|
Radio Station KGW-KEX - 3/9 Wurlitzer
Portland, Oregon
Organ installation timeframe: 1936 - 1946
Back to the Radio Stations page
Glenn Shelley at the KGX-KEX Radio organ, date unknown
The KGX-KEX organ was originally shipped from the Wurlitzer factory in December 1924 as opus #957, a Style DX (two chambers). It was installed in the Multnomah (Venetian) Theatre, St. Johns district of Portland.
In 1936, the instrument was moved by Balcom & Vaughan to radio station KGW-KEX (NBC) located in the old Oregonian Building. Later in the same year, the console was modified to hold three-manuals and three Gottfried ranks (English Horn, French Horn, and Clarinet) were added.
According to Bob Rickett, this was a very good broadcast organ and was played for many years by Glenn Shelley. |
"Balcomized" three-manual console at KGW/KEX Studios |
 |
In 1946, a fire at the studios damaged the console, but not the pipework. The insurance company sold the organ to Jerry Gilmore. Two of the regulators made their way to Bob Rickett's organ in Portland. |
Photos of the early KGW station, Portland
Station KGW, c.1922
More photos, 1924:
 |
KEX Radio matchbook, date unknown |
|
