I heard George Knight mention over the weekend that it was WBOS' anniversary in its' current form. I really don't remember when I discovered the station but it wasn't 16 years ago. Was the format always a variation of what it is now? How much changing has really been done over the years musically? I don't even know if the Triple A format itself has been in existence that long.
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Happy 16th WBOS
- Thread starter Runrigger
- Start date
> I heard George Knight mention over the weekend that it was
> WBOS' anniversary in its' current form. I really don't
> remember when I discovered the station but it wasn't 16
> years ago. Was the format always a variation of what it is
> now? How much changing has really been done over the years
> musically? I don't even know if the Triple A format itself
> has been in existence that long.
>
Ackerley Media, as WBOS' creator was known before selling out to Clear Channel a few years ago, and was better known in Boston for it's billboards, flipped the country formatted WBOS, becoming an AAA. Boston lacked a country station after that until 105.7 became WCLB in 1993.
But since at least 1999, WBOS has been in somewhat of an identity crisis, if not more. In 1999, right after Eagle 93.7 became Star, WBOS removed all of the DJs for a week, and then brought back the airstaff a week later with no changes.
Later in 1999, WBOS was about to become 92.9 FM Talk, when GM announced that it's lowest rated station was flipping. However, after it's last book led WBOS to a 0.3 lead over WSJZ, 96.9 was toast and WBOS once again got another chance.
In March 2000, WBOS was slated to flip to Jammin' Oldies. It was everywhere. However, when former WSJZ PD Shirley Maldonado took hold of the station, she announced that the change was off. It's actually a good thing that they didn't, GM had less of a clue with Jammin' Oldies than AMFM, Philadelphia's "Jammin' Gold 95.7" was on for less than 2 years, then became Mix 95.7, and as you all know, today is 95.7 BEN-FM. Detroit's "Groove 105.1" fared similarly and today is a successful AC cloned after WMJX, WMGC "Magic 105.1".
(keep in mind: Philadelphia and Detroit both have a significantly higher percentage of African-Americans than Boston.)
Then, in 2005, WBOS was expected to become Boston's variety hits station, following the flip of GM's 95.7 BEN FM in Philadelphia. On April 11th, 2005, WBOS did a slight reimaging, going with a jock-less morning show with emphasis on typical-AAA features such as acoustic and live performances. After weeks of announcements that an Extreme Makeover was coming to WBOS, it brought little than less air personalities and an emphasis on music. Even the logo remained the same. WBOS had their chance, and pretty much blew it. Four days later, WQSX became 93.7 Mike FM, and an Infinity property (likely 98.5 or 103.3) was slated to become JACK fm the next day had Entercom not moved. Alas, despite much attention and a possible format change, WBOS remained the same... again.
> WBOS' anniversary in its' current form. I really don't
> remember when I discovered the station but it wasn't 16
> years ago. Was the format always a variation of what it is
> now? How much changing has really been done over the years
> musically? I don't even know if the Triple A format itself
> has been in existence that long.
>
Ackerley Media, as WBOS' creator was known before selling out to Clear Channel a few years ago, and was better known in Boston for it's billboards, flipped the country formatted WBOS, becoming an AAA. Boston lacked a country station after that until 105.7 became WCLB in 1993.
But since at least 1999, WBOS has been in somewhat of an identity crisis, if not more. In 1999, right after Eagle 93.7 became Star, WBOS removed all of the DJs for a week, and then brought back the airstaff a week later with no changes.
Later in 1999, WBOS was about to become 92.9 FM Talk, when GM announced that it's lowest rated station was flipping. However, after it's last book led WBOS to a 0.3 lead over WSJZ, 96.9 was toast and WBOS once again got another chance.
In March 2000, WBOS was slated to flip to Jammin' Oldies. It was everywhere. However, when former WSJZ PD Shirley Maldonado took hold of the station, she announced that the change was off. It's actually a good thing that they didn't, GM had less of a clue with Jammin' Oldies than AMFM, Philadelphia's "Jammin' Gold 95.7" was on for less than 2 years, then became Mix 95.7, and as you all know, today is 95.7 BEN-FM. Detroit's "Groove 105.1" fared similarly and today is a successful AC cloned after WMJX, WMGC "Magic 105.1".
