Update: Ken Chiampou is retiring
The longest team in major-market talk radio history is ending. Ken Chiampou, half of the midday KFI duo with John Kobylt, is retiring after 35 years of the "John and Ken Show."
Chiampou is leaving after a radio career of over four decades. A native of Brentwood, New York, he graduated from the University of Buffalo, eventually becoming a certified public accountant. He met Ken at WKAD, and eventually the two moved on to Elmira, New York. John did mornings at WENY, while Ken decided to become a disc jockey, joining a competing morning team at WELM. The pair teamed up at WKXW-Trenton on January 11, 1988 before arriving at KFI. While there, the duo gained attention for their constant criticism of then-Governor Jim Florio for passing what was then the largest tax hike in U.S. history.
The John and Ken show arrived at KFI in 1992, to succeed former Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates, who himself was preceded by controversial host Tom Leykis. Kobylt and Chiapou began their time at KFI just before the riots triggered by the verdict in the Rodney King beating trial.
But the pair was perhaps best known for their daily coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial. The afternoon duo helped KFI to the top of the ratings. Save for a year doing morning drive at KABC, the team continued in afternoon drive from 1992 - 2022. At the beginning of the year, John and Ken moved to middays at the talk radio station.
"We disagree about what to do as we get old," said Kobylt, who will continue to do the show solo. "This is all friendly. Save your social media posts," implored Kobylt.
Chiampou is 67 years old. He plans on leaving the show December 6.
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