when did wlir become wdre

WLIR was best known as an influential radio station that launched the careers of many music acts and disc jockeys from the 1970s through the 1990s. The Kennedy Assasination: consipracy theory v. fact; When the FM band started gaining popularity in the late 60's and early 70's it became a place where experimentation and free form was the dominant format. A place to go. Watch on WLIR - A Brief History Thanks to Ken Kohl, Jim Cameron, Joel Moss, Fred Blue Fox, and Heather Schoen for their conributions on the early years. But it all got its start with a bunch of idealistic college hippies (and other hangers on) who took a fantastic journey into new realms of rock radio possibilities. It was the music; the stations uncanny ability to connect with a unique and ever-changing audience that set WLIRs place in broadcast history. on the heritage cutting edge Rock station WLIR and in later years was an avid fan of the former Modern Rock format of WDRE. For many artists these broadcasts were their first radio exposure in the U.S. During the 80s as other new wave stations sprang up around the country WLIR became a force in the music industry as it was tracked by all the trades as the leader in discovering and breaking new music. Anything was possible. 181.fm - 80's Hairband. In what seemed like an annual ritual, on January 3, 2008, WLIR-FM began simulcasting programming from sister station WDRE (Party 105), fueling speculation that a change in format to ESPN was imminent. From a ramshackle penthouse studio perched atop a Garden City building, WLIR would become the nation's first and for years only U.S. radio station to air U2, The Cure, The Smiths, New Order and. He managed with a light touch and had an on-air style envied by all. From 1972 through 1987 over 2200 performances were broadcast from legendary clubs; My Fathers Place, Malibu, The Ritz, and many more. In 1970, it changed to a progressive rock format before switching to a new music/modern rock format in 1982. Bob Wilson, longtime WLIR employee and historian, created the website WDAREFM.COM (Dare FM), which maintains the spirit of the original WLIR. As he did so, he raised an entire class of Welsh people to fill the new posts created in his new fiefdoms. The music that made 92.7 WLIR / WDRE and KROQ World Famous. Program director Denis McNamara recommended to the station's owner that he choose one of two formats progressive adult contemporary or New Music. WLIR-FM Garden City New York: Screamers and Screeches of the - Discogs On August 2 the format switch occurred. Many times it felt as if there was some kind of rock n roll muse programming, and not me! The sales of WLIR-FM and WBZB were approved on February 27, 2007. [9] The station arranged with a record store in London to get same-day air delivery of new records (years before this was the norm) from Heathrow Airport; WLIR music director Rosie Pisani would drive the 12 miles (19km) to nearby JFK on Thursday afternoons to pick up the records. Phoenix Media also took the "Dare To Be Different" slogan as intellectual property, so WDRE's moniker became "New Music First". Denis McNamara - Long Island Music Hall of Fame It worked and was a mainstay of the NY music scene for 10 years. People never expected me to be blond, even with the name Malibu Sue. It was a great mix using the Beatles, "A Day in the Life," ad Led Zeppelin's, "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You.". By the early 70s most New York Progressive Rock stations had already evolved into the safer album oriented rock format when WLIR-FM switched from beautiful music to rock in 1970. Then there was our news department, consisting of late (and great) George Taylor Morris and former ABC-FM Newsman Bill Royster. The new format debuted on July 1, 1970. There is simply no question that while LIR had a great run 1970-78; these were the GLORY DAYS. Note the can of Tab! Red Apple objected to the site's use of the WLIR.FM domain name, which used the same call sign of WLIR-FM. - Joel Moss As a result of the format change, which was also instituted at two other stations owned by the WLIR's owners (The Morey Organization), all of the on-air staff was fired. The Vietnam War was raging, many young men from Long Island were coming home in body bags, while others came home psychologically scarred by a war that should never have been waged. Modern AC Format Orgins, Peak and Decline - RadioDiscussions . But the life goal was to get to Broadway? Some of these include: WLIR had many memorable and unique shows. [Nevertheless], I'm a small cog in a very large wheel. The station's FCC license had been changed to a special temporary authority in 1972 as the result of slow-moving legal battle that had gone dormant later in the 1970s. It was very difficult for Denis who had a very good relationship with Billy who was on so much that I think people thought he was a DJ there. Wdre 103.9 Philadelphia - Wdare 