Remembering WNEW-AM 1130 of the 1970s
In the late 60s, WNEW was still heavy into playing Pop Vocal Standards while mixing in some soft AC. But the 70s became a decade that WNEW 1130 became more of an MOR/AC station. Their core artists were The Carpenters, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Tony Orlando and Dawn, Dionne Warwick, Helen Reddy and their like. In a given hour, you’ll hear one song by Sinatra, Nat King Cole or Tony Bennett, while the balance of the hour featured AC artists like the ones mentioned.
The 1970s was a decade that many WNEW traditionalists would like to forget. It was made know that William B. Williams hated most of the music he played. You can be sure that Williams felt uncomfortable going from playing a song by Peggy Lee, or Edydie Gorme right into “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods. It could be said that WNEW was trying to be a station for everyone by appealing to 50 year olds like my parents, as well someone in their late 20s who was a little too old for Top 40 and wanted to hear Soft Rock.
WNEW as an AC station without the reverb was not much different from WABC. But WNEW was at least a month ahead of WABC when it came to new releases. They played the latest song by Rita Coolidge in May of 1977. But it didn’t make it onto to WABC’s playlist until late June the earliest.
In the spring of 1978, WNEW rediscovered their MOR roots when they’ve launched a weekend special called, “The Million Dollar Weekend”. This was a special that featured music from the 30s, 40s, and AC of the 50s, 60s and 70s. You’ll hear a song by Glenn Miller or Tommy Dorsey right next to the Bee Gees or the Commadores. This special lasted until 1980 when WNEW moved back to playing the Big Bands and other Standards.
WNEW had some of the best personalities on the air which included Gene Klavan, William B. Williams, Ted Brown (who liked the AC music) Jim Lowe, Jonathan Schwartz, Bob Jones, Jay Lawrence (who replaced Klavan but later moved to PM Drive), Bob Fitzsimmons, Stan Martin and Maryann Roque.
Here’s what WNEW sounded like around this time in 1975 by memory (I was probably one out of four hundred 14 year olds listening to WNEW).
1) “You’re No Good” Linda Ronstadt
2) “Mandy” Barry Manilow
3) “Laughter in the Rain” Neil Sedaka
4) “Loving You” Minnie Riperton
5) “Nightengale” Carole King
6) Please Mr. Postman” The Carpenters
7) “Look in My Eyes Pretty Woman” Tony Orlando and Dawn
8) “To The Door of the Sun” Al Martino
9) “Walking in Rhythm” The Blackbyrds
10) “The Last Farewell” Roger Whittaker
Here’s WABCs playlists from February 11, 1975
1) “You’re No Good” Linda Ronstadt
2) “ Fire” The Ohio Players
3) My Eyes Adored You” Frankie Valli
4) “Mandy” Barry Manilow
5) “Pick Up the Peaces” Average White Band
6) “Please Mr. Postman
7) “Laughter In the Rain” Neil Sedaka
8) “ Doctor’s Order” Carol Douglas
9) “ Best of My Love” The Eagles
10) “Express” B.T. Express
11) “Lady Marmalade” Labelle
12) “#9 Dream” John Lennon
13) “Shame. Shame, Shame” Shirley & Company
14) “ Some Kind of Wonderful” Grand Funk
Was the birth of soft rock acts like the Carpenters, Bread and Helen Reddy the cause for WNEW to adapt to the AC format?
Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy
In the late 60s, WNEW was still heavy into playing Pop Vocal Standards while mixing in some soft AC. But the 70s became a decade that WNEW 1130 became more of an MOR/AC station. Their core artists were The Carpenters, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Tony Orlando and Dawn, Dionne Warwick, Helen Reddy and their like. In a given hour, you’ll hear one song by Sinatra, Nat King Cole or Tony Bennett, while the balance of the hour featured AC artists like the ones mentioned.
The 1970s was a decade that many WNEW traditionalists would like to forget. It was made know that William B. Williams hated most of the music he played. You can be sure that Williams felt uncomfortable going from playing a song by Peggy Lee, or Edydie Gorme right into “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods. It could be said that WNEW was trying to be a station for everyone by appealing to 50 year olds like my parents, as well someone in their late 20s who was a little too old for Top 40 and wanted to hear Soft Rock.
WNEW as an AC station without the reverb was not much different from WABC. But WNEW was at least a month ahead of WABC when it came to new releases. They played the latest song by Rita Coolidge in May of 1977. But it didn’t make it onto to WABC’s playlist until late June the earliest.
In the spring of 1978, WNEW rediscovered their MOR roots when they’ve launched a weekend special called, “The Million Dollar Weekend”. This was a special that featured music from the 30s, 40s, and AC of the 50s, 60s and 70s. You’ll hear a song by Glenn Miller or Tommy Dorsey right next to the Bee Gees or the Commadores. This special lasted until 1980 when WNEW moved back to playing the Big Bands and other Standards.
WNEW had some of the best personalities on the air which included Gene Klavan, William B. Williams, Ted Brown (who liked the AC music) Jim Lowe, Jonathan Schwartz, Bob Jones, Jay Lawrence (who replaced Klavan but later moved to PM Drive), Bob Fitzsimmons, Stan Martin and Maryann Roque.
Here’s what WNEW sounded like around this time in 1975 by memory (I was probably one out of four hundred 14 year olds listening to WNEW).
1) “You’re No Good” Linda Ronstadt
2) “Mandy” Barry Manilow
3) “Laughter in the Rain” Neil Sedaka
4) “Loving You” Minnie Riperton
5) “Nightengale” Carole King
6) Please Mr. Postman” The Carpenters
7) “Look in My Eyes Pretty Woman” Tony Orlando and Dawn
8) “To The Door of the Sun” Al Martino
9) “Walking in Rhythm” The Blackbyrds
10) “The Last Farewell” Roger Whittaker
Here’s WABCs playlists from February 11, 1975
1) “You’re No Good” Linda Ronstadt
2) “ Fire” The Ohio Players
3) My Eyes Adored You” Frankie Valli
4) “Mandy” Barry Manilow
5) “Pick Up the Peaces” Average White Band
6) “Please Mr. Postman
7) “Laughter In the Rain” Neil Sedaka
8) “ Doctor’s Order” Carol Douglas
9) “ Best of My Love” The Eagles
10) “Express” B.T. Express
11) “Lady Marmalade” Labelle
12) “#9 Dream” John Lennon
13) “Shame. Shame, Shame” Shirley & Company
14) “ Some Kind of Wonderful” Grand Funk
Was the birth of soft rock acts like the Carpenters, Bread and Helen Reddy the cause for WNEW to adapt to the AC format?
Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy
