You may have heard KKHV Hill Valley, Calif. They’re the station playing in the car when Marty McFly and Lorraine Baines arrive at a dance. It’s also the station that Biff Tannen listens to for sports scores. It’s a pretty widely heard station considering that it didn’t exist.
KKHV is the station in the “Back to the Future” movies. But until Nov. 19, you can hear a tribute to it, thanks to Sydney-based Richard Phelps, whose full-time job is Senior Digital Producer for Xperi’s All In Media.
Phelps’ sister is a fan of the “Back to the Future” movies. She’s in New Zealand. They’re unable to celebrate her birthday in person because of COVID lockdown. Phelps created the station as a birthday present for her.
The station features music from the mid-to-late ‘50s, as well as ads for the businesses seen in the movies. Beyond the movie connection, it’s also a good listen just as a source for ‘50s hits. (Phelps says the site Pop Music Anthology, a project of ROR reader and industry vet Josh Hosler, was a great resource.)
Here’s a First Listen to KKHV on its first day, November 1:
- Little Richard, “Lucille”
- Fabian, “Turn Me Loose”
- Etta James, “The Wallflower”
- Dee Clark, “Hey Little Girl”
- Jerry Lee Lewis, “Great Balls of Fire”
- Les Paul & Mary Ford, “How High the Moon”
- Eddie Cochran, “Summertime Blues”
- Penguins, “Earth Angel”
- Sammy Davis, Jr., “Something’s Gotta Give”
- Bobby Darin, “Beyond the Sea”
- Miller Sisters, “Ten Cats Down”
- Fats Domino, “I’m Walkin’”
- Clarence “Frogman” Henry, “Troubles Troubles”
- Harry Belafonte, “Jump in the Line”
- Everly Brothers, “Bye Bye Love”
- Sandy Nelson, “Teen Beat”
- Elvis Presley, “Return to Sender”
- Jerry Keller, “Here Comes Summer”
- Rosemary Clooney, “Mambo Italiano”
- Howlin’ Wolf, “Smokestack Lightnin’”
(UPDATE, July 21, 2022) This was written last November, meaning that you can’t hear KKHV now, but you will be able to hear it again in the not-too-distant-future. Phelps has ambitious plans for the 2022 version and is seeking volunteers to help voice the station this year. He can be reached at kkhvhillvalley@gmail.com.
