In John Mehno's article on the history of KQV for the Pittsburgh Tribune- Review, he wound up with more material than the newspaper had space for. John was kind enough to pass along this sidebar story that didn't make the paper.

This is from an interview John Mehno conducted with Chuck Brinkman, and Chuck spoke candidly about a number of the KQV personalities over the years.
KQV was a Top 40 station for 16 years and Chuck Brinkman was there for 12 of those years. His tenure was the longest. by far, in KQV's Top 40 era and he knew almost everybody who worked there, spanning the era of the "Fun Lovin' Five" to the "KQVIPs."

Here are his candid recollections of some of his co-workers:

Dave Scott: "His thing was a lot of gruff bravado. He really didn't know anything about the music at all or anything about Pittsburgh. He was an amazing person because he kind of bluffed his way through everything. He really had no passion for music at all."

Fred Winston: "A multi-talented guy. Very witty, greatest voice I've heard in radio for a contemporary jock. Likable, funny guy. Party animal extraordinaire."

Big Steve Rizen: "His act was pure Texan. A very likable person."

Hal Murray: "He was just the class buffoon. He was the most hapless guy I've ever worked with in radio. I guess at one time his act would have been pretty funny. He would do some good stuff but he had a horrible problem with the program director because of stupid stuff he'd do on the air. He just faded away. We used to read about him being in Evansville, Ind. or Minot, N.D. or looking for work. The Willy Loman of radio."

Jim Quinn: "He was a big hit when he came to KQV. He was a multi-talented jock and knew how to work the kids, the phones, everything. He was perfect for the job. I thought he was a great asset and addition to the station."

Harry West: "He was brought in because he'd been a huge success in Scranton. Harry was brought in to do the gimmick and for a while every kid in Pittsburgh was doing (the jingle) "Harry West on the Harry West Show." That was his shtick. He was just a little bit square but funny in an offbeat, kind of irreverent way."

Rex Miller: "Another Texan. He must have weighed about 380 pounds. Highly talented, an immense brain and talent, but so undisciplined it was unbelievable. He would just mesmerize you when you watched him because everything came to him off the wall."

Allan Dennis: "A southern boy from Nashville and southern boys didn't fit in Pittsburgh. He just came and went. Another case of program directors bringing in people they think are good in other markets who didn't fit the mold in the 'Burgh."

Bob Wood: "He was off the wall totally but very talented. Just a little too hip for the room. Not mainstream enough."

Bob DeCarlo: "He was good. Very talented and good with Pittsburgh audiences because he was Italian and one of them. He fit like a glove. He did well but he came a little too late to the table. Things were starting to subside."

Jon Summers: "Good voice, excellent format jock, anal retentive. Couldn't walk in the studio without spraying it. Formatic executor extraordinaire."

by John Mehno