90 Years of KROC: Famous Interviews and Broadcasts on Rochester’s First Radio Station

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- On September 30, 1935 KROC-AM became the first radio station to hit the airwaves in Rochester.

Along with serving the community with local news, information, sports and more, KROC has also brought some famous voices to the local airwaves over the past 90 years.

Multiple presidents, athletes, musicians and actors have all been heard on KROC over the past 90 years.

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RELATED: Andy Brownell Reflects on Rochester's Longest-Running Radio Station

Keep scrolling to relive interviews and broadcasts featuring some of the most prominent figures of the 20th century, heard only on KROC AM.

John F. Kennedy 

The 35th President of the United States visited in Rochester to receive care at Mayo Clinic in 1940, 21 years before being sworn into office. While in town he stopped at the KROC AM studio to discuss his book "Why England Slept."

This interview was also featured in a recent History Channel series about JFK. It's believed to be his first ever broadcasted interview.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

The 32nd President of the United States arrived in Rochester by train in the Fall of 1938. He came for his son, who was getting care at Mayo Clinic.

As he departed Rochester, FDR made an address thanking the community for its hospitality. KROC AM broadcasted the address on the air.

Lou Gehrig

A stay at Mayo Clinic also led to an interview for one of baseball's all-time greats. Lou Gehrig was in Rochester to undergo tests before eventually being diagnosed with ALS.

The Iron Horse had retired from the New York Yankees before coming to the Med City. He stopped at the KROC studio to discuss America's Pastime, two years before his death in 1941.

Bob Feller 

The Hall of Fame pitcher visited the Med City in January of 1954. He offered youngsters dreaming of becoming professional ball players advice.

He also discussed a new emerging technology at the time called "television" and how that could impact baseball (His prediction aged pretty well).

Louis Armstrong 

It was a wonderful world in Rochester in July of 1964. The famous musician discussed life on the road and how he got the nickname "Satchmo."

Jackie Coogan

In November of 1939, actor Jackie Coogan was starring in the Chateau Theatre’s production of “What A Life.” He started his career in acting along side one of the most famous actors in movie history... Charlie Chaplin

Thomas Watson Jr. 

KROC and Rochester as whole is not what it is today without industry-fueled expansion bringing thousands of jobs and people to this area of southeast Minnesota. The two main employers responsible are Mayo Clinic and IBM.

Thomas Watson Jr., son of IBM founder Thomas Watson, announced plans to open a massive IBM facility in Rochester in 1956.