Back “in the day” (another overused phrase) WBZ FM was 106.7 on the dial and played nothing but album music. No DJz, no commercials. WBCN was king in the album format. Christ, they invented it. WCOZ, 94.5 was a close a second. WFNX was still a sperm inside of Steve Mindich.
WTTK, 100.7 gave it a shot and played album music. It didn’t last.
Kiss 108 was exactly as it is now. With the same listeners who are now joined by their daughters. Rest in Peace Sonny Jo White.
WBCN played imports. Songs from new bands such as the Clash, The Police, U2 and The Boomtown Rats.
And the local bands like The Stompers, the Fools, The Sex Execs, The Atlantics,
I remember one evening in the late 70s when they had a “band from Lynn” in the studios and played their album which was being released the next day.
Nothing good could come from hearing that. But it was The Cars. An album classic.
The lunchtime song with Ken Shelton was a treat in the pre-digital age.
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Now WBZ FM is back.
The only question I have is will it compete with EEI as sports radio or men’s radio?
If it takes the direction of being sports like ESPN radio it will fail.
If it targets men like Lifetime targets women then it has a good chance.
Of course having Pats and Bruins makes it a money maker regardless of other crap. (as long as the teams don’t suck)
But if they include non sports discussions and build personalities and create a brand and look not appearing to rip off EEI they can do it.
It takes time with some trial and error. But they have great anchors in the Pats and Bs
I look forward to BZ-FM going after the Sox and/or Celts.
Red Sox will be winners now that there is real competition.
The competiton in “men’s radio” should result in good entertainment. Risk taking and pushing the envelope type of stuff.
Callahan and Denis are great are what they do. Entertaining and funny. Regardless of political views. What will BZ have in the AM? Felger? Ouch!
maybe WBZ will take a major EEI personality from the free agent market? Pete Shepard would be a great personality. Who knows what his contract staus is>
Fred Smerles should be getting a call. Perhaps we have a new weekend home for the Preacher and the Teacher.
BZ can steal a few personalities without trying to be a rip-off of EEI.
Note: WBCN will still be heard on HD Radio. I see a future in HD radio but not sure about the music end of it. If I understand it right the more broadcasts on one signal, which HD is, results in less quality sound.
I maybe wrong. But if the sound is the same WBCN can survive. Soon we will all have HD radios in our cars and then our clock radios.
want to peel off some listeners from 850? can’t take their castoffs. mustard & johnson? smerlas? death. there’s a reason they barely get airtime.
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p>plus if u take them u basically create a brand called “Couldn’t Cut It On WEEI.” stretch out your thumb and forefinger. now put it against your head. nobody wants to identify with station of losers. makes u feel bad inside.
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p>the mens radio idea is pretty good, though, ernie. 2 points.
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p>i do think u want a short term plan to counter-program WEEI. make sure you are on air when they are on commercial breaks.
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p>dennis & callahan are kings but need to use it against them….have a daily segment called Callahan Watch, handle him like Howard Stern used Kathy Lee Gifford, poke fun. Same with Ordway and his opinion flip flops. He makes fun of himself but no reason not to jump on same thing. loosen up loyalty to WEEI. and if u can get them to counter-strike u win big.
I think they would be good counter-programming with their “Yankee” callers, most of whom are local legends. The rest of what you say makes good sense.
I had a few thoughts on its legacy.
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The thing I liked about BCN was the local feel, and I’ll miss that. For what it’s worth, I really liked Toucher & Rich, too…but Iw asn’t going to wakeup early just to hear them.
We hardly knew ye.