Tony Spicola

Anthony “Tony” Spicola was a Pueblo radio owner, concert promoter and major figure in Southern Colorado music history.

Spicola grew up in Trinidad and Pueblo and began promoting and managing local musicians before moving into concert promotion. He booked major national acts in Southern Colorado, including the Everly Brothers, Ike & Tina Turner, the Animals, Buffalo Springfield, the Yardbirds and the Who. Colorado Music Experience credits him with bringing the Who to Colorado for the band’s first appearance in the state in 1968.

In the late 1960s Spicola went to work in sales at KDZA. About a decade later he bought the station, owning the Pueblo Top 40 powerhouse from 1979 to 1985 while continuing his concert-promotion work. In 1985 trade reports documented the sale of KDZA and sister KZLO to Surrey Broadcasting for $2 million.

Spicola’s concert work included the famous Van Halen show at the University of Southern Colorado associated with the band’s “no brown M&Ms” contract story. The Colorado Music Hall of Fame inducted him in 2019 and presented him with the Barry Fey Innovation Award.

Southern Colorado stations: KDZA, KZLO.

Sources: Colorado Music Hall of Fame, Anthony James Spicola; Colorado Music Experience, Tony Spicola interview; Vintage KDZA ownership history; Radio & Records, August 9, 1985 sale report; Broadcasting, October 28, 1985 sale announcement.