• 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

WCKO K-102 and associated AM

G

Groove1670

Guest
I remember driving in Miami in the late 70's early 80's. And seeing a AM-FM combo in a one story building the towers (possibily AM) were in the back. The front of the build had large signs with both stations listed. It seemed to have a decorative concrete block design on the front. Was was this combo ? it seemed to be be WCKO and ????. Dunno.

<P ID="signature">______________
Singer Songwriter radio... musiconradio.com</P>
 
> I remember driving in Miami in the late 70's early 80's. And
> seeing a AM-FM combo in a one story building the towers
> (possibily AM) were in the back. The front of the build had
> large signs with both stations listed. It seemed to have a
> decorative concrete block design on the front. Was was this
> combo ? it seemed to be be WCKO and ????. Dunno.
>
Probably the "Rockin Big Daddy"-WRBD 1470. It was next to the turnpike or I-95 (cant remember which) WCKO was there as well, I believe.

There was a whole bunch of towers, a bunch of short ones and one taller tower.
 
WRB/WCKO were on the west side of I-95 around Hollywood. I listened to WCKO around 1972-1975. For awhile, the called themselves "Black Gold." I was also listening to 1490 WMBM at the time.

After that, I went through my Cuban music phase and listened to 1220 WCMQ and 92 WCMQ-FM. I heard a lot of good music in Espanol on those stations.


> Probably the "Rockin Big Daddy"-WRBD 1470. It was next to
> the turnpike or I-95 (cant remember which) WCKO was there as
> well, I believe.
>
> There was a whole bunch of towers, a bunch of short ones and
> one taller tower.
>
<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected]</P>
 
WCKO and WRBD on Rock Island Rd.

> WRB/WCKO were on the west side of I-95 around Hollywood. I
> listened to WCKO around 1972-1975. For awhile, the called
> themselves "Black Gold." I was also listening to 1490 WMBM
> at the time.

Maybe you're thinking of where Y-100 was. The Cox
stations are there now.



I think WRBD and WCKO broadcast from the
transmitter site on Rock Island Road,
just south of Commercial Boulevard and
across the street from the Turnpike,
where it curves NW of Ft.L. You can see
the building (now WSRF) from the turnpike.
That's in the city of Lauderhill or Tamarac
-- I'm not sure, because that's on the border.
Maybe a mile from Jackie Gleason's home in
Inverrary.

WRBD "Rockin' Big Daddy" had a beautiful/gaudy huge
multicolored neon billboard that really lit up the place
in the years before the turnpike (then the Sunshine State
Parkway) had lighting. When I was in college, I welcomed
the sight of the WRBD billboard on my way home from night
classes, because it meant I was halfway home! (Driving an
unlit turnpike at 70 MPH at night was kinda spooky,
especially for an inexperienced driver!)

I wish I had a picture of that billboard at night, for
South Florida Radio History!

73 from 954 -- whew!<P ID="signature">______________
<center>South Florida Radio Pages</center></P>
 
1979 WCKO-FM K-102 ad

Among my papers that were trashed by Wilma, I found a
1979 Singles Directory magazine (per the one at
http://www.univox.com/radio/lady.html) with a full page
B&W kangaroo ad for WCKO.

When I get my scanner working, I'll add the ad to
South Florida Radio History. I don't know enough about
the station to write much, though.

I suspect WCKO was Greg Budell's first Fla. station,
the one he always used to refer to (but not by name,
of course) as a toilet. I say "suspect" because I
don't want to put words in his mouth. It's my conclusion.

