Don Bernier taught Wenatchee how to rock

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By Rick Steigmeyer
World staff writer

Monday, September 6, 2010

World file photo/Mike Bonnicksen

Don Bernier on March 3, 1992.

World file photo/Mike Bonnicksen

Don Bernier, a disc jockey with the same radio station for 36 years when photographed on March 3, 1992.

WENATCHEE — Don Bernier ushered in the age of rock ’n’ roll for Wenatchee. For more than 35 years, from 1956 until the mid-1990s, Bernier was the entertainment center for many local homes, spinning hit tunes in America’s newest and most raucous music style and creating laughter and controversy with his lively morning radio show.

Bernier, died Sunday in Long Beach, where he had been living the past several years.

He was about 73.

Bernier was more than a local record spinner and Wenatchee’s version of an early shock jock. He was also well known as a music promoter who brought nationally famous musicians to Wenatchee. He started his own record label in the 1960s and recorded and promoted several local bands.

“He was such a stable and dependable part of the radio business. He was the rock of our lineup, but also kind of crazy, like everyone in radio back then,” said Jim Corcoran, who employed Bernier when he owned KMEL — and changed the station’s call letters to KWWW — from 1976 until 1990. Corcoran now owns the Wenatchee AppleSox baseball team.

Radio listeners knew Bernier as the guy who took a motorhome with a remote studio to Blewett Pass for an interview with the sasquatch after sightings were reported there. Even an offer of a free haircut failed to draw out the illusive bigfoot.

Another time, Bernier dressed up as George Washington and broadcast his morning show from a rowboat while attempting to cross the Columbia River on Washington’s birthday. The wake from a passing speedboat swamped the rowboat and knocked Bernier’s transmitter sank to the bottom of the river, recalled Rich Moll, the station’s newsman who accompanied Bernier that day.

“Don had a quick sense of humor and was always willing to do whatever he could to try something new — and rope me into going along with him,” said Moll, who now lives in San Francisco.

Police came to Bernier’s studio for a stern talk after he caused a traffic jam in town by reporting a mudslide had pushed Recreation Park down Orondo Avenue. It was April Fools’ Day. “They had no sense of humor at all,” Bernier said about the police when interviewed by a Wenatchee World reporter for a 1992 story about his then 35 years in local radio.

Bernier broadcast from the Sultan Nudist Camp in the mid-1980s. “I was supposed to broadcast my Friday morning show. I stayed until Sunday night. You looked out of place if you had clothes. It was a beautiful weekend,” he said in the 1992 story.

“You could only do that on radio,” Corcoran said about nudist camp broadcast which resulted in a few critical phone calls and lost advertising. “We put him in some crazy situations, but he was always game. He had a great sense of humor.”

Dave Herald, who worked with Bernier for more than 15 years as KWWW sales manager, said he often kidded Bernier for his long tenure at the station. But when Herald and other partners purchased the station from Corcoran in 1990, the first thing he did was bring back Bernier’s rock ’n’ roll show. It was a golden oldies show by then, but it still had a great following in Wenatchee.

“He was our godfather of rock ’n’ roll.’ He truly was the first person who brought rock ’n’ roll to Wenatchee,” said Herald, now a morning show host and co-owner of KCSY — Sunny FM — Radio.

“There was no one more funny on the air than Don. Several generations literally grew up with him in the Wenatchee Valley,” Herald said. “Radio was not just a job to Don, it was his life.”

Thanks to Bernier, Wenatchee radio had music by Johnny Cash, The Beachboys, Roger Miller and The Beatles before many Seattle stations were playing them, said Jerry Isenhart, who worked with Bernier at KWWW and later hired him briefly when he owned KOZI in Chelan. Isenhart, who now operates the GoLakeChelan.com web site, said Bernier once called him to pick him up after he was forced to land his plane in a field north of Chelan.

“Don would fly that little plane of his all over, even to Arizona once. He never had a license. He taught himself to fly,” Isenhart said. “He was a brilliant guy.”

Raised in Winthrop, Bernier studied broadcasting at New York’s City University while his father was also earning advanced credits as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife official. On returning to North Central Washington in 1956, he was hired at KWNW, later to become KMEL and then KWWW. There was only one other station in Wenatchee then, KPQ. Both were AM stations. There were no FM stations.

By the 1950s, Bernier was offering Wenatchee a steady diet of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent and Bill Haley and the Comets. He started bringing in big name acts like The Ventures, Bobby Vee and Jimmy Jones for shows at the D&D Roller Rink. In the early 1960s, he opened his own pizza parlor on South Wenatchee Avenue and booked local musicians.

He started Julian Records — his middle name is Julian — in the mid-1960s and recorded several local groups including Billy & the Kids, The Talismen, Judd Hamilton and the Furies, Blan and Julians, The Aztecs and Linda Jo and the Nomads. Many of the records were played all over the country.

“We didn’t make a lot of money, but we had a lot of fun,” Bernier said at the time.

Rick Steigmeyer: 664-7151

steigmeyer@wenatcheeworld.com

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JimboBear 1 year, 5 months ago

God Rest You Don.

