What is the Difference between a Classic Hits Station and an Oldies Station?<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by toddjammin on 02/08/06 04:28 PM.</FONT></P>
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Classic Hits Vs Oldies
- Thread starter toddjammin
- Start date
J
JohnnyMorganWXJX
Guest
> What is the Difference between a Classic Hits Station and an
> Oldies Station?
>
About 20 years.
Oldies, as was defined for many many years, was the mid-50s to the early 70s (Elvis to Philly soul, with emphasis on doo-wop, pop, Motown, British invasion). No classic rock, like Hendrix, Led Zepplin, Cream, etc. This might change from market to market, but it was more pop-based.
Classic hits is a newer format, from about the mid/late 60s to early 80s. Also pop-ish. More female lean vs. the more general audience oldies. Some classic rock (Layla, Light My Fire), but not hard stuff (like Zeppelin). Encompasses some disco, but not much--and only hits, like It's Raining Men, not YMCA. Normally only well-tested, sustainable hits. American Pie, yes. Tie A Yellow Ribbon, not often, if at all. Also includes some Sting and the like, but shies away from the New Wave artists.
> Oldies Station?
>
About 20 years.
Oldies, as was defined for many many years, was the mid-50s to the early 70s (Elvis to Philly soul, with emphasis on doo-wop, pop, Motown, British invasion). No classic rock, like Hendrix, Led Zepplin, Cream, etc. This might change from market to market, but it was more pop-based.
Classic hits is a newer format, from about the mid/late 60s to early 80s. Also pop-ish. More female lean vs. the more general audience oldies. Some classic rock (Layla, Light My Fire), but not hard stuff (like Zeppelin). Encompasses some disco, but not much--and only hits, like It's Raining Men, not YMCA. Normally only well-tested, sustainable hits. American Pie, yes. Tie A Yellow Ribbon, not often, if at all. Also includes some Sting and the like, but shies away from the New Wave artists.
O
OldiesCat
Guest
Gotta disagree with you, bro. Depending on where your Oldies station's era center is (and most of today's are at around 1968-69) and where your Classic Hits station's center is (most around 1975), there's really only about 5-7 years era difference.
To get a 20 year difference, your Oldies station would have to be what was once known as Real Oldies with a center in the mid '60s and your Classic Hits station would have to be closer to an '80s station with about 50/50 '70s to '80s balance.
> >
>
> About 20 years.
>
> Oldies, as was defined for many many years, was the mid-50s
> to the early 70s (Elvis to Philly soul, with emphasis on
> doo-wop, pop, Motown, British invasion). No classic rock,
> like Hendrix, Led Zepplin, Cream, etc. This might change
> from market to market, but it was more pop-based.
>
> Classic hits is a newer format, from about the mid/late 60s
> to early 80s. Also pop-ish. More female lean vs. the more
> general audience oldies. Some classic rock (Layla, Light My
> Fire), but not hard stuff (like Zeppelin). Encompasses some
> disco, but not much--and only hits, like It's Raining Men,
> not YMCA. Normally only well-tested, sustainable hits.
> American Pie, yes. Tie A Yellow Ribbon, not often, if at
> all. Also includes some Sting and the like, but shies away
> from the New Wave artists.
>
To get a 20 year difference, your Oldies station would have to be what was once known as Real Oldies with a center in the mid '60s and your Classic Hits station would have to be closer to an '80s station with about 50/50 '70s to '80s balance.
> >
>
> About 20 years.
>
> Oldies, as was defined for many many years, was the mid-50s
> to the early 70s (Elvis to Philly soul, with emphasis on
> doo-wop, pop, Motown, British invasion). No classic rock,
> like Hendrix, Led Zepplin, Cream, etc. This might change
> from market to market, but it was more pop-based.
