KGON - Iris Harrison's Biography

Iris Harrison's Biography

I've been at KGON for a huge part of my life. In college, I was always told that radio people were gypsies and I should be ready to move a lot. I love to travel, and was up for the experience, but the only road I traveled was I-5! My first job was at a daytime free form station in Eugene, KFMY. Then I headed to Portland to work as a Monomaniac at KVAN. Also another free form daytime station at the time. The biggest drawback at KVAN, was the lack of indoor plumbing.   As a result of that experience, I know what most of the long songs are in the library.

Getting hired at KGON was like coming home.   I'm living the dream!

Key Moments in Concert Going:

Wings over America at the Kingdome in Seattle. Plus, Paul McCartney at the Rose Garden Arena both times!
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the Portland Paramount in 1975. Actually every time I see Bruce, it's like getting religion all over again.
Pink Floyd at the Portland Memorial Coliseum in Summer 1977. It was the "Animals" tour complete with flying pig. I stood in line all day because it was a festival seating event. It was worth it. I stood right in front of Roger Waters for the show.
Concert to Benefit A.R.M.S. September 1983 at London's Royal Albert Hall. All the legends of rock were there- Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Steve Winwood, Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, and more. Most of all it was because I was actually sitting in ROYAL ALBERT HALL. Now I know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall.
The Rolling Stones in the Rose Garden Arena, Portland January 1998 and November 1, 2005. The world's greatest rock 'n roll band. They keep proving it again and again.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at OSU. Front row and it was amazing.
Sons of Champlin and Tower of Power, Brittfest, Jacksonville, Oregon 2002. Great venue, amazing music, and brass kicked ass.
Led Zeppelin at the Kingdome, Summer 1977, KGON took a bus of folks up to the show. I have pictures of the bus driver getting lost, and stopping to ask someone how to get to the Kingdome. Even if I had never been there, I think I could have found it, even with a bus load of crazy rockers on board.
The Who, every time I've seen them. What a great band! In the days with Moon they were unreal! What energy!
Rush, July 2007 at the Amphitheater at Clark County. An amazing show!!!

Favorite Interview with a Rock Star
Everyone who I had the pleasure to talk to at Abbey Road in September 1999 were just delightful. Especially Mick Ralphs, Chrissie Hynde, Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent, Roger Taylor, Ian Paice, Steve Hackett, Bill Wyman, and Michael McDonald. I also loved interviewing Dr. Timothy Leary in 1987.
Favorite Vacation
Going somewhere without a huge agenda or reservations. Just hitting the road with a good companion and a credit card.
Weird personal stuff
I'm a triple Sagittarius born in the year of the Horse. I was adopted at birth, but know and am close to my birth family as well. I'm a cancer survivor too. That was an interesting oddyssey. Still is.
Guilty Pleasure
TV shows..."24 (stay out of jail Keefer...I need a good dose of Jack Bauer), "Boston Legal," "Weeds," and "Lost." Okay, I confess. I watch "American Idol" too. Is there rehab for this?

Thanks for listening to KGON.   Hope your life is going well and that you are enjoying each day.