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History of WLOA 1550

S

sparks

Does anyone have any photos from the early days of 1550? Also, does anyone have the complete call sign and format history? I wouldn't mind adding a history section to the future 1550 website.

Thanks
 
I haven't paid a lot of attention to 1550 over the years, but I'll see what I can cough up. Here is the full list of call letter changes:

11/26/1979 - WFFM
05/25/1981 - WCKG
08/04/1982 - WHYW
10/17/1983 - WJLY
05/16/1988 - WCXJ
06/01/2000 - WURP
05/02/2007 - WLFP

C.
 
As WFFM and WHYW they simulcast 96.9 FM first as "FM97" and then as "Y97".

WCKG was locally produced urban, with Mike Payne as PD and Jay Cresswell (now at CBS in Dallas). Jay later became the PD of Y97.

Y97 and CKG were owned by Benns Communications from Virginia. The FM airstaff included Chuck Brinkman and Sean McDowell.

96.9 was sold to Steel City Communications and became WRRK (the call letter change might have preceded the sale, because the format became classic rock "97Rock" while Benns still owned it).

WJLY (Jesus Loves You) was an Urban gospel format, I'm not sure who owned it at that point.

WCXJ was owned by Inner City, the big Urban broadcaster from Long Island. They tried to take on the old WAMO-FM and were out of business in 6 months. They figured that even though it was a small signal it covered the right areas, but 4 watts at night and being on AM were too much to overcome.

WURP was I think the group that owns it now, correct?
 
Parttimer said:
WCXJ was owned by Inner City, the big Urban broadcaster from Long Island. They tried to take on the old WAMO-FM and were out of business in 6 months. They figured that even though it was a small signal it covered the right areas, but 4 watts at night and being on AM were too much to overcome.

WURP was I think the group that owns it now, correct?
Click to expand...

Urban Radio of Pennsylvania purchased 1550 and changed the call to WURP. They also owned WHAT in Philly. Inner City wanted WHAT and took WURP because it was part of the deal. They attempted to run WURP but quickly gave up and turned it off. They pulled the plug on the tower lights too and received a fine. Someone from Ebensburg turned the station back on a day or two before the license would have been deleted. Inner City owned it until Business Talk Radio purchased it in 2007. Pittsburgh Radio Werks only ran it for Inner City. The same two people who owned Pittsburgh Radio Werks own AM Guys, LLC. The sale was closed yesterday.

What I am hoping to find is the history from its first air date to when it was first sold. I would like to find any newspaper articles or photos too.
 
long ago said:
I have a couple of photos that I can email you.
How can I get them to you?
Click to expand...

Please send them to:

WZUM
Attn: Ed
4736 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224

And I would like to thank PHILZ and cingram for sending information on WLOA and WZUM.
 
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