CBS-FM coming back

[vchimpanzee]

Personally, I think "Old Time Rock & Roll" was the death of the oldies. That song, more than anything before it, epitomizes how the oldies concept collapsed into adult-lifestyle inanity. It sounds more "over 55" than *any* of those beloved pre-1964 chestnuts. Oldies fans who feel that song's an essential cornerstone of the format should be melted down into pig slop

I like this song and I'm all the time ranting about how standards is getting too contemporary.

Maybe it is all the "Risky Business" parodies. I haven't even seen the movie!

 

[berlin201]

Does anyone have a recording from CBS-FM's HD-2 channel centered around the time CBS-FM and Jack-FM swapped channels (CBS-FM going to the main channel and Jack going to HD-2)?

 

[lalumia]

by the way, this 'one pre-1967 song every 90 minutes' is pure BS:
I hear several 1966/65/64 tracks every hour, and on the weekends they explore early 60s and 50s;
get over it, losers, WE,THE PEOPLE,WON!!!!

 

[vchimpanzee]

I got this great idea for how WCBS should have done the change.

In the "Last Songs Played" one day last week, WXLY Charleston, S.C. did "Hit the Road, Jack" by Ray Charles, which is very unusual because, according to this site, they're very much an AC station which doesn't happen to play much from after 1990.

What a great song for WCBS-FM to have started with, had they thought of it!

 

[KevinFodor]

by the way, this 'one pre-1967 song every 90 minutes' is pure BS:
I hear several 1966/65/64 tracks every hour, and on the weekends they explore early 60s and 50s;
get over it, losers, WE,THE PEOPLE,WON!!!!

Except for the pesky problem of that montage that debuted the new CBS-FM. I believe it opened with Sinatra's
"Summer Wind" followed by a salute which began at...1964. The perfect place to begin for New York.

They intended to play 64, 65 and 66 all along. Whoever's suggesting it was pre-1967 is a bit off there. And, they intended...from the beginning...to feature a sampling of pre-1964 material with their oldies vault. That was public knowledge on the day before the station debuted.

But, if you want to run around screaming "I was right!", even when you're not, that's ok with me.

 

[lalumia]

I WAS RIGHT!

 

[NJListener]

quote author=lalumia link=topic=76660.msg566724#msg566724 date=1185822207]
I WAS RIGHT!
[/quote]

by the way, this 'one pre-1967 song every 90 minutes' is pure BS:
I hear several 1966/65/64 tracks every hour, and on the weekends they explore early 60s and 50s;
get over it, losers, WE,THE PEOPLE,WON!!!!

They intended to play 64, 65 and 66 all along. Whoever's suggesting it was pre-1967 is a bit off there. And, they intended...from the beginning...to feature a sampling of pre-1964 material with their oldies vault. That was public knowledge on the day before the station debuted.

But, if you want to run around screaming "I was right!", even when you're not, that's ok with me.

He is more right than wrong. I am hearing a LOT more 60's and far less 80's then the first week. And they do sprinkle a 50's song here and there, as well. I wouldn't say that "we won" just yet, but I am with lalumia, I believe that our voice is being heard loud and clear.In just a few weeks they have backed off from the 80's in a major way.
Time will tell and I, along with my "posse" have been relentless with calls, e-mails and even some snail mail. We feel THAT passionately about it. You know what they say..Never say never. Oh, wait..thats everywhere but here on the Radio Info. messege boards.

 

[OldiesCat]

Well, not so fast. I just ran a Vintage Analysis on WCBS-FM and yesterday their music center was 1972.8; their first week back was 1972.6. Most of their music from both reports came from between 1965-1978. 69% of their music came from 1970 forward- less than 30% of their music was from 1969 and back. In other words, they're sticking with their strategy (as I correctly predicted in the days leading up to the flip back).

And this might interest you: phone calls and Emails don't determine a successful radio station's playlist (hint: it ain't the sixties anymore). Doing proper research by going out and recruiting those who represent your demographic goals is how you put your playlist together.

 

[fang39]

Well, not so fast. I just ran a Vintage Analysis on WCBS-FM and yesterday their music center was 1972.8; their first week back was 1972.6. Most of their music from both reports came from between 1965-1978. 69% of their music came from 1970 forward- less than 30% of their music was from 1969 and back. In other words, they're sticking with their strategy (as I correctly predicted in the days leading up to the flip back).

And that "prediction" followed two years of you "predicting" that "it's over", "ain't gonna happen" and telling all of us to "get over it." To borrow a phrase you once threw at me, "Thanks, Ms. Cleo!"

 

[NJListener]

Well, not so fast. I just ran a Vintage Analysis on WCBS-FM and yesterday their music center was 1972.8; their first week back was 1972.6. Most of their music from both reports came from between 1965-1978. 69% of their music came from 1970 forward- less than 30% of their music was from 1969 and back. In other words, they're sticking with their strategy (as I correctly predicted in the days leading up to the flip back).

And this might interest you: phone calls and Emails don't determine a successful radio station's playlist (hint: it ain't the sixties anymore). Doing proper research by going out and recruiting those who represent your demographic goals is how you put your playlist together.

