Best Stations in Phoenix per decade

[markchub]

Best Stations per decades

1960's KRUX
1970's KRIZ
1980's KUPD
1990's KZRX
2000's IPOD

 

[DJ_Perry]

Hands Down!

1980's KZZP

 

[oldiesfan6479]

2000s: 94.5 KOOL-FM Phoenix

Even if we had to put up with...

Incessant spins of:
Oh, Pretty Woman
Unchained Melody
the only song James Brown ever recorded ;D
Brown Eyed Girl
Low Rider
(and a few others)

The CBS corporate shenanigans circa 2008/2009.

The "KOOL Kristmas" debacle of 2008. :

But I still wouldn't trade KOOL for any other oldies classic hits station.

 

[Dave Andrews]

1980s KSLX
1990s KUKQ
2000s KCDX
2010s -- that 105.1 sounds promising but I haven't heard it since my car went in the shop

 

[indieradioguy]

1970's KTAR
1980's KZZP
1990's KUKQ
2000's KFYI

 

[KMGX]

1970's KTAR
1980's KZZP
1990's KUKQ
2000's KFYI

This seems about the most accurate. Mind you, I wasn't alive for most of the 70s and didn't move to Phoenix until 1982--but KZZP was the perennial ratings juggernaut of the market. Between Johnny B and then Bruce Kelly... the 80s were basically KZZP's in terms of ratings and market buzz. Many would argue that KZZP's final two years or so (1990 and 1991) were run very slip-shot and constant format tweaks and adjustments to their positioners and on-air personalities turned off listeners, but I still think NCI ripped the station off the air far too abruptly. I believe Dave Ryan would have continued the reign over morning drive had he been given more of an opportunity--much as he has done with KDWB in Minneapolis basically ever since.

KUKQ... well it was around for only about half of the '90s, but I know plenty of people who listened to it at the high school I attended... pretty impressive for an AM station. I wasn't necessarily a fan, but appreciated it for the people that ran it and that it seemed relevant even though it was largely thought of as an underground station.

KTAR dominated news for many decades and until the very early part of the 2000 decade that was evident, but KFYI certainly turned that around and has been dominant ever since. KTAR never really evolved, or did so far too slowly. The landscape of news/talk was more about 'talk' than 'news' and that's been more and more apparent the last 20 years, the internet and 24-hour cable/satellite news channels have made radio news almost a dinosaur. KFYI realized that in 1985, KTAR realized it in about 2005.

 

[2Son]

1970's KTAR
1980's KZZP
1990's KUKQ
2000's KFYI

This seems about the most accurate. Mind you, I wasn't alive for most of the 70s and didn't move to Phoenix until 1982--but KZZP was the perennial ratings juggernaut of the market. Between Johnny B and then Bruce Kelly... the 80s were basically KZZP's in terms of ratings and market buzz. Many would argue that KZZP's final two years or so (1990 and 1991) were run very slip-shot and constant format tweaks and adjustments to their positioners and on-air personalities turned off listeners, but I still think NCI ripped the station off the air far too abruptly. I believe Dave Ryan would have continued the reign over morning drive had he been given more of an opportunity--much as he has done with KDWB in Minneapolis basically ever since.

KUKQ... well it was around for only about half of the '90s, but I know plenty of people who listened to it at the high school I attended... pretty impressive for an AM station. I wasn't necessarily a fan, but appreciated it for the people that ran it and that it seemed relevant even though it was largely thought of as an underground station.

KTAR dominated news for many decades and until the very early part of the 2000 decade that was evident, but KFYI certainly turned that around and has been dominant ever since. KTAR never really evolved, or did so far too slowly. The landscape of news/talk was more about 'talk' than 'news' and that's been more and more apparent the last 20 years, the internet and 24-hour cable/satellite news channels have made radio news almost a dinosaur. KFYI realized that in 1985, KTAR realized it in about 2005.

Any station that played Xymox, Cocteau Twins, Electronic, Front 242, Book of Love, etc...was certainly a great-sounding station in my book. It's just a shame that perhaps much of that music will never be heard on commercial radio again. I really loved the music of the late 80's-early 90's.

 

[Wildstyle K]

1990's Y95 and 103.9 Arizona's Party Station
2000's Newstalk 1010 and Energy 92.7 / 101.1

I don't believe I have to say what late 00's and 2010 is for me. ;D

I really didn't memorize any stations before 1990. These type of things weren't, yet, sticking in my mind, although, I do remember many of the late 80's hits very well.

