Mike Love is no stranger to this business we call radio. Mike’s career spans over a thirty-year period. Mike has always loved music and was introduced to the piano at the tender age of ten. After many recitals and small church presentations, Mike decided that the piano was not his cup of tea and at that time keyboards were not as popular as they are today. Mike’s life changed one day he choose to skip his weekly piano lessons and stopped off at a local fast food spot that was having a live radio remote broadcast. The DJ from the radio station KATZ-AM inspired Mike to continue his love for music but from behind the scenes instead of performing for an audience. Mike started listening to the radio every opportunity he had and before he knew it, he found himself mimicking the DJ’s on the air and memorizing their styles. Fortunately for Mike, St. Louis where he grew up was a great radio town, some of America’s top DJ’s have worked in and around the area. One DJ who had the most inspiration was Lee Michaels, the guy broadcasting live the day Mike decided he wanted in the business. Michaels made it look easy with quick wit and a smooth delivery, and that’s what Mike knew, would one day make him a star. Of course there were others who also had a great influence on Mike such as Donnie Brooks, Walt “Baby” Love, Jay “Rockin” Dubard, Chris Hall, Jim Gates and Harry Lyles. The list goes on but Mike wanted to make his own mark in the business and continued to make friends with other DJ’s who wanted to be radio stars as well. Mike’s first opportunity came right out of college when he landed his first job at WDBR-FM in Springfield, IL. It wasn’t long before Mike was making a name for himself and within eight months Mike was back in St. Louis at the radio station he grew up listening to: KATZ-AM.
Mike Love, whose real name is Calvin, was known as “Calvin on the Radio” and was immediately recognized by friends and family. Mike’s parents were proud but sadden that Mike dropped out of college to pursue this thing call radio or being a Disc Jockey. But Mike was hooked and there was no turning back. Within two years of being at KATZ-AM his popularity had grown and Mike was being offered a job at his competing radio station, KKSS-FM. This was Mike’s second job on FM radio and in his career job. After three great years with KKSS-FM, reality set in and Mike was off the air, it’s the business. Now comes station number three, WESL-AM, yes folks it’s back to AM but not for long. Actually, it was longer than I thought it would be, I was out of the business for four years!
He’s back!!! Yes, Calvin is back! But he’s not Calvin, he’s Mike Love, the reinvented DJ on the newly reinvented radio station KMJM-FM, Majic 108 formerly KKSS-FM. Mike and the new Majic 108 was the best thing to happen to St. Louis, Mike worked every shift except mornings and he also became the station’s first Promotions Director. Just when Mike thought he’d be in St. Louis forever, the call came in from Philadelphia, it’s time for Mike to move. Yes, Power 99-FM was the next stop for Mike and the birth of his first son, Eric. Mike loved Philly but New York was calling and Mike had to go. Now it’s 98.7 Kiss-FM, the next stop for Mike, doing Mornings as well as the evening shift. Then came the call from Frankie Crocker, he wanted to win big in New York and Mike got the call. WBLS-FM was next for Mike, as Program Director, Mike achieved Top 5 status in the adult demo’s and created a great relationship with the Sutton family.
