• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

THE END OF WPGC AS A TOP 40 (HELP PLEASE.)

T

thebeach33445

Hey Guys:

Would anybody know what the exact date in 1982 that WPGC went from Top 40 to AC/Oldies? I can't find this info anywhere.

Thanks

T.J.
 
AMFMMorningside.com mentioned that WPGC flipped to AC the day after Labor Day, 1982 in this Max Wolf aircheck description.

http://www.amandfmmorningside.com/wpgc_aircheck_1982_12_29th_max_wolf.html

Despite the change to AC, WPGC was still airing "American Top 40" (they were one of the first 7 stations to carry it when it debuted in 1970) until the end of 1982 when it was taken off of WPGC by ABC/Watermark and given to ABC's O&O WRQX.

There was one brief attempt by WPGC in late 1983 to revert back to Top 40 under then PD Al Casey, but was stopped by the suits.

Robyn
 
WPGC changing from Top 40 was one of the great mistakes in modern radio history. True, the station was resurrected with an Urban format several years later.
 
Hey Roddy:

I have to agree with you 110%!!! Could you imagine if they stayed Top 40 to this day. It probably would have been the oldest Top 40 station still on air in the country. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LIVING LEGEND!!

T.J.
 
WPGC was doing great until they decided to commit to AC and become Classy 95. If they had held on for a couple more years when Hot Hits and stations like Z100 re-invented Top 40, they would have been phenomenal! But I have to admit, WAVA was a great Top 40 station as well.
 
Hey Steve:

YES WAVA was a great Top 40. I remember hearing it when I was much younger traveling to Florida passing through DC in the 80's!!

T.J.
 
stevewillett said:
WPGC was doing great until they decided to commit to AC and become Classy 95. If they had held on for a couple more years when Hot Hits and stations like Z100 re-invented Top 40, they would have been phenomenal! But I have to admit, WAVA was a great Top 40 station as well.
Click to expand...

The webmaster of the WPGC tribute site told me that changing from Top 40 had nothing to do with ratings. WPGC was doing great. But First Media (the Marriott family) wanted to be AC. He told me that the Marriotts thought, "We're doing so well with adults now. Imagine how many adults we'd have if we were AC." Well, this obviously made no sense, and these obviously were not radio people. They brought in GM Jean Oates for the purpose of changing the format.
 
I realize that WPGC had great ratings. What I meant was, that I envisioned if they had stuck with CHR, just imagine how they would have sounded during one of the greatest eras for that format.
 
stevewillett said:
Did you try the WPGC tribute site amandfmmorningside.com? If it's not there try e-mailing the webmaster.
Click to expand...

I did not know about this site. Made me nostalgic. Thank you. I grew up in Montgomery County listening to Music Radio in the 70's.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom