Legendary KZAP Radio Station Debuted With Free-form Programming In 1968

Nearly a half-century ago, Sacramento area radio listeners were introduced to KZAP 98.5 FM, a station that would become an institution that continues to be reminisced about by many people today. KZAP, which made its debut on Nov. 8, 1968 and remained on the air for nearly a quarter-century, drew a very early following due to its existence as a free-form radio station. The free-form movement in radio, which was born earlier that decade, presented listeners with a new experience that differed from previous structured radio program formats.

An article in the Dec. 16, 1968 edition of The Sacramento Union describes KZAP’s offerings at the time as “65 percent progressive rock and 35 percent casserole – ethnic, folk, jazz, classical and spoken word.” In an interview for the same article, Ed FitzGerald, KZAP’s original general manager, commented about the then-new station and pioneering efforts to introduce free-form radio to Sacramento… read more >