WHLI 1100AM 65 Years Serving Long Island

[kevinsealy]

WHLI which debuted on the air yesterday July 22, 1947 has marked their 65th Anniversary this weekend by playing the hits of 1947 music by Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Peggy Lee and their like.

WHLI signed on a 250w non-directional signal station. In its first year they welcomed amateurs and professional to audition.

In the 1970s WHLI became a Top 40 station, but switched back to Standards "Music of Your Life" on Janaury 21, 1979.

Some of the greatest radio personalities were on WHLI over the years including, former WMCA Good Guy Dean Anthony (Program Director 1981-2004) uptil his passing, Chuck Johnson, Jack Spector another former WMCA Good Guy, Wes Richards, Ted David, Gil David and others.


Today WHLI plays more of a balance of soft AC and Rock 'N' Oldies over Standards.Their slogan is "Playing the Hits Of A Lifetime" But the station still plays Frank Sinatra, Sinatra special airs every Sunday with Sid Mark 10A-12 Noon.

WHLI has only two fulltime personalities, Paul Richards (Program Director)7AM-12 Noon weekdays and 11A-3P Saturdays, and Joe Satta 12N-5P M-F and Sunday afternoons starting at 2P sometimes until 6P.Bob Perry occasionally does fill ins. WHLI is only a daytime station and signs off at sunset, so Satta's goes off at different times during the year.




Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy

 

[lizluke]

Congratulations to the folks who made WHLI a landmark station...I had the honor of working next to them for a mere 6 months in 90-91 while I did morning drive news at WKJY...Dean and Chuck and Jack Spector had great stories for a fledgling news anchor like me!

 

[Towerclimber31]

Congrats to WHLI. Congratulations to the powers that be who have allowed the station to continue to do what it does best. It is a great station and Paul Richards, Joe Satta and Frank Brinka do an excellent job.

 

[eskorch]

Agreed. I live in inland CT and rediscovered this gem while visiting my mom along the coast in West Haven CT. My wife and I really enjoy listening. My kids age 17 and 22 even said "Hey this is no ordinary "oldies" station this is interesting". Although they wrinkled their noses at the anniversary 1947 music, my wife and I thought it was great. We held our breath when we heard about the sale. I am so glad that the new owners haven't changed anything except the top of the hour ID. Here's to another 65 years.

 

[kevinsealy]

This week WHLI has been inviting listeners to call in on their contest line (631) 955-9454 and give them suggestions on how they could make WHLI a better station in their 65th anniversary year.

If the station could boost their playlist with some Big Bands slightly without offending advertisers they will sound even better.


Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy

 

[Cosmopolite]

Do they mention Airport Plaza in the ID because of a barter deal?

 

[benale]

WHLI is a good sounding station and I'm glad they are still basically doing the same thing they have been doing since becoming an original "Music of Your Life" affiliate back in 1978.

We were driving on Long Island last week and we were trying to find a station that plays 50s and 60s music. We got tired of the heavy 70's and 80's lean on CBS and WHLI was a welcome relief. I wish there were more stations like WHLI across the country. There are a few, which I have stored in my Internet radio, but it sure is nice to hear that music over the air.

WHLI's slogan is "The Hits of a Lifetime" and it is one of the few slogans that is actually correct. You can hear music from the 40's to the 80's. I love the often used "Greatest Hits of All Time" many classic hits/oldies stations use...The "All Time" refers to mid sixties through the mid eighties. "All time" is a span of 20 years.