2023 This sound helped WLIR's ratings and would continue until the station's end on January 9, 2004. They pla Editing quarter-inch strips of magnetic tape (with a precious mylar backing that preserved the recording for decades) on a cheap consumer grade tape recorder (not even a tape deck). the opportunities for advancement for Welsh people became more . When Kenny moved West, George and I battled on. From the free form rock of the 70s, the new wave of the 80s, alternative grunge guitar 90s, to the pop, electronica, and dance of today, 92.7 was always the frequency to find Songs You Wont Hear Anywhere Else. For other uses, see WLIR (disambiguation). Regular concerts from My Fathers Place in Roslyn and 48 hours of live music from multiple stages at Eisenhower Park, Ultra Sonic, My Fathers Place and the LIR studios. We introduced Long Island to Bruce Springsteen, Hall and Oats, Charlie Daniels, Jackson Browne broadcasting over 200 LIVE radio concert. [20] Andre Ferro would be the last DJ heard on the 92.7 airwaves, followed by a message from ownership. During my dance days, my choreographer who knew I'd been a swimmer would put on Beach Boys music during rehearsals, and he started calling me 'Malibu Sue.' One had to be a really decent board op to keep the continuity. Mostly rough on the business side of the shop. We had an attitude and sensibility and a family groove that resonated throughout everything LIR did. 92.7 WDRE & WLIR Alum Next obvious question how did Malibu Sue become someone who keeps the air, land and sea traffic moving smoothly in the Tristate area? Cameron left LIR in 79 to join the ill-fated WQIV in NYC where he did AM-drive. How many different club or bar spots can one radio station run and still sound professional? The interviews; logging of those sessionsthe hours of listening, again and again; and the writing to bring it all together. The music that made 92.7 WLIR / WDRE and KROQ World Famous. Malibu, Spize, Spit, Paris, New York God, there were so many great clubs. Each of us had been reared on progressive radio, which was about more than playing a variety of songs in some order based on things like recommended rotations, and chart placement in Billboard Magazine, as in 95% of todays rock radio. North then read the AP wire bulletin and spoke several times with a police contact, who was finally able to confirm Lennon had died at 11:24. From there he moved into radio news at WHCN, WCOZ/WHDH and NBC News The Source young adult network where he received a Peabody Award. We were so young; all in our twenties. In fact, the nine-hour Kennedy Assasination expose earned a prestigious Armstrong Award; pretty impressive for a rogue troupe of renegades with barely enough splicing tape to hold it all together. Get involved. "Dare To Be Different"World Famous for their underground music screamer/shreek of the week. In addition, with the new format, the station would run commercial-free during the day, with the actual airtime during this period paid for by advertisers. Dare to Different - Remembering WLIR - City-Data.com In the past few years artists such as Moby, William Orbit, and Fatboy Slim added an alternative dance edge as the format continued to evolve. Editing quarter-inch strips of magnetic tape (with a precious mylar backing that preserved the recording for decades) on a cheap consumer grade tape recorder (not even a tape deck). According to the station's owners, this was an attempt to take on satellite radio and MP3 players, which had been cutting into listeners of traditional radio. On December 20, 2005, after three months of low ratings, the NeoBreeze format was dropped, and the WLIR alternative format returned. This recording is a one-hour aircheck of that "Top 100" programming. KRTH - K-Earth 101. It became apparent there was a new music scene and enough artists that were being ignored by traditional radio to build a new format. Up all Night (spending overnights at JFK airport, in the tower and isolated off-limit areas long before 9/11; shadowing fire and police departments capturing live sound while most of the city was dead asleep); The call letters of WLIR were changed to WDRE by the new owner, Jared Communications, (later to regain the WLIR call letters), while the interim operator (Elton Spitzer's Phoenix Media Corp.) took the WLIR call letters to an AM radio station in Rockland County, New York. Then, of course, there's this: McCaskie was once a member of a team of WLIR/WDRE/92.7 jocks who changed the world. Ben Manillas (Progressive News Network) syndicated News Blimps, were similarly complex and fresh. Location: NYC. Lou was a small, portly man who was always chomping on a cigar. WLIR was the only place to hear the Police, the B-52s, Duran Duran, the Cure, and many others. [1] The website broadcasts a mix of alternative rock from the past and present day, along with former WLIR/WDRE personalities, such as Larry The Duck, Drew Kenyon, Andre, and