WHITE PORT LEMON JUICE: Things come and go. Ships that passed thru the night. Friends, sometimes. But some things, you thought could be forever. Then then all of a sudden, it is no more.
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| WPLJ's logo during it's early rock era. |
Although it had been announced some time go, legendary radio station WPLJ, 95.5 FM in New York City is signing off the air on May 31 (today, as I write this). The longtime radio station was purchased by the Educational Media Foundation, from its previous owners, Cumulus (and was an ABC-network owned and operated station back in its heyday), will flip to a Contemporary Christian Outlet.
Originally known as WABC-FM, it had programmed eclectic music, as well as simulcast its very popular AM top 40 counterpart WABC-AM (770). Some of the wild, shouting DJ's of that station also had shows on its FM side, albeit much more calmer in the approach. But it was 1971 that the station revamped itself as one of the premiere progressive rock stations when it changed its call letters to WPLJ, which stood for "white port lemon juice", a line from an R&B/doo wop song from the 1950's. The station played the rock songs of the day, and like WNEW-FM, aired deeper cuts from key albums. Acts like The Who, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Chicago, John Lennon, David Bowie, Allman Brothers and many others were features. While not quite as "free-form" as 'NEW, it was probably a more "accessible" station as a result.
I prominently listened to WPLJ during my college years in the mid 1970's. It was the station that I had on the most, and a couple of my friends did as well. Living off-campus in my sophomore year, I had a couple friends who had a room at Bohn Hall at Montclair State College (now University), and they used to have the station on. In fact, when one of my friends went home for the weekend, he let me stay in his room then. The other friend would have the station on all night long, and from that, I heard many of a great song.
By the mid and late 1970's, the station mixed accessible pop/rock hits from the top 40 along with deeper cuts from its established core artists. Jim Kerr was the morning DJ from that period, and his rather calming demeaner contrasted itself from the "wild 'zoo' morning shows that would permeate the follow decade. The station even played songs from artists you'd consider pop-oriented. They played The Bee Gees until "Staying Alive" put them head first into the disco era. Barry Manilow got some airplay as well.
By the early 1980's, those pop cuts were eliminated and the station, while still playing classic artists like The Who, and The Doors, embraced the MTV-infused "new wave" and "second British invasion" movement ("Tainted Love" by Soft Cell was frequently played, for example).
During 1982 and early 1983, New York didn't have a regular top 40 music station. WABC-AM had gone adult contemporary and then turned into a talk station by May 1982 Other classic top 40's like 99X were long gone. But, elsewhere top 40 (now called "Contemporary Hit Radio", or "CHR"( was making a comeback and "beautiful music" station WVNJ at 100.3 had announced that on August 1, 1983, it would flip to CHR (as WHTZ, Z-100) and try and capture the excitement that the original WABC-AM had brought. However, suddenly,, just a few months before that, Larry Berger, the program director of 'PLJ made a flip to top 40 to get a head start.
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| WPLJ's log during its prime top 40/CHR era in the 1980's |
When Z-100 went on the air, it immediately started a rivalry, when one station would attack the other. Z-100 employed that "morning zoo" format, headed by Scott Shannon, and would regularly mock WPLJ, calling them "W-I-M-P", or "The Wimp" and chastising them for playing mellow stuff like Debby Boone's "You Light Up My Life" (which, incidentally, I had never heard on 'PLJ, or any other like songs, for that matter). Song parodies aired on Z-100 like "Wimp Busters" (based on Ray Parker Jr.'s "Ghostbusters"). And while WPLJ was never a ratings juggernaut like Z-100, it held its own and was a successful billing station.
WPLJ shot themselves in the foot briefly when they foolishly changