Swing back 59 years:

It’s 1966 and a 16-year-old, San Diego native by the name of Thomas Joseph Irwin decides to pursue his dream of becoming a DJ. The student at Spring Valley’s Mount Miguel High School is the school’s announcer every morning on “The Morning Bulletin,” but that’s kids play compared to what is about to happen: KPRI-FM’s Program Director George Manning will hire him to be the DJ for the Sunday morning slot.

And as he finds his footing as a D.J., Tom Irwin becomes known as Shotgun Tom Kelly, eventually becoming one of San Diego’s most famous DJs to grace the airwaves. He also appeared frequently as a guest on San Diego news stations. Kelly worked at numerous radio stations throughout his career, including KDEO, KPRI, KGB, KCBQ, KOGO, KBZS and KFMB-KCBQ, KGB, and K-Earth 101. For people who grew up or lived in San Diego, especially during the 1970s and 1980s, Shotgun Tom Kelly was a big part of their lives. He was everywhere back then, a San Diego news icon.

His expertise in classic rock music, combined with his ability to tell engaging stories and anecdotes, made his radio shows a must-listen for fans of the genre. Shotgun was known for his energetic and engaging style and his high-energy, enthusiastic on-air presence. His infectious personality resonated with listeners and viewers, making him a favorite among many. Many have observed Shotgun Tom Kelly’s popularity was built not only on talent but authenticity and a genuine love for his audience and the local community of which he was a part. A longtime resident of the region, Kelly built a genuine rapport with listeners. Who does that today?

Kelly is also noted for being deeply committed to giving back to the community. His involvement in various charitable causes, such as the Jerry Lewis Telethon, endeared him to listeners and viewers. His work on children’s television shows, like “Words-a-Poppin” and “Kids Club,” expanded his reach and made him a household name for multiple generations.

His career would last more than 50 years (he’s still going strong today) during which he was recognized by his peers and fans with many awards and honors, including being a two-time Emmy award winner, Billboard Air Personality of the Year, and in 2013 was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He met many musicians and artists along the way, not to mention President Ronald Reagan at a campaign rally in San Diego in 1984. In his mid-70s, Shotgun eve has a new book out, “All I Wanna do is Play the Hits.”

P.S. I remember how excited I was when Shotgun came to my elementary school in the early ‘70s. What are your recollections?

Want more authentic San Diego news? Read HERE about the “Beach Bar Attacks” in Ocean Beach and La Jolla.

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