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95YNF

V

vadar

Guest
Still the measuring stick by which all rock radio stations are measured by.
 
vadar said:
Still the measuring stick by which all rock radio stations are measured by.

In Tampa-St. Pete? In the country?

How long was 95ynf around?
 
In my "yoot" I frequented Tampa Bay. My memories were always Q105, then everyone else.

To wit:

The joke frequencies were always 93.3 (who could remember "Paradise 93"?), WXTR (classical on92.5, we all knew it was only a matter of time), 97.9 (First Z98, then Classic Rock 97.9), 101.5 WKES, The Wave 102 1/2.

The following were either non-existant, small time players, or move-ins: 94.1, 96.1, 97.1, 98.7, 105.5

103.3 was The Dove (B-E/Z)
100.7: Ahhhhhhhhh, W-101
Of course, the more trendy rockers (known then as "posers") had YNF, if you were a real metal headed rocker, you put on 98ROCK (before their identity crisis).

107.3 was always WWBA (The Bay - B-E/Z)

WQYK was always "The Redneck/Hillbilly Station" (but ALWAYS hugely popular)

It seemed the older crowd always leaned to WFLA (which was in its waning days as a full service MOR), News Talk 57WPLP, and 860 WGUL.

1040 was WHBO, 1380 was WNSI "News 1 Radio" (a little disappointing, growing up with KYW in Philly), WTAN was always where you would listen to pre-season Phillies games, WSUN was country (older-skewing?), WRXB and WTMP always battled for the urban crowd.


But, the center of my radio geek world was always Q105. I remember the Q Morning Zoo covering the controversy over the girl with purple hair. It caused such an uproar and I forget what happened (either the school forced her to dye her hair or face expulsion - something like that). I believe it was around the time that "Dont Mess With My Toot Toot" was big (1985). I broke my phone call to a radio station cherry that day. (Just think what these kids do nowadays)

Oh yeah, how could I forget? (warms up the vocal chords):

"Look who's doing more, 44, WTOG... with shows and a whole lot more".

The sun 10 logo.

The Legal ID frame going into the Channel 8 NBC prime time line-up (complete with a digital clock)

I remember Channel 16 being off air more than it was on.

And, of course, the infamous "V-32"... Ahhhhhhh, the good ol days!
 
Wasn't WDAE 1250 AM also WFLA's closest competition with MOR also???
 
V-32!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I totally forgot about that TV station!!!!!!!

They used to simulcast the "Q-Morning Zoo" in the morning!!!!!

I recall watching V-32 in my bedroom in Winter Park on an old, small color TV with a HUGE antenna!!!!!!

Hell, I used to watch a lot of Tampa TV on that set. I used to think that the Tampa stations were better than the Orlando stations back then. I remember that Channel 8 used to show a cool late night movie on Saturday Nights in the late 80's. It was always something like "Saturday Night Fever" or "Orca". Those movies were a riot to watch back then because it was a total reminder of everything 70's that had totally disappeared by the late 80's...

I also used to watch "Solid Gold" on channel 44 on Saturday nights around this time (WFTV Channel 9 Orlando had moved it to a late Saturday night timeslot that was too late for me, hell, I was only 11!!).

Going back to the topic of YNF, I recall that they used to have an all-request show that ran Mon-Fri between 10-mid. That station used to come in clear as a bell during this time. It was on that request show that I heard "Calling Doctor Love" from Kiss for the very first time..

I recall that Q-105 used to sound AWESOME on Sunday nights throughout the summer of 87'.....Just a total mix of great Top 40.....

Good stuff.......
 
Rockin Rob said:
In my "yoot" I frequented Tampa Bay. My memories were always Q105, then everyone else.

To wit:

The joke frequencies were always 93.3 (who could remember "Paradise 93"?), WXTR (classical on92.5, we all knew it was only a matter of time), 97.9 (First Z98, then Classic Rock 97.9), 101.5 WKES, The Wave 102 1/2.

I thought KRL was programmed very well, and certain incarnations of the Wave weren't too shabby, maybe I was the only one? Remember when they were Gourmet Radio?

Of course, the more trendy rockers (known then as "posers") had YNF, if you were a real metal headed rocker, you put on 98ROCK (before their identity crisis).

Posers had YNF? Maybe near the end... but this station seriously ROCKED.

What ever happened to Russ Albums???

I'd kill for pipes like this.

http://www.cedricharris.com/radio/ynfwax.mp3
 
YNF fell apart when CBS started tinkering with it. I remember Ron Diaz telling everyone how CBS would kill the station- and they did. However, when YNF came on the air it was amazing. We ALL abandoned 98 Rock including the 98Rock DJs) for 95. I went to their first live event and I had them slap a "95YNF Tampa Bay's Home for Rock'N'Roll" license plate on my hot rodded '74 Plymouth Duster. I got really nostalgic the other day when I found a picture of that old car and that great orange license plate prominantly displayed. To this day, I believe that Ron & Ron were the best morning show. And yes, I have listened to Stern, Sea Bass (remember him?), all of the other syndicated pairs of dumbasses that CC is trying to cram down our throats, Bubba is still one of my favorites (and is the best on the air right now), but R&R would really make me laugh.

