WAQY (102.1 FM) is a Springfield, Massachusetts area classic rock radio station. Since the late 1980s, the station has been known as "Rock 102".
[edit] History
102.1 FM in Springfield signed on as WCRX in the late 1950s. The call letters stood for "Charles River Broadcasting extension," the station being a sister and extension of 102.5 FM WCRB in Boston, Massachusetts. Both the Springfield and Boston stations programmed a classical music radio format overseen by Charles River Broadcasting owner Theodore Jones.
In 1972 the station adopted the call letters WAQY and switched to an automated Top 40 hit music format. Known as Wacky 102 the station played a mix of Rock, Pop, Soul and later Disco music that was popular in the 1970s. The station was voiced by Bobby (Jim Bouldebrook) Brooks. He is still heard today voicing car commercials around the country.
Around 1976, the station owners (Don Wilkes/Mike Schwartz a/k/a Springfield FM) decided to go live with their Top 40 format. Jim (James Marshall) Rising was the stations first Program Director. He had been the morning jock on WHYN. The "Wacky 102" lineup of on-air hosts was well known among Connecticut River Valley youth. Some favorite "Wacky" era personalities were Ken Gilbert, Glenn "FM" Stevens, Chuck Morgan, Jim Rising, Johnny Michaels and Rick Kelly. 7 pm-midnight evening personality Jim Kaye "The Big Tuna" was especially popular with the area's junior high and high school-aged population. Jim Kaye and Rick Kelly (see Rick Kelly's Northeast Airchecks) still live in the greater Springfield area.
In August 1981, WAQY switched to a Rock music format known as AOR.
Now known simply by the stations call letters WAQY, they played a mix of new rock music from the 1980s mixed with older rock artists of the '60s (The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix etc.) and 1970s (Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, etc.) Artists played included then current and popular Arena rock favorites Blue Öyster Cult, Journey, Foreigner and Fleetwood Mac as well as singer and songwriter artist from Tom Petty to Billy Joel. Hard rock and heavy metal acts like AC/DC, Van Halen and Rush were also core artists.
In the mid 1980s WAQY adopted its current moniker "Rock 102" playing up to five current rock songs an hour. By 1992, WAQY stopped playing current music and completed its evolution from an AOR to a classic rock format.
[edit] On-air staff
- Bax and O'Brien Morning Show 5:30am -10am)
- Michael A. Baxendale a.k.a Bax
- John O'Brien
- Local Radio Icon and "NewsDouche" Steve Nagle - Morning Show Producer
- Rebecca Wylde (Middays 10 am - 2 pm)
- Bob Kester (Afternoon Drive Time 2 pm - 7 pm )
- Eddie Webb (VH1 Classic Rock Nights 7pm - midnight)
[edit] Former on-air staff
- Bax and O'Brien Morning Show
- Bob Biron "Bobby Booyah": Morning Show Producer (2000-2007)
- Ron Zorn: Morning Show Producer (1999-2000)
- Jimmy: Morning Show Producer (1995-1999)
- Kate: News
- Nikki Reed: News
- Kellie Fitzgerald: News
- Sarah Ryan: News
- Gina Beavers: News
- Brad Martin
- Greg Adasian
- Jim Rodeo
- Jim Kaye
- Fred Norris
- Ross "The Boss" MacDonald
- John Pullo
- Jen Arra
- Jenn Dower
- Brian Terrenzini
- Scott "El Toro" Mahoney
- Frank Maxwell
- Dianna Ricci
- Linda Steele
- Ron Osbourne
- Joe Marino
[edit] External links
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See also: adult contemporary, classic hits, college, country, news/talk, NPR, oldies, religious, rock, sports, top 40, urban, and other radio stations in Massachusetts
Also see: active rock, classic rock and modern rock.
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1 Saga Communications operates these stations owned by Surtsey Media.
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