Epilogue
In the years that have followed since San Francisco’s KMEL Summer Jam set the trend in 1987, radio stations in cities such as Memphis, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas (in addition to New York, Los Angeles and Seattle), have each started their own version. Out of all the Summer Jams’ currently being celebrated, Seattle’s KUBE 93 has probably done the best job of capturing the spirit, energy and excitement that KMEL Summer Jam had during it’s prime. In 2002, the KUBE Summer Jam roster included four heavyweights: LL Cool J, Usher, Busta Rhymes, and Nelly. These days, most of the other cities would have been very lucky to have even one of the aforementioned artists at their show.
In Europe, a reggae super concert named “Summer Jam” has been going strong since 1994. In Tanzania, a hip-hop/R&B concert series named “Summer Jam” has been in existence since 1999. There are also many other concerts going on today all over the world in all genres of music that use the “Summer Jam” moniker (as well as a US-based Christian music tour). Could all of this be coincidence? Perhaps, or perhaps not.
Keith Naftaly, the “godfather” and visionary of the Hip-Hop/R&B Summer Jam phenomenon has gone on to become senior vice president of A&R at J Records. At J, Naftaly is widely considered to be the number two executive (on the creative side) under the label’s legendary Chairman, CEO and Founder, Clive Davis. J Records is “home” to many superstars including Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymes, Luther Vandross, Angie Stone, Monica, and Tyrese. The J Records roster also includes Mario, Lyric, O-Town, Rod Stewart, Liza Minelli, and Deborah Cox.
Check out the Radio & Records article here!