Years ago, I started my radio career at one of the most legendary rock radio stations in the country, KILO in Colorado Springs. It was long before my time, but I quickly learned about an epic April Fool's Day prank they pulled that almost got their General Manager thrown in jail.

It was April 1, 1980. Pink Floyd had just kicked off "The Wall" tour.  Somehow, KILO's morning show host, the late great Red Noise, convinced thousands of people that Pink Floyd would be playing a free concert at noon of the roof of the KILO studios, which were then located in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs.

Word of the concert spread quickly and, before long, a crowd of rockers had gathered on the streets outside the studio. About an hour before the fake concert was scheduled to begin, there were so many people in the streets that the police were forced to shut down traffic for several blocks downtown.

Needless to say, the cops weren't very happy. They stormed into the KILO studios and threatened to haul their General Manager and Program Director off to jail if they didn't go on the air and admit the hoax.

Meanwhile, just before noon, Red Noise climbed on the roof of the building with a megaphone and informed the crowd that they had been suckered by an April Fool's Day prank. Some laughed it off, some booed and some were really mad. Eventually, a riot squad was sent in to disburse the unruly crowd and restore order.

It was the first of many times that the radio station nearly lost its broadcast license. Years later, whenever I would get in trouble for doing something stupid on the air, I would remind my old boss that at least I didn't start a riot in the streets of downtown Colorado Springs.

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