Time is running out for 'Real Oldies' format (VERY BAD LISTENING NEWS)

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | June 21, 2006 | ROBERT FEDER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

[Chi-townChief]

All I can say is that this sucks, big time - in Chicago, we don't have too many alternatives.

[Chi-townChief]

CHICAGOLAND BAD NEWS PING

[Fairview]

Aw, poor Larry Lujack! I hope he finds another job (if he wants one). Pathetic to see him working at a low-rent station like this. It's probably past time for him to retire, though--I listened to him when I was a kid and I'm getting up there myself.

[CrazyIvan]

It is nice to see Larry Lujack officially classified as a has been. He did an appearance at our downstate small town high school once and made it quite clear that he was only doing it because the boss made him. He couldn't get his nose high enough in the air to get away from the stench of the peasants.

[cvq3842]

We are still mourning the loss of WCBS-FM in New York.

There are one or two small, local oldies stations, but their signals are far from strong enough.

I enjoy the website www.musicradio77.com - it chronicles (in word, picture and sound) the glory days of top 40 AM radio. Also, there is an oldies show Saturdays from 6 to 10 PM NY time, hosted by Mark Simone. It streams on the internet - link is at site above. There may be other internet and satellite radio oldies stations out there.

That's the best I can do.

[rhombus]

Hey when I listen to the radio I listen to talk radio anyway. When I want music, I listen to CDs. When I want oldies I spin my vinyl.

[Coldwater Creek]

X-M radio is wonderful. I know that it is not free, but we pay for everything else today.

[don-o]

Finally broke down and got satellite radio. The Bob Dylan Show on XM was the tipping point. But there is so much great stuff to choose from.

[PeteB570]

Clear Channel has their head up a dark area.

They took our local talk station AM640 and forced out all the local talkers from 9:00 - 12:00 and made it local 9:00-10:00 and then Boortz from 10:00 - 12:00 when Rush comes on.

I can go for the Big B and Rush but then they changed the format on the 1 local hour, then got rid of the new good talkers and it's now like some kind of NPR, lets all group hug. Ahhhhhhh, done with the local hours on 640.

[seasoned traditionalist]

As if it weren't already hard enough to find Dick Biondi and the other great jocks who've been relegated to the Internet and HD Radio, now CBS Radio is switching their Web address.

My God, is Biondi still around?

Amazing. Wonder how old he is.

Reason I mention this is that when I (and friends) were teens and got our licenses and went "cruising," we used to listen to him at WLS Chicago in late 50's FROM Burlington, VERMONT, no less.

Course, there weren't that many stations on the air at that time and usually, after 11 p.m./midnight, when many local stations went off the air, we would be able to pick up WLS, (quite clearly) which had great Rock & Roll format.

[PeteB570]

Was that Clear Channel or Cumulus Nimbus Clouds?

Arg, need more coffee.

[rhombus]

Yeah, I got a copy of Dylan's first show. There was some great music on it but I'm still not ready to take on a monthly bill.

[tx_eggman]

When I want oldies I spin my vinyl.

Music the way it's supposed to be enjoyed ... with needles

<[:^)

[Chi-townChief]

http://www.realoldies1690.com/main.html

http://realoldies1690.com/cc-common/streaming_new/index.html

[rhombus]

Music the way it's supposed to be enjoyed ... with needles

You bet. I can hear every pop, hiss and scratch. But seriously, CD's may have better sound quality when they are new but the lifespan of vinyl puts CDs to shame. No wonder the music industry hates mp3s.

[Chi-townChief]

Yeah, WLS had the National Barn Dance or some such thing up until '60 when they converted to rock; first song played - "Alley Oop" by the Hollywood Argyles. Both Dick Biondi and Clark Weber are still around.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Music the way it's supposed to be enjoyed ... with needles

"Bloody right about that yank!"

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

I love surface noise! I'm going backwards - I've been collecting records for 30+ years, and just recently got into 78s. At this rate, soon I'll be collecting Edison cylinders!

[em2vn]

Did someone pay for this advertisement?

[Jhensy]

My wife and I miss CBS-FM terribly.