"Tony Spicola ignited revenues for KDZA. His sales talents and creative mind kept the station well ahead of the rest."

'Entrepreneur' is probably the best single word to describe Anthony "Tony" Spicola whose ownership came years after his initial employment at KDZA.  In 1973 his KDZA career began in sales. He would weather all them storms and purchased them station from Michael Galer in 1980.

 

Born and raised in Trinidad, Colorado he headed to Pueblo in 1956 and quickly landed a job that involved a mop and bucket. His intense love of music and photography began opening doors, first at CF&l Steel in their public relations department and as a professional photographer. He produced cover photos on several of the nation's hot rod magazines and is credited as one of the first to add attractive ladies in swimsuits to his hot rod photo shots.

 

Spicola's photography work led to music talent management, which in turn led to the world of concert promotion and ownership of nightclubs in Pueblo: the Hi-Fi Club, the Fantastic Zoo, and Pinocchio's. The defining moment of his concert promotion career came on August 18, 1968, when the Who played at a 3,000-seat concert hall in the Springs. The band had flown in from London for its first Colorado appearance; tickets were $5. Spicola began recording and promoting emerging artists throughout southern Colorado. One of the most successful was Chan Romero, whose hit recording of “Hippy Hippy Shake” was covered by the Beatles and included in over ten motion pictures. The Trolls, the Frantics, and others also benefited from Spicola’s mentoring.

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In  2019 Spicola was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. Visit the CMHOF website for details on Tony's music, life, and history at the Hall of Fame. 

 

A strong mutual respect developed between KDZA and Spicola. He would always advertise on KDZA to help promote his clubs and concerts. The disc jockeys loved his enthusiasm and input in creating commercials. The DJ brain trust had an epiphany and led by program director Bob Leon Kirscht began lobbying then-owner Roger Brandt to hire Spicola as a salesperson.

In 1973 Spicola accepted the offer and that's when all the Rock really began to roll. Station management, DJs, and sales performed like a well-oiled machine.

 

In 1979 Spicola purchased the station from Michael Galer allowing for decades of work and dedication to continue seamlessly as a talent-rich, highly respected, powerhouse radio station.

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Enjoy the gallery!

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