>
> Classic hits is a newer format, from about the mid/late 60s
> to early 80s. Also pop-ish. More female lean vs. the more
> general audience oldies. Some classic rock (Layla, Light My
> Fire), but not hard stuff (like Zeppelin). Encompasses some
> disco, but not much--and only hits, like It's Raining Men,
> not YMCA. Normally only well-tested, sustainable hits.
> American Pie, yes. Tie A Yellow Ribbon, not often, if at
> all. Also includes some Sting and the like, but shies away
> from the New Wave artists.
>
J
JohnnyMorganWXJX
Guest
> Gotta disagree with you, bro. Depending on where your
> Oldies station's era center is (and most of today's are at
> around 1968-69) and where your Classic Hits station's center
> is (most around 1975), there's really only about 5-7 years
> era difference.
>
> To get a 20 year difference, your Oldies station would have
> to be what was once known as Real Oldies with a center in
> the mid '60s and your Classic Hits station would have to be
> closer to an '80s station with about 50/50 '70s to '80s
> balance.
Good point, and valid criticism, Cat. My "oldies" default is still to the classic oldies definition. Gotta switch brains this weekend...my lease must be up on this one!
You're absolutely correct, and I apologize. Didn't mean to mislead you Todd.
Of course, when is an "oldies" station a classic hits, and when is a Jack station a classic hits?
I'll stay out of THAT one!
> Oldies station's era center is (and most of today's are at
> around 1968-69) and where your Classic Hits station's center
> is (most around 1975), there's really only about 5-7 years
> era difference.
>
> To get a 20 year difference, your Oldies station would have
> to be what was once known as Real Oldies with a center in
> the mid '60s and your Classic Hits station would have to be
> closer to an '80s station with about 50/50 '70s to '80s
> balance.
Good point, and valid criticism, Cat. My "oldies" default is still to the classic oldies definition. Gotta switch brains this weekend...my lease must be up on this one!
You're absolutely correct, and I apologize. Didn't mean to mislead you Todd.
Of course, when is an "oldies" station a classic hits, and when is a Jack station a classic hits?
I'll stay out of THAT one!
O
OldiesCat
Guest
Oldies
Not intended to be critical at all, cat.
Even the "old" Oldies model would only be about 10 years different from Classic Hits (just seems wider).
>
> Good point, and valid criticism, Cat. My "oldies" default
> is still to the classic oldies definition. Gotta switch
> brains this weekend...my lease must be up on this one!
Not intended to be critical at all, cat.
Even the "old" Oldies model would only be about 10 years different from Classic Hits (just seems wider).
>
> Good point, and valid criticism, Cat. My "oldies" default
> is still to the classic oldies definition. Gotta switch
> brains this weekend...my lease must be up on this one!
> > Gotta disagree with you, bro. Depending on where your
> > Oldies station's era center is (and most of today's are at
>
> > around 1968-69) and where your Classic Hits station's
> center
> > is (most around 1975), there's really only about 5-7 years
>
> > era difference.
> >
> > To get a 20 year difference, your Oldies station would
> have
> > to be what was once known as Real Oldies with a center in
> > the mid '60s and your Classic Hits station would have to
> be
> > closer to an '80s station with about 50/50 '70s to '80s
> > balance.
>
> Good point, and valid criticism, Cat. My "oldies" default
> is still to the classic oldies definition. Gotta switch
> brains this weekend...my lease must be up on this one!
>
> You're absolutely correct, and I apologize. Didn't mean to
> mislead you Todd.
>
> Of course, when is an "oldies" station a classic hits, and
> when is a Jack station a classic hits?
>
> I'll stay out of THAT one!
>
No Problem Johnny. Thanks for the info. It gets confusing with all these new formats out now. I remember from about 1990-1996 107.1 was called Classic Hits 107.
> > Oldies station's era center is (and most of today's are at
>
> > around 1968-69) and where your Classic Hits station's
> center
> > is (most around 1975), there's really only about 5-7 years
>
> > era difference.
