WXLP
long play form of a record album | |
| Technical information | |
|---|---|
| Facility ID | 13663 |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 50,000 watts |
| HAAT | 499 feet (152 m) |
Transmitter coordinates | 41°20′16″N 90°22′46″W / 41.33778°N 90.37944°W |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | 97x.com |
WXLP (96.9
WXLP has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 50,000 watts. The transmitter is on U.S. Route 150 near North 1300th Avenue in Orion, Illinois.[2]
History
| Name (call signs) | Format |
|---|---|
| 97 WMDR | Beautiful Music (1970–1975)
|
| Stereo 97 (WHTT) | Adult Contemporary later Country (1975–1978)
|
| The New 97X (WXLP) | AOR (1978–2004)
|
| 97 Rock (WXLP) | Active Rock (2004–2007)
|
| The All New 97X (WXLP) | Classic Hits (2007–2014)
|
| 97X (WXLP) | Classic Rock (2014 –present) |
WMDR (1970–1978)
The station
The studios moved to Davenport in 1975, and the
With WHTT underperforming, KSTT Broadcasting decided to make the switch to a live and local album-oriented rock (AOR) format that would complement but not directly compete with the company's AM station.
The Birth of The New 97X (1978–2004)
In July 1978, KSTT program director Jim O'Hara, along with on-air personality John Keith and music director Rick Fields, put together a brand new rock station for the Quad Cities — based at least in part on
Over the years, they had many top morning shows including Phil Maicke, Ian Case, and The Coach and Dwyer and Michaels.[3] Dwyer and Michaels (real names Greg Dwyer and Bill Obenauf), who began working for the station in 1990, left for market competitor KCQQ in 1995 after a dispute over a non-compete clause that kept them off the air for six months. They were followed by a short-lived morning show before "Matt and Homey" took over the morning slot from 1996 through 1997.
Through the years, the station took on more of a classic rock format, although it still played plenty of album cuts. It was 97X's eclectic blend of rock music and offbeat personalities that made it one of the Quad-Cities' highest rated stations for more than 25 years.
97 Rock, The Quad Cities' Rocker (April 2004 - March 2007)
In April 2004, WXLP's format was altered as part of a series of programming changes at two Quad Cities-area
The All New 97X, Classic Hits (March 2007-March 2014)
In March 2007, the station switched its focus to classic hits, playing music from artists like Elton John, Boston, Chicago and Journey. The active rock format moved to KBOB-FM, which abandoned the country format it had had since 1994.[4]
On July 13, 2007, on-air personalities Greg Dwyer and Bill Michaels returned to 97X after a 12-year absence at the station.
Clear Channel sued Dwyer and Michaels in February 2007, claiming that KRNA was audible in the Quad Cities area and the duo was actively promoting the upcoming show in the Quad Cities.
97X, Classic Rock That Really Rocks (March 2014-Present)
On August 30, 2013, a deal was announced in which
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On March 3, 2014, 97X shifted its format from classic hits to classic rock.
In late 2014, 97X began experimenting with artists from the 2000s on their classic rock playlist, although it was mostly hard rock acts such as
In September 2021, KCQQ flipped from classic rock to classic hits, leaving WXLP as the sole classic rock station in the Quad Cities market.
See also
- Anderson, Frederick I, editor. "Joined By a River: Quad Cities." Lee Enterprises, 1982. (ISBN 0-910847-00-2)
Programming
References
- ^ a b "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
- ^ Radio-Locator.com/WXLP
- ^ "Dwyer and Michaels: 2Dorks.com". Retrieved 2008-03-27.
- Quad City Times. 2007-03-03.
- Quad City Times. 2007-07-13.
- ^ Quad City Times. 2007-02-15.
- Quad City Times. 2007-03-02.
- ^ "Official: Cumulus Buys Dial Global, Spins Some Stations To Townsquare; Peak Stations Sold To Townsquare, Fresno Spun To Cumulus". All Access. August 30, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
- ^ "Cumulus Makes Dial Global And Townsquare Deals Official". RadioInsight. August 30, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
- ^ "Cumulus-Townsquare-Peak Deal Closes". All Access. November 15, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
- ^ House of Hair Stations List by Station
- ^ Ultimate Classic Rock Radio News
External links
- 97X's official website
- Townsquare Media Quad Cities market
- WXLP in the FCC FM station database
- WXLP in Nielsen Audio's FM station database