Rob Rush. Well, maybe just a little. One day we called a staff meeting and invited General Manager / Owner John Reiger. If you look real hard, you might be able to see her milling in the background on a recent episode of "The Equalizer." Credit: Susan McCaskie Collection/McCaskie, Sue. All true by the way. Ego? In 1991 new program director Tom Calderone took the Cutting Edge of Rock in a different direction introducing Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, and a more guitar oriented sound. What next? WLIR continued to broadcast on 107.1 in Hampton Bays on eastern Long Island for about a year before being sold. George Taylor Morris and Jim Cameron took the helm and kept the good ship LIR FM sailing through both rough and calm. It was quite an experience. We didnt know what we didnt know. . [11] As a result of this revocation, Jarad Broadcasting wrested control of the broadcast license for frequency 92.7, taking ownership on December 18, 1987. There were no gender lines. A place all our own. In November 2020, WLIR.FM changed its name to WDAREFM.com (Dare FM), and continues to broadcast the same alternative music and WLIR personalities that it has done for the last 15 years. WLIR/WDRE New York's True New Wave Radio Station [Laughs] Everyone thinks that. college station (Mike Harrison and Dick Neer ran the station at the time and Ken had told me to make a demo tape imitating Mike Harrison and Harrison (who sure liked himself alot) would give me a job. This meant playing obscure artists, playing album cuts instead of just hit singles, and having disc jockeys speak in a casual, conversational tone. New Order, Depeche Mode, Ultravox, Yazoo and Blancmange were early staples of the new music format. We were having fun and changing the world. [10] According to McNamara, the "entire music industry was looking upon 'LIR and that 'LIR marketplace of New York and Long Island as one of the hippest music areas of the world. It was one of the craziest but happiest times in my radio career. LIR was about the music and the alienation of being 20 years old on long Island in the 70s. Ken wanted. On January 9th, 2004 at 12 noon Univision completed its purchase of the 92.7 frequency and began simulcasting its Spanish language station WCAA. On January 9, 2004, Univision bought the 92.7 frequency and other assets for $56.9 million and began simulcasting the Spanish radio format of WCAA Newark, NJ. Thread Status: Not open for further replies. Being in the Penthouse of the Imperial Square Building, we could walk out onto the, roof. They weren't even professional machines, but home quality 1/4 track stereo models. Clearly, it was more for love than money that we worked at LIR. [7], In 1982, it was decided that in order for the station to move into the future, a format change was needed. The station featured New Wave (McNamara "hated" that term because he felt it was a trendy phrase that might be out of style in a year), synthpop, post-punk, early alternative rock acts as well as novelty records. What public affairs programming sounded like on WLIR, circa 1971. Many of these artists, such as the Police, the Pretenders and U-2 eventually forced their way into the mainstream. I called back to NY to my college radio station pal Joel Moss who immediately told me about something going on at 92.7 on the FM dial right there on Long Island. Keeping WLIR on the air was always a battle as the owners were being bled dry with legal bills as they fought to save their FCC license. The station originally broadcast from studios at the Garden City Hotel in Garden City, New York, then 175 Fulton Avenue, Hempstead, New York, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York, and finally, 1103 Stewart Avenue, East Garden City, New York, with its transmitter located at the North Shore Towers in Floral Park, New York. It was licensed to Garden City, NY on the 92.7 FM frequency and played a mix of Broadway tunes and classical music from a basement studio in the Garden City Hotel. Most of the music of the time spoke about the war and our strong desire for a more peaceful society and world. One method of doing this was the "Screamer of the Week" a promotion in which listeners would call in and vote for their favorite new song of the week. WEBN FM, If you need help accessing our website due to a disability, pleasecontact us, Home | EEO | Employment Opportunties | Advertising Information | Privacy Policy | Contest Rules | Contact, Built on Envisionwise Technology. I'd get up at the crack of dawn to listen to Ben Manilla [and] not long after, called up the station on a whim and asked if I could speak to the station manager, Zim Barstein. Each of you had different tastes what were they? Weimar Republic: Definition, Inflation & Collapse - Watch Full Episodes Due to the informed notice of the station's flip, the staff at WDRE were able to organize a concert called "Bitterfest", which was to be held at The