73s from 954 -- exhausted!<P ID="signature">______________
<center>South Florida Radio Pages</center></P>
 
Re: 1979 WCKO-FM K-102 ad

> Among my papers that were trashed by Wilma, I found a
> 1979 Singles Directory magazine (per the one at
> http://www.univox.com/radio/lady.html) with a full page
> B&W kangaroo ad for WCKO.
>
> When I get my scanner working, I'll add the ad to
> South Florida Radio History. I don't know enough about
> the station to write much, though.
>
> I suspect WCKO was Greg Budell's first Fla. station,
> the one he always used to refer to (but not by name,
> of course) as a toilet. I say "suspect" because I
> don't want to put words in his mouth. It's my conclusion.
>
> 73s from 954 -- exhausted!
>
I have an aircheck (unscoped of K-102 from June 1979) It was a pretty weak production<P ID="signature">______________
Tom S</P>
 
Re: WCKO and WRBD on Rock Island Rd.

>
>
>
> I think WRBD and WCKO broadcast from the
> transmitter site on Rock Island Road,
> just south of Commercial Boulevard and
> across the street from the Turnpike,
> where it curves NW of Ft.L. You can see
> the building (now WSRF) from the turnpike.
> That's in the city of Lauderhill or Tamarac
> -- I'm not sure, because that's on the border.
> Maybe a mile from Jackie Gleason's home in
> Inverrary.
>
> WRBD "Rockin' Big Daddy" had a beautiful/gaudy huge
> multicolored neon billboard that really lit up the place
> in the years before the turnpike (then the Sunshine State
> Parkway) had lighting. When I was in college, I welcomed
> the sight of the WRBD billboard on my way home from night
> classes, because it meant I was halfway home! (Driving an
> unlit turnpike at 70 MPH at night was kinda spooky,
> especially for an inexperienced driver!)
>
> I wish I had a picture of that billboard at night, for
> South Florida Radio History!
>
> 73 from 954 -- whew!
>


Sconnix bought K-102 and did chicken top 40 for a little while - while they were doing their 100KW upgrade that every engineer in the market said couldn't be accomplished. Station then moved to I95 down the street from Y100 (now Cox's facility), and became Majic 102. Oldies came in 86. Rest is history. Majic building is now a landscaping company. The WRBD building is still right there on the turnpike.
 
Re: 1979 WCKO-FM K-102 ad

I think WCKO's best years were earlier in the decade. Were they around in 1975? I kind of remember them sounding better aroun 1975.

> > Among my papers that were trashed by Wilma, I found a
> > 1979 Singles Directory magazine (per the one at
> > http://www.univox.com/radio/lady.html) with a full page
> > B&W kangaroo ad for WCKO.
> >
> > When I get my scanner working, I'll add the ad to
> > South Florida Radio History. I don't know enough about
> > the station to write much, though.
> >
> > I suspect WCKO was Greg Budell's first Fla. station,
> > the one he always used to refer to (but not by name,
> > of course) as a toilet. I say "suspect" because I
> > don't want to put words in his mouth. It's my conclusion.
> >
> > 73s from 954 -- exhausted!
> >
> I have an aircheck (unscoped of K-102 from June 1979) It was
> a pretty weak production
>
<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected]</P>
 
Re: WCKO and WRBD on Rock Island Rd.

What was the building on the west side of I-95? Was that a previous building for WRBD?

> Sconnix bought K-102 and did chicken top 40 for a little
> while - while they were doing their 100KW upgrade that every
> engineer in the market said couldn't be accomplished.
> Station then moved to I95 down the street from Y100 (now
> Cox's facility), and became Majic 102. Oldies came in 86.
> Rest is history. Majic building is now a landscaping
> company. The WRBD building is still right there on the
> turnpike.
>
<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected]</P>
 
Re: 1979 WCKO-FM K-102 ad

> I have an aircheck (unscoped of K-102 from June 1979) It was
> a pretty weak production


I might have still been there at the time. You should see what we had to work with. A production room with a sliding glass door and wood paneling. An old Ampex PR99, home made stereo board with rumble buddy turntables.

