1990 - Playlists From Top 40/Dance Stations

[instigator]

Is so interseting to see Phil Collins, Wilson Phillips ,and Michael Bolton mixed in with all the Dance friendly tracks...I loved 80's 90's radio..(q102)

 

[WBIMDJ]

KMEL played Depeche Mode?! Wow, what it was like in 1990. Unbelievable.

 

[Jay F]

KMEL played Depeche Mode?! Wow, what it was like in 1990. Unbelievable.

In 1992 KMEL played "Smells Like Teen Spirit" shocking many in the industry.

Even if they did play some dance-pop-alternative product, I would say KMEL was one of the most influential stations in rhythmics shifting to a hip hop direction in the 90s. I recall a trip to SF in 1991 where KMEL was playing songs like "OPP" (before it was a national hit), "Ain't No Future in Your Frontin" and "My Mind Is Playing Tricks On Me". It was unusual at that time to hear these type of rap songs on the radio and I have to say it sounded very fresh, especially compared to today!

 

[WBIMDJ]

Wow, unbelievable. Woulda loved to hear that back in the early 90's. Even today, KMEL is still better than most urban/rhythmics out there..

 

[Wildstyle K]

I kind of wish I was in to radio enough those days to remember both Y95 and Power 92. I don't remember ever paying attention to Power 92 in 1990. I do remember Y95 a lot though, and I wonder why Glenn Medieros "she ain't worth it" wasn't on Y95 playlist because I believe I clearly remembered hearing it on there, along with "cherish" by Madonna. Maybe it wasn't in 1990 though, but I remember hearing it. I used to live in Atlanta from 1989-1997, and traveled back to Arizona every summer within that time period, so I probably heard those songs in 1991. I remember back in those days, when my friend and I would argue about which station was better. I would always pick Y95, and he was always like "they suck. Majik 107 is the best". Ironically, he did grow up to be a r&b (with a lot of jazz influence) musician and still picks the r&b sound over top 40 today. I was the one who drifted towards dance around the times Real McCoy, Amber, No Mercy, MTS, Corona, Livin Joy, Scatman John, Captain Hollywood Project...etc came out, which only intensified once I heard Lina Santiago, Planet & Soul, Jocelyn Enriquez, and Angelina for the first time, thanks to my visiting L.A. while I was on vacation here in Az. I didn't get into S.F. Spanish Fly's "I can see" and a few other things until KPTY 103.9 Arizona's Party Station popped up. Before that, the only Spanish Fly I knew was "crimson & clover".

THOSE WERE THE DAYS.... And if I had known better, I would've gone out with Lil Suzy before she got married. Don't know why I used to look up to these people who I now find out were around the same age as me!!!

Lastly, while in the shower the other day, I was thinking... "hmmm... if Planet & Soul "set u free" is known more when it comes to back in the day / old school hits and programs, then why did Lina Santiago "It feels so good (show me your love)" make it to Rick Dees weekly top 40, yet Planet & Soul which never made it to the countdown is the one from that style of sound that is mostly remembered today?" I think even Jocelyn was only a close call request for a few weeks on Rick Dees, yet even her "do you miss me" is still more recognized than Lina Santiago's music, yet Lina is the one who made it to the top 40 countdown. How accurate are these countdowns anyway?
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Thank goodness for Rick Dees on Star*94. That was the ONLY WAY Atlanta got any exposure to that entire sound. Hearing Lina Santiago once a week, or a 20 second clip of Angelina during the countdown show two Sunday nights in a row was better than nothing at all.... and getting new stations to introduce that sound to Atlanta in 2001 was better than it never being introduced to Atl. at all. I could imagine all the people in Atl. 2001 hearing Planet & Soul or Jocelyn Enriquez for the first time during a club mix show and running to their Sam Goody's thinking "what is this new sound...?".

 

[Wildstyle K]

I will always regret never having a station like WiLD 94.9 through the late 90's - early 2000's! Today's Movin' 99.7 is alright, but there's no longer anything exciting in LA or San Fransisco for me today. I'm better off in Phoenix..... Damn do I miss those days! (Despite the fact I wasted most of it living in Atlanta..) The music portion of that time of my life, THAT, I do miss.

Anyway, those of you talking about having recordings / memories of when certain stations were on the verge of going more dance, rhythmic pop....etc, then get your recorders out NOW because in a few years, you will realize that this is exactly where we are once again, today. Only difference, we are exiting the hip hop era, not preparing to enter it. All the youngsters of today who grow up, this Lady Gaga, David Guetta, and Akon stuff will be their transitional mark in history. This is their Fun Factory and.... well, you get the point.