History of 98.7 WOR-FM to Now WRKS KISS FM

[xmradiopro]

In the very early days, WOR-FM still simulcast "Rambing With Gambling" in morning drive from WOR-AM.

In the fall of 1967, Bill Drake was signed on to consult the station and instituted a format similar to the RKO AM stations in Detroit, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Memphis.

The call letters were changed to WXLO in the fall of 1972, but the station continued with the same basic sound (even editing the old jingles with the new calls.)

The station changed its on-air moniker from WXLO to "99-X" in late 1974.
In 1979, they became "FM 99 WXLO", later evolving into a Soft AC format by late 1980.


On August 1, 1981, calls changed to WRKS, was renamed "Kiss" and featured an Urban format.

In 1994, Emmis bought WRKS, and changed the format to a Gold-Based Urban format.

By 1999, WRKS had evolved into a Hot Urban AC.

 

[LinoNYC]

In the fall of 1967, Bill Drake was signed on to consult the station and instituted a format similar to the RKO AM stations in Detroit, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Memphis

Ok, but that ignores the two months of dry segues w/no jocks Aug 'till October. then it was essentially free-form untill Drake fall 1967.

The call letters were changed to WXLO in the fall of 1972, but the station continued with the same basic sound (even editing the old jingles with the new calls.)

The station changed its on-air moniker from WXLO to "99-X" in late 1974.

WOR-fm became WXLO in Oct 1972 and I recall a Daily News radio column mentioning some controversy about their occaisional use of "99X" late that year. It was explained that as long as the TOH was the legal, they could call themselves anything they cared to.

In formatic terms, "99X" was born in early 1974 -new flatline processing, the famous (infamous to the jungle industry) shotgun and an emphasis on a younger, often pre-teen demo. Also those "creepy" contest promos.

FWIW: I didn't really like this period, but it was memorable.

In 1979, they became "FM 99 WXLO", later evolving into a Soft AC format by late 1980.

They seemed to fade out "99X" during the summer of 1979 and in early 1980 they tried to get back the WOR-fm calls but this was opposed by station "WRFM" at 105.1 on the grounds that the old calls would confuse listeners.

Ironic in that WRFM was a BM -totally different audience and WOR-fm was still co-owned (RKO General) with the AM and housed at 1440 B'Way.

Lino

 

[GreatCalloftheNE]

Does anyone remember if Bill Musser was ever GM of WOR-FM back in the late 60's-early 70's when Drake was consulting? He was GM of WGBB on LI in the mid 60's but I think he moved on to NYC after that.

 

[kevinsealy]

WXLO (99-X) seems like a forgotton station unlike WABC, WNBC and the old WPIX's.

The only DJ I remember is Brian White.


Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy

 

[xmradiopro]

There were many...I believe I listed all below...

Brian White

Joe Mc Coy

Ron O'Brian

Walt Baby Love

Dave Thompson

Steve Weed

Dave Collins

Sue O'Neal

Al Bandiero

Jay Stone

Mike Wade

Dick Slone

Jay Thomas

Glen Morgan

Ed O'Neal

Paulie

Dave Sainte

Beau Weaver

John Larabee

Don Geronimo

Danny Martinez

Mike Phillips

Bobby Messina

Jay Stone

Rick Shaw

John Larabee

WXLO (99-X) seems like a forgotton station unlike WABC, WNBC and the old WPIX's.

The only DJ I remember is Brian White.


Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy

 

[RadioMan203]

Nice tribute site to 99X:

http://99xnewyork.com/

 

[calguy]

There were many...I believe I listed all below...

Brian White

Joe Mc Coy

Ron O'Brian

Walt Baby Love

Dave Thompson

Steve Weed

Dave Collins

Sue O'Neal

Al Bandiero

Jay Stone

Mike Wade

Dick Slone

Jay Thomas

Glen Morgan

Ed O'Neal

Paulie

Dave Sainte

Beau Weaver

John Larabee

Don Geronimo

Danny Martinez

Mike Phillips

Bobby Messina

Jay Stone

Rick Shaw

John Larabee

I recall hearing Terry Nelson on 99X from an American Airchexx feature way back when...

 

[xmradiopro]

Oh yes I forgot Terry Nelson...there's probably others too...anyone know who was the last DJ on air before they went from 99X back to WXLO ?

There were many...I believe I listed all below...



I recall hearing Terry Nelson on 99X from an American Airchexx feature way back when...

 

[xmradiopro]

Update..more WXLO forgotten DJs thanks to 440: Satisfaction.....

Cary Pall WXLO [New York NY] 1975 - Cosmic Cary

Jim Cutler WXLO [New York NY] 1980
Charlie Burger (Charles Hamburger) WXLO [New York NY] 1980
Scott Hodges WXLO [New York NY] 1974

Chuck Leonard WXLO/WRKS [New York] 1979

Gary McKenzie WXLO [New York] 1974

Dave Michaels WXLO [New York NY] 1979

Mel Phillips WNBC [New York] 1976

Denis Reidy WXLO [New York NY] 1974-1976

Bobby Rich WXLO [New York] 1978

Dave Thomson WXLO [New York NY] 1973

Austin Vali WXLO [New York] 1973

There were many...I believe I listed all below...

Brian White

Joe Mc Coy

Ron O'Brian

Walt Baby Love

Dave Thompson

Steve Weed

Dave Collins

Sue O'Neal

Al Bandiero

Jay Stone

Mike Wade

Dick Slone

Jay Thomas

Glen Morgan

Ed O'Neal

Paulie

Dave Sainte

Beau Weaver

John Larabee

Don Geronimo

Danny Martinez

Mike Phillips

Bobby Messina

Jay Stone

Rick Shaw

John Larabee

WXLO (99-X) seems like a forgotton station unlike WABC, WNBC and the old WPIX's.

The only DJ I remember is Brian White.


Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy

 

[llewow]

You are leaving out a healthy chunk of the WOR-FM legacy. After the simulcast of the Gambling show, WOR-FM wa the first commercial station in NYC to broadcast "Free Form Radio" with dj's like Rosko, Murray The K, Scott Muni, and Johnny Michaels. It lasted for a short time but was some amazing radio. Artists like George Harrison would just show up and stay on the air for hours. The playlist was huge and they actually forced top 40 stations like WABC and WMCA to play non bubble gum music. When Drake came in, many staffers moved down the street and turned WNEW-FM into the place "where rock lived". Please don't forget that short span in time.

In the very early days, WOR-FM still simulcast "Rambing With Gambling" in morning drive from WOR-AM.

In the fall of 1967, Bill Drake was signed on to consult the station and instituted a format similar to the RKO AM stations in Detroit, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Memphis.