R.I.P.: Longtime KUZZ Radio Personality Chris Conner

Chris Connor

KUZZ 550 AM / 107.9 FM radio personality, Chris Conner (Chris Fergon) has died after sudden illness at age 70

Considered the most familiar voice in the Bakersfield market, Chris Connor worked for KUZZ for 40 years. Tuesday morning, the radio station confirmed that he passed away.

Chris Conner was born in San Mateo, Calif. Growing up, Conner had a love for rock 'n roll that would eventually lead him into radio.

After several years in the army, Conner entered the radio industry where he worked at a handful of stations around California before heading to Kern County.

Conner moved to Bakersfield in 1971 to work at rock 'n roll station KAFY.  Two years later, he was the program director. He moved across town to his current position as afternoon drive personality and production director at KUZZ in 1977.

Conner was nominated as Billboard radio personality of the year in 1989.

Former News Director Mark Howell had worked with Conner since they both joined the staff in the 70’s, and remembers Conner as an old school, high energy radio personality on air and a great guy off mic as well, saying Conner was always upbeat and dedicated to doing a good job on air and in the commercials he produced.