(keep in mind: Philadelphia and Detroit both have a significantly higher percentage of African-Americans than Boston.)
Then, in 2005, WBOS was expected to become Boston's variety hits station, following the flip of GM's 95.7 BEN FM in Philadelphia. On April 11th, 2005, WBOS did a slight reimaging, going with a jock-less morning show with emphasis on typical-AAA features such as acoustic and live performances. After weeks of announcements that an Extreme Makeover was coming to WBOS, it brought little than less air personalities and an emphasis on music. Even the logo remained the same. WBOS had their chance, and pretty much blew it. Four days later, WQSX became 93.7 Mike FM, and an Infinity property (likely 98.5 or 103.3) was slated to become JACK fm the next day had Entercom not moved. Alas, despite much attention and a possible format change, WBOS remained the same... again.
> I heard George Knight mention over the weekend that it was
> WBOS' anniversary in its' current form. I really don't
> remember when I discovered the station but it wasn't 16
> years ago. Was the format always a variation of what it is
> now? How much changing has really been done over the years
> musically? I don't even know if the Triple A format itself
> has been in existence that long.
"Triple A" as a musical format was around before WBOS flipped to it (from Country) in 1989, but not under that name. I don't think "Triple A" became the known industry moniker for that format until a couple of years later in the early 90's.
There were stations in some cities doing a format like "Triple A" in the mid-80's, some called it "Quality Rock". Some "Triple A" stations still use that as a slogan. In Boston, 103.3 was "Quality Rock" for only about a year as WMRQ before flipping to Oldies as WODS in fall 1987.
It could be said that "progressive" or "underground" album rock radio in the late 60's and early 70's was perhaps the forerunner of "Triple A". As "progressive rock" radio morphed into "AOR" (Album Oriented Rock) which became somewhat more hard rock oriented in the later 70's and 80's, there became a need for adult album rock radio without the harder rock and metal on "AOR" stations, but with more variety, a little bit of dabbling in other genres, and without the mainstream pop ballads on the AC/"Soft Rock" stations. "Triple A" tries to fill that niche.
Ironically, before WBOS went Country in 1983, it was a New Wave-ish/"Triple A"-ish album rocker for a few years, with Maxanne Satori from late 60's/early 70's WBCN. Before that, WBOS was Boston's first FM "Disco" station for a couple of years in the late 70's, before WXKS-FM went "Disco" as "Kiss 108" and trounced it. ("Kiss" later morphed from "Disco" to todays CHR). Prior to that, WBOS was mostly Beautiful Music/Easy Listening through the mid 70's.
There have been many tweaks to WBOS's "Triple A" format since 1989, many personnel changes, imaging changes, and even something like three ownership changes. Greater Media has owned it since 1996.
> WBOS' anniversary in its' current form. I really don't
> remember when I discovered the station but it wasn't 16
> years ago. Was the format always a variation of what it is
> now? How much changing has really been done over the years
> musically? I don't even know if the Triple A format itself
> has been in existence that long.
"Triple A" as a musical format was around before WBOS flipped to it (from Country) in 1989, but not under that name. I don't think "Triple A" became the known industry moniker for that format until a couple of years later in the early 90's.
There were stations in some cities doing a format like "Triple A" in the mid-80's, some called it "Quality Rock". Some "Triple A" stations still use that as a slogan. In Boston, 103.3 was "Quality Rock" for only about a year as WMRQ before flipping to Oldies as WODS in fall 1987.
It could be said that "progressive" or "underground" album rock radio in the late 60's and early 70's was perhaps the forerunner of "Triple A". As "progressive rock" radio morphed into "AOR" (Album Oriented Rock) which became somewhat more hard rock oriented in the later 70's and 80's, there became a need for adult album rock radio without the harder rock and metal on "AOR" stations, but with more variety, a little bit of dabbling in other genres, and without the mainstream pop ballads on the AC/"Soft Rock" stations. "Triple A" tries to fill that niche.
