Rock Radio Scrapbook

AIRCHECK OF THE WEEK
For week of January 25, 2015
Edition #819

Talent: SCOTT REGEN
Station: WCAR Detroit
Date: August 25, 1971
Time: 46:30/29:15 (unscoped)

WCAR seemed like an unlikely prospect for a rock station.

For years, owner Hy Levinson resisted the move to rock, sticking to what he called "good music" and not playing anything resembling rock 'n' roll. But with the station struggling financially, Levinson finally OKed the move to an adult contemporary format by 1970 with the slogan "W-CAR Cares About Detroit." By late 1971, WCAR had become a full Top 40 station as "All Hit Music, The Giant 1130" with a tight playlist and less talk by the deejays. A parade of formats would follow in the '70s, including all-news, progressive rock, adult contemporary (again) and then country as WCXI in 1979. The station switched format to sports and the call letters to WDFN in 1994.

This aircheck is from WCAR's first stab at a Top 40, but before the format was tightened. Scott Regen had previously been in the Detroit market at CKLW and WKNR, and also jocked in Tampa, Miami and Kansas City. He returned to WKNR in late 1971, just in time for that station ending its Top 40 format the following spring.

Enjoy Scott Regen on WCAR, Pt. 1 (UNSCOPED) here.

Enjoy Scott Regen on WCAR, Pt. 2 (UNSCOPED) here.

(The Bill Dulmage Collection)

More 1971 airchecks here!

Subject: FREDDY VETTE interviews JUDITH FREED
Station: CJBQ Belleville, Ont.
Date: January 20, 2015
Time: 13:36

On the 50th anniversary of Alan Freed's death, CJBQ afternoon personality Freddy Vette interviewed Judith Freed, Alan Freed's daughter-in-law, who is the webmaster of the Freed tribute site, www.alanfreed.com.

Enjoy this fascinating interview here.

(The Freddy Vette Collection)