Stations IDing themselves as "classic hits," but are not

[sdh483]

Number one prime example is KGLK in Houston, Tx, aka "The Eagle." They claim to be Houston's classic hits station when 99.99% of their playlist is classic rock. I thought classic hits was a hybrid of top 40 rock and pop focusing on 70s top 40 mixed in with some late 60s gems and now 80s music, including the pop songs, disco, motown and R&B.

Any other classic hits stations with an identity crisis?

 

[oldies76]

Many "classic rock" songs are "classic hits"...they're classics and many were hits. The questionable songs would be "classic rock" album cuts, that were not hits.

"Sweet Home Alabama" is classic rock and a classic hit
"White Room" is classic rock and a classic hit

"Baba O' Riley" would classify as classic rock, but not a hit.

I suppose it depends on the songs you are hearing.

Many classic rock songs, were Top 40 hits, but many were not too.

But yes, if they are playing mainly album cuts, then "classic hits" would not be appropriate here.

 

[radiobum]

I thought "Classic Hits' was basically stations playing Classic Rock 'hits'. You know the same tired songs you were sick of decades ago.

 

[sdh483]

Many "classic rock" songs are "classic hits"...they're classics and many were hits. The questionable songs would be "classic rock" album cuts, that were not hits.

"Sweet Home Alabama" is classic rock and a classic hit
"White Room" is classic rock and a classic hit

"Baba O' Riley" would classify as classic rock, but not a hit.

I suppose it depends on the songs you are hearing.

Many classic rock songs, were Top 40 hits, but many were not too.

But yes, if they are playing mainly album cuts, then "classic hits" would not be appropriate here.

The Eagle's snippet of their playlist:
Boston
Don't Look Back

Pink Floyd
Hey You
Sammy Hagar
I Can't Drive 55
The Rolling Stones
Jumpin' Jack Flash
Rolling Stones
The Beatles
Come Together
Beatles
Red Rider
Lunatic Fringe

I doubt "Hey You" and "Lunitac Fringe" were ever top 40 hits in the 70s-80s.

 

[davideduardo]

I thought "Classic Hits' was basically stations playing Classic Rock 'hits'. You know the same tired songs you were sick of decades ago.

Classic Hits = Pop CHR Top 40 songs centered on the 70's, with some 60's and some 80's in most cases. You might hear "YMCA."

Classic Rock = AOR, Rock gold. You won't, ever, hear YMCA.

Oldies = pop Top 40 songs with core in the 60's. Now a dying or dead format, as demographics are not salable.

These are clearly understood definitions in the advertising sales and buying communities. A station may call itself whatever it wants on the air as part of marketing. So on-air, a classic hits station may call itself "oldies" (as many Clear Channel stations do) but the sellers for that station will call it "classic hits."

 

[oldies76]

Oldies = pop Top 40 songs with core in the 60's. Now a dying or dead format, as demographics are not salable.

It's not even close to down and out yet....many true oldies stations on FM and most oldies AM's have huge selections of 60's music, even some 50's still. Granted the selections are more limited than ever on FM, but at least they are still playing them.

And like I've mentioned, KWRP 690 plays many 60's songs, day and night. They are appealing to and beyond their target audience, by playing some 50's, through select late 80's.

I'll consider the 60's "dead" when K-Earth 101 removes "Brown Eyed Girl" from their playlist.

 

[oldies76]

And some satellite stations, like Sonic Tap still offer 40's music (Big Band/Swing), not to mention the 60's....so if anything....old music is still alive and well, no matter the source.

 

[radiofan502]

Number one prime example is KGLK in Houston, Tx, aka "The Eagle." They claim to be Houston's classic hits station when 99.99% of their playlist is classic rock. I thought classic hits was a hybrid of top 40 rock and pop focusing on 70s top 40 mixed in with some late 60s gems and now 80s music, including the pop songs, disco, motown and R&B.

Any other classic hits stations with an identity crisis?

In Louisville Ky. WSFR 107.7 switched from classic rock to classic hits a couple of weeks ago. They are also now called "The Eagle". They are exactly how you described KGLK in Houston. I can't tell any difference between how WSFR was before and now. I also thought that classic hits were more of a variety of music. WSFR is owned by Cox. They once had an 80's format here called ''The Point'', but they only played 80's rock hits. No variety.

 

[storrs19]

I live in Louisville, KY myself. The only station for music I can tolerate is WAKY 103.5 and they play way too many 80's and no 50's which is sad. When I want oldies I don't want disco era 70's and I don't want 80's. Sadly this is where most oldies stations are at now. I want a station that plays let say 1950-1973. I want some classic REAL R&B stuff from the early 1950's as well as some of the early pop standards as well as the "Rock & Roll" era from 1955-on. I'm not knocking 80's music as I actually enjoy it (and grew up with it) but I don't consider it oldies and never will.

 

[landtuna]

I'm not knocking 80's music as I actually enjoy it (and grew up with it) but I don't consider it oldies and never will.

Nor do I and it's a point I keep trying to make with the radio programmers.

Oldies was an era of pop and rock, not a specific number of years and definitely not a sliding number of years. Anything past mid-80's is not Oldies, nor is Disco although it occurred within the same time period.

Just as 'Standards' will always include the name singers and big bands from the 40's through early 50's so will Oldies always be set within a set year parameter.

My kids might think of 90's music as oldies someday but they will never be Oldies.

 

[FRR]

I live in Louisville, KY myself. The only station for music I can tolerate is WAKY 103.5 and they play way too many 80's and no 50's which is sad. When I want oldies I don't want disco era 70's and I don't want 80's. Sadly this is where most oldies stations are at now. I want a station that plays let say 1950-1973. I want some classic REAL R&B stuff from the early 1950's as well as some of the early pop standards as well as the "Rock & Roll" era from 1955-on. I'm not knocking 80's music as I actually enjoy it (and grew up with it) but I don't consider it oldies and never will.

Go on the web and listen to WDJO in Cincinnati. It is one of the best real oldies stations in the country. Run by folks who love the format and work hard to maintain it. Check it out.

 

[AM FM listener]

The format label, Classic Hits, has definitely evolved over the years. Originally, Oldies was old Top 40 hits, regardless of music genre. "Classic Hits" was half-way between Classic Rock and Oldies in that it was only rock-oriented (no R&B, disco or bubble gum) and it was only hits (no album tracks). Today, Classic Rock is mostly hits, especially from 6 am to 6 pm, and Classic Hits is the new Oldies.