The word on the street last week was that
WNND-FM (100.3), formerly "Windy 100," would be dropping its "hits of the 80's and 90's" format in favor of a brand new format, complete with new call letters and imaging.
Granted I wasn't holding my breath for WNND-FM to reinvent itself as something revolutionary that would change my perception of commercial radio, but there was a small chance that it could change into something mildly interesting (it couldn't really get any worse).
Perhaps it would change into an all hip-hop station like New York's Hot 97? Chicago has two stations that play hip-hop and R&B (WGCI and Power 92), but there aren't any stations that just play hip-hop.
Perhaps it would change to a younger skewing or more alternative version of 'XRT? In San Diego, this type of format has been wildly successful. Combining the mellow adult rock stylings of 'XRT with hard rockin' alterna-staples like Nirvana, The Beasties and NIN for the kids, San Diego's KBZT-FM 94.9 has actually already beaten its rival (Clear Channel's 91X) in the ratings after barely two years of existence.
Also, last year in Los Angeles, a new commercial station calling itself "Indie 103" debuted in Los Angeles as an alternative to the more mainstream "alternative" station KROQ. (the station that Q-101 was originally modeled after) Indie 103 is a commercial station that actually sounds alternative...their current playlist boasts The Libertines, The Streets, Tegan & Sara, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Stills, The Faint, The Walkmen, Morrissey, The Cure, etc, etc. While Indie 103 hasn't toppled "world famous" KROQ in the ratings, they are still around a year later and holding strong. Maybe WNND-FM could change into something like this?
Not quite...
Last Thursday, WNND transformed into WILV-FM, "The New 100.3, Love FM," a lite rock station that plays nothing but love songs. According to the story by the Sun-Times' Robert Feder, core artists heard on the station include the likes of Phil Collins, Anita Baker, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Earth Wind & Fire and, of course, Barry White. But wait, there's more...I found a sample playlist of the station on the internet, other featured artists so far include Linda Rondstadt, Barbara Streisand, Taylor Dayne, Michael McDonald and Klymaxx.
Are you kidding me? A station that plays nothing but cheesy love songs?? Apparently WNND's previous format of watered-down adult contemporary music just wasn't lame enough?? Does Phil Collins really put people in the mood? Does anyone in 2004 really want to listen to Klymaxx?
Again, I wasn't expecting much from the station, but somehow they've managed to make the commercial radio dial in Chicago even worse.
Here's a great discussion topic...what's the worst radio station and/or music to come out of Chicago? Click on "comments" on the right or drop an email to rfceditor(at)hotmail.com
"You're not getting away this time..."
American Music Club w/Eitzel (front)
Who listens to this crap??
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