Ironically, before WBOS went Country in 1983, it was a New Wave-ish/"Triple A"-ish album rocker for a few years, with Maxanne Satori from late 60's/early 70's WBCN. Before that, WBOS was Boston's first FM "Disco" station for a couple of years in the late 70's, before WXKS-FM went "Disco" as "Kiss 108" and trounced it. ("Kiss" later morphed from "Disco" to todays CHR). Prior to that, WBOS was mostly Beautiful Music/Easy Listening through the mid 70's.
There have been many tweaks to WBOS's "Triple A" format since 1989, many personnel changes, imaging changes, and even something like three ownership changes. Greater Media has owned it since 1996.
R
RumourControl
Guest
> > I heard George Knight mention over the weekend that it was
>
> > WBOS' anniversary in its' current form. I really don't
> > remember when I discovered the station but it wasn't 16
> > years ago. Was the format always a variation of what it is
>
> > now? How much changing has really been done over the years
>
> > musically? I don't even know if the Triple A format itself
>
> > has been in existence that long.
>
> "Triple A" as a musical format was around before WBOS
> flipped to it (from Country) in 1989, but not under that
> name. I don't think "Triple A" became the known industry
> moniker for that format until a couple of years later in the
> early 90's.
>
> There were stations in some cities doing a format like
> "Triple A" in the mid-80's, some called it "Quality Rock".
> Some "Triple A" stations still use that as a slogan. In
> Boston, 103.3 was "Quality Rock" for only about a year as
> WMRQ before flipping to Oldies as WODS in fall 1987.
>
> It could be said that "progressive" or "underground" album
> rock radio in the late 60's and early 70's was perhaps the
> forerunner of "Triple A". As "progressive rock" radio
> morphed into "AOR" (Album Oriented Rock) which became
> somewhat more hard rock oriented in the later 70's and 80's,
> there became a need for adult album rock radio without the
> harder rock and metal on "AOR" stations, but with more
> variety, a little bit of dabbling in other genres, and
> without the mainstream pop ballads on the AC/"Soft Rock"
> stations. "Triple A" tries to fill that niche.
>
> Ironically, before WBOS went Country in 1983, it was a New
> Wave-ish/"Triple A"-ish album rocker for a few years, with
> Maxanne Satori from late 60's/early 70's WBCN. Before that,
> WBOS was Boston's first FM "Disco" station for a couple of
> years in the late 70's, before WXKS-FM went "Disco" as "Kiss
> 108" and trounced it. ("Kiss" later morphed from "Disco" to
> todays CHR). Prior to that, WBOS was mostly Beautiful
> Music/Easy Listening through the mid 70's.
>
> There have been many tweaks to WBOS's "Triple A" format
> since 1989, many personnel changes, imaging changes, and
> even something like three ownership changes. Greater Media
> has owned it since 1996.
>
16 years without ratings, an identity, or anyone caring that the station existed.
Unbelievable.
>
> > WBOS' anniversary in its' current form. I really don't
> > remember when I discovered the station but it wasn't 16
> > years ago. Was the format always a variation of what it is
>
> > now? How much changing has really been done over the years
>
> > musically? I don't even know if the Triple A format itself
>
> > has been in existence that long.
>
> "Triple A" as a musical format was around before WBOS
> flipped to it (from Country) in 1989, but not under that
> name. I don't think "Triple A" became the known industry
> moniker for that format until a couple of years later in the
> early 90's.
>
> There were stations in some cities doing a format like
> "Triple A" in the mid-80's, some called it "Quality Rock".
> Some "Triple A" stations still use that as a slogan. In
> Boston, 103.3 was "Quality Rock" for only about a year as
> WMRQ before flipping to Oldies as WODS in fall 1987.
>
> It could be said that "progressive" or "underground" album
> rock radio in the late 60's and early 70's was perhaps the
> forerunner of "Triple A". As "progressive rock" radio
> morphed into "AOR" (Album Oriented Rock) which became
> somewhat more hard rock oriented in the later 70's and 80's,
> there became a need for adult album rock radio without the
> harder rock and metal on "AOR" stations, but with more
> variety, a little bit of dabbling in other genres, and
> without the mainstream pop ballads on the AC/"Soft Rock"
> stations. "Triple A" tries to fill that niche.
