L-A Radio: After A Half Decade, Kevin Ryder Returns to LA’s KROQ

Kevin Ryder has made a notable return to KROQ 106.7 FM in Los Angeles, taking on the role of afternoon drive host from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. 

His return is a significant homecoming for Ryder, who spent over three decades at the station, most famously as co-host of the legendary "Kevin & Bean Show" alongside Gene "Bean" Baxter. His return comes five years after KROQ fired him in March 2020, a move that shocked fans and the radio industry alike.

Ryder’s career at KROQ began on January 2, 1990, when he teamed up with Baxter to launch "The Kevin & Bean Show." The program quickly rose to prominence, becoming the top morning show in the Los Angeles market and the longest-running morning show in the country. Their irreverent humor and authentic style earned them a spot in the Radio Hall of Fame in 2019. 

However, the partnership ended when Baxter retired and moved to England in 2019. Ryder continued with a retooled morning show, "Kevin in the Morning with Allie & Jensen," but it was abruptly canceled in 2020, along with the entire morning team, just weeks into the pandemic. Ryder used his final broadcast to openly criticize KROQ management for their handling of the situation.

After leaving KROQ, Ryder joined KLOS-FM in Los Angeles in 2021, co-hosting afternoons with Doug "Sluggo" Roberts, another former KROQ personality. That gig lasted until September 2024, when both were let go. 

Now, Ryder’s return to KROQ reunites him with the station where he built his legacy, under the programming leadership of Kevin Weatherly, who also returned to KROQ in 2022 after a stint at Spotify. Weatherly, a key figure in KROQ’s past success, described Ryder’s comeback as a "full circle moment in the best way possible."

Ryder’s first day back coincided with April Fool’s Day, a nod to the playful spirit of his earlier tenure, though he confirmed it was no prank. 

He’s signed a one-year deal with an option for a second year. During his debut, he included familiar elements like comedy bits from former "Kevin & Bean" collaborator Ralph Garman and listener call-ins for Coachella tickets, though he humorously slipped up by mentioning "KLOS" instead of "KROQ." Ryder has expressed excitement about returning to the station he helped make iconic, noting his long history with its audience and his eagerness to reconnect.

This move also shifts KROQ’s lineup, with current afternoon host Megan Holiday transitioning to evenings. Meanwhile, Ryder is reportedly close to finishing a book about his 30 years at KROQ, promising a deep dive into the station’s wild history. His return has been met with enthusiasm from fans and industry observers, signaling a potential revival of KROQ’s classic vibe under familiar leadership.