Memories of Les

REMEMBERING LES AND THE DIFFERENCE HE MADE!
 
Sometimes, these days, the silence is deafening.
 
Les Sarnoff’s voice and music have been a part of my life for as long as I have been listening to music.
From the “underground” FM days of my teens and twenties to the 4:00 AM shifts at Cannon Beach Bakery
for sixteen years, slicing bread, maple bars, filling eclairs, and frosting cakes endlessly.
 
Les’s voice and the music he played were a rhythm of my life.  Les’s’ voice telling me the state of the world, playing me music I might never have heard.
 
So many hours of my life were spent with Les, laughing, and singing along.  Helping me through some of the darkest days of my life.
 
Les was there for me in a way few people could understand.  He knew me.  He knew I was listening.  A voice from the outside world to my little corner of ocean and loneliness.
 
Les brought music and a beautiful voice to tell me about it.
 
I miss Les every time I turn on a radio and fail to hear his voice.  In that moment of silence no music shared.
 
Silence that will last the rest of my life.
 
Sometimes, these days the silence is deafening!
 
Love,
Linda Brown
Cannon Beach Bakery &
Hallmark Resort, Cannon Beach, OR
 
From John Smith
written at Les’ funeral
 
I was just reminded that Les did the first interview with our band back in 1982.  The band was NU SHOOZ and the station was a little bitty place in Bend.  Four years later we had a hit record and we met up with Les again.  He was at KINK then.  He made us all feel comfortable and welcome.  He seemed so happy about local artist making good.  Looking back, it was our first education in how to do this media, and what an introduction it was.
 
Twenty five years later we were back in the studio, doing his Morning Show and later that night a benefit for the station.  I saw him standing in the wings during our set.  Afterward I said to him “when I hear the words “true to the music”, I always think of you!!
 
A few weeks later when we heard he was sick, I was so glad I had the opportunity to tell him what he meant to us!
 
From Congressman Earl Blumenaur 
written at Les’ funeral
 
Rita,
 
Of all the “personalities” media and otherwise, that I have had the pleasure to meet and work with for more than 40 years, Les was unique!  He was warm, thoughtful and professional.  Yet his humanity shone thru. . . his sense of humor perfectly balanced.

His love of life, the community, and compassion were extraordinary and were Oregon at it’s finest.
 
Portland won’t be the same without him and is not the same because of him!
 
Thank you, for sharing him with us.
Earl Blumenaur