 

[buster2]

1960s - KOY (did it all / did it well)
1970s - KOY (dominated ratings / Heywood ruled AM drive)
1980s - KZZP (I'll be Johnny in the Morning just as long as I can be..... And when I can't, you'll have Dave Otto or Bruce K.)
1990s - KFYI (Young in midday, Rush at noon, Mo in PM - appointment radio)
2000s - KEZ (Beth & Bill ruled AM and Christmas brought beaucoup $$)
2010s - Pandora

Honorable mention goes to KNIX from late 1970s to late 1990s when they could do no wrong. KMLE ate into them eventually.

 

[KeithE4]

1960s: KRIZ and KRUX (tie)
1970s: KDKB
1980s: Don't know - I wasn't here in the '80s.
1990s: KGME
2000s: KMVP/KTAR
2010s: KEITHE4-FM (my smartphone with an FM transmitter) ;D

 

[fusejockey]

First thoughts as I try to reach into my childhood - the 1950's -
My folks would have: KOY on most -- KOOL 960 -- Ray Odom's KHAT - recall seeing Odom at a live remote...
I enjoyed the early days of KRUX - not clear exactly when I began listening to it the most

1960's - KRUX Lucky Lawrence and crew - KRIZ with the original Tony Evans
1970's - KDKB 1510 / 93.3 ( early times as KCAC 1010 ) Toad Hall
1980's - KZZP Brandmeier ruled
1990's - KSLX Andy Olson
2000 - - nothing stands out - ???
2001 - moved to Northern AZ - KMGN 93.9 The Mountain w./ Eddie Miller - thru today 8)

 

[AZBigGuy]

Hands Down!

1980's KZZP

No doubt, Bruce Kelly, Maggie Brock...they owned the 80's

 

[K7VOR]

Not all of us are so young. I remember KOY and KTAR (before a doctor left out the "A") leading the few stations on the air here in the 50's. KOY had Len Engebritzen (?) in the morning, with his "good ol Scandanavian coffee", calling the Phoenix PD for a "read" of overnight crime by their dispatcher. And KTAR having a live studio organ played for 15-30 minutes around noon. Understand the 40s included a DJ on KOY by the name of Steve Allen. Those of you who don't know about him -- go back to bed.

Not too exciting, eh?

 

[oldiesfan6479]

I remember KOY and KTAR (before a doctor left out the "A")...

Actually, it was Preston who often neglected the "A" in his enunciation of the calls.

KOY had Len Engebritzen (?) in the morning...

Ingebrigtsen. But I had to look it up. On KOOL 960 after his 55/KOY stint.

Understand the 40s included a DJ on KOY by the name of Steve Allen. Those of you who don't know about him -- go back to bed.

I'm sure at least one of our "younger posters" is well aware of him!

 

[K7VOR]

And how long ago was it that Preston Westmoreland been gone? Guess the good doctor doesn't want us to forget about him. I find all of today's talent pronouncing K-T-A-R perfectly. :-\

 

[DrAkbar]

I find all of today's talent pronouncing K-T-A-R perfectly. :-\

Bruce St James struggles with it, as well a number of news people. Bet they wouldn't swallow the A if the calls went back to KREP ;D

 

[fybush]

Nobody's nominated KAZG for best of the 2000s yet? What's WRONG with you people? :

 

[DrAkbar]

Nobody's nominated KAZG for best of the 2000s yet? What's WRONG with you people? :

Nurse Jeff and I hereby nominate Lumberyard 14~Forty for having the best lamptimer of the 2000s. Come to think of it, they won the same award last century!

 

[oldiesfan6479]

Nobody's nominated KAZG for best of the 2000s yet? What's WRONG with you people? :

I've tried to type in "KAZG Scottsdale," but every time I get......(static)...(white noise)......cut off! ;D

 

[indieradioguy]

And how long ago was it that Preston Westmoreland been gone? Guess the good doctor doesn't want us to forget about him. I find all of today's talent pronouncing K-T-A-R perfectly. :-\

Is Preston the one who had NBC-era David Letterman feature one of his videos - something about snow or airplanes? That's all I remember. Oh, and the questions about whether he was related to a certain someone else with the same surname.