Rock Radio Scrapbook

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Subject: WPHD becomes WUFX
Station: WPHD/WUFX Buffalo, N.Y.
Date: September 23, 1989
Time: 6:01

(Logos courtesy Bill Dulmage)

The Buffalo FM dial is filled with rock music stations now, but the originator is long gone.

WYSL-FM signed on 1947 and became Buffalo's first FM rock station in 1966. As an added twist, for a short time early on they featured "Teen Disc Jockeys", including some who would go on to great careers, like Kevin O'Connell, Roger Christian and Jim Pastrick.

On January 6, 1969, WYSL-FM started playing progressive rock at night, simulcasting the AM signal's Top 40 format in the daytime. The first program hosts were Jim Santella and George Hamberger. In 1970, WYSL-FM's call letters were changed to WPHD and the album rock format was extended full-time. In 1974 WPHD switched back to WYSL-FM, only to return to WPHD in 1977.

Some of WPHD's leading jocks over the years included Harv Moore, Robert W. Taylor, Jim Scott, J.P. (John Piccolo), Brian J. Walker and Rick Arnay. Also at WPHD was Larry Norton, who would go on to a long career at Buffalo's 97 Rock.

On September 23, 1989, the morning team of Moore and Taylor were let go and the station switched its call letters to WUFX, "The Fox". In 1995, the calls changed to WEDG and was rebranded as "The Edge".

Listen to the WPHD to WUFX switchover here.

(The Bill Gilmore Collection)

More great radio farewells here!

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