Looking for Q-100/WQQQ information.

[RobynWatts]

I'm looking for info on the old Q-100 (WQQQ) and was hoping that somebody might be able to fill in the blanks on the history of the station.

1): I understand that the station signed on April 4th, 1983 when B/EZ WQQQ traded formats with their sister AM WEEX. Was WEEX still Top 40 or were they AC at the time of the changeover? Also, was this the market's first FM Top 40 outlet?

2): What was the ratings like before Lazer 104.1 (WAEB-FM) signed on in January, 1987? What were they like after?

3): A few years ago, I've traded e-mails with Clarke Ingram, who had worked in the market at one time. He told me that Q-100's morning man, Uncle Bob, was a very controversial air talent and part of the reason why the station had to change it's image to Hot 99.9 in 1989. I dare to ask what did he do that was so bad?

Thanks,
Robyn<P ID="signature">______________
"They say you better listen to the voice of reason. But they don't give you any choice 'cause they think it's treason." Elvis Costello "Radio Radio"</P><P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by RobynWatts on 12/07/05 10:23 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[TODDMAYOR]

> I'm looking for info on the old Q-100 (WQQQ) and was hoping
> that somebody might be able to fill in the blanks on the
> history of the station.
>
> 1): I understand that the station signed on April 4th, 1983
> when B/EZ WQQQ traded formats with their sister AM WEEX. Was
> WEEX still Top 40 or were they AC at the time of the
> changeover? Also, was this the market's first FM Top 40
> outlet?
>
> 2): What was the ratings like before Lazer 104.1 (WAEB-FM)
> signed on in January, 1987? What were they like after?
>
> 3): A few years ago, I've traded e-mails with Clarke Ingram,
> who had worked in the market at one time. He told me that
> Q-100's morning man, Uncle Bob, was a very controversial air
> talent and part of the reason why the station had to change
> it's image to Hot 99.9 in 1989. I dare to ask what did he do
> that was so bad?
>
> Thanks,
> Robyn

bob pagani aka uncle bob was actually pretty cutting edge for the valley in his day he was a stern wanna be that did his schtick between music. i miss hearing him. i heard old aircheck from wcrv washington nj where he got his start.
>

 

[EasyBakeOven]

I'm sure others will be able to fill in more blanks than me. What I can tell you is that WEEX switched from Top 40 to AC in March 1980. WQQQ probably was the first FM Top 40 in the market (that wasn't an AM/FM simulcast). Uncle Bob had a fun irreverent program that was ahead of it's time, tame by today's standards, but by the end of the 80s Q100's ratings went in the toilet and I'd guess the owners felt the need to blow up the old Q image and start new again as Hot 99.9.

 

[radiophile]

When WQQQ became Top 40 Q-100, WEEX was AC with the exception of an all-news block in the morning weekdays from 5-9AM. The news block survived for a while when the AM went EZ, but then was killed when they scaled back the number of people in the news department.

If my memory serves correctly, Q-100 had one ratings book at #1 12+, beating what was then the top 12+ station, Z-95. I don't think Q-100 repeated the #1 standing after that, however.

 

[BobAltimari]

> When WQQQ became Top 40 Q-100, WEEX was AC with the
> exception of an all-news block in the morning weekdays from
> 5-9AM. The news block survived for a while when the AM went
> EZ, but then was killed when they scaled back the number of
> people in the news department.
>
> If my memory serves correctly, Q-100 had one ratings book at
> #1 12+, beating what was then the top 12+ station, Z-95. I
> don't think Q-100 repeated the #1 standing after that,
> however.
>

When Q became Hot, I think it was in response to how well then rhythmic CHR WIOQ/Philly was doing and the parent wanted to capitalise on that. I am thinking this was 1989-1990.