Whatever..who am I to argue with your analysis? However, I can honestly say that during the hours that I am listening I am satisfied that they are making adjustments. I dispute what you are saying because since they are back they have repeatedly said "CBS, PLAYING WHAT YOU WANT" "Call us and tell us what you think", etc. I participate in focus groups for sensory testing for fragrances and flavors. It's the same principle. I know my voice is heard when after some time I see a fragrance or product that I tested on the market. They will even ask during our focus groups for us to suggest new flavors or scents for well-known products. It's not unusual to find them on the shelves, as well. You can say what you want as an expert but I say that there is power in the pen. That is how decisions are made. And if we flood the advertisers with our voice... BAM. Ask Bill O'Reilly what effect his boycotting campaigns have resulted in. I guess in all of this I am saying that nothing is set in stone. I think WCBS can be swayed back to the ORIGINAL format. Who said it has to be the sixties to start grass-root campaigns. anyway? You're the man, Oldies Cat.

 

[KevinFodor]

They will not be swayed back to "the original format"...advertisers simply won't support it. No matter how much you scream, whine or complain, it ain't gonna happen.

However, any radio station having completed a format change spends the first few weeks or months "tweaking" the format. Have done a format change or two in my life and having done this "tweaking" (which I did most specifically a few years back in Columbus), I can tell you it happens consistantly in the business.

Sometimes when you get the format on the air in listening, you determine that one music catagory may not be rotating as effectively as you hoped...or that the tempo isn't quite right. So you make adjustments. And that is what's going on at CBS-FM.

"Call us and tell us what you think". Sure. Every radio station is interested in listener comments. But, I can tell you no one...but no one inside a radio station pays the slightest bit of attention to listeners who advocate a complete change away from what is "the plan".

I run a Classic Hits station. I often hear "Why don't you guys play some real rock, like...Ozzy and dump Elton John?" With those comments, I hit the "delete" key every time." "Why don't you play some real oldies like Elvis and Danny & The Juniors"...gets the delete key.

What some of you think are station managers "beginning to think your way" are likely just "tweaking" that is done at every radio station when a format change occurs.

A drop of .2 in the center year of a Classic Hits format is not a radical change at all, as Oldies Cat has tried to explain.

But if it makes you all feel better...

 

[fang39]

I think WCBS can be swayed back to the ORIGINAL format. Who said it has to be the sixties to start grass-root campaigns. anyway?

When you say ORIGINAL format, I hope you're not thinking they're gonna revert back to the days of playing tunes like "Daddy's Home" by Shep & The Limelites and Gene McDaniel's "A Hundred Pounds of Clay." The fact of the matter is that the station had already discarded most pre-1964 tunes BEFORE they flipped to Jack in '05. Don K. Reed's "Doo-Woppe Shoppe" was dropped in '02. Don't let the fact that they've included some of the better known classics from the "Golden Age" of Rock & Roll as "Hall of Fame" features, fool you into believing that they will bring back a format that simply put, will not generate a significant revenue. But playing Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" or Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock" alongside Huey Lewis' "Heart of Rock & Roll" or Springsteen's "Glory Days" won't chase away listeners, either.

 

[NJListener]

You guys are just so puffed up by your own egos and "expertise" that no matter what is said to the contrary by a real LISTENER of CBS you knock it down. It's futile trying to talk to you. I see now why there is a disclaimer on the bottom of this page. "In fact many of the views expressed here are just plain WRONG" lmao You guys are great though and I truly have gained a lot of respect for radio because of you.

 

[KevinFodor]

No, it's not our egos. I've said it before on this board, I can appreciate the passion that those who love 1950's music have for it.

But facts are facts. Reality is reality. Radio has to move on. And that's what we continue to state on the boards. Sorry if some of my comments rub you the wrong way. But, the endless "campaigning" of some to return WCBS-FM to what it was when it debuted in 1975, while appreciated by all of us in the business, gets a little old when you write the same explanations on these boards over and over and over and over.

I wish it wasn't this way. But, I can't change two entire industries (advertsing and radio) let alone one.

Anyone's entitled to their opinions. Making opinion reality is another thing.

 

[motnow]

Whew! I just read through most of this thread. I rarely comment but I just want to throw something out here regarding OTR&R (2 pages back). I was just getting of legal drinking age when this song came out and I remember that there was a big contrast in the club scene of Rock vs Disco. I don't think anyone really commented that this tune was a more of a hit amongst Rock fans taking back their genre in an time when Disco was dominant. With the exception of the "Future Gold" that CBS played, I think they really avoided this whole Rock vs Disco feud. It was too new at the time for them to touch on it.

I don't recall this being a billboard hit but it was certainly popular. So where should this song go now?... classic rock stations or oldies or both? It a 'classic' and its 'old'...right? (almost 30 years old) Maybe that's the problem with a lot of the rock tunes from the late 70s to the 80s. Their old but they're not perceived as oldies. Definitely not since we've had years and years of the classic rock stations telling us what these tunes are-Classic Rock.

 

[lalumia]

rock vs. disco indeed!
Punk attitudes and fashion

Punk rock band, Jimi LaLumia & the Psychotic Frogs, started the anti disco movement with their 1978 single "Death To Disco(Disco Sucks): this single launched the anti-disco movement, which led to the "disco demolition" in Chicago a year and a half later. [

 

[NJListener]

No, it's not our egos. I've said it before on this board, I can appreciate the passion that those who love 1950's music have for it.

Sorry if some of my comments rub you the wrong way.
Ione.

Kevin, Nothing you say has ever rubbed me the wrong way. I like you. I find the entire topic so redundant that I am giving myself a headache with it. BUT... I do listen to the station and when I see that they are backtracking I found it interesting enough to post. I will sincerely try to let it go because it is boring and tedious.

Whew! I just read through most of this thread. I rarely comment but I just want to throw something out here regarding OTR&R (2 pages back). I was just getting of legal drinking age when this song came out and I remember that there was a big contrast in the club scene of Rock vs Disco. I don't think anyone really commented that this tune was a more of a hit amongst Rock fans taking back their genre in an time when Disco was dominant. With the exception of the "Future Gold" that CBS played, I think they really avoided this whole Rock vs Disco feud. It was too new at the time for them to touch on it.

I don't recall this being a billboard hit but it was certainly popular. So where should this song go now?... classic rock stations or oldies or both? It a 'classic' and its 'old'...right? (almost 30 years old) Maybe that's the problem with a lot of the rock tunes from the late 70s to the 80s. Their old but they're not perceived as oldies. Definitely not since we've had years and years of the classic rock stations telling us what these tunes are-Classic Rock.
I have not heard OTR&R on any of the Rock stations since it became exploited at weddings and that movie.Yes. it was a Bob Seger song long before it became a commercial"hit". Same with a song like "Born In the USA" which was so overly exposed that Reagen wanted it for a GOP campaign (Bruce refused). It became a popular top 40 song and rarely was heard even on WNEW-FM, which practically gave Bruce his start. Even though it became a huge commercial success in the mid 80's, I prefer his earlier tunes. I can't stand the song now because it is NOT the Patriotic song that a lot of folks think it is and it gets on my nerves to hear it on a station like WCBS. Moving on.. Disco had no impact as far as Rock went. It was so short lived and in comparison had so few followers. I grew up in North Jersey,learned the Hustle,went Clubbing. I even went to Studio 54 (yea they let ME in) BUT..I was a ROCKER at heart and after the "fad" was over I quickly forgot about Disco entirely and went back to my roots. (I still love to dance though).

 

[ceaser]

No, it's not our egos. I've said it before on this board, I can appreciate the passion that those who love 1950's music have for it.

But facts are facts. Reality is reality. Radio has to move on. And that's what we continue to state on the boards. Sorry if some of my comments rub you the wrong way. But, the endless "campaigning" of some to return WCBS-FM to what it was when it debuted in 1975, while appreciated by all of us in the business, gets a little old when you write the same explanations on these boards over and over and over and over.

I wish it wasn't this way. But, I can't change two entire industries (advertsing and radio) let alone one.

Anyone's entitled to their opinions. Making opinion reality is another thing.

cbs fm oldies was started in 1972 for the record.

 

[OldiesCat]

Well, not so fast. I just ran a Vintage Analysis on WCBS-FM and yesterday their music center was 1972.8; their first week back was 1972.6. Most of their music from both reports came from between 1965-1978. 69% of their music came from 1970 forward- less than 30% of their music was from 1969 and back. In other words, they're sticking with their strategy (as I correctly predicted in the days leading up to the flip back).

And that "prediction" followed two years of you "predicting" that "it's over", "ain't gonna happen" and telling all of us to "get over it." To borrow a phrase you once threw at me, "Thanks, Ms. Cleo!"

That is correct. Again, not being Ms. Cleo, I had no way of predicting the major regime change at CBS, either. And, what I actually SAID was that I didn't believe another radio group would pick up the Oldies format. On that point, I was correct.

 

[OldiesCat]

Whatever..who am I to argue with your analysis? However, I can honestly say that during the hours that I am listening I am satisfied that they are making adjustments. I dispute what you are saying because since they are back they have repeatedly said "CBS, PLAYING WHAT YOU WANT" "Call us and tell us what you think", etc.

LOL

Boy, that's a good one. Let's have a show of hands of everybody who believes all the radio stations who've uttered the famous words, "hey, call and let us know what you want to hear".

(insert crickets sfx)

This just in: IT'S A LINE, cat! Any radio station that bases what music they play solely on what comes on the request line is a loser. Why would anybody with a brain based their music rotations on what less than 5% of their cume says IF they even participate? Answer: they don't. It's why we do (hope you're sitting down) music research, to truly find out what a real cross-section of our best potential listening audience really wants to hear and what they don't want to hear.

And, the "call us and tell us what you think" line is used to get listener audio for use in promos and phone bits. They don't sit there, listen, look at each other and say, "geez, y'know- they really all want 50s music back. Maybe we should do it!". That will never happen at CBS-FM, it never has and does not happen at
successful radio stations in competitive markets.