The History of Classic Rock Radio

A look at the evolution of the classic rock radio format

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The Return of Oldies

Return of Oldies

“There are growing indications that the all-oldies format is back — and with it, an increase in the gold records from the past now being featured in other ‘current music’ formats.” (1986)

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Classic Rock: The Format / Slogan / Future

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“Many of those who aren’t cannibalizing the format have tried to write it off as a quick-fix solution.” (1986)

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Classic Rock Thrives in Just 18 Months

Billboard

“The consensus is that classic rock will have to evolve in order to thrive instead of just survive.” (1986)

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’70s Super Groups Blanket the Dial Again in the ’80s

Detroit Free Press

“A casual glance at the charts or a listen to current rock radio could make you think time has stood still for the past 10 or 12 years.” (1987)

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Jacobs on the Edge

Detroit Metro Times

“The classic rock format also enraged the major record labels, who nervously cited the dwindling of air time on which to break new acts as an impediment to developing new music.” (1988)

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Radio’s Rock of Ages

Rolling Stone

“Listening to rock radio today is like stumbling into an audio time warp.” (1989)

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Rock Turns Respectable

Detroit Free Press

“The baby boomers, rock’s first audience, grew up but didn’t surrender their music as they took the reins of power in American society.” (1989)

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Classic Rock: Seven Years & Counting

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“It was exactly seven years ago that a new format was born — one that would change the face of AOR to come: Classic Rock.” (1990)

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Rock Rolls On and On…

American Way

“Rock-and-roll had aged. So had its audience.” (1991)

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Radio Rabbis

Detroit Jewish News

“Fred [Jacobs] is credited as the creator and godfather of ‘Classic Rock,’ the album-oriented oldies format.” (1997)

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Classic Rock Turns 15

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“Classic Rock was the first format that successfully fragmented what was then AOR.” (2000)

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Jacobian Views

FMQB

“Classic rock stations…have the most targeted vehicle for reaching rabid listeners.” (2002)

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Hindsight is 20/20

FMQB

“In retrospect, it was simple. But the invention and growth of Classic Rock…was anything but.” (2003)

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Classic Rock’s 20th Anniversary

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“In 1985 no one could have predicted that Classic Rock would become the most successful new radio format in the past two decades.” (2005)

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School of Rock

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“Classic rock became an identifiable presence in the industry as stations coast to coast sought out Jacobs Media’s expertise.” (2006)

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Birth of the Classic Rock Format

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“Jacobs Media President Fred Jacobs is credited with creating the Classic Rock format in 1985.” (2008)

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Classic Rock Radio at 30: The Songs Change, So Does the Vibe Remain the Same?

Billboard

“Other stations had flirted with the “classic rock” phrase and concept before, such as Philadelphia’s WYSP and Chicago’s WMET. But the idea really took off following low-power station WMMQ’s switch to the format thanks to the faith of programming director Jeff Crowe and station owner Bob Ottoway. Within a year, the format had spread to Washington, D.C. and Kansas City, and label executives were openly worrying to Billboard about the format’s effect on sales of new music.” (2015)

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Jacobs Media Marks Classic Rock’s 30-Year Anniversary on FM Radio

All Access

“Classic Rock shows no signs of slowing down, either. Not only is the format heard on at least one station in nearly every radio market in America, but according to Nielsen’s radio ratings, its audience has grown significantly over the last 36 months as original fans continue to enjoy the songs they grew up with while entire new generations discover a timeless body of music.” (2015)

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Jacobs Media Celebrates 30 Years of Classic Rock

FMQB

“It’s been 30 years since the first FM Classic Rock station (WMMQ/Lansing, MI) debuted. Consulted by Jacobs Media President Fred Jacobs, who pioneered the format and was instrumental in its spread across the country, WMMQ brought artists like The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin back to the airwaves after they had been all but abandoned by Album Rock Radio in favor of Hot Hits and the newest videos on MTV.”

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Always Trust a Format Over 30

“Not only is the format heard on at least one station in nearly every radio market in America, but according to Nielsen’s radio ratings, the Classic Rock audience has grown significantly over the last 36 months as original fans continue to enjoy the songs they grew up with while entire new generations discover this timeless body of music.” (2015)

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The New “History of Classic Rock Radio” Site Commemorates 30 Years of the Format’s Development

“Consultant Fred Jacobs can pinpoint that birth to WMMQ Lansing in 1985.” (2015)

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Classic Rock Fan Base Growing, Not Fading

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“What’s more intriguing is that classic rock is no longer just a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane for those who remember the political anthems and songs of social consciousness at Woodstock. The kids who rolled their eyes in the backseat of their parents’ car are now embracing the playlists they once mocked.” (2015)

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