The World Famous 107.1, WLIR...
Tomorrow is my final shift as an on-air personality on WLIR. I can't help feeling as though something great is coming to an end. Certainly not my tenure there, as I'm nothing more than a parttimer, but the way I feel having been involved with one of the most influential radio stations in the US.
Let me explain.
In the 1980's WLIR (which was 92.7 in those days, and could be heard all over the island, NYC, and southern CT) was THE source for New Wave. It was one of the few stations playing The Cure, Depeche Mode, U2 (early early days), Elvis Costello, Duran Duran, you name it. Many of the 80's songs you know were broken by WLIR. In fact, even today, bands like Maroon 5, Fountains of Wayne, etc. have WLIR to thank for their earliest success. More on that later. Anyway, in an interview, John Taylor of Duran Duran was quoted as saying that his favorite radio station was WLIR. And so the monniker "World Famous" came about.
I started my internship with 92.7 LIR in June '03. I interned in the Production Department. I can say with complete honesty that I produced the Promo for Fountains Of Wayne's "Stacy's Mom" before Anyone Else Heard It. I Helped Launch "Stacy's Mom." I was the girl on the Dublin Pub commercials. I helped The English Muffin interview Michael Ian Black on the air. These things don't happen just anywhere. I was part of something extraordiarily Special. I also got to go to Victory every Tuesday with Malibu Sue, who is just this incredible veteran of Long Island Radio.
Last January, 92.7 LIR broadcasted for the last time. The parent company sold the frequency and transmitter to Univision for $60 Million. Hey, You'd do it too. The offer was just too good. But the whole of Nassau County was in uproar. 92.7 SPANISH?????? WHAT????? I can't tell anyone that I work for LIR without being asked, why is it Spanish now? All that is left of the great 92.7 LIR is a former simulcast station, 107.1, only receivable in the Hamptons/Riverhead area.
At the time, I was a lowly board op. I was in the middle of working my way up to actual on-air personality. I got my first chance Memorial Day Weekend. I was On The Air.
I have to say, it was a reasonably good shift. I can't remember any glaring mistakes. I'm sure I made some though! Andre, the Operations Manager, DID poke his head in to offer compliments and encouragement during that Sunday Shift.
Tomorrow, 6 months or so later, I will sign off WLIR for the final time. This is very difficult for me. Being involved with that station has been such a learning experience. While I may not always agree with management (who always does???), Being the Sunday Afternoon Jock on WLIR has been an Honor and a Privilege.
You MIGHT be able to tune in over the net, they're still testing the stream. 1-6pm on www.WLIR.FM . Let me know if you get to listen.
Let me explain.
In the 1980's WLIR (which was 92.7 in those days, and could be heard all over the island, NYC, and southern CT) was THE source for New Wave. It was one of the few stations playing The Cure, Depeche Mode, U2 (early early days), Elvis Costello, Duran Duran, you name it. Many of the 80's songs you know were broken by WLIR. In fact, even today, bands like Maroon 5, Fountains of Wayne, etc. have WLIR to thank for their earliest success. More on that later. Anyway, in an interview, John Taylor of Duran Duran was quoted as saying that his favorite radio station was WLIR. And so the monniker "World Famous" came about.
I started my internship with 92.7 LIR in June '03. I interned in the Production Department. I can say with complete honesty that I produced the Promo for Fountains Of Wayne's "Stacy's Mom" before Anyone Else Heard It. I Helped Launch "Stacy's Mom." I was the girl on the Dublin Pub commercials. I helped The English Muffin interview Michael Ian Black on the air. These things don't happen just anywhere. I was part of something extraordiarily Special. I also got to go to Victory every Tuesday with Malibu Sue, who is just this incredible veteran of Long Island Radio.
Last January, 92.7 LIR broadcasted for the last time. The parent company sold the frequency and transmitter to Univision for $60 Million. Hey, You'd do it too. The offer was just too good. But the whole of Nassau County was in uproar. 92.7 SPANISH?????? WHAT????? I can't tell anyone that I work for LIR without being asked, why is it Spanish now? All that is left of the great 92.7 LIR is a former simulcast station, 107.1, only receivable in the Hamptons/Riverhead area.
At the time, I was a lowly board op. I was in the middle of working my way up to actual on-air personality. I got my first chance Memorial Day Weekend. I was On The Air.
I have to say, it was a reasonably good shift. I can't remember any glaring mistakes. I'm sure I made some though! Andre, the Operations Manager, DID poke his head in to offer compliments and encouragement during that Sunday Shift.
Tomorrow, 6 months or so later, I will sign off WLIR for the final time. This is very difficult for me. Being involved with that station has been such a learning experience. While I may not always agree with management (who always does???), Being the Sunday Afternoon Jock on WLIR has been an Honor and a Privilege.
You MIGHT be able to tune in over the net, they're still testing the stream. 1-6pm on www.WLIR.FM . Let me know if you get to listen.