"Where Rock Lived": What Corporate Radio Looked Like

Doc - Airplay

Watch More on Network Awesome

A day in the life of New York's WNEW-FM, Airplay follows DJ's, administrators and other employees as they go about the business of keeping America's most populous city entertained. Known for years by the slogan "Where Rock Lives", the station came into its own in 1967, when 102.7 FM switched formats from middle-of-the-road pop to a more daring progressive rock sound.

The station remained a staple of the New York radio band through the 1970s and 80s, thanks in no small part to its eclectic playlist, regular visits from rock stars and willingness to let their on-air personalities be themselves, before increased competition and unpopular format changes led to a gradual decline in the 1990s. In 1999, the station officially changed to a "hot talk" format, hiring a coterie of shock jocks including the duo of Opie & Anthony, whose "Sex for Sam" stunt, which generated fines and controversy by encouraging a couple to have intercourse in the vestibule of St. Patrick's Cathedral, compounded the already dismal ratings, leading to the end of this era of the station.

Since then, the frequency has been occupied by several newer outlets, most recently the well-liked adult contemporary station WWFS.

Comments

[[email protected]]

holy fuckin' shit!

[Gelatinous_cube]

Agreed. WKRP come to life. Actually this _was_ my life in High School. I even had the WNEW calendar, each month featuring a tableau of one of the DJ's (including Dan-O, Muni, etc.) themed around a famous song. Book 'em Dano!

[mr.lucky]

it's great to see all the old jocks like Muni,Fornatell,and Near,but it was a an extra treat for me to see the calendar being composed,as I was on it for a few years.WNEW-FM was probably the most popular commercial station of it's day,and was an important part of music history,you never knew what guests would drop in and just be themselves.

[Randy in NC]

Wow! Lots of memories. And they made that on my birthday!

I never realized that the WNEW DJ's stood up during their airtime. Megless did 5 hours standing.

I was a cameraman for a while at that Central Park disarmament rally they mention. Very unprofessional, and it was actually broadcast live on Ch 13.

Hmmm, 1982, that was right around the time I switched from WNEW and started listening to WFMU!

Does anyone remember, back then in the advertising for stereo systems -- Sony, Panasonic, Marantz, etc. -- that the tuner was always set to 102.7?

[Clueless in MI]

I'd like to have a $10.00 bill for every WNEW-Fm co-sponsored Ride For CP I went on in Central Park. And yes, I too lusted after each years calender. Some of those babes were HOT!

[Pete]

The call letters "WNEW-FM" will now be used for a new CBS-owned all-news station in Washington D.C. They may use "WNEW-AM" for a DC station focused on federal government news.

[Panasonic KX TDA600]

Excellent Blog every one can get lots of information for any topics from this blog nice work keep it up.