Pacific Coast Radio

01/12/2026

Happy 73rd Birthday to Pat Benatar
She is an iconic American rock singer-songwriter and a dominant force in the 1980s music scene. Known for her powerful mezzo-soprano voice and "tough girl" persona, she was the first female artist ever played on MTV.

Her video for "You Better Run" was the second video ever aired on MTV.

She won four consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance from 1981 to 1984.

She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 alongside her husband and longtime musical collaborator, guitarist Neil Giraldo.

01/12/2026

Happy 56th Birthday to Zack de la Rocha He is an iconic American musician and activist, universally recognized as the powerhouse vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Rage Against the Machine (RATM).

He pioneered a unique fusion of rap, hardcore punk, and heavy metal, using his high-energy delivery to deliver fierce critiques of corporate power and systemic oppression.

Known for his unwavering political activism, he has long supported causes like the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN).

His most famous works include anthems like "Killing in the Name," "Bulls on Parade," and "Guerrilla Radio".

Beyond RATM, he formed the duo One Day as a Lion with Jon Theodore and has frequently collaborated with Run The Jewels.

01/12/2026

Happy 68th Birthday to Vicki Peterson
She is an American rock musician best known as the lead guitarist and a founding member of The Bangles. Over a career spanning five decades, she has been a key figure in the "Paisley Underground" scene and a prolific collaborator across several prominent bands.

She co-founded The Bangles in 1981 with her sister, Debbi Peterson, and Susanna Hoffs. She contributed to massive 1980s hits including "Walk Like an Egyptian," "Manic Monday," and "Eternal Flame".

After The Bangles' initial breakup in 1989, she moved to New Orleans and joined this critically acclaimed songwriting collective.

She currently performs and records with her husband, John Cowsill (drummer for The Beach Boys), as a duo.

01/11/2026

This was posted on Friday on Salt-N-Pepa's IG account. I've already gotten a few DMs about it and texts. I just read the judgement itself and it was a sad read. I feel for their struggle. And while there is one aspect of their case that is similar to mine... Mine is VERY different.

If you want to peek at my Patreon, I've laid out some of the juicy bits for the world to see. Imagine the whole cake.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/salt-n-pepa-and-147975585

01/11/2026

Happy 74th Birthday to Lee Ritenour
He is a Grammy-winning American jazz fusion guitarist, composer, and producer whose career spans over five decades. Nicknamed "Captain Fingers" for his technical dexterity, he is a central figure in contemporary jazz and was a founding member of the supergroup Fourplay.

Ritenour has released more than 45 albums. His 1981 hit "Is It You" reached #15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

He has contributed to over 3,000 recording sessions for artists ranging from Frank Sinatra and B.B. King to Pink Floyd (The Wall) and Steely Dan.

His work blends jazz, rock, pop, and Brazilian rhythms (Bossa Nova).

01/11/2026

Cruising with Captain Kyle Sundays at 1pm Pacific on Pacific Coast Radio

Good morning Smooth Rockers near and far!! Time for another Smooth Hits To 20 Countdown. This weeks classic Countdown, we’ll be looking for the Smoothest Hits from the week of July 22, 1977; and put them in order based on their chart performance. You can join me today at 1pm-3pm Pacific, 4pm-6pm eastern on the place you want to go where everything is gold, Pacific Coast Radio! Stay positive, stay warm, and God Bless!!

pacificcoastfm.com 🎶💪😎📻🎶

01/11/2026

Happy 55th to Mary J. Blige
She is a legendary American singer, songwriter, and actress who is often hailed as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” she is a central figure in modern R&B, credited with pioneering the fusion of hip-hop beats with soulful vocals.

Since her 1992 debut 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 411?, Blige has released 15 studio albums, including the multi-platinum 𝘔𝘺 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 (1994).

Her most enduring tracks include “Family Affair” (her first Billboard Hot 100 #1), “Be Without You,” “Real Love,” and “Not Gon’ Cry”.

Blige has earned nine Grammy Awards, an Emmy, and two Academy Award nominations for her work in the 2017 film 𝘔𝘶𝘥𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥.

She was officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024, cementing her legacy as a music icon.

01/11/2026

Bob Weir, Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist and Co-Founder of the Grateful Dead, Dies at 78

On January 10, 2026, Bob Weir’s family announced his death in a statement posted on his official website.

According to the statement, Weir "transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after courageously beating cancer" earlier in the year. However, he ultimately succumbed to underlying lung issues.

Weir co-founded the Grateful Dead in 1965 with Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, and Ron "Pigpen" McKernan.

He wrote or co-wrote several of the band's staples, including "Sugar Magnolia," "Playing in the Band," "Cassidy," and "The Other One".

After Jerry Garcia's death in 1995, Weir continued the band's legacy through groups like RatDog, The Other Ones, Furthur, and Dead & Company, the latter featuring John Mayer.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the group in 1994.

Weir was a long-term vegetarian and a vocal advocate for animal rights and environmental causes. He served on the boards of organizations such as the Rainforest Action Network and HeadCount, a non-profit that promotes voter registration through live music events.

In 2025, he and fellow bandmate Mickey Hart were honored as MusiCares Persons of the Year for their philanthropic work.

01/10/2026

Happy 78th Birthday to Donald Fagen
He is an American singer-songwriter, keyboardist, and record producer. He is best known as a co-founder and lead singer of the rock band Steely Dan. Fagen and Walter Becker (1950–2017) created a distinctive sound. It features jazz harmonies, ironic lyrics, and studio production.

Fagen met Walter Becker at Bard College in 1967. They worked as songwriters in Los Angeles before forming Steely Dan in 1971.

After 1974, Steely Dan stopped touring and became a studio project. They worked with session musicians to produce albums like 𝘈𝘫𝘢 (1977) and 𝘎𝘢𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘰 (1980).

The duo reunited in 1993. They won a Grammy for Album of the Year for 𝘛𝘸𝘰 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 in 2000.

Since Becker's death in 2017, Fagen has continued to tour and perform under the Steely Dan name.

01/10/2026

Happy 85th Birthday to Joan Baez
She is a legendary American folk singer-songwriter and activist celebrated for her powerful soprano voice and over 60 years of commitment to social justice.

Emerging from the 1960s folk revival, she became a leading figure of the counterculture movement, using her music to advocate for civil rights and peace.

She is best known for hits such as "Diamonds & Rust," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," and her interpretation of the protest anthem "We Shall Overcome".

Baez was instrumental in launching Bob Dylan's career, often performing his songs and introducing him to her large audiences in the early 1960s.

She has released over 30 albums, including her self-titled 1960 debut, 𝘑𝘰𝘢𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘦𝘻, which is preserved in the National Recording Registry for its cultural significance.

She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.