Greg Kihn, KFOX Part Ways

Greg Kihn, the rock star turned morning DJ, is out at Bay Area FM radio station KFOX, according to mercurynews.com.

"I am unemployed, along with a large percentage of my fellow Americans, but I am an optimist," Kihn said in a statement Friday. "I believe for every door that closes others open ... and I'll be back on the air soon doing what I love to do most; entertaining my loyal fans."

Exactly why the door at KUFX-FM (better known as KFOX) is closing on Kihn, however, was not abundantly clear Friday. Both the DJ and the San Jose-based classic rock station acknowledged that KFOX is "going in a different direction" in its weekday morning show. Dwight Walker, the general manager and vice president of the Bay Area radio stations owned by communications giant Entercom, would not say what the new direction entailed, but invited listeners to tune in Monday morning and find out.

In a radio landscape often dominated by frequent and sudden changes in personnel and formats, Kihn had been a rare symbol of stability, having recently noted his 16th year at the station. He claimed to have been one of the longest-tenured radio morning personalities west of the Mississippi.

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Kihn issued a statement Friday on his website:

This morning I slept in for the first time in 16 years! It felt weird. I’ve been getting up at 4:00am for so long I didn’t know what it was like to sleep late. Why? 

KFOX radio and I have parted ways. They told me “they have decided to go in a different direction.” I know this may come as a shock to my many loyal listeners, but all good things must come to an end. 

It’s the end of an era. We had a spectacular run, one of the longest on record for a morning show at one station, and I have a thousand wonderful memories. 

It’s like breaking up with your wife of 16 years, and man, having been divorced twice before I know it’s no day at the beach. But, I am an optimist. I believe for every door that closes, another one opens. I love radio, and I truly love all of my loyal listeners, and I promise you this- I will soon be broadcasting again and doing what I do best- entertaining you guys and rockin’ the airwaves. 

Think about it. I am inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame and I am off the air in the same month. Wow! 

I am pursuing my writing career with a new novel this winter- RUBBER SOUL, and a screenplay for a cable TV series 45RPM. Of course the Greg Kihn Band will be playing gigs, that won’t change (in fact we’ll be playing more). To my KFOX fans, listen for me soon on a radio near you! 

In the words of Arnold, “I’ll be back.”