>
> Ironically, before WBOS went Country in 1983, it was a New
> Wave-ish/"Triple A"-ish album rocker for a few years, with
> Maxanne Satori from late 60's/early 70's WBCN. Before that,
> WBOS was Boston's first FM "Disco" station for a couple of
> years in the late 70's, before WXKS-FM went "Disco" as "Kiss
> 108" and trounced it. ("Kiss" later morphed from "Disco" to
> todays CHR). Prior to that, WBOS was mostly Beautiful
> Music/Easy Listening through the mid 70's.
>
> There have been many tweaks to WBOS's "Triple A" format
> since 1989, many personnel changes, imaging changes, and
> even something like three ownership changes. Greater Media
> has owned it since 1996.
>
16 years without ratings, an identity, or anyone caring that the station existed.
Unbelievable.
> > > I heard George Knight mention over the weekend that it was
> > > WBOS' anniversary in its' current form. I really don't
> > > remember when I discovered the station but it wasn't 16
> > > years ago. Was the format always a variation of what it is
> > > now? How much changing has really been done over the years
> > > musically? I don't even know if the Triple A format itself
> > > has been in existence that long.
> >
> > "Triple A" as a musical format was around before WBOS
> > flipped to it (from Country) in 1989, but not under that
> > name. I don't think "Triple A" became the known industry
> > moniker for that format until a couple of years later in the
> > early 90's.
> >
> > There were stations in some cities doing a format like
> > "Triple A" in the mid-80's, some called it "Quality Rock".
> > Some "Triple A" stations still use that as a slogan. In
> > Boston, 103.3 was "Quality Rock" for only about a year as
> > WMRQ before flipping to Oldies as WODS in fall 1987.
> >
> > It could be said that "progressive" or "underground" album
> > rock radio in the late 60's and early 70's was perhaps the
> > forerunner of "Triple A". As "progressive rock" radio
> > morphed into "AOR" (Album Oriented Rock) which became
> > somewhat more hard rock oriented in the later 70's and 80's,
> > there became a need for adult album rock radio without the
> > harder rock and metal on "AOR" stations, but with more
> > variety, a little bit of dabbling in other genres, and
> > without the mainstream pop ballads on the AC/"Soft Rock"
> > stations. "Triple A" tries to fill that niche.
> >
> > Ironically, before WBOS went Country in 1983, it was a New
> > Wave-ish/"Triple A"-ish album rocker for a few years, with
> > Maxanne Satori from late 60's/early 70's WBCN. Before that,
> > WBOS was Boston's first FM "Disco" station for a couple of
> > years in the late 70's, before WXKS-FM went "Disco" as "Kiss
> > 108" and trounced it. ("Kiss" later morphed from "Disco" to
> > todays CHR). Prior to that, WBOS was mostly Beautiful
> > Music/Easy Listening through the mid 70's.
> >
> > There have been many tweaks to WBOS's "Triple A" format
> > since 1989, many personnel changes, imaging changes, and
> > even something like three ownership changes. Greater Media
> > has owned it since 1996.
>
> 16 years without ratings, an identity, or anyone caring that
> the station existed.
>
> Unbelievable.
A former GM employee recently told me that WBOS is their second biller to WMJX due to the affluence of its target audience, meaning that they get more ad revenue from it than from WTKK, WKLB or WROR, despite its lower ratings than those stations.
> > > WBOS' anniversary in its' current form. I really don't
> > > remember when I discovered the station but it wasn't 16
> > > years ago. Was the format always a variation of what it is
> > > now? How much changing has really been done over the years
> > > musically? I don't even know if the Triple A format itself
> > > has been in existence that long.
> >
> > "Triple A" as a musical format was around before WBOS
> > flipped to it (from Country) in 1989, but not under that
> > name. I don't think "Triple A" became the known industry
> > moniker for that format until a couple of years later in the
> > early 90's.
> >
> > There were stations in some cities doing a format like
> > "Triple A" in the mid-80's, some called it "Quality Rock".
> > Some "Triple A" stations still use that as a slogan. In
> > Boston, 103.3 was "Quality Rock" for only about a year as
> > WMRQ before flipping to Oldies as WODS in fall 1987.
> >
> > It could be said that "progressive" or "underground" album
> > rock radio in the late 60's and early 70's was perhaps the
> > forerunner of "Triple A". As "progressive rock" radio
> > morphed into "AOR" (Album Oriented Rock) which became
> > somewhat more hard rock oriented in the later 70's and 80's,
> > there became a need for adult album rock radio without the
> > harder rock and metal on "AOR" stations, but with more
> > variety, a little bit of dabbling in other genres, and
> > without the mainstream pop ballads on the AC/"Soft Rock"
> > stations. "Triple A" tries to fill that niche.
> >
> > Ironically, before WBOS went Country in 1983, it was a New
> > Wave-ish/"Triple A"-ish album rocker for a few years, with
> > Maxanne Satori from late 60's/early 70's WBCN. Before that,
> > WBOS was Boston's first FM "Disco" station for a couple of
> > years in the late 70's, before WXKS-FM went "Disco" as "Kiss
> > 108" and trounced it. ("Kiss" later morphed from "Disco" to
> > todays CHR). Prior to that, WBOS was mostly Beautiful
> > Music/Easy Listening through the mid 70's.
> >
> > There have been many tweaks to WBOS's "Triple A" format
> > since 1989, many personnel changes, imaging changes, and
> > even something like three ownership changes. Greater Media
> > has owned it since 1996.
>
> 16 years without ratings, an identity, or anyone caring that
> the station existed.
>
> Unbelievable.
A former GM employee recently told me that WBOS is their second biller to WMJX due to the affluence of its target audience, meaning that they get more ad revenue from it than from WTKK, WKLB or WROR, despite its lower ratings than those stations.
> Ironically, before WBOS went Country in 1983, it was a New
> Wave-ish/"Triple A"-ish album rocker for a few years, with
> Maxanne Satori from late 60's/early 70's WBCN.
I don't remember that incarnation. I do recall them being the "Rock Boss" or something equally inane in the early 80s...more of a hard rock/head-banging station than AAA.
> Wave-ish/"Triple A"-ish album rocker for a few years, with
> Maxanne Satori from late 60's/early 70's WBCN.
I don't remember that incarnation. I do recall them being the "Rock Boss" or something equally inane in the early 80s...more of a hard rock/head-banging station than AAA.
> > Ironically, before WBOS went Country in 1983, it was a New
> > Wave-ish/"Triple A"-ish album rocker for a few years, with
> > Maxanne Satori from late 60's/early 70's WBCN.
>
> I don't remember that incarnation. I do recall them being
> the "Rock Boss" or something equally inane in the early
> 80s...more of a hard rock/head-banging station than AAA.
That was part of that period. There was more hard rock than your usual "Triple A" stations came to be, but also a lot more variety, more of the "New Wave" that was big then, and more local music than your typical head-banging rocker.
> > Wave-ish/"Triple A"-ish album rocker for a few years, with
> > Maxanne Satori from late 60's/early 70's WBCN.
>
> I don't remember that incarnation. I do recall them being
> the "Rock Boss" or something equally inane in the early
> 80s...more of a hard rock/head-banging station than AAA.
That was part of that period. There was more hard rock than your usual "Triple A" stations came to be, but also a lot more variety, more of the "New Wave" that was big then, and more local music than your typical head-banging rocker.
> Ackerley Media, as WBOS' creator was known before selling
> out to Clear Channel a few years ago, and was better known
> in Boston for it's billboards, flipped the country formatted
> WBOS, becoming an AAA. Boston lacked a country station after
> that until 105.7 became WCLB in 1993.
Ackerley also had a strong TV presence in upstate NY for a while, before the company was swallowed by Clear Channel (which really wanted the billboards).
Boston lacked an FM country station between 1989-1993, but right after the WBOS flip, 1510 stepped up to the plate, dropping the first incarnation of WSSH(AM) and becoming WKKU, with Bruins hockey and country. That was over around 1991, as I recall. (I never did tape WKKU when I had the chance...wonder if any airchecks exist out there?)
s
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> out to Clear Channel a few years ago, and was better known
> in Boston for it's billboards, flipped the country formatted
> WBOS, becoming an AAA. Boston lacked a country station after
> that until 105.7 became WCLB in 1993.