Electric Factory. Youll only take home $68 a week. No problem, said the Music Director. In 1996, WDRE switched to an adult album alternative (AAA) format, brought back Malibu Sue[16] (who had been fired earlier by then-program director Russ Mottla), reverted its call letters back to WLIR and changed its moniker to "The Island". What is Wbli phone number? Denis McNamara, the genius behind "Dare to Be Different," wanted someone to do beach reports but first said, 'what do you want to call yourself' he's a fan of nicknames, if you hadn't noticed. Every other DJ I met was like, 'wow, you guys get to play what you want?!' When WLIR 92.7 went off the air in . The last song played on WLIR that day was "Forever Young", the upbeat version by Alphaville. How important were the clubs to that whole Dare to be Different ethos? Remember the timeViet Nam war was running at full steam while opposition raged on campuses and streets across America. According to McNamara the "entire music industry was looking upon 'LIR and that 'LIR marketplace of New York and Long Island as one of the hippest music areas of the world. He ended up working (briefly) at WNEW-FM and is still in radio at WEBN Cincinnatti. This article is about the history of WLIR/WDRE on the frequencies 92.7 FM, 98.5 FM, and 107.1 FM. All these jocks had gone into the business because they thought they'd be able to play what they loved [then] were given a playlist and guideline. Copyright 2023 Newsday. But LIR was about hearing music you wouldnt hear anywhere else. From a ramshackle penthouse studio perched atop a Garden City building, WLIR would become the nation's first and for years only U.S. radio station to air U2, The Cure, The Smiths, New Order and Duran Duran. On September 15, 2005, WLIR changed formats to a block-sponsored smooth jazz/chill music format known as "FM Channel 107: NeoBreeze." Stream music on Myspace, a place where people come to connect, discover, and share. The pin below, if I recall, was from the time Erasure did a WDRE-sponsored album party for Chorus at the club Industry referenced here: From a ramshackle penthouse studio perched atop a Garden City building, WLIR would become the nation's first and for years only U.S. radio station to air U2, The Cure, The Smiths, New Order and Duran Duran. When she finds the time, McCaskie, 63, also works as a "background artist" better known as an extra on various New York-based TV shows and movies. Oh they very much contributed, for sure. When the first draft lottery happened, we played it live on the air, but with sound effects of machine guns and bombs, and anti-war songs fading in and out. Credit: Susan McCaskie Collection/McCaskie, Sue. When WDRE Philadelphia became a local radio station, talent was hired from within the city (ie Bret Hamilton, formerly of WIOQ), and outside of the city. It was just a group of mavericks who stayed outside the norm, and did their own thing. programming. With alternating call letters, from WLIR (Long Island Rocks) to WDRE (Dare) and an eventual move up the dial to a new frequency, the station's luster gradually . Early influences included the creator of WBAIs Short Cuts, Peter Bochan. Public Watermelon was to be an ambitious bi-monthly three-hour audio montage, with live and pre-produced segments. WLIR 92.7 Remembered - Blogger The new format debuted on July 1, 1970. Administrator Login. We locked the door and told him we all got raises to a living wage, or we walked. The original owners of WLIR did indeed lose their license. Music was always my life and dancing was my way of expressing that love, [then] I had a knee injury which ended my career. On September 12, 2005, WLIR changed formats to a block-sponsored smooth jazz/chill music format known as "FM Channel 107: NeoBreeze". As the need for more DJs came up, Ken was tapping the resources of his former college station at the NY Institute of Technology at Old Westbury, where he had served as program director before he graduated. Nevertheless, it's possible to argue . Think of it like Facebook -- before we old farts started using it. The station's staff, musical firsts and fans are documented. That gave us the freedom to put our experiment into play. I was blessed to work with visionaries and an amazing team that helped carve out that format. But one of the Music Directors (who must remain nameless) said NO! The WLIR 107.1/ESPN Logo used from January 2008 thru July 2011. Dare To Be Different Documentary Hails WLIR's Radio Revolution | Long We put our shows together on the fly, ad lib, no playlists to follow! We asked him to take the position and he agreed to accept representing the collective direction of the staff to management, acting more like a union rep than a manager. WLIR- An Experiment in Conscious Radio 1970-72 While WDRE never became a true mainstream radio station in the Philadelphia radio market, the station gained a cult status in the Philadelphia area, and as a