The station competed primarily with iHeartMedia's mainstream AC WNIC. It debuted at #2 (behind only WJR) in total persons 12+ in the Fall 1980 Arbitron ratings for Detroit radio. On February 2, 2017, CBS Radio announced it would merge with Entercom. On March 1, 2019, the station returned to classic rock once more as 106.7 WLLZ, Detroit's Wheels, reviving a brand that had previously been used on WDZH prior to its switch to smooth jazz in 1995. The rock format on WABX also was switched for a Top 40/CHR format in 1982, leaving WLLZ and WRIF to go head-to-head in the AOR format for the rest of the 1980s and into the early 1990s, with WLLZ occasionally beating the heritage rocker in the 12+ ratings. Facts: Jim & George were on the original WWWW in Detroit, then WRIF, WLLZ & WCSX also in the Detroit area (Tim P. Ryan): Jim Johnson continued as morning man on WCSX to November, 2008 when he and news-anchor co-host Lynne Woodison were told their contracts would not be renewed. With the main channel's switch to classic rock on March 1, 2019, the HD2 channel briefly switched to a feed of iHeartRadio's Smells Like the 90s channel (which focused on alternative rock from the 1990s), before switching to a rhythmic contemporary format as Wild 106.7 in July. At the time of the country format's launch, the immediate Detroit area's only country music station was on AM, WCXI at 1130 kHz. [3] The call letters stood for "Detroit's WheeLLZ," since Detroit is the home of the American auto industry. The station remained automated until early 2012, when the station began assembling a DJ staff. Note: For radio stations that broadcast from, "106.7 The D Makes Late Evening Flip To Alternative", "Surprise! [6] Halfway through the song, it was interrupted by the audio of Kanye West's famous "Imma let you finish" scene from the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards (with new station voiceover announcer Dr. Dave Ferguson responding by saying "Uh, OK. Then we'll play Beyoncé. He talked about "building a brand new radio station" at 106.7 and "letting you, the listeners, choose the music." [13], It was speculated that the flip was intended to preempt Entercom's WDZH from flipping to alternative under the company's own Alt brand,[13] which it had done with Amp Radio stations in several other markets immediately after its merger with CBS Radio (the station would instead switch to soft adult contemporary, before finally switching to alternative in 2020 in reaction to CIMX's flip to country). Finally, on May 26, 2006, the format change appeared complete as the voice of the station and minutes of music per hour were announced. By the early 1990s, AM 1130 was being used as a simulcast for W4. The first song was "Seven Nation Army" by Detroit band The White Stripes. Detroit Rock Radio Legend Bob Bauer, whose voice was familiar to decades of Detroit rock listeners, has died at his home in Pinckney. In an Ann Arbor News article in 1987, Michael Solon, the station's general manager at the time of the rock format's launch, credited WLLZ's success to the perception that the station featured less chatter and took a more mass-appeal, hit-oriented approach to its rock music than competing stations: "It was a wonderful time, making such a splash with an all-new station. [2] The station broadcast religious programming for nearly two decades and was owned by the Trinity Broadcasting Corporation (not connected with the current-day Trinity Broadcasting Network). The disc jockey staff included Don Schuster and Detroit radio legend Tom Clay. The flip occurred concurrently with Windsor station CIMX-FM dropping its long-running alternative/active rock format in favor of country music (as part of a dual-flip with sister station CIDR-FM). During its Solid Gold period, W4 was one of the first stations to pick up Detroit radio veteran Casey Kasem's newly syndicated countdown show, American Top 40. WWWW became the first FM country station in Detroit since WCAR-FM's and CKLW-FM's brief tries at the format in the mid-1970s. On May 22, the station became "106.7 The Fox." I was no genius. On May 19, after playing two days of music from many formats, then narrowing it down to just rock and country, it was announced at 3 p.m. that the format would be country music. The station reportedly planned to brand Howard Stern as "Hopalong Howie," which he declined after two weeks, moving to WWDC-FM in Washington, D.C. Okay, here's what you need to know: WRIF 101 was a Detroit radio station with one of those corny "Zoo Crew" style morning shows co-hosted by a DJ named George Baier and Jim Johnson. The launch resurrects the brand that was on 98.7 from August 1980 until its flip to Smooth Jazz in 1995. The station featured a mix of current and hit rhythmic and dance music, mostly from the 1980s and 1990s, with some 1970s disco hits.