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A bit of history
Rajah Broadcasting Network (RBN)
From teenage hobby to being “The Rock of Manila”.
Teenagers of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s have practically grew up with DZRJ, the unique kind of music that reaches and touches. The Rajah Broadcasting Network is home for DZRJ- AM and DZRJ-FM. DZRJ-FM was DZUW-FM when RBN acquired it.
The dream started in the early 60’s by a dreamy young man, Ramon Jacinto (RJ) of RJ Bistro, as a hobby and emerged into pioneer radio network, the exponents of rock music in the Philippines. DZRJ became synonymous to a radio station playing rock music. In 1981, Alan Austria was quoted as saying that the concept behind their radio format was to let the then listeners realize that there are other songs or types of music they could appreciate, aside from the usual fare given by the other local pop stations. Alan Austria, pioneering disc jockey known to all as Double A, became the standard to live up to when it comes to programming and production.
The pioneer network began with just one man, RJ, who had this special inclination to music. While in high school, he formed a band his barkada (group of friends) and formed the RJ and the Riots band, which patterned their music and style to the then popular group “The Ventures”. After a couple of years or jamming and recording their music, that is when RJ decided to put up his own radio station from the back of his house and staffed by his ever-loyal friends (Double A as one).
In the intervening years, RBN eventually expanded from the backyard hobby into a pioneering radio station setting new standards in music and fashion. Rock music known to be radical came with it’s own type of fashion. A growing evolution that has gone hand n hand trough the years and DZRJ is proud to be a big part of it.
To date, the Rajah Broadcasting Network has grown into a network of radio stations merging the islands with its ideals. The concept has remained the same although the music selection has changed. According to Alan, we’re pretty successful with rock music. In the early 70’s, the height of disco, DZRJ struggled to regain its listeners. When the smoke cleared, DZRJ was once again on top.
While the original Boss Radio, as it was called in the 70’s, and will always be "The Rock of Manila", kept the same format until the late 80’s, its FM counterpart has gone through a lot of music format changes, the mixture of rock and jazz has always been the best recipe.
While it is hard to describe the actual home of the Rock of Manila, I hope that I can describe what it is .On Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard in Sta. Mesa atop the J & T Building. This is the legendary place where DZRJ held most of its concerts, parties, and some totally awesome events that only those present can live to tell.
I was a part of those people who grew up listening to DZRJ. Growing up listening to Jethro Tull, the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Cream, John Mayall, Procol Harum, just to name a few. It was such a pioneer that, just like how rock and roll was called radical, DZRJ was getting such a following.
Sometimes, it can happen to the luckiest of men. I was asked and hired to be a part of this family. It was then that I left my own mark in Philippine radio history just like those with and before me. Fist called Mr. S, I then matured to be The Spirit.
I started being the newscaster and a times filling in for someone. DZRJ-FM RockJock Jake Taylor, inspired me to pursue being a RockJock. I can never thank Jake enough for having enough faith in me. I sometimes wonder if he was at anytime sober during those days. It was a time in my life that made that childhood dream come true, just like my sister terms it.
Like all the jocks, we all have our stories to tell. For me, this journey started when I got break on the radio. I knew that it was just a matter of time before dreams become a reality.
The reality is, after all these years, I can live to tell what we are all up to. Some of us, the Kooky Family called DZRJ, are in the United States and some in other parts of the world. Just like myself, it is sometimes hard to keep track of what these people are up to or where they have moved. I for one have moved from one place to another pursuing my new found career.
I think that if you would like to read something about the rest of the guys, you can click on their names and maybe, other than the past articles that I have gathered, I will be able to give all you, our friends, can keep in touch with us. This age of electronics is a way for us to be in touch with all of you.
From The Spirit of DZRJ-AM and FM, I would like to thank you for being there.
The Spirit, Double A, The Madman aka AJ Sunday, 'Lil Rock, Stoney Burke, Eric I., Sneakers, Mystery Man, Jake Taylor, The Unicorn, Ralph Ding, Cousin Hoagy, Sleepy John, Jimmy Labrador, Jigger Labrador,The Mole, Bob Magoo, Captain Eddie, Howlin' Dave, Brother Becky, Peter St. John, Captain Hook, Red Rooster, Kid Charlamagne,and the rest of the Rock Jocks of DZRJ-AM and DZRJ-FM (formerly DZUW-FM). If I have forgotten to include your name, I will get more updates later.
You might ask what s DZRJ and what is the difference between the AM and the FM. DZRJ-AM is the original "Rock of Manila". The Boss Radio in Manila.
DZRJ, Boss Radio and The Rock of Manila was a dream of Ramon Jacinto. It was also a dream of The Spirit to be a part of this legendary station. A station that has changed in the way a nation thinks. In music, fashion, and philosophy. They may not realize it, meaning the people, but there are so many things to thank the people who were behind the station and not just the man they call RJ.
Thank you
Spirit
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