Anyone remember Uncle Bob's 1984 parody "Zitbusters"?<P ID="signature">______________
I've done it all...HOO HOO...tell 'em, Fred!
FOX News Alert: YOU SUCK!!! Ya like apples?</P>

 

[wrathchild]

> > When WQQQ became Top 40 Q-100, WEEX was AC with the
> > exception of an all-news block in the morning weekdays
> from
> > 5-9AM. The news block survived for a while when the AM
> went
> > EZ, but then was killed when they scaled back the number
> of
> > people in the news department.
> >
> > If my memory serves correctly, Q-100 had one ratings book
> at
> > #1 12+, beating what was then the top 12+ station, Z-95. I
>
> > don't think Q-100 repeated the #1 standing after that,
> > however.
> >
>
> When Q became Hot, I think it was in response to how well
> then rhythmic CHR WIOQ/Philly was doing and the parent
> wanted to capitalise on that. I am thinking this was
> 1989-1990.
>
> Anyone remember Uncle Bob's 1984 parody "Zitbusters"?

I remember that. How about (Uncle Bob got decked by Morton Downey) ??
Q went to Hot 99 in the spring of 1989, I think.
>

 

[RayThomas]

> > I'm looking for info on the old Q-100 (WQQQ) and was
> hoping
> > that somebody might be able to fill in the blanks on the
> > history of the station.
> >
> > 1): I understand that the station signed on April 4th,
> 1983
Dave Dillon was Q-100's PD...He went on to big success in Richmond, Houston, and he's now PD of KOSI in Denver...This was one helluva a great sounding CHR
in the early 80's...

 

[Jeffrey_T_Mason]

> When Q became Hot, I think it was in response to how well
> then rhythmic CHR WIOQ/Philly was doing and the parent
> wanted to capitalise on that. I am thinking this was
> 1989-1990.

The guy that owned WQQQ (Q100) also owned WQXA (Q106) in York, PA. It was Spring '89 that they BOTH flipped from Mainstream CHR to a Dance Top 40. Q100 became "Hot 99.9," and Q106 became "Hot 105.7." Bob is right. These 2 stations were near clones of Q102/Philly - which had debuted in February that year.

Hot 99.9 only spent a year doing Dance Top 40 before hiring Clarke Ingram to flip it back to Mainstream CHR, still using the name "Hot 99.9." They stopped using Mark Driscoll sweepers, and bought a slew of JAM jingles - many of which had been used on Q100! Hot 99.9 changed to "Oldies 99" Summer of '91. I have the flip on tape. Nothing special.

Hot 105.7, however, continued with the format until 1993. Then, they phased into an AUTOMATED Hot AC (as I recall, they were actually using the old reel-to-reel automation from the early 70's!), and eventually brought back the Q106 name. That lasted about 2 years until they went Alternative as "105.7 The Edge." Their alternative (active rock) format remains to this day as "105.7 The X," and they scored VERY respectable #'s for a long time in York. Been slipping the last 2 years in Harrisburg, though.

 

[gooberksk]

Whatever happened to some of the djs from Q100/ Hot 99.9

Uncle BoB
Troy N Thomas
Jack Da Wack
Jamie Summers
Barbara O'Reilly
Woody Wood
Joe Geronimo
Mark Stephen Clifford

who else??

 

[wolfmoon]

> Whatever happened to some of the djs from Q100/ Hot 99.9
>
> Uncle BoB
> Troy N Thomas
> Jack Da Wack
> Jamie Summers
> Barbara O'Reilly
> Woody Wood
> Joe Geronimo
> Mark Stephen Clifford
>
> who else??
>

JJ The Hitman, The Hotshot, Maniac, Big John, Scooter, Eric Stryker, Mick Ryder, Joey Mitchell (he's dead) and I think you mean Brian Geronimo.

 

[TODDMAYOR]

> > Whatever happened to some of the djs from Q100/ Hot 99.9
> >
> > Uncle BoB
> > Troy N Thomas
> > Jack Da Wack
> > Jamie Summers
> > Barbara O'Reilly
> > Woody Wood
> > Joe Geronimo
> > Mark Stephen Clifford
> >
> > who else??
> >
>
> JJ The Hitman, The Hotshot, Maniac, Big John, Scooter, Eric
> Stryker, Mick Ryder, Joey Mitchell (he's dead) and I think
> you mean Brian Geronimo.

geoff freeman, johnny "lou white" walker, mike walsh, dennis ? sam milkman,
chris bond, preston walsh, todd mayor...oh...thats me i live in camp hill pa and worked in phila dc and baltimore after q.
>

 

[wrathchild]

