AMPLIFICATIONS

KIIS-FM deejay Rick Dees isn’t the only L.A. jock playing a cassette tape of John Denver’s risque Gary Hart spoof, recorded at a concert in Lake Tahoe. Readers called in to say that KZLA-FM and KLAC-AM had already been playing “The Ballad of Gary Hart” for weeks before its KIIS debut, a fact confirmed by both stations. But the question remains, where did the mysterious tape came from? (Denver has no recording deal at present and no plans to release the song commercially). KZLA and sister station KLAC received the song via an ABC Radio satellite broadcast feed three weeks ago, but ABC network programming manager Nancy Abramson was evasive about its origin. “We had permission to use it,” she said. “It was made available to us.” She said her office had decided not to reveal further details, and she refused to elaborate about the source of the tape or who authorized its broadcast. Denver’s business manager, Harold Thau, responded: “I’m sure they didn’t contact anyone; I’m sure they’re fudging.” When asked to respond to that , Abramson retorted, “Call Ron Deutschendorf (Denver’s manager).” He couldn’t be reached.