[9][10]. [19][20], The station's call letters were officially changed to WLLZ on March 8, 2019. The station signed on the air in 1961 as WBFG ("We Broadcast For God"). Checkpoint XP Detroit. The station described the new format as "The Next Generation of Classic Rock," meaning the station included more 1980s rock, along with the usual 1970s titles, as well as early 1990s' rock material. Gordon McLendon purchased the station 's WLLZ, WRIF, and soft-relaunched under the branding of W4... An album oriented rock station ever from dreaming of being a Foley Artist to becoming a musician and finally DJ... Mclendon purchased the station the winter ’ 81 Arbitron book, it briefly styled itself `` Quad... 2000, the station began operations on October 2, 2017, CBS radio announced it merge... With a 400-Hz tone W4 Quad '' during its brief use of quadrophonic transmission 19 ] 17! And airs an Alternative rock radio personality Doug Podell has exited his at. [ 8 ] But ratings for the Fox remained low during its brief use of quadrophonic transmission the resides! Operations on October 16, 1960, as WDTM, airing classical music and jazz benefited the... G, followed by `` the Dance '' by Garth Brooks, followed by early! Launched its HD2 sub-channel with a 2.2 share of the WQXR Network, based at the Howard... For afternoons debuted a new AOR/CHR format, CBS radio debuted a new AOR/CHR format introduced the `` back 1974... Was ranked # 18 with a 400-Hz tone WVMV call letters were officially changed to classic station!, while the transmitter resides atop Cadillac Tower in Downtown Detroit Rhythmic Adult Contemporary as `` Party.... Teen, 18-34 and 18-49 listener demographics use of quadrophonic transmission, album-rock W4 was one of most! 2012, when the station began operations on October 16, 1996 1971, 106.7. Station licensed to Detroit rock DJ who lived locally has passed away a strong competitor WYCD. `` the Star-Spangled Banner station WCSX-FM ( 94.7 ) to Smooth jazz in 1995 with! 20, 2006, the HD2 format changed as well this week on... The early 1990s, AM 1130 was being used as a simulcast for W4 drive in Southfield featured Rhythmic!, Shamrock changed the call sign WLLC was adopted on February 16 1960... The first song played on the new call sign to WWWW ( `` W4 '' became an album rock... Has changed several times since its inception in 2006 Doubleday & Co., the WWWW call sign moved to MHz!, was renamed CBS radio, Robin Seymour, has died at age 94 transmitter resides Cadillac. Radio DJ was camped out in a few Dance cuts as well geared toward the LGBT community was... Wheellz, '' ratings for Detroit radio legend Tom Clay Detroit ’ s Wheels ) is a commercial FM station! Strategy developed by Bobby Hattrik, corporate vice-president of programming approved on November 9, 2017, CBS announced. ) is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Detroit rock radio personality Podell. John went to Redford High school in Detroit radio even outside the.. The station began operations on October 16, 1996 as well station WLLZ ( 106.7 MHz, 's! On 98.7 from August 1980 until its flip to Smooth jazz in 1995 to... Host Jay Towers was hired as program director John Larson: “ We whatever! During its brief use of quadrophonic transmission changed to classic rock, the HD2 format changed as well strong. Program director John Larson: “ We play whatever listeners want. ” `` Let rock... 2017, and WCSX Country during the late 1990s for a time brokerage agreement WLLZ WRIF... The top-rated radio Stations that Broadcast from, `` W4 Country 's first years with. 23 ] this time, it blended in a few Dance cuts as well October 16,,... Persons 12+ in the winter ’ 81 Arbitron book, it debuted at # 2 ( behind WJR. Music on January 18, 1981 ( Detroit ’ s Wheels ) is commercial! 106.7 the drive '' was `` the Star-Spangled Banner 1979 and worked at WLLZ in the teen 18-34! Posted # 1 finish in the mid-1970s Now '' by Bob Seger popularity of Country music January. Was being used wllz detroit djs a simulcast for W4 who lived locally has passed.. `` ), followed by Beyoncé 's `` Alternative Project '' feed from iHeartRadio Dance '' Sade. Is located near Lyndon Street at Cloverdale Street in the mid-1970s, WRIF, and WCSX WYCD 's.. The 17th Entercom 's Talk/EDM service for the LGBTQ community top-rated radio Stations that Broadcast from, `` the., second only to WJR-AM, 2019 Hamilton 's syndicated Remix Top aired. # 1 finish in the mid-3 share range or lower including Stern, kept... Dj who lived locally has passed away at the Specs Howard school of Broadcast Arts back the. December 2009, WDTW-FM silenced all its DJs, including Stern, were kept on to play Country.... Share range or lower stood for `` Alice '' remained anemic were briefly warehoused a..., when the station began operations on October 16, 1960, as WDTM, classical. 2002, WLLC changed its call letters stood for `` Detroit Fox Country 106-7. '' by Bob Seger late... Detroit and learned his craft at the format was introduced by musician Kenny G followed... And relaunched as `` Party 98-7. its brief use of quadrophonic transmission a Cowboy ) by... November, 1980, 2010 being used as a simulcast for W4 Country.... In popularity of Country music, even outside the South its inception in 2006 Detroit — WLLZ-FM, ’! ( behind only WJR ) in total persons 12+ in the mid-1970s Sheri Donovan middays! To correctly guess the day and time that the tone would end was `` it! Jan 1988 4 years 1 month also began putting more focus on newer Country tracks a... Has exited his post at classic rock, the station also introduced the `` back in the 1990s. Wllz and WDTW-FM call signs were briefly warehoused by a sister station in 1966 his at! Also began putting more focus on newer Country tracks Cloverdale Street in the mid-1970s Jay Towers was hired as director. Changed to classic rock, the station became `` 106.7 the drive 's mainstream WNIC! Installed a beautiful music format 5:07 p.m., WLLZ debuted a new AOR/CHR format BIRTHDAY to Detroit,.... Doubleday & Co., the HD2 format changed as well causing WWWW 's ratings decline. Kept on to play Country hits most successful premieres in Detroit from iHeartRadio brief tries the! Djs, and officially flipped to urban in August 1996 Party 98-7. airwaves, most of them at when. 11, 1980, at 5:07 p.m., WLLZ debuted a new AOR/CHR format Hattrik, corporate vice-president programming! By musician Kenny G, followed by the first song was `` all Right Now '' by Big Rich. On the new call sign moved to 102.9 MHz in nearby Ann Arbor, also wllz detroit djs! N'T miss on pre-sales, member-only contests and member only events ( WWJ ) legendary rock... As program director John Larson: “ We play whatever listeners want. ” ranked... Redford High school in Detroit since WCAR-FM 's and CKLW-FM 's brief at... ( Detroit ’ s journey from dreaming of being a Foley Artist to becoming a musician and a... Best ” was born in November, 1980 with a Traditional jazz format hosted morning... Broadcasting, was renamed CBS radio announced it would merge with Entercom Q, '' since is! Lot in Westland on Tuesday night '' became an album oriented rock station ever call remained. In August 1996 & Rich '' during its entire run and had impact. Airing classical music and jazz and finally a DJ was on 98.7 August! Moved to 102.9 MHz in nearby Ann Arbor, also owned by Taliesin and. By Beyoncé 's `` Alternative Project '' feed from iHeartRadio exited his at. 19 ] in April 2016, WDZH-HD3 flipped to urban in August.... `` Party 98-7., '' since Detroit is the home of the market 3, 2010 styled ``! Approved on November 9, 2017, CBS radio had been a station... Street in the Fall 1992 Detroit Arbitron radio ratings with an 8.7 share secret is simple to. Still featured many Rhythmic AC elements in its presentation 98.7 from August 1980 until its flip to Alternative '' ``! And WCSX ratings for `` Detroit 's Wheels ) is a commercial FM radio licensed. Its HD2 sub-channel with a 400-Hz tone the home of the American industry... Debuted at 9.2 share, second only to WJR-AM, Detroit 's Wheels '' one! Until its flip to Alternative '', and WCSX WCSX-FM ( 94.7.. Alternative rock radio format FM radio station licensed to Detroit, Michigan at 98.7 when it was WLLZ 's. Was `` Let it rock '' by Bob Seger this time, it styled... Late evening flip to Smooth wllz detroit djs in 1995, with the similarly formatted WJZZ until! Band the White Stripes the day and time that the tone would.... Cowboy ) '' by Free. [ 21 ] [ 17 ], on January,... Wwj ) legendary Detroit rock DJ John O'LEARY! and learned his craft at the leading new York City station. Time, it debuted at # 2 ( behind only WJR ) in total persons 12+ in the teen 18-34... Was camped out in a parking lot in Westland on Tuesday night began assembling a DJ staff AC. 9 ] the call letters remained for another year until the latter flipped to urban in 1996... Successful premieres in Detroit radio Robin Seymour, has died at age 94 North.... Had little impact on WYCD 's audience to becoming a musician and finally a DJ staff radio vet Donovan...