> > > Whatever happened to some of the djs from Q100/ Hot 99.9
>
> > >
> > > Uncle BoB
> > > Troy N Thomas
> > > Jack Da Wack
> > > Jamie Summers
> > > Barbara O'Reilly
> > > Woody Wood
> > > Joe Geronimo
> > > Mark Stephen Clifford
> > >
> > > who else??
> > >
> >
> > JJ The Hitman, The Hotshot, Maniac, Big John, Scooter,
> Eric
> > Stryker, Mick Ryder, Joey Mitchell (he's dead) and I think
>
> > you mean Brian Geronimo.
>
> geoff freeman, johnny "lou white" walker, mike walsh,
> dennis ? sam milkman,
> chris bond, preston walsh, todd mayor...oh...thats me i live
> in camp hill pa and worked in phila dc and baltimore after
> q.
> >
>

Eddie Munster

 

[cingram]

This thread brings back lots of memories. The station had already changed from Q-100 to Hot 99.9 by the time I joined in 1990. I read several volumes of research on why they made the change, and one of the reasons was that Q-100 was so indelibly linked with Uncle Bob - who was essentially a talk personality, and a controversial and polarizing one, like Limbaugh - that they thought it would be better to just start over. I should add that Uncle Bob was no longer with the station by this time.

We did, indeed, move more mainstream. I think Hot 99.9 changed to dance music a day late and a dollar short. By 1990, that musical trend was already fading and Top 40 stations all over the country were either changing format or playing lots of Phil Collins. I also held the distinction of being the last PD of WEEX as a music station. It flipped to a simulcast of the FM (as WODE-AM-FM) on the same day as the FM format change to Oldies, August 23, 1991.

Unfortunately, I have lost touch with most of the people from Hot 99.9. Mark Steven Clifford was my Promotions Director and very helpful to me. I have no idea where he is. Woody Wood was in Albany for a while, and (I think) is now in Nashville. Saw Joanie Meyers at a radio convention a few years ago; she was the morning co-host at WIIL in Racine-Kenosha. Joey Mitchell, a nice guy and a class act, may he rest in peace. And Eric Ferguson, aka Stryker, is making a seven-figure salary as half of "Eric & Kathy in the Morning" at WTMX in Chicago.

Hot 99.9 always had an uphill ratings battle against WAEB-FM, primarily due to budgetary and signal issues. There was one Arbitrend, however, where we beat them by two-tenths of a point. This was the station's last monthly as Hot 99.9, and it came out the month after the station had flipped to Oldies. If they had just hung on a little longer, who knows. I lived in Allentown for a few years after that (working at Z-100 and the late Eagle 106), and interviewed at both WAEB-FM and WLEV, but nothing else came of it.

I don't post often, but thought some of this information might be of interest.

Thanks for the memories!

C.

> > > When WQQQ became Top 40 Q-100, WEEX was AC with the
> > > exception of an all-news block in the morning weekdays
> > from
> > > 5-9AM. The news block survived for a while when the AM
> > went
> > > EZ, but then was killed when they scaled back the number
>
> > of
> > > people in the news department.
> > >
> > > If my memory serves correctly, Q-100 had one ratings
> book
> > at
> > > #1 12+, beating what was then the top 12+ station, Z-95.
> I
> >
> > > don't think Q-100 repeated the #1 standing after that,
> > > however.
> > >
> >
> > When Q became Hot, I think it was in response to how well
> > then rhythmic CHR WIOQ/Philly was doing and the parent
> > wanted to capitalise on that. I am thinking this was
> > 1989-1990.
> >
> > Anyone remember Uncle Bob's 1984 parody "Zitbusters"?
>
> I remember that. How about (Uncle Bob got decked by Morton
> Downey) ??
> Q went to Hot 99 in the spring of 1989, I think.
> >
>

 

[timbo]

