Artist description Interviews Conducted on KLZR FM

Artist History From 1978 through 1986 I was a DJ/Music Director for two Kansas City Area radio stations. University of Kansas owned and operated KJHK-FM was one of a handful of alternative format stations in the USA. Progressive Rock had become moribund and Punk was emerging. The self-styled 'Sound Alternative' provided crucial artist support for bands like REM and U2. After moving to locally owned KLZR-FM, several of us college radio alums continued our push for alternative music. The struggle to convince management of the viability of the format was continuous. Often we simply played our own records when we thought management was least likely to hear them. We were sometimes threatened with dismissal for going outside the programming box but in the end our persistence paid off and they left us mostly alone. Ratings improved. Today that could never happen. Half a dozen corporations own all the nation's radio stations and they program as tight as a duck's butt. Many stations don't even pretend to serve the local community. Innovation is all but gone. Alternative is a slogan to sell attitude and running shoes.

Location Oak Lawn, Illinois - USA

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