Re: WROR/WZLX

[Nostatic <nostatic@attbi.com>]

SteveOrdinetz wrote:

> Can't say as I've really noticed much of a trend towards newer stuff 
> in classic rock.  What 80s stuff you hear on the format was often 
> played as a current ("it doesn't have to be old to be classic").  I'm 
> not sure how well 80s alternative music will fit in...as I recall, 
> when new wave/altrock came along in the late 70s/early 80s it was to 
> say the least not well received by AOR audiences, who didn't want 
> anything to do with these "green hair" bands.  The demographic 
> generational shift won't become a big factor for another few years, it 
> will be interesting to see what happens.  I'm sure all eyes/ears are 
> on "traditional" oldies stations to see how well their transition away 
> from pre-British Invasion music and more 70s tunes is accepted.

There was an interesting article in R&R last week regarding oldies 
stations. In it, they talked about some stations that are dropping the 
"Oldies" moniker because it's gaining a negative "stodgy" image in some 
younger markets.  Some companies are flipping their stations away from 
oldies altogether and moving toward classic rock/hits.  Nassau 
Broadcasting in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have done this in four of 
their markets.  The arguement is that oldies as a format has not 
transitioned well to a more 70's based presentation, and that the new 
crop of 25-54 listeners gravitate more toward rock, rather than 
pop-based music.  It was quite a negative piece if you are a fan of the 
oldies format, but it could be the wave of the future in the next few 
years.  I'm sure that the format will do well for awhile in older 
markets, such as Boston.  It seems however that oldies is quickly 
becoming the next "adult standards."

> There were a few attempts at an 80s format a couple years ago...imho 
> it was way too focused on new wave/altrock with almost no pop artists 
> (Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, etc).  Maybe the world wasn't 
> ready for the 80s yet?  Not sure why...I always considered the 80s to 
> have been every bit as interesting musically as the 60s (and more so 
> than the 70s).  When the Talking Heads are a core artist, you know 
> you're in trouble.

The 80's format failed for two reasons.  First, it was overly researched 
and too narrow musically, much like Jammin' Oldies and Modern AC were. 
 There were only a couple of hundred songs that fit the strict criterea 
and once these titles burned out so did the format.  Second, subsequent 
research has shown that unlike Baby Boomers, Gen-Xers are receptive to 
new music, and want newer sounds from the 90's, and the present mixed in 
with the big 80's hits.  As a result, more classic rockers are playing 
newer cuts from core artists, AAA's are slowly gaining acceptance, and 
new format hybrids like rock AC are popping up to reach this group. 
 Gen-Xers as a whole don't seem to want a wall to wall nostalgia format 
like the Boomers did, so even if an 80's format was developed that was 
deeper musically, I don't think that it would work.

Mike Thomas