The air studio was carpeted on the walls and floor. When I first got there we were playing tapes off the automation in live assist mode. ABC Contemporary News was recorded on cassette and played back delayed. The board was an old Collins which was better than the toy Ramco board that replaced it. About the time we got the new board we got a pair of Harris triple carts. You had to be careful how you hit the start buttons on the cart machines or the buttons would go flying off!

Did we sound as slick as Y-100? No way! But we had a hell of a lot of fun and teens loved us! It was a party, everyone on the staff got along well, there were no problems. I thought the really cool music was being played downstairs on WRBD!

We never mounted a serious challenge to Y but we created quite a bit of buzz for a bunch of kids. You can bet they were aware of us! We played new artists that Y wouldn't touch. A few became very big hit makers.

MikeM
 
K-102 & Trivia Question

When K-102 and WSHE 103.5 were competing, K-102 was the station I preferred. They had quite a variety of tunes, playing a genre of rock I only WISH I could hear today on "free radio". Buddy Hollis, Glenn Rickards (who became Glenn Richards) are two DJ's who stuck in my mind. I don't think SHE changed their playlist until their demise into whatever they call the crud that is on the 103.5 dial now.

Trivia Question: When K102 went off the air and came back as Majic 102...what was the first song they played??





ANSWER: Let me know if you want the answer.
BONSCO
 
Tell me!

> Trivia Question: When K102 went off the air and came back
> as Majic 102...what was the first song they played??
> ANSWER: Let me know if you want the answer.
> BONSCO


I want to know...

Because it was almost definitely NOT an Oldie...It was probably an early 1985 hit, or a song from the 80s...As I've said before on the list, something people rarely mention is that Majic began life as an Adult CHR.
 
Re: Tell me!--Trivia Answer and K-102 Sample of Tunes

> > Trivia Question: When K102 went off the air and came back
>
> > as Majic 102...what was the first song they played??
> > ANSWER: Let me know if you want the answer.
> > BONSCO
>
>
> I want to know...
>
> Because it was almost definitely NOT an Oldie...It was
> probably an early 1985 hit, or a song from the 80s...As I've
> said before on the list, something people rarely mention is
> that Majic began life as an Adult CHR.
>

Answer: ...The answer is..."Magic" from The Cars. You are right, the station started with a very good opening song, and then went downhill really fast. That song probably never saw the playlist ever again. I remember being really bummed when K102 left the air and changed format. I waited by my clock radio and listened to see what was replacing it. What a disappointing day. With the help of "Rhapsody" Music Service, I created a CD with songs I remember hearing on K-102.

"Don't Misunderstand Me"...Rossington Collins Band
"You're Gonna Get Your Finger Burned"...Alan Parsons Project
"Back In Black"...AC/DC
"I Got You"...Split Enz
"He Can't Love You (Like I love you)...Michael Stanley Band
"Black Blade"...Blue Oyster Cult
"Neon Nights"...Black Sabbath
"Fantasy Girl"...38 Special
"Boulevard"...Jackson Browne
"Misunderstanding"...Genesis
"I Love Rock n Roll"...Joan Jett



This is a sample of the songs I remember hearing played on K-102. A great station with a lot of tunes you'll never hear on the radio in SFL again.
 
Re: Tell me!--Trivia Answer and K-102 Sample of Tunes

> Answer: ...The answer is..."Magic" from The Cars.

I have brief snippets of the original Majic, of songs taped off the air, and stuff I remember hearing were titles like "Everytime You Go Away", by Paul Young, also "What A Fool Believes" by the Doobie Brothers, which ironically is now in rotation again from what I can tell now that MXJ is embracing 70s...I also have a live legal ID where they play "Dancing In The Sheets" by Shalamar, and the jock says in the intro "WMXJ Pompano Beach, Miami!! South Florida's Non Stop Hits FM!! Majic 102!!"

Can't forget the Kangaroo that graced the K-102 logo...My parents had a sticker in one of their cars...Never mind the radio in said car didn't have FM....It was right below the 'rainbow' Y-100 window sticker, hah.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom