The History of Classic Rock Radio

A look at the evolution of the classic rock radio format

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The Stories Behind the Classic Rock Radio Format

Hear about the rise of the Classic Rock radio format from the people who were there.

Tom Bender – KRQX/Dallas, WCSX/Detroit

Tom Bender

“Radio’s best ideas are found not in an auditorium test or a focus group, but when we take that knowledge and understanding of the audience and then go crazy and try to do things differently.”

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Bob Bellini – WKLH/Milwaukee

Bob Belini

“Despite the fragmentation and turbulence around it, Classic Rock has become embedded in our lives, a virtual soundtrack to our experiences.”

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Jon Coleman – Coleman Insights

Jon Coleman

“Up until that point, those who ran most Rock radio stations dismissed the idea of playing oldies in their format.”

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Joel Denver – All Access Music Group

Joel Denver

“The Classic Rock format galvanized and united a passionate group of rock music radio listeners and fans – and it became an instant ratings/revenue success.”

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Steve Godofsky – WRFX/Charlotte

Steve Godofsky

“A funny thing happened: the clients loved it and believed it!”

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Steve Goldstein – Saga Communications

Steve Goldstein

“A large body of music was being ignored. The baby boomers, the largest population America had ever seen, were being left behind.”

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Gary Graff – The Detroit Free Press

Gary Graff

“I could sense the beginnings of a new generational divide.”

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Jay Hoker – KCFX/Kansas City

“We decided that to really define the new format it would be about the music that we would not play.”

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Bill Jacobs – Jacobs Media

Bill Jacobs

“Classic Rock was not just a big market phenomenon, but a format that could (and still does) work and win big in markets of any size and in any part of the U.S.”

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Tom Joerres – WKLH/Milwaukee

Tom Joerres

“A clean sweep in all three major demos.”

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Buzz Knight – Greater Media

Buzz Knight

“It remains one of the strongest brands in our business.”

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Herb McCord – Greater Media

Herbert McCord

“I remember almost every major AOR programmer lampooning the idea.”

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Jon McGann – KBFX/Anchorage, KEGX/Tri-Cities

“Our numbers went to the highest levels ever!”

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David Moore – KBFX/Anchorage

David Moore

“There was this incredible body of music — from the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, CCR, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and the Who — that was only receiving sporadic airplay on rock radio. “

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Marc Morgan – WCKQ/Chicago

Marc Morgan

“It could stand the test of time and remain a consistent, money-making format.”

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Bob Ottaway – WMMQ/Lansing

Bob Ottaway

“The phones never stopped ringing. The morale boost was heart-warming.”

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Pat Paxton – Entercom

Pat Paxton

“One of the most surprising phenomenons I’ve seen over the past couple of years is the resurgence of Classic Rock music with 18-34 years olds.”

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Larry Rosin – Edison Research

Larry Rosin

“Hundreds of years from now, mankind will still be listening to Mozart, admiring Picasso, and reading Shakespeare. Similarly, it is likely that the works of Lennon & McCartney, Brian Wilson, Page & Plant, and others of their era will live on through the millennia.”

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Tim Sabean – WCKG/Chicago, WYSP/Philadelphia

Tim Sabean

“This new format called ‘Classic Rock’ started popping up around the country and was cutting big stations down to their knees.”

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Larry Sharp – KSAN/San Francisco, KZOK/Seattle, KUFX/San Jose

Larry Sharp

“We had heard of this new format called ‘Classic Rock.'”

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Bill Sherard – WCXR/Washington, D.C.

Bill Sherard

“Everyone failed to realize that this huge library of archived music met all the criteria for building a new strong listener base.”

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Tim Siegrist – WMMQ/Lansing

Tim Siegrist

“I had no idea how big the format would become or how much a part of people’s lives it would remain.”

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Greg Stevens – KCFX/Kansas City

Greg Stevens

“They just couldn’t understand how a Rock station could get by without playing any currents.”

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Norm Wain – Metroplex Broadcasting

Norm Wain

“We survived and grew a valuable franchise.”

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Tom Yates – KLSX/Los Angeles

Tom Yates

“Classic Rock also revived many a musician’s career and gave the new Compact Disc format a real shot.”

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