The quick point- I think LA and Vegas terrestrial sucks these days. They could be improved, but probably never will. If Vegas could get some better stations on the air, I think it would maybe help the economy recover in the long run.
LA History-
KROQ was the hottest thing in the 80s and 90s. Thrived with good music, personalities and Love Line. I liked Poorman in the AM, Freddy Snakeskin in the afternoon and then Love Line at night.
Sometime around 1995, I wrote a letter to be a "listener guest" on Love Line and I could not make it since I was at work. The staff member said- This is the last night we are having listener guest on the live show, too bad I couldnt make it. Didnt care for Kevin & Bean much as they always had that fake canned happy upbeat tone, even when their wives phoned into the show.
Today, KROQ is too mainstream and company bought out. They were bought by CBS and I think CBS was trying to sell them a couple of years ago.
KLOS- Was a top station, but seemed to fade and weaken over the last 10-15 years. I didnt really care much for Mark & Brian in the AM, too campy. Another CBS owned station, I think.
Las Vegas History- (what I know)
In the 1990s Vegas boom, local radio was good. I listened to KEDG 103.5 (The Edge) when I lived there in 1997-1998. The station was mirrored after KROQ and brought over alteast one personality, Freddy Snakeskin. Dusty Street came over too, but I dont remember if she was at KEDG or not. One day while at work, I called up Dusty and we chatted for like 30+ minutes over the phone about KROQ, the move over, etc. KEDG even used some of the KROQ voice over people for their promotions as well.
During 1997, KEDG had a promotion called the "Christmas Rock", an actual rock with their decal logo on the bottom and if you found it, you got $10k. There were a number of clues given out over a span of December and it turned out the rock was across the street from my apartment complex in a field. Some guy followed the clues and he and his kid were out there in the field at night with their flashlights looking for the rock and actually found it. The last clue was the bronze horse statues outside of the country club at Charleston and Rampart.
KEDG was later bought out by a Mexican station, but you can still watch/listen to some of their clips on Youtube-
KOMP 92.3, The Rock Station- Never been my exact breed of rock, less mainstream, but sometimes just off. I try to listen to them when in town, but it doesnt last long. KOMP is still running today, but just not what I want from a rock station.
Some history, if you watch the 1989 movie Rainman, a KOMP bill board was visible when they rolled into Vegas...
Over all, KROQ, KLOS and KOMP are weak today. I hope Druff can do a Las Vegas History segment on Mojove and Vegas radio in the future. Also cover FM 98 and 99, "the highway stations".