From the world’s best Aircheck site, here’s a composite of the greatest hit music station of all time!
Sorry kiddies, WABC may have been first and fantastic, but Z100 was and still is the hottest station on the planet. The greatest jingles from Jam, a fantastic Top Hour ID from Ernie Anderson, and personalities like Chio the Hitman, Kid Kelly, the Jammer and MORE!
So much has been written about Z100, so many airchecks have been recorded, it would be somewhat pointless to go into the storied history of the station that went from worst to first in it’s very first ratings period. But in 1983, a Beautiful Music station on 100.3, WVNJ, flipped to Contemporary Hit Radio. And the format formerly known as Top 40 was never the same.
Courtesy of our friends at Aircheckdownloads.com
Happy Hot Rockin’ Flame Throwin’ Birthday Z!
the importance of WHTZ cannot be overstated. As top 40 was leaving the AM dial in the late 70s and early 80s, replaced by more middle of the road music on those stations, the charts were dominated by syrupy ballads. FM stations en mass had been slow to pick up the slack and put the fun and excitement back into hit radio. Although WHTZ wasn’t the only station playing hit radio at the time, they put such an emphasis on energy and excitement that the music couldn’t help going along for the ride. When looking back at the hits of the 80s, 1983 is really when 80s hit music found its groove, and to me, it is not a coincidence that Z100 started up that same year.
WHTZ Was Also The 1st CHR Station That Added New Wave, R&B, Hip-Hop, Freestyle & Everything And Anything That You Can Imagine!
I recorded Whtz’s first New Year on the radio back in December 83.
Joey, looks like Youtube disabled your files or something. is there any other way to hear these recordings? I am utterly amazed that such a significant anniversary is taking place tomorrow, and no one seems to be planning a fitting tribute. Even a certain web site devoted to NYC’s broadcasting history is choosing to play a recording of something else that had far less bearing on broadcasting history than the launch of WHTZ.
I will be posting a 30 year tribute this week, as I ran out of time to get it up for Friday’s anniversary. You’re right, what a milestone!
It Sure Was!
L0L!
This version of Z100 ROCKED!!! We need more stuff like this on the radio today!
Maybe Someday Matt, Maybe Someday.
Did the Z100 1993 Composite get taken down? You should re-post in honor of the 30th anniversary??
Yeah You Should Man.