I think Cleveland, while known for WMMS and its heyday in the '70s and '80s, is best known for having the best sounding Adult Contemporary stations in the country. I remember in the '90s there were three to choose from (WDOK, WQAL and WLTF) that were all pretty good. The '80s and '90s strike me as the best period for good AC radio for a few things.
1. The addition of WMJI in 1982 that really shook up WZZP, which was Rock but went to a softer approach, and after WMJI became a hit as a Gold-based AC, WZZP eventually became WLTF as a Contemporary-based AC. The WMJI/WLTF battle made for good radio in the 80's. Mike McVay deserves credit for WMJI and the same for Dave Popovich with WLTF.
2. The evolution of WDOK from Easy Listening to "Soft Favorites" to now Soft Rock, starting in 1987. When Sue Wilson came in as PD, she took a struggling station (I think WQAL eventually beat out WDOK in an Easy Listening battle) and made it stronger. WDOK was also able to standout as a locally-owned station with a more unique approach to AC, while the uptempo rivals were more in battle with each other. Eventually, WDOK become the sole Soft Rock station in Cleveland, which it still is, after the other stations changed their sound or format.
3. The transition of WQAL from Easy Listening to "Soft Hits" (which didn't last long) to Hot AC, and the arrival of "Q104." WQAL had to make some sort of change eventually, and the Easy Listening format wasn't going to last very long in the '90s. Thus, after a rocky start as "Soft Hits 104," they eventually found footing as "Q104" and the station, which was unlike the other AC stations, soon took off, resulting in a heated battle with WLTF in the early-mid '90s.
4. The arrival of WMVX, which was also unlike the other AC stations in the past and present. The music wasn't heard much elsewhere, and the imaging really helped them stand out. Not to mention, their launch and going jockless at the start, except for mornings.
As I come to this, here are my all-time favorite AC stations. My Top Five:
1. WQAL
2. WDOK
3. WMVX
4. WLTF
5. WKDD (back in the '90s at 96.5)
What are your picks for best AC station?
1. The addition of WMJI in 1982 that really shook up WZZP, which was Rock but went to a softer approach, and after WMJI became a hit as a Gold-based AC, WZZP eventually became WLTF as a Contemporary-based AC. The WMJI/WLTF battle made for good radio in the 80's. Mike McVay deserves credit for WMJI and the same for Dave Popovich with WLTF.
2. The evolution of WDOK from Easy Listening to "Soft Favorites" to now Soft Rock, starting in 1987. When Sue Wilson came in as PD, she took a struggling station (I think WQAL eventually beat out WDOK in an Easy Listening battle) and made it stronger. WDOK was also able to standout as a locally-owned station with a more unique approach to AC, while the uptempo rivals were more in battle with each other. Eventually, WDOK become the sole Soft Rock station in Cleveland, which it still is, after the other stations changed their sound or format.
3. The transition of WQAL from Easy Listening to "Soft Hits" (which didn't last long) to Hot AC, and the arrival of "Q104." WQAL had to make some sort of change eventually, and the Easy Listening format wasn't going to last very long in the '90s. Thus, after a rocky start as "Soft Hits 104," they eventually found footing as "Q104" and the station, which was unlike the other AC stations, soon took off, resulting in a heated battle with WLTF in the early-mid '90s.
4. The arrival of WMVX, which was also unlike the other AC stations in the past and present. The music wasn't heard much elsewhere, and the imaging really helped them stand out. Not to mention, their launch and going jockless at the start, except for mornings.
As I come to this, here are my all-time favorite AC stations. My Top Five:
1. WQAL
2. WDOK
3. WMVX
4. WLTF
5. WKDD (back in the '90s at 96.5)
What are your picks for best AC station?
