Pat O’Day Goes Ape On His Birthday

I took a trip to the San Juan Islands and Friday Harbor to visit old friend Pat O’Day. For those who were asleep during the 60s 70s and 80s, Pat was on air and programmed legendary KJR/Seattle, and he conducted many successful dances at Parkers and the Spanish Castle dance halls. He literally owned the Northwest dance and radio scenes in those days.

From this he launched Concerts West, which was responsible for all Elvis‘ tours of the U.S. right up to the time Elvis passed. They also toured Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Chicago, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Three Dog Night, and Frank Sinatra and were responsible for all the Muhammad Ali fights. This inventive, energetic man also owned radio stations in Hawaii and Seattle. There are too many facets to list here, but Google him and see how extensive his career is.

We are two survivors of the radio business and were elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the same time in 1995. We have been friends for decades. One particular memory stands out, and that is when the KJR All Americans and the C-FUN Good Guys met in Arlington, WA for a drag racing competition. Those were the days my friend, those were the days!

The reason for the trip: Pat is a successful recreational real estate agent in Friday Harbor and just had a birthday. It was a beautiful day to take the ferry from Anacortes. We spent a few hours together and then I sailed back to the mainland. Happy Birthday Pat, hope you enjoy the gift!

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