When commercial radio stations first began broadcasting in the 1920's, most of the programming material was provided by live orchestras. When there was any speaking done on air, it was from anonymous radio station staff. "Broadcasters went so far as to prohibit their announcers from using names on the air." (John Jackson 20)

Beginning in the early 1930's, various Los Angeles radio stations were already starting to provide listeners with virtually 24 hour a day musical programming.

The first significant "disc jockey" or record announcer to hit the scene, was Al Jarvis. He used phonograph records to simulate a live broadcast, a technique known as the "World's Largest Make-Believe Ballroom." An even earlier pioneer was a man by the name of Arthur Godfrey. He broadcasted on WFBR in Baltimore as early as 1929. Godfrey smashed records that he didn't like, and made fun of commercials, while on the air, unheard of antics at the time.

The DJ can be a very powerful influencing force. The DJ can popularize, or make despised a song, an album or a band. The DJ is capable of shaping our opinions about music, just with the frequency of which he plays songs. The DJ can do this because he has a strong measure of control over what his radio station subjects our ears, and our minds to. The more often we hear a song, the more likely we are to become fond of it.

The DJ has a power within his grasp, the power to create a demand for a particular type of music. The Disc Jockey has traditionally played a leading role in familiarizing, and consequently popularizing, new styles of music. Alternative music has been no exception.