Before There was KDHX There Was KDNA

KDNA (102.5 FM) in St. Louis was a unique, non-commercial community radio station that broadcast from February 8, 1969, until sometime in 1972. Billing itself as “Radio Free St. Louis,” it was a grand experiment in free-form radio, driven by a mix of entrepreneurial spirit and a touch of idealistic fun.

Founding and Early Days

The station was the brainchild of Jeremy Lansman, a Clayton High School dropout with radio schooling, and Lorenzo Milam, who provided the initial $50,000 investment. They had previously worked together at a similar alternative radio station, KRAB, in Seattle.

Securing the license wasn’t easy. They faced a competing application from the First Christian Fundamentalist Church, and there were even rumors (denied by Lansman) of involvement from the radical group Students for a Democratic Society. Despite these hurdles, they eventually received the FCC license.

KDNA operated out of an old house at 4285 Olive in Gaslight Square. The studios were on the first two floors, while Lansman, his wife Cami, and their young son lived upstairs. The third floor even served as a dormitory for some of the station’s staff.

Programming and Philosophy

KDNA’s programming was wonderfully unconventional. It was truly “free-form,” with music selections dictated by the DJs’ tastes rather than any strict format. Listeners could expect to hear a diverse mix of music, interspersed with personal opinions, discussions of social problems, and even on-air conversations with “Jeannie,” the affectionate name for the station’s transmitter.

Lansman’s vision was to keep the station commercial-free, relying solely on voluntary contributions from listeners to cover costs. He believed in community-supported radio that was accountable to its listeners rather than advertisers. The station aimed to break down barriers in how people thought and lived, fostering communication and exploring diverse ideas.

The station attracted a loyal following, particularly among students at Washington University and St. Louis University. It provided a platform for voices and music not typically heard on commercial radio. Notable shows included “The Slatkin Project,” hosted by Leonard Slatkin, then conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and a ragtime piano program hosted by Trebor Tichenor of the St. Louis Ragtimers. Larry Giles, a historical preservationist, also volunteered, broadcasting lectures and interviews.

KDNA started as a commercial station but transitioned to listener-supported radio in 1970. The staff, which included both paid and volunteer members, operated with a collective approach to station policy, making major decisions through group consensus at weekly meetings. Full-time staff received a modest subsistence wage, including room and board at the staff house and a small amount of spending money.

Challenges and Demise

Despite its unique appeal, KDNA faced numerous challenges:

• Financial difficulties: Relying solely on listener donations proved unsustainable. A major pledge drive aimed at raising $400,000 only garnered $20,000.
• Legal issues: The station was raided by police on a drug search, leading to charges against Lansman and two staff members, though these were later dropped.
• License challenges: Evangelist Bill Beeny made a vocal attempt to have KDNA’s license reassigned to himself and a lawyer, though this ultimately failed.

Faced with mounting debt and unsuccessful fundraising efforts, Lansman decided to sell the station to Cecil Heftel in 1972 for $1.4 million. In June 1973, the call letters were changed to KEZK, which still operates today on 102.5 FM with an adult contemporary format.

Legacy

Although its time on the air was brief, KDNA left a lasting impact on the St. Louis radio landscape. It is considered a precursor to KDHX (88.1 FM), the current non-commercial community radio station in St. Louis, which carries on the spirit of alternative, listener-supported broadcasting. The “DHX” in KDHX even stands for “Double Helix,” the name Lansman intended for an umbrella group to oversee community radio in St. Louis.

The KDNA archives, including tapes and syndicated material, are preserved at the State Historical Society of Missouri, offering a glimpse into this fascinating chapter of St. Louis radio history. Lorenzo Milam also recounts the KDNA story in his book The Radio Papers.