Series:

Z: Orphan Interviews after 1999

Topic:

African American History

Music

Biographical Note:

Los Angeles disc jockey on soul radio stations during the 1960s and 1970s who was known as “the Master Blaster.” Producer and host of "For Members Only," a Los Angeles news and entertainment program directed at African Americans.

Interviewer:

Cline, Alex

Interviewee:

Reed, Tom

Persons Present:

Reed and Cline.

Place Conducted:

Reed's home in North Hills, California.

Supporting Documents:

Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research. The UCLA Film and Television Archive has videos of selected episodes of Reed's television program For Members Only.

Interviewer Background and Preparation:

The interview was conducted by Alex Cline, interviewer, UCLA Library Center for Oral History Research; musician.

Processing of Interview:

The interviewer prepared a timed log of the audio recording of the interview. Reed was give the opportunity to review the log in order to supply missing or misspelled names and to verify the accuracy of the content but made no changes.

Length:

4 hrs.

Language:

English

Copyright:

Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.

Audio:

Early life in St. Louis—Relationship with music through uncles—Early interest in African American history and culture—Segregation in public school and neighborhoods—Time spent in local library—Involvement in local gangs—Receives a scholarship to Reedley College in Fresno, California—Goes into the navy—Begins listening to various African American musicians—Discovers interest in broadcasting—Establishes the Watts Bureau at KPFK radio station—Moves to Los Angeles—Development of rap and hip-hop music—Writes for the Los Angeles Sentinel—Leaves broadcasting—Creates own cable television show.

Success as a disc jockey—Teaches broadcasting at KPFK—Appropriation of Black American blues artists—Development of radio station music programming—Adopts moniker "the Master Blaster"—Impact of Jimi Hendrix and other 1960s musicians—Begins video documentaries for television program For Members Only—Fear of being "too black" leads institutions to soften the presentation of Black history and culture—Disillusionment with representation of the Black community— Challenges as a videographer—Development of local radio companies—Reflects on significance of local Black leaders—Reed purchases broadcast time for his show—Subjects of his programming—Thoughts on rap and hip-hop music and culture.

Starts a family—Lives in various Los Angeles neighborhoods—For Members Only documentary series—KPFK radio station continues to advocate for African American programming—Develops unique film-making style—Works as a disc jockey at various radio stations—Underground radio programming at KPFK—Development of book The Black Music History of Los Angeles - Its Roots—Views of the African American community in Los Angeles—Leaders of the African American community—Musical influences—More on development of rap and hip-hop—Contributions to the African American community and UCLA.