San Francisco’s LAST TOP 40 DISC JOCKEY
QUOTES
"What a fun Saturday afternoon surprise — your book arrived, and I tore right into the package! I’m so glad I didn’t skip the early chapters. The first 20 pages alone were fascinating, and I was immediately impressed with your writing. After finishing the first chapter, I was amazed by the experiences you had growing up — both good and bad. This book now has a permanent place on my nightstand."
CHUCK BUELL, formerly of KFRC, WLS, KIMN +
"Don Sainte John’s smooth voice and on-air magnetism contributed to us taking KFRC to #1 for the first time in San Francisco radio history! What I loved about Don was that he was the same Pro’ off the air as he was on the air and this book (San Francisco's LAST TOP 40 DISC JOCKEY) captures all of it. He was known to have a serious radio personality, but he knew how to make any situation fun, while still maintaining his 100% sense of professionalism. Don’s big personality made people want to be with him, which no doubt contributed to many of the stories in his book. Every time that microphone would flip on, Don perfectly projected the KFRC ‘Fun Factor’ and no doubt it will show in SFLT40DJ."
LES GARLAND, formerly of KFRC (PD), MTV, VH1, The Box, CTN +
"Having lived through KFRC’s glory years, I can say that Don Sainte-Johnn has written one of the most complete and accurate accounts of that era ever published. The names, the contests, the culture, and the energy of the BIG 6-10 are all here. This book captures what made Top 40 radio special in a way that only someone who truly lived it could."
RON HUMMEL, former KFRC Production Director
"I'm not a book reader, but 2026 is the year I read more books. Lucky for me this came out now. Reliving the glory days of some of the most iconic stations has been a treat. Sainte gives you the opportunity to jump to certain times in his career and believe me, don't take him up on that. Start from the beginning and relive his childhood which molds his character into one of the most professional personalities to grace the airwaves. I learned a lot more than I already knew and I thought I knew most. For Sainte to lend his knowledge to other broadcasters speaks volumes of who he was, is and continues to be. We shared carpet at Big 98.1 on our journey in broadcasting. Those tales brought back so many memories. Those that experienced real Bay Area radio and Sainte's velvet voice will be glad to read this one."
COLIN COOPER, Business Manager San Francisco/ Sacramento Salem Media
"Enjoying Don Sainte-Johnn 's book at this nice library (Scottsdale, AZ). I don't have any broadcasting friends out here, so this is nice reading a book by a professional who speaks my language. Someone who understands the feeling of staring at that blinking red light on a radio tower. It's a romance."
KATHY O'BRIEN, "Retired" Radio On Air DJ
Long Live Top 40 Radio! Don Sainte John would open the mic on The Big 610 KFRC and the radio dial lit up! As a teenager in the San Francisco Bay Area, following all the hits and the great line-up of Top 40 disc jockeys, Sainte Johnn blew us all away. He was the "show" in "show business". Whether behind the mic or in a live appearance, I like to say he knew how to "cook" playing all the hits. He was very good at interviewing the many artists who would visit the station. If you've ever been curious about the ins and outs of navigating the broadcast industry as a Radio Air Personality, you've found the right book. Don lived it and loved it and we were grateful for his many years playing the hits up and down the dial. So proud of this great work and the wonderful way you’re celebrating and commemorating your long radio career! What a great read and an inspiring story."
BRIAN RHEA, KFRC + 'Magic 61'
"Don I’ve been savoring the digital version this past holiday week since release & just ordered a hard copy to arrive when I return home. Your journey is fascinating, your writing style is as smooth and eloquent as your on-air “pipes” and I haven’t hit the KFRC era yet! Warmest wishes to you!"
KEITH NAFTALY, President of A&R at RCA Records + KFRC
"Love the book, Don!"
"BROADWAY" BILL LE, CBS-FM New York City + KFRC
"I finished reading it last week. You captured the soul not just of KFRC, but of an era of Top40 radio that I miss tremendously. This is a must read for anyone in broadcasting … and anyone raised on Top40 in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Honestly, I bought the Kindle edition the day it came out and I couldn’t put it down."
DAN ADAMS, formerly of KXTV (News10) in Sacramento
"San Francisco's LAST TOP 40 DISC JOCKEY is a memoir of Don Sainte-Johnn's journey, the good times, the real times, and interesting times. NO, this isn’t an inside view at the ‘dark side’, it’s a ride up and down the radio dial with stops at the spots that memories are made of."
RON SAMUELS AKA: JOHNNY SOUL, formerly KSFX + KGFJ
"Don, got th kindle edition today and am loving it. Your writing style is so descriptive it puts the reader right there with you growing up. I hope it is a huge success for you. I want to read the memoir early years first, before I get to the radio years, it really helps thE reader get to know you first. You should be very proud."
STEVE GARLAND, KRQR + Big 98.1
"I loved it. I think for Radio fans this is a must read book. But after reading cover to cover I believe the author has written much more than a peek behind the scenes during radios greatest “personality radio” decades. This book weaves an amazing, engaging memoir about Dons early life in such a descriptive and visual way, you almost feel like you are there with him through his struggles and his life lessons. If you grew up loving radio, you will cherish this book- but it also stands as a real page turner of a memoir. "
DENISE A. McCLURE
"I have been reading the sample on Amazon about your growing days in Alabama. I have already fallen in love with Grandma Ella and Mama Nell…the smell of Hai Karate...can't wait to delve deeper..your long journey and completion of the book is just the beginning of a greater sense of understanding the man many of us cherish. Thanks Don, for sharing more than your radio career but your own personal story."
TIM ANTHONY, KRTY‑FM in San Jose + KSAN SF
"WOW edge of my seat, such a fascinating read Just finished. Fun to learn about your early years of success and learning you were a young radio prize hog too, luckily for many of us KFRC's contest rules were very generous for many years allowing repeated wins. I'm excited to order the paperback and read it again. Hopefully we can plan a 610 Sturgeon book signing tour this spring."
CHRIS "STURGEON" SHARPIE
"Don, your book's a GEM. Those of us who have shared the joy of having our voices BLASTED over the 5-million-plus population in one of America's most beautiful cities salute you for capturing the experience in stunning words and images. Way to go, Don!"
ROGER W. MORGAN, formerly KYA
"Don Sainte-Johnn's book perfectly captures the excitement of San Francisco's Top 40-dominant days as he lived it at four of The City's powerhouse stations: 93.3/KYA, 98.9/KSOL, K101, and KFRC. As the former owner of KYA, pros like Sainte-Johnn made the radio business fun for me. You will see why when you read San Francisco's LAST TOP 40 DISC JOCKEY."
RON UNKEFER, KYA & KSFO Owner
" This is a fantastic book. If you have an interest in radio and what it took to succeed in radio (or life for that matter), give it a read! ."
C. JAY formerly of KNBR
Comments and posting by COLIN COOPER
Comments and posting by KATHY O'BRIEN
