February 18, 2022
Considering the release of the “Z100 Worst to First” documentary, what other legendary stations warrant similar treatment?
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Jagger, KCHZ: KIIS/LA from the eighties on. The history how KIIS and Z100 both became leaders of the Pop movement.
Brian Mack, WXXL: WLIR /WDRE, Long Island from back in the 80s for its role in New Wave. Toby Knapp, WASH:WFLZ/Tampa, KIIS/Los Angeles, KRBE/Houston, KISS/Boston, KHKS/Dallas, KDWB/Minneapolis, WXTB Tampa, KROQ/LA. Hall of Fame/Flashback Status: Pirate Radio LA; Eagle 106 Philly; WHFS/Baltimore Washington. Buzz Knight, Buzz Knight Media: WMMR in Philly is a pretty great story. They were in 12th place before Preston & Steve took over in mornings and have been #1 ever since.
Randi West, WRMF: Well not from worst to first, but I will say that these would have interesting stories: KIIS/LA, WTMX/Chicago, KSHE 95/St. Louis, G105/Raleigh. Jon Zellner, iHeartMedia: I’m a little partial because Z100 was my hometown radio station, but I can’t think of another brand that launched and grew with such speed and maintained iconic status after such a long time. Jammer, WEZB: WKRZ/Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and WABB/Mobile. |
Mike “OD” O’Donnell, WKRZ: KISS 108 in Boston certainly qualifies. It really was the first introduction of “KISS” to the world. I recall the initial TV spots. Great voice-over, and they had animated big-lips popping out of the screen. It’s an institution now for the format.
Jana Sutter, WXXL: I think every station has its own compelling story.
Valentine, WBHT: KIIS/LA for sure. From the Rick Dees days to the Seacrest days and all the other talent that’s come through that station, they’ve managed to maintain a level of excellence. KROQ/LA, one of the architects of the Alternative format. On the talent side, Elvis Duran’s success story should be told. Rod Phillips, iHeartMedia: Selfishly, I would say the KISS 107 launch in Cincinnati in 1999. Within 18 months we beat the competition in all demos, forcing them to flip to Hot AC. It was special group (of crazy kids) creating compelling content and in a very short amount of time, reaping the rewards of winning in Arbitron. Java Joel, WHBC: WABC/NYC (MusicRadio), WMMS/Cleveland, Kiss 108/Boston – the Sunny Joe White years.
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Nick Wize, WFLZ: Absolutely 93.3 FLZ. I will also say another station I worked at 92.3 Now WXRK from Stern to Top 40. Bartel. WKTU: Q102 in Philly. There’s just so much history. B96/Chicago, KIIS/LA, Power 96/Miami, WPGC/Washington, DC and KISS 108/Boston. Jeff Hurley iHeartMedia: KIIS-FM is the most obvious choice. A larger-than life brand with unique personalities, stories, egos, etc.
Buster Satterfield, WIOQ: WFLZ The Power Pig, in Tampa, Channel 955/Detroit and Q102/Philly. Dom Theodore, Radio Animal Strategies: Power Pig Tampa! Guy Zapoleon, Zapoleon Consulting: All the great RKO stations: KHJ/LA, KFRC/San Francisco, CKLW/Detroit, WRKO/Boston, WHBQ/Memphis. KIIS-FM and KZZP/Phoenix with legendary talent like Bruce Kelly & Maggie Brock, Kevin & Bean, Saturday Night Party Patrol with Kevin Weatherly, and a host of KZZP talent as well as Mike & Kent with Jimmy Kimmel. There certainly are about 10-20 other great ones like Y100 with Bill Tanner. I would definitely include the legendary battle between Q105/Tampa and the Power Pig.
R Dub, Z90/Magic 92.5: I am certainly biased, but I have a soft spot in my heart for KJYK (Power 1490) Tucson: one of the very last stations on AM to play current music. Their story is a phenomenal one, and I believe there is a documentary about the station on YouTube. And here’s something really wild: The station has not existed since 1995, but their website is still up! www.power1490.com Unbelievable! Sue O’Neil, WKSE: WFLZ! Kobe, WUVR: KIIS and Hot 97. |
Tommy Chuck, WFLZ: It might be relegated to after 10pm and include a parental advisory sticker, but the story of the Power Pig would be incredible!
Rick Vaughn, KENZ: Power Pig, similar story just a little grimier. I loved the KIIS/LA history. It would be cool to do something special about The End in Seattle centered around the early 90’s and the Grunge Rock movement. That station was just on fire! KFOG, the whole Fog-Head movement and the passion behind that brand. KMEL is another cool one from back in the day. K-ROCK in NYC with Stern.
Orlando, WLLD: KROQ, Hot 97, KIIS, WPGC and our WiLD. The story has to show the station overtake and overachieve.
Rich Davis, KDWB: Power Pig and what they did in Tampa all those years when it was so in-your-face and irreverent. It would be great to see some of the behind-the-scenes moments of the battle with Q105. I’d also love to see a special about the Hot Hits format with Mike Joseph. The format ended up in several markets. For me, it was Hot Hits in Baltimore, and that’s what I grew up on. That format was part of the reason I’m in the business. It was wild. Rapid fire jingles, frenetic energy, jocks screaming, it was awesome. Props to KDWB also. I got here in 1997 when it was Dave Ryan in mornings, John London did part of the mid-day show and I did part of the midday show, Michael Knight did afternoons, Tone E. Fly was the night guy, and Zannie K. was the 10p-2a guy. I was in awe of all the talent that was around me. It was like being on the Chicago Bulls of the 90’s.
Erik Bradley, WBBM: 1990s era KMEL under Keith Naftaly and Hosh Gureli.
Matt Johnson, WPLW: WFLZ from the battle with Q105 through its battle with WLLD and now how it’s faring against WPOI. I think the history of FLZ would be one of the most interesting documentaries you can do about our industry.
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