result, events like the station's music festival held in (known as "DREfest") sold out to a crowd of over 25,000 people. Joel Moss, David Scott, myself an then later Joe Bonnadonna all came from that little closed circuit (NY Tech was never able to secure an FM frequency of its own because of the overcrowded FM band in the tri-state area). Joe Bonadonna had a name I suggested he change. I do notice that you still don't have a Long Island accent. [citation needed], WLIR.FM began streaming online in 2005. It was a valiant effort. What ever happened to WLIR's Malibu Sue? - Long Island's & NYC's News He also programs the music playlist. Each DJ used to carry around a "segue book," a little spira bound note pad where we would record segues that worked well. The Treaty of Versailles was long blamed for leading directly to the Second World War, but this is now considered an overstatement. On August 1, 2011, WLIR began broadcasting Christian content as part of the WLIX Voice of Hope radio network. It's the one format that holds up. And programs that were simply experimental and free-form. Page 2 of 3 < Prev 1 2 3 Next > George P Notable Member Thread Starter. Dare To Be Different - new documentary about New York's WLIR Radio Station* Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by George P, May 1, 2017. We couldn't understand it and were like, 'this is so great, why isn't anyone playing it?' [31] It captured the style of the original WLIR, including the alternative music, air personalities, sounders, jingles, shrieks and screamers, along with the new music of the present day. I will always cherish the memories. On January 21, 2008, WLIR-FM became an ESPN Radio affiliate via an LMA with New York City radio station WEPN (1050 AM). All rights reserved. Recent college grads who cut our teeth on inventing free form shows on our college stations with a love of music and a desire to be therebe there for folks just like us. In 1995, WDRE created the first alternative rock network, known as the "Underground Network"[13][14] and consisting of the following stations: Four years after WIBF became WDRE's first affiliate, the Underground Network was disbanded. L to R: Tom Calderone, Bob Marrone, Darren Smith, Malibu Sue, Donna Donna, .Ron Morey, Steve Cass, Mel Toxic, Joey Ramone. You then get hired as an intern. Some of these include: Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. On February 17, 2011, Holding Out Hope Church assigned the agreement to Livingstone Broadcasting, Inc.[30] On May 25, 2011, the sale of WLIR-FM to Livingstone was completed. WLIR Loses Its License - Home - Format Change Archive And we loved it. Denis had a talent for recognizing and cultivating talent and it was just a great time in music and radio. WLIR signed off at noon with a special dance version of "Forever Young" by Alphaville. To name-check a few, they included Ben Manilla, Donna Donna, Larry "The Duck" Dunn and the late Ray White. These came both from segues we did on the fly or, from what we heard atother stations and such. North was doing a special comment on the murder of gun control advocate Dr. Michael J. Halberstam, when an intern ran in with the news about Lennon. If audio editing is considered an art-form, my earliest experience cutting tape at WLIR would be my finger-painting period. By 1932, the Nazi Party became the largest political party in Parliament. Similar Stations. Bragging? It was decided however in 1995 that WDRE New York would change its call letters back to WLIR, thus making WDRE Philadelphia an independent local modern rock station. Don K. Reed was (is) one of the best jocks EVER to sit in behind a microphone but he had no connection to the music, the counter culture, the anti war movement or the lifestyle. On February 17, 2011, Holding Out Hope Church assigned the agreement to Livingstone Broadcasting, Inc. On May 25, 2011 the sale of WLIR-FM to Livingstone Broadcasting Inc was completed. A modest tribute blog established primarily as an homage to an 80's music broadcasting icon that sadly, is no more.. rather, it is a mere shell of its former self, no longer at its original broadcast frequency (92.7 FM) or at its famed 80's era address @1600 Stewart Ave Garden City NY. WLIR staff announcers Mike Harrison and Richard Near sensed something in the air. He also allowed us to program the station ourselves, since youze guys know what you are doin! But after a time, he wanted us to select a program director from amongst the staff. That you could be anybody and were free to be anybody. 1988-01-01 WDRE FM Garden City NY Top 100 Of 1987 aircheck [60min] On November 18, 2007, this simulcast of WLIR-FM ended with the new simulcast of 98.5 WBON, "La Fiesta", taking over the 96.9 frequency. Looking back over nearly four decades, it was the long-form public affairs programming at WLIR that provided the foundation for all that would follow.
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