Runaway Radio 101 KLOL documentary VOD video on demand

Grego

GregO

 

Grego (AKA Greg Onofrio) is a legendary on-air personality, famously known as “Grego the Head Outlaw,” who left an indelible mark on Houston’s rock radio scene, particularly through his association with KLOL.

He experienced three distinct stints at KLOL: from 1989 to 1991, again from 1995 to 1997, and a final run from approximately 1999 to 2001.

As he puts it, it was “three times in and out of there”—a testament to both his staying power and the shifting tides of radio.

Grego was the inaugural host of Outlaw Radio, a concept as wild and undefined as the spirit of KLOL itself. When the idea was first presented—full of attitude, mystery, and the vague imagery of a duster, hat, and boots—Grego wasn’t given a clear roadmap.

But his raw authenticity and instinct for performance made him the perfect fit. With just a day or two to consider it, he dove in, crafting a unique “theater of the mind” show that galvanized listeners and made them feel like part of something bigger.

He led a tribe of listeners who proudly repped their neighborhoods as outlaw “chapters”—like the League City chapter—calling in and blasting their stereos as a form of loyalty and identity. The secret to Outlaw Radio’s magic was this shared bond: a gritty, unified spirit that said, “We’re all in this together.”

The show’s persona extended beyond the airwaves—billboards, graphics, and visual branding all backed up the world Grego built, but it was his voice that paid it off with fire and style. KLOL wasn’t just a job for Grego; it was a stage. Whether he was auctioning off items in front of thousands, introducing bands at massive events, jetting off with listeners to see ZZ Top, or interviewing legends like Billy Gibbons and Pete Townsend, he thrived in the spotlight.

His first departure from KLOL—on the same day as Moby’s resignation—is something he later questioned, calling it a decision that, in hindsight, didn’t make sense. His final run came under the looming shadow of corporate change. In 2000, as Clear Channel Communications took over, Grego and others were abruptly let go despite strong ratings, including a number-one book with adults 25–54. He believed their dismissal had little to do with performance and everything to do with cultural clashes and a deep-seated hostility toward KLOL’s freewheeling identity.

For Grego, the moment the station’s spirit changed—when the “heart and soul and direction and spirit of KLOL took a turn”—was unmistakable. The outlaw magic had dimmed, but his role in building it remains unforgettable.

Grego is still heard on Houston radio as the 95.7 The Spot KKHH on-air talent and brand ambassador.

Outside of radio, GregO was also the voice of CW39 KIAH’s anchorless newscast, NewsFix, airing on television from 2010 to September 2018.

GregO is a member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame class of 2021.

Top Rock 101 KLOL posts 2019

Here are the 2019 top posts on Rock101movie.com as determined by the reader pageviews!

Grego talks 101 KLOL days

The Kyle King Podcast interviews 101 KLOL DJ Grego about his days at the legendary AOR station.

KIOL Rock 97.5 debuts in 2005

On January 27, 2005 at noon, many former employees of the recently shuttered 101 KLOL flipped on the legendary Houston AOR station’s replacement – Rock 97.5 KIOL.

Grego returns to Houston radio!

Head Outlaw Grego returns to Houston radio!

Grego recalls Outlaw Radio origins

Head Outlaw Grego remembers the beginning of 101 KLOL Houston’s night show Outlaw Radio and why it was so successful.