January 26, 2024

What song, album, or concert prompted you to find your favorite band?

Jeremy Rice, WXXL: I bought New Order Substance 1987 album and it’s a 10/10, just excellent. I also became a Depeche Mode fan back in the day seeing them in concert and playing them at a high school alternative station in Rochester, NY.

R Dub!, Z90/Magic 92.5: 1990. 13 years old. Getting ready for school. A Tribe Called Quest’s “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo” plays on MTV and my life would never be the same. That was the song that got me into hip-hop music, and soon after, the radio business. I will never forget that moment. It was the song that changed my life’s course.

Jana Sutter, WXXL: I have this long-term admiration for Coldplay. It’s one of the bands I played twenty-plus years ago, and we’ve kind of grown up together. We’ve gone from edgy and cool to adult and stable together.

Randi West, WRMF: I wouldn’t say my favorite band, but I found Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats due to his song that was on the radio.

Erik Bradley, B96: “Vision of Love.” It was a WRAP from “treated me kind…sweet destiny….!!!”

Rick Vaughn, KENZ: Pink Floyd Dark Side Of The Moon.

Mike O’Donnell, WKRZ: The Phil Collins But Seriously album from back in eighties made me a huge Phil Collins fan.

Jonathan Shuford, WRVW: “Yourself or Someone Like You” Matchbox 20, followed closely by “Lights Out” by Sugarcult.

Jon Zellner, iHeartMedia: The first 45 my parents ever gave me was “All You Need Is Love” backed with “Baby You’re a Rich Man” which ignited a 50+ year love and appreciation for The Beatles.

Guy Zapoleon, Zapoleon Consulting: My favorite band has changed several times over the years, but one of them is The Pretenders. Their excellent first album and the hit “Brass In Pocket” really impressed me. In 1980 as a MD in LA I loved all the exciting New Wave bands that were being released and we needed some balance to all the great disco that was out.

Bob Patrick, WXLK: Joan Jett. Played a show in Roanoke that featured some songs from a new album. I went out after seeing her and bought the album. Good Stuff!

Brian Mack, iHeartMedia: Many different bands for me, but here are a couple (going to date myself). My brother made me my first cassette copy of the Joshua Tree by U2, arguably one of my favorite albums of all time. Additionally, seeing Madonna’s “Open Your Heart” and “Lucky Star” videos made me fall in love with ALL of Madonna.

Buster, WIOQ: Eminem Slim Shady LP.

Java Joel, WHBC: Hearing “Kiss On My List” at the roller rink in the Spring of ’81 made me a lifelong Hall & Oates fan. I was six.

Toby Knapp, WASH: U2. The Joshua Tree and hearing “Pride (In The Name Of Love)” the first time and then, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” Those just grabbed my soul. Okay that was dramatic. But it’s true.

Matt Johnson, WPLW: I liked the Foo Fighters. But hearing the Wasting Light album made me a forever fan.