Bozeman to Honor Kels Koch with Memorial Gathering at MSU

A celebration of life has been planned for Kels Koch, a beloved record store owner and local KGLT DJ in Bozeman who passed away unexpectedly in February.

Details About Kels Koch Memorial Gathering

On Saturday, May 2, 2026, the Kels Koch Memorial Gathering will take place at the Strand Union Building from 3–5 p.m. in Ballroom B/C. Doors open at 2:00 p.m. The gathering will give friends, listeners, and fellow music lovers a chance to honor a man who loved music and shared so much of it with us.

Kels was a great guy. He was nice to everyone he met. He would talk about music to anyone who was willing to listen. I often lost track of time when I was chatting with him at his shop. He was a fascinating human being, and I was honored to call him a friend.

Kels Koch owned The Wax Museum, a record store that became much more than a place to buy vinyl. It was a hub and a place to discover new music. If you were searching for a hard-to-find record, Kels was your guy.

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If he didn’t have what you were looking for, he’d always track you down when it finally came in. That level of care turned customers into regulars, and regulars into friends.

Beyond the shop, Kels was a familiar voice on KGLT, where he hosted “Shake Appeal” on Tuesdays.

Kels’ passing came as a shock. After being hospitalized following a heart attack, he appeared to be recovering before his sudden death. The loss has left a deep void in Bozeman, and it will be felt for a long time.

On May 2, friends, customers, and listeners can join together to share stories about Kels Koch. Attendees are encouraged to share photos or written memories by emailing outreach@kglt.net. These will be included in a memorial slideshow and book, a fitting tribute to someone who gave so much to others.