In 1983, Scott Shannon created one of the most successful radio stations and music formats in the history of the business. In just 74 days, he took New York City’s Z100 from Worst to First in 1983 and it has dominated the market for 39 years. Elvis Duran has hosted the morning show for the past 26 years and is the most listened-to morning show host in America. The two of them are fierce competitors today with Duran on Z100 and Shannon on WCBS-FM, but they have formed a lasting friendship built on mutual respect and admiration. Together, they created Worst to First: The True Story of Z100 New York, a feature-length documentary that premieres tomorrow, February 11, on VOD platforms including Apple/iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, Vudu, and Microsoft. Additionally, it will be available on such cable platforms as InDemand (Comcast, Spectrum, Charter, Cox, Frontier, etc.) and DirectTV.
“Z100 is the most iconic radio station in history,” comments Duran. “What Scott Shannon did 39 years ago is simply the story of legend. To think that I’m a part of this story in any way is just surreal to me. This is one of radio’s greatest tales, and I’m just so proud to have teamed up with Scott to tell it to anyone who will listen.”
Shannon says, “At first I thought the documentary was a crazy idea and I’m still a little suspicious. I’d like to thank Elvis for participating in this labor of love because I know he thought it was a wacky idea too!”
Worst to First portrays the against-all-odds inspirational story of New York City’s Z100. Shannon’s merry band of misfits began broadcasting from the swamps of New Jersey where no artist would venture and the DJs had to buy their own records just to have music to play on air. Fun, chaotic and aspirational, the film features Scott Shannon and other Hall of Fame radio personalities as well as industry legends like Clive Davis, Elvis Duran, Don Ienner, Tom Poleman and Patty Steele.
Iconic artists who exploded on Z100 such as Jon Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, Tony Orlando, Nile Rodgers, and era superstars, Debbie Gibson and Taylor Dayne, all share their personal stories of the importance of the station, their love of radio and passion for performing music.
Worst to First was directed, written and produced by Mitchell Stuart and produced by Trish Hunter Shannon, Elvis Duran, David Katz and John McConnell.