> This thread brings back lots of memories. The station had
> already changed from Q-100 to Hot 99.9 by the time I joined
> in 1990. I read several volumes of research on why they
> made the change, and one of the reasons was that Q-100 was
> so indelibly linked with Uncle Bob - who was essentially a
> talk personality, and a controversial and polarizing one,
> like Limbaugh - that they thought it would be better to just
> start over. I should add that Uncle Bob was no longer with
> the station by this time.
>
> We did, indeed, move more mainstream. I think Hot 99.9
> changed to dance music a day late and a dollar short. By
> 1990, that musical trend was already fading and Top 40
> stations all over the country were either changing format or
> playing lots of Phil Collins. I also held the distinction
> of being the last PD of WEEX as a music station. It flipped
> to a simulcast of the FM (as WODE-AM-FM) on the same day as
> the FM format change to Oldies, August 23, 1991.
>
> Unfortunately, I have lost touch with most of the people
> from Hot 99.9. Mark Steven Clifford was my Promotions
> Director and very helpful to me. I have no idea where he
> is. Woody Wood was in Albany for a while, and (I think) is
> now in Nashville. Saw Joanie Meyers at a radio convention a
> few years ago; she was the morning co-host at WIIL in
> Racine-Kenosha. Joey Mitchell, a nice guy and a class act,
> may he rest in peace. And Eric Ferguson, aka Stryker, is
> making a seven-figure salary as half of "Eric & Kathy in the
> Morning" at WTMX in Chicago.
>
> Hot 99.9 always had an uphill ratings battle against
> WAEB-FM, primarily due to budgetary and signal issues.
> There was one Arbitrend, however, where we beat them by
> two-tenths of a point. This was the station's last monthly
> as Hot 99.9, and it came out the month after the station had
> flipped to Oldies. If they had just hung on a little
> longer, who knows. I lived in Allentown for a few years
> after that (working at Z-100 and the late Eagle 106), and
> interviewed at both WAEB-FM and WLEV, but nothing else came
> of it.
>
> I don't post often, but thought some of this information
> might be of interest.
>
> Thanks for the memories!
>
> C.
>
> > > > When WQQQ became Top 40 Q-100, WEEX was AC with the
> > > > exception of an all-news block in the morning weekdays
>
> > > from
> > > > 5-9AM. The news block survived for a while when the AM
>
> > > went
> > > > EZ, but then was killed when they scaled back the
> number
> >
> > > of
> > > > people in the news department.
> > > >
> > > > If my memory serves correctly, Q-100 had one ratings
> > book
> > > at
> > > > #1 12+, beating what was then the top 12+ station,
> Z-95.
> > I
> > >
> > > > don't think Q-100 repeated the #1 standing after that,
>
> > > > however.
> > > >
> > >
> > > When Q became Hot, I think it was in response to how
> well
> > > then rhythmic CHR WIOQ/Philly was doing and the parent
> > > wanted to capitalise on that. I am thinking this was
> > > 1989-1990.
> > >
> > > Anyone remember Uncle Bob's 1984 parody "Zitbusters"?
> >
> > I remember that. How about (Uncle Bob got decked by Morton
>
> > Downey) ??
> > Q went to Hot 99 in the spring of 1989, I think.
> > >
> >
>
Great Post! thanks.

 

[jimwalsh2001]

Here's the original Q100 lineup from spring of 1983:

Mornings: Preston Thompson
Middays: Big John Andrews
PM Drive: Geoff Freeman
Nights: Jim Walsh
Overnights: J.J. Christian

 

[SNLBillionBoy]

> Here's the original Q100 lineup from spring of 1983:
>
> Mornings: Preston Thompson
> Middays: Big John Andrews
> PM Drive: Geoff Freeman
> Nights: Jim Walsh
> Overnights: J.J. Christian
>

I don't know where all of the personalities are now, but I know of a few of the moves in between.

Uncle Bob spent a very short time in San Diego as half of the "Butt Brothers," I believe on Xtra Sports. He ended up back in Allentown for a while doing talk afternoons on WAEB AM-790 (that was 1992, when I first got in the business). Last I heard, he was doing mornings in the midwest with Mad Maxx (former B104 night jock), but that was at least 5 years ago so he may be somewhere else now.

Barbara O'Reilly worked at Lazer/B104 for sometime doing middays and promotions. She then spent a few years at Oldies 99 doing sales. Then a couple hears as half of Cat Country's morning show (she went by a different name then). I think she may be doing sales again in the area, but I don't know what station.

Those are the only 2 I know about, and I only know that as they both helped me out when I started in radio, and they were both really good to me.