There was nothing better than hearing Russ Albums say the words "95YNF". It was always cranked up loud in our Tampa Bay Tech High School parking lot.

Oh, and now that I am feeling nostalgic, Q105 Still Sucks?

Thanks for creating this great thread.
 
95YNF was great with the morning drive ( RON and RON) and played good songs..but too much 70s.. then came 98Rock..and they kicked their butts all over the radio playing New Hard Rock...... alot just couldnt take hearing Poison...then going to Lynard Skynard...its like..wtf?? Why play that old redneck crap!!! Anyways,YNF is the Father of Tampa Bay Rock though
 
Cedric said:
Rockin Rob said:
In my "yoot" I frequented Tampa Bay. My memories were always Q105, then everyone else.

To wit:

The joke frequencies were always 93.3 (who could remember "Paradise 93"?), WXTR (classical on92.5, we all knew it was only a matter of time), 97.9 (First Z98, then Classic Rock 97.9), 101.5 WKES, The Wave 102 1/2.

I thought KRL was programmed very well, and certain incarnations of the Wave weren't too shabby, maybe I was the only one? Remember when they were Gourmet Radio?

Of course, the more trendy rockers (known then as "posers") had YNF, if you were a real metal headed rocker, you put on 98ROCK (before their identity crisis).

Posers had YNF? Maybe near the end... but this station seriously ROCKED.

What ever happened to Russ Albums???

I'd kill for pipes like this.

http://www.cedricharris.com/radio/ynfwax.mp3

Russ Albums? We actually had him here in Philly, for a while. I believe he's in DC or something? But yes, what a voice!!!

Somewhere, in my vast collection, I might still have a "Gourmet Radio" license plate!!!!!
 
radiorob2.0 said:
Speaking of WTOG, someone has posted the classic "WTOG, as far as the eye can see" imaging from the seventies.
YouTube WTOG

Thanks for the link.

It brings back memories of when I used to watch WTOG on cable in Fort Myers until they affiliated with FOX, at which time the cable system dropped them.

We're Channel 44...We'll show you the good life!

(This jingle was from the early 80's).
 
I beleive its russrussproductions.com

I've heard him as voice over for 97.3 FM in ocala.

Sounds great as everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
 
Re: 95YNF & Russ Albums

Yeah, when Cox messed up YNF, Russ Albums went to Philly YNF. Another "Classic" (sic) screw up. He was on with Howard a few times to, his Grammy Shows and sometime would join Russ on the air in Philly. It was Cerf who did the mid day between Howard and Russ that went to D.C. read somewhere that Russ returned to FLA to the Point??

Ever Google him? Comes up russrussproductions.com. Great commercial voice, Loss to radio waves tho!
 
Yeah, Russ has his own production company and last time I checked he was still producing the "Wax Museum" for syndication. What a great show! While I was working in the Cayman Islands our station owner wanted to start a classic rock station and my ops manager was wondering whom to use as the "voice guy". I said "I have just the guy!" When he heard Russ, he nearly fell out of his chair! Sad to say the station never got off the ground (that sort of thing happens a lot in the Caribbean, lots of talk but when it comes to action...well, the phrase is 'soon come'). Too bad, we would have rocked the place!
 
Re: 95YNF & Russ Albums

Red Rocker said:
Yeah, when Cox messed up YNF, Russ Albums went to Philly YNF. Another "Classic" (sic) screw up. He was on with Howard a few times to, his Grammy Shows and sometime would join Russ on the air in Philly. It was Cerf who did the mid day between Howard and Russ that went to D.C. read somewhere that Russ returned to FLA to the Point??

Ever Google him? Comes up russrussproductions.com. Great commercial voice, Loss to radio waves tho!

Cox never ran YNF as a rocker. YNF was already dead at that point under the direction of Sean Portman and Charlie Logan, if memory serves correctly. The death spiral began when Carey Curelop left to go to LA. Later R&R bailed and went to work for Paxson for several years and it then it was just waiting for the final nail to be hammered. And btw, Carey continues to work and win for CBS. It wasn't CBS who screwed up WYNF.
 
MsMusicRadio said:
did ynf flip right into wwrm
Was a simulcast almost immediately of 107.3 and 94.9 almost immediately.

And, fwiw, Russ Albums would have been hired multiple times @ one of the Cox rock stations over the years if he had not burned his bridges over those few weeks.

Shows the impact of stupid decisions that come back to haunt you for years.
 
Re: 95YNF & Russ Albums

Kabrich said:
Cox never ran YNF as a rocker. YNF was already dead at that point under the direction of Sean Portman and Charlie Logan, if memory serves correctly. The death spiral began when Carey Curelop left to go to LA. Later R&R bailed and went to work for Paxson for several years and it then it was just waiting for the final nail to be hammered. And btw, Carey continues to work and win for CBS. It wasn't CBS who screwed up WYNF.

Actully, Cox DID run YNF as a rocker for 10 hours. On the day Cox took over, beginning at midnight, Cox ran it as "95ynf, Tampa Bay's Home of Classic Rock." At 6am, they (still don't know exactly who) did a parody morning show "Ron & Moron." That stunt ended at 10am when the WSUN simulcast began.

But really, I agree with your recollection of the YNF downward spiral. It was then when they tried to be a "98 Rock" clone that started the beginning of the end.
 
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