether taking a “pause for a cause” or listening to the daily surf report (a San Diego staple since 1983), chances are 91X has had an impact on the lives of generations of San Diegans.

What role has 91X played in the local music scene? Some of the greatest local bands to ever go through this city have gotten their start through 91X.

“You would have to ask Jewel, Blink 182, Rocket From the Crypt, Slightly Stoopid, P.O.D., Steve Poltz, the Rugburns, Little Hurricane, Buck-O-Nine and countless others that question,” points out DJ Michael Halloran, listing in rapid fire some of the more successful bands that in some way got their start through 91X over the years.

Longtime morning host Chis Cantore, who left the station in 2008 after 11 years, still has fond memories of the station and is proud it is still running strong.

“In an industry that is shutting down multiple alternative rock stations every year [in places like] New York, Chicago and Boston, it certainly is an accomplisment and a win for San Diego,” Cantore said. “[91X] played a big role in the 80s and 90s launching the careers of Blink 182, Jewel, Jackson and others, while helping shape San Diego as a kick-back, music-loving beach town. Today, there’s a lot more competition out there and it’s harder to influence an attentive, loyal audience.”

“I am proud and honored to be part of 30 years of 91X history in San Diego,” beamed Robin Roth, longtime Disc Jockey and current Music Director of the station. “The Cure is one of my favorite bands of all time, so meeting Robert Smith was a definite highlight of my radio career.”

91X has had an even greater impact on the city’s culture than just music. After all it was the original affiliate of Howard Stern broadcasts in San Diego and the longtime home of Loveline.

“One may as well get a 91X tattoo across your face when one works here,” reflected Halloran, who’s been affiliated with the station since the mid-80s.“No matter how many other stations I worked on in San Diego, they all remember 91X.”

The Mexican-owned station got off to a rough start back in 1978. Originally programming was recorded at a studio in Downtown San Diego and then driven across the border to the 91X transmitter on Mount San Antonio in Tijuana. When that became too expensive, disc jockeys had to commute across the border from San Diego to Tijuana just to get to work everyday.

The transformation into the station we all know and love today began in 1983, when it switched its platform to focus on modern rock and became a haven for emerging alternative musicians. By the time the 90s rolled around, 91X had grown into one of the top-rated alternative stations in the country.

Along the way the station hit some bumps and managed to maintain it’s authenticity and reputation for independence despite brief ownership stints by larger corporations like Clear Channel Communications and Finest City Broadcasting.

“It means a ton to me to see the station turn thirty,” Halloran said. “I arrived in 1986 after the third birthday, I was here for the fifth the 10th and left when Clear Channel came in and nearly killed the radio station.  I am super stoked to see that it survived the corporate era and now is back to its former glory.”

No tickets are actually being sold to the 91X 30th Birthday Bash. Instead the only way to get your hands on a pair is to win them through one of three 91X promotions.

People can sign up for 91X’s Will Call list on the station’s website and then will need to tune in to the broadcast in case their name is called, giving them an hour to call the station to claim their prize.

The second option is to become the Loyal Listener of the Day by submitting a photo that tells a story and shows why you deserve a pair of tickets. The third way to win is to be the ninth caller to the station anytime a song by one of the band playing at the 91X’s Birthday Bash is played on air.

Aside from reconnecting with old friends and hanging out with Slightly Stoopid, Cantore said there is yet another reason he’s looking forward to the party.

“To pull on Steve West’s hair,” he said.

Go to 91X.com for more info or call 619-570-191X for a chance to win tickets.