Ackerley also had a strong TV presence in upstate NY for a while, before the company was swallowed by Clear Channel (which really wanted the billboards).
Boston lacked an FM country station between 1989-1993, but right after the WBOS flip, 1510 stepped up to the plate, dropping the first incarnation of WSSH(AM) and becoming WKKU, with Bruins hockey and country. That was over around 1991, as I recall. (I never did tape WKKU when I had the chance...wonder if any airchecks exist out there?)
s
<P ID="signature">______________
Tower Site Calendar 2005 NOW AVAILABLE! - <a target="_blank" href=http://www.fybush.com/nerw.html#calendar>www.fybush.com</a></P>
J
Joseph_Gallant
Guest
Justin T wrote:
> Later in 1999, WBOS was about to become 92.9 FM Talk, when
> GM announced that it's lowest rated station was flipping.
> However, after it's last book led WBOS to a 0.3 lead over
> WSJZ, 96.9 was toast and WBOS once again got another chance.
I don't think Greater Media ever announced in public that WBOS would go talk, but that one of it's stations would "most likely go talk". But WBOS, as the lowest-rated for much of 1999, was considered likely to flip.
> In March 2000, WBOS was slated to flip to Jammin' Oldies. It
> was everywhere. However, when former WSJZ PD Shirley
> Maldonado took hold of the station, she announced that the
> change was off.
It's my understanding that although heavily rumored, Greater Media never announced plans to flip WBOS to "Jammin' Oldies", nor even considered flipping WBOS to that format. Maldonado, if my memory serves me correct, did not say that a "(format) change was off", but that the station would not change formats, as had been rumored.
> Later in 1999, WBOS was about to become 92.9 FM Talk, when
> GM announced that it's lowest rated station was flipping.
> However, after it's last book led WBOS to a 0.3 lead over
> WSJZ, 96.9 was toast and WBOS once again got another chance.
I don't think Greater Media ever announced in public that WBOS would go talk, but that one of it's stations would "most likely go talk". But WBOS, as the lowest-rated for much of 1999, was considered likely to flip.
> In March 2000, WBOS was slated to flip to Jammin' Oldies. It
> was everywhere. However, when former WSJZ PD Shirley
> Maldonado took hold of the station, she announced that the
> change was off.
It's my understanding that although heavily rumored, Greater Media never announced plans to flip WBOS to "Jammin' Oldies", nor even considered flipping WBOS to that format. Maldonado, if my memory serves me correct, did not say that a "(format) change was off", but that the station would not change formats, as had been rumored.
> Boston lacked an FM country station between 1989-1993, but
> right after the WBOS flip, 1510 stepped up to the plate,
> dropping the first incarnation of WSSH(AM) and becoming
> WKKU, with Bruins hockey and country. That was over around
> 1991, as I recall.
From 1991 to 1993, Boston Country fans had to get out their good receivers and antennas, and choose between WOKQ 97.5 Dover NH, WCAV 97.7 Brockton (now WBOT), or WCTK 98.1 New Bedford.
Though none of those rimshot or out of town signals got very significant Boston ratings, there were enough WCAV listeners in Boston and Cambridge who complained to the FCC for them to make WGBH move their five watt translator in Kendall Square (on the WMBR tower) from 97.7 to 96.3.
> right after the WBOS flip, 1510 stepped up to the plate,
> dropping the first incarnation of WSSH(AM) and becoming
> WKKU, with Bruins hockey and country. That was over around
> 1991, as I recall.
From 1991 to 1993, Boston Country fans had to get out their good receivers and antennas, and choose between WOKQ 97.5 Dover NH, WCAV 97.7 Brockton (now WBOT), or WCTK 98.1 New Bedford.
Though none of those rimshot or out of town signals got very significant Boston ratings, there were enough WCAV listeners in Boston and Cambridge who complained to the FCC for them to make WGBH move their five watt translator in Kendall Square (on the WMBR tower) from 97.7 to 96.3.
- Status