LATTER-DAY ROCKERS

RADIO From the Department of Little-known Oddities: We recently discovered, much to our surprise, that Dallas classic rock station KZPS-FM (92.5) is owned by the Mormon Church.

This is not a recent takeover, either. There was no coup staged last month by hard-line choirboys. Osmond fans, and Brigham Young University grads upset at KZPS DJs’ thinly veiled references to marijuana and assorted high times. The church has owned the station since 1978.

Legally the owner is IBonneville International Corp a Salt Lake City media company. But BIC, the seventh largest radio communications group in the country, is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s an incongruous pairing for anyone familiar with irreverent KZPS jocks like JON DILLON and JOHN RODY, whose on-air laissez-faire is hard to square with earnest Mormons going door-to-door for Jesus. You won’t hear Greatest Hits of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on KZPS between blocks of Pink Floyd and Zeppelin.

TOM GLADE. vice president and general manager since 1987, emphasizes that the only “Mormon” influence from BIC is its demand that all its stations-from L.A. to Dallas to New York-be involved in community services and operate ethically. (And one other rule: no alcohol at company functions.) “Whatever difference there may be because of BIC is to our benefit.’ Glade says. “But I’m the only Mormon on staff, so I’m biased,”

Midday DJ and 12-year radio vet PAMELA STEELE. who has shunned recent job offers because of BIC’s commitment to its employees, says the company’s professionalism is rare in her business. “Bonneville’s stability is incredible.” she says. “I don’t know much about the Mormon religion, but they do run a helluva business.”