Richard Hawkins, Hot Hits 98 WCAU-FM Philadelphia | July 1984

Before the birth of what’s known today as WOGL, 98.1 was home to a heritage set of call letters and a trademarked hot Top 40 format which graced a dozen or so markets from 1977-1986. Mike Josephs’ “Hot Hits” format revolutionized the way the Top 40 format was presented. “Hot Hits” was so tight, Josephs’ so unwavering in the format’s execution, that while each station that aired the format had its own uniqueness, the core format was absolutely the same wherever it aired, be it little WFBL “Fire 14” Syracuse NY (a tiny, 1,000 watt candle on 1390 AM), WTIC-FM Hartford or here, at 98 WCAU-FM Philadelphia. Of course, there were other stations which aired “Hot Hits,” including WMAR-FM (later, WMKR) Baltimore (see WWMX, Mix 106.5), WNVZ “Z-104” Norfolk VA, and even WBBM-FM Chicago.

At 98-Now, the hits were played in very tight rotation, coupled with jocks who quipped one-liners at the END of songs, then played the WCAU-FM jingle and the next element – a practice which has been largely countered today by most consultants who espouse ‘forward momentum’, that is, talk on the INTROs, but never on the endings of songs. Josephs’ format was the reverse. And it worked, at least for a few magical years in the 80s.

In this aircheck, you’ll hear Richard Hawkins, who hosted middays on WCAU-FM during it’s entire run as a CHR, before flipping to Oldies in autumn 1987.

***To Play Aircheck, Click The Video Below***

From the Ellis B Feaster You Tube Radio Aircheck & Classic TV Channel.
www.youtube.com/EllisFeaster

AND NOW THIS MESSAGE

Airchexx exists every month thanks to the contributions of visitors such as you. Won’t you make a donation to help defray our costs today?. Thank you.