From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
KZEL-FM (96.1 FM) is a commercial
radio station in Eugene, Oregon. The station airs a classic rock/adult album alternative hybrid
music format.[2]
Translators
KZEL-FM programming is also carried on a series of broadcast translator stations to extend or
improve the coverage area of the station.
History
KZEL-FM was founded and funded in 1969 by George "Tirebiter"
Zellner. KZEL's glory days were under the leadership of Jay West in
the 1960s and 1970s. The format was free form, the location was Glenwood, just outside of
Springfield, Oregon, and the master
of free form radio was John Napier. Any given moment, you could
always count on Napier to arc off onto a "rant" about how 'I think
someone's watching me...." and then drift off and segue into
something by Gil Scot-Heron or maybe a little, Little Feat. Other
DJs during the heyday included Gary 'The Wasted Potato' Palmatier,
Stan 'Harry 'Til 6' Garrett, Michael Waggoner, Sleepy John
(Cuthbertson),JET, Tom Krumm, Chris Kovarik ,Magic Mike, Peyton
Mays...Anyone remember "Jaimie"?... KZEL was known for doing
basically, whatever it wanted to do....Remember the time the
legendary FIRESIGN THEATRE took over the afternoon drive news and
did it all impromptu? Or how about those live concert broadcasts
from "The Place" (could you believe you heard PATTI SMITH live...in
Eugene...in fact Patti recorded those shows, and has released the
KZEL show on several b-sides. Additionally, KZEL distinguished
itself with its alternative news presence with the long-form story
format of "Daybreak" in the morning and "News & Information" in
the afternoon. Notable news anchors included Melinda Coates,
Rosemary Reed, Cal Turlock (real name Phillip Johnson) and Bryce Zabel.
KZEL-FM is currently owned by Cumulus
Broadcasting, a major owner of radio stations across
the country. In Spring 2006, the program director, Mark Raney,
locked himself in the station's control room for ten days in
protest of the station's management's decision to scrap KZEL's
classic rock format and replace it with a country station. Raney,
with support of its listeners, was able to persuade the station's
management to keep KZEL and its classic rock roots.
KZEL-FM has been slowly evolving from a classic rock format into
an adult album alternative music
format, adding music like Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Jack Johnson to the
playlist.
Personalities
- Mark Raney & John Frederick, mornings
- Emma, mid-days
- C.Y.D., afternoons
- Ray Wilson weekends
References
External
links
| Classic rock radio stations in the state
of Oregon |
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| By Frequency: |
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| By Callsign: |
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See also: Adult Contemporary, College, Country,
News/Talk, NPR, Oldies, Rock, Sports, Top 40, Urban,
and Other radio stations in Oregon
Also see: Active
Rock, Classic Rock, and Modern Rock. |
|
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