> >
> > To get a 20 year difference, your Oldies station would
> have
> > to be what was once known as Real Oldies with a center in
> > the mid '60s and your Classic Hits station would have to
> be
> > closer to an '80s station with about 50/50 '70s to '80s
> > balance.
>
> Good point, and valid criticism, Cat. My "oldies" default
> is still to the classic oldies definition. Gotta switch
> brains this weekend...my lease must be up on this one!
>
> You're absolutely correct, and I apologize. Didn't mean to
> mislead you Todd.
>
> Of course, when is an "oldies" station a classic hits, and
> when is a Jack station a classic hits?
>
> I'll stay out of THAT one!
>
No Problem Johnny. Thanks for the info. It gets confusing with all these new formats out now. I remember from about 1990-1996 107.1 was called Classic Hits 107.
R
Radio_Realist
Guest
It depends on who you ask
> What is the Difference between a Classic Hits Station and an
> Oldies Station?
>
Ask radio professionals, and you'll get a "how many angels can dance on the head of a pin" discussion of whether the oldies start at 1956 or at 1957 or some other arcane musings and qualifiers.
To radio listeners, "oldies" are old songs that your parents or older siblings liked but you didn't, while "classic hits" are old songs that you personally liked.
> What is the Difference between a Classic Hits Station and an
> Oldies Station?
>
Ask radio professionals, and you'll get a "how many angels can dance on the head of a pin" discussion of whether the oldies start at 1956 or at 1957 or some other arcane musings and qualifiers.
To radio listeners, "oldies" are old songs that your parents or older siblings liked but you didn't, while "classic hits" are old songs that you personally liked.
Re: It depends on who you ask
Why ask radio professionals when you can get the opinion of a professional gasbag?
> Ask radio professionals, and you'll get a "how many angels
> can dance on the head of a pin" discussion of whether the
> oldies start at 1956 or at 1957 or some other arcane musings
> and qualifiers.
>
> To radio listeners, "oldies" are old songs that your parents
> or older siblings liked but you didn't, while "classic
> hits" are old songs that you personally liked.
>
Why ask radio professionals when you can get the opinion of a professional gasbag?
> Ask radio professionals, and you'll get a "how many angels
> can dance on the head of a pin" discussion of whether the
> oldies start at 1956 or at 1957 or some other arcane musings
> and qualifiers.
>
> To radio listeners, "oldies" are old songs that your parents
> or older siblings liked but you didn't, while "classic
> hits" are old songs that you personally liked.
>
P
Part-timer
Guest
Re: Oldies
> Not intended to be critical at all, cat.
>
> Even the "old" Oldies model would only be about 10 years
> different from Classic Hits (just seems wider).
>
> >
> > Good point, and valid criticism, Cat. My "oldies" default
>
> > is still to the classic oldies definition. Gotta switch
> > brains this weekend...my lease must be up on this one!
>
Classic Hits is intended to take a middle position between oldies and classic rock. It omits the Motown and 60's pop in favor of 70s and 80s rock songs.
The Classic Trax show on Y97, which ran 7-midnight around 1985-86 was one of the first five or so shows/stations in the history of the format.<P ID="signature">______________
"With God as my witness, I could have sworn turkeys could fly."</P>
> Not intended to be critical at all, cat.
>
> Even the "old" Oldies model would only be about 10 years
> different from Classic Hits (just seems wider).
>
> >
> > Good point, and valid criticism, Cat. My "oldies" default
>
> > is still to the classic oldies definition. Gotta switch
> > brains this weekend...my lease must be up on this one!
>
Classic Hits is intended to take a middle position between oldies and classic rock. It omits the Motown and 60's pop in favor of 70s and 80s rock songs.
The Classic Trax show on Y97, which ran 7-midnight around 1985-86 was one of the first five or so shows/stations in the history of the format.<P ID="signature">______________
"With God as my witness, I could have sworn turkeys could fly."</P>
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