How well I remember you from back in those early years. I would have glued the tuner of my car radio to KMEL if it weren't for trying to find music after KMEL's broadcasting hours that was even close to being as good as what you played for us on your shows when I was in my high school years.

Just to add another name or two to that list of performers at the D&D; . . . . Fats Domino and Little Richard were next to come to town after Gene Vincent as I recall.

To say you left your mark on Wenatchee would be an understatement. If it was popular Rock & Roll music in the late 50's and early 60's . . . . You WERE Wenatchee. Thanks for the many hours I shared with you via radio. May your soul be Blessed.

douglas 1 year, 5 months ago

Don was the type of jock you don't see much of anymore. Creative, witty, probably never read a promo card in his life. Definately not a time and temp guy, but a terrific jock for a long, long time.

Cynthia 1 year, 5 months ago

Don was terrific! Where would a guy like this work on the radio today? I wish there was still such a thing as a radio station that would allow a free spirit like Don Bernier to entertain us. I'd listen a lot more.

DooRod 1 year, 5 months ago

I remember Don from his KMEL days. I was a midteen ager and enjoyed the music that Don And John Goss played very much. My love for this music continues even now at age sixty. I'll always remember the DJ's at KMEL, especially Don Bernier

1 year, 5 months ago

I remember Don Bernier, John Goss, Mick Shutt, John Christopher Kowsky, and even R.O. Shawn from those days of yesteryear. Another fellow by the name of Ralph Charles Cole, aka Chuck Cole, had one of the finest radio voices I have ever heard.

Notthatitmatters 1 year, 5 months ago

Like the other posters, I too remember the years of Don Bernier at KMEL. That was the only channel you had on your radio. For a teenager in the late 60's, early 70's there was no other channel.

Cadillac_Man 1 year, 4 months ago

R.I.P., Don. What an influence you were on this wide-eyed teenager! "Thanks for the memories...."

Tero 1 year, 4 months ago

As a small kid growing up in Wenatchee listening first to KMEL and then KW3, it was the only thing that really connected you to the rest of the World through music. KW3 was the real music station in town. There was "the Country KUEN" and KPQ with continuous loop taped music that half the time was dead air or double overplay. Don Bernier was always the best DJ with a great sense of humor. I remember thinking he really was a radio star! Thank you Don for all of the great memories!! My condolences to Wendy and the rest of your family, I know you will be missed.

POLLUX 1 year, 4 months ago

I worked with Don at KMEL in 1959-60 and maintained a friendship with him through the ensuing years. At that time three people were involved in the ownership and all were a joy to work with. Three stations were in Wenatchee: KPQ, KUEN (daytime only) and KMEL.

Don normally ran the morning shift in those years, with his practical jokes and sense of humor pleasantly awoke the day.

Thanks Don for your soft-spoken demeanor, true professionalism and friendship.

scottymelad 1 year, 4 months ago

Great DJ, great music, really shook up sleepy Wenatchee. I remember his tag line "Put Bernier in your ear!"

clawrence 1 year, 4 months ago

Don became a part of my defacto-extended family in 1958 when my parents and their partners bought KMEL Radio. I remember him on the radio, at BBQs and just everywhere.

Don worked alongside every DJ that ever passed throught he doors at KMEL. Steve Biquist, Jim Workman, Mick Schutt, John Christopher Koski, Rick Olson, and on and on and on. My parents valued his loyalty and friendship.

As the upstart son of the owner who had big ideas that weren't really all that great, I didn't always see eye to eye with Don, but I respected and truly liked him.

Don, we will miss you and thank you for all the years you were part of our big happy radio family.

JeffHamilton 1 year, 4 months ago

Don had the most winsome sound!

His morning show was the foundation for the whole KMEL broadcast day. His presence at the station added a certain class and bigger market sound.

I grew up listening to him and after meeting him, found him to be a gracious guy willing to talk with young people interested in radio.

Professional, funny, authentic. He was the Man.

jwjumper 1 year, 4 months ago

Don was a great Winthrop Pirate, played on a state tourney basketball team and was always supportive of all Pirates! I listened to Don all the time when I returned to Wenatchee.

Janakl62 1 year, 4 months ago

I grew up with Don and Winona's girls in Sunnyslpoe. The first things I remember about Don is that Volkswagon Beetle sputtering around town...his infectious laugh and wide grin...like he knew something that you did'nt...which, he probably did.
Don volunteered to coach in the early to mid "70's with my dad and "Gramps" (Sue Wortz' grandad) our group of mostly Sunnyslope girls in the local softball league. Between Don's humor, Gramps vast knowlege and my dads tenasity, they created a good little team...Don is the last of the three coaches to leave us. He takes with him the love and admiration of at least one of those little girls. God speed Mr Bernier.

yellowjacket 1 year, 4 months ago

I was a student at Wenatchee Valley College in the early sixties when Don offered me my first on-air job. Throughout my 30 years in radio in Seattle and surrounding towns I always credited Don as the inspiration and example for radio creativity and humor in my life. He was a great guy and a huge talent and I'll never forget doing "Kookie Baseball" with him from the Wenatchee Chiefs games.