WOR-FM Marty Brooks Collection
Marty Brooks is a big fan of the original WOR-FM.
Through the years he saved some fascinating information from its progressive
rock era from 1966 to 1967.
If you go in order, you'll get a sense of the station's evolution over its first
year
Each image is listed here as a thumbnail. To see a full sized, readable
version, click on the image.
The WOR-FM Poster
1966
Milton Glaser was a well known graphic designer and
illustrator.
WOR-FM used the full version of this image on all of its promotional materials
during that first year.
There were two posters that Glaser created.
This is the one the station selected.
"FM Guide" WOR-FM Profile
February, 1967
In February of 1967, New York's "FM Guide" did a profile of
WOR-FM.
The station was popular with the printed media that year.
This story discusses the genesis of the station and those behind its original
rock format.
WOR-FM Music Survey
May 23, 1967
As you look through the list, you'll notice a few things:
First, there so many songs on it. Compare it to WABC's
list
from the same week.
Notice too how many songs are being added to the list that did not appear the
week before.
The notice at the bottom also points out that the list, in part, represents the
judgment the stations "Record Selections Committee".
It was not based on just record sales which demonstrates the influence the
airstaff had over the playlist each week.
It should also be noted that music was played on the station that did not appear
on the survey.
The individual shows each played different music much of the time.
WOR-FM Music Survey
June 17, 1967
Once again, compare this list to WABC's
list
from the same week.
The list has a separate album section but note that the main list includes the
Sgt. Pepper's album.
From a format evolution perspective, it's interesting to see how the progressive
format was developing.
It had its roots in Top 40 but was expanding into a larger playlist with an
emphasis on new music.
Saturday Evening
Post Advertisement
July 15, 1967
By July of 1967, WOR-FM was attracting a significant audience by FM
standards.
Interestingly, its on air presentation was derived from classical radio
formatting.
Look at the wording of this advertisement which includes terms like "dignified
format" and "classical music".
Keep in mind the radio environment this was happening in.
Up until then, rock music was associated with the rapid fire, up-tempo sound of
Top 40 radio.
This was indeed something different and new.
"FM Guide" Ratings Column
1967
Columbia University conducted a poll of undergraduates that demonstrated that
93% listened to FM radio every day.
WOR-FM (or, as it was then called, "WOR Stereo") was the dominant contemporary
music station in the area.
This is the first tangible evidence of music radio listeners leaving AM for
FM... a phenomenon that would forever change radio in the coming years.
Village Voice
October, 1967
This is a little hard to read but it reports that WOR-FM is shifting away from
its progressive rock format.
General Manager Bob Smith defends the station's firing of Murray The K by
asserting that Murray was putting himself "above the station"
and he gives examples of various infractions Murray allegedly committed.
The article also points out the former playlist was 125 records and is now down
to 81.
Consultant
Bill Drake is blamed for the changes.
Murray states he has received offers from WMCA and WWRL to return to the air.
It is suggested that WOR-FM is losing advertisers because of the changes.
The article also states that Rosko has left.
Village Voice
Richard Goldstein Editorial
November 9, 1967
This editorial/article (hard to read) reports Scott Muni and
Johnny Michaels have left WOR-FM
Michaels firing was apparently the result of following the right wing "An Open
Letter To My Teenage Son" with the Joan Baez anti war song "Saigon Bride".
By this time, WOR-FM was under the control of Bill Drake and was playing "Open
Letter" every two hours along with an announcement of its importance.
Michaels was fired for flagrantly criticizing that announcement by
playing the Baez song.
In addition, the article is very critical of the Drake influenced hits
format.
WNEW-FM is mentioned as now playing rock as are individual rock programs on WRVR, WCBS-FM,
WABC-FM, WFUV and WBAI.
FM Guide Editorial
William Wollheim
November 1967
A very critical editorial on the firing of Murray the K and the Drake
influenced changes at WOR-FM.
It's clear Wollheim was not a fan of Murray's yet defended his role at the
station.
The Late Lamented WOR
by Murray The K Kaufman
(also features an interview with Murray by Molly McDevitt)
FM Guide
April, 1968
Murray the K gets a chance to criticize WOR-FM's new
management and defend his desire to break and play new music.
He discusses his upcoming TV Show ("The Sound is Now") and states his future
"does not include radio".
Murray's TV show never aired although a pilot was filmed.
His intent was to have people of opposing views debate a topic.
One gimmick he planned was a "Cop Out Button" that he would press
whenever a someone contradicted himself.
In spite of Murray's assertions about not doing radio
again if
he didn't have the freedom he had at WOR-FM,
he did indeed return to AM radio on WMCA, then later on WNBC.
His final program was the syndicated "Soundtrack of the Sixties" in the late
70's.
Murray Kaufman died on February 21, 1982.
FM Guide Advertisement for the "History of Rock and Roll"
April, 1971
By this time in 1971, WOR-FM had been a full fledged Drake Top 40
station for almost four years.
This is an advertisement for "The History of Rock and Roll".