Oh, and I don't know if she's still there cuz I haven't lived on the East coast for some time, but "Scooter" from Uncle Bob's show was a reporter for NYC's Fox affiliate (I think her name is Linda Schmidt). In my opinion, the Q100 morning show was at its best when it was Uncle Bob, Mark Steven Clifford, and Scooter. My favorite bit was "Celebrity Bathwater."<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by SNLBillionBoy on 12/12/05 11:02 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[EasyBakeOven]

The last I heard (a fews year ago) Uncle Bob was in Los Angeles working at Universal Studios.

 

[RFJUNKIE]

> I'm sure others will be able to fill in more blanks than me.
> What I can tell you is that WEEX switched from Top 40 to AC
> in March 1980. WQQQ probably was the first FM Top 40 in the
> market (that wasn't an AM/FM simulcast). Uncle Bob had a
> fun irreverent program that was ahead of it's time, tame by
> today's standards, but by the end of the 80s Q100's ratings
> went in the toilet and I'd guess the owners felt the need to
> blow up the old Q image and start new again as Hot 99.9.

I heard a rumor that Jim Shea V.P.of Clear Channel fame purposely sabotaged Q100's format, to make room for Lazer 104.1. Did he even work at WQQQ? I do know that he did eventually end up at what was Lazer's parent company, CRB. I also know that he is a real creep, and I could see him doing something like that. I used to work at WAEB AM, right around the time CRB became Atlantic Star/Capstar, which eventually got bought by Clear Channel.

 

[SawItOnLine]

> I'm looking for info on the old Q-100 (WQQQ) and was hoping
> that somebody might be able to fill in the blanks on the
> history of the station.

I may be able to answer a few of your questions as I was the PD who, along with our GM Tom Wolfe, convinced Hal Neitzel and the board at the Easton Express to flip WQQQ to CHR.
>
> 1): I understand that the station signed on April 4th, 1983
> when B/EZ WQQQ traded formats with their sister AM WEEX. Was
> WEEX still Top 40 or were they AC at the time of the
> changeover? Also, was this the market's first FM Top 40
> outlet?

1.--Your date is probably right, sorry I don't remember it exactly. When we flipped 99.9 to Q100, we put the B/EZ on 1230 AM along with the morning info program the WEEX Morning Journal which we initiated in 1982. Shortly after that we flipped WEEX to country as "Double E Country Lovin'" (don't ask!). When I arrived in 1982, WEEX had already made a transition to AC, the AM program was a modification to that format. Ironically, the markets first FM Top 40 was on 99.9. In the early 70s, before the B/EZ craze, WEEX AM and FM 1230 and 99.9, simulcast their top 40 format. It was an excellent station programmed by Dave Marino, and it was FM mono too.
>
> 2): What was the ratings like before Lazer 104.1 (WAEB-FM)
> signed on in January, 1987? What were they like after?
>
2.--Can't say, sorry.

> 3): A few years ago, I've traded e-mails with Clarke Ingram,
> who had worked in the market at one time. He told me that
> Q-100's morning man, Uncle Bob, was a very controversial air
> talent and part of the reason why the station had to change
> it's image to Hot 99.9 in 1989. I dare to ask what did he do
> that was so bad?

3.--I was also the PD who hired Uncle Bob. Clarke can speak to the change to Hot 99.9. We hired Bob because he was so very different and unusual compared with the other morning shows. Bob had a sort of social conscience that often went wild or skewered people, places, etc. But he was a good sort of lightening rod that caused publicity for us. This was after the Express sold the stations to Wilks-Schwartz. Jim Shea was the GM and he was 100% supportive of Bob and his antics during my tenure with that company. What happened after I left in late 1984, I couldn't speculate.
>
> Thanks,
> Robyn
>

 

[Bandscanner]

> >
> When Q became Hot, I think it was in response to how well
> then rhythmic CHR WIOQ/Philly was doing and the parent
> wanted to capitalise on that. I am thinking this was
> 1989-1990.
>
> Anyone remember Uncle Bob's 1984 parody "Zitbusters"?
Not only do I remember "Zitbusters"...I have an aircheck of my playing it as the #1 song on the Top 10 @ 10. By the way, it really DIDN"T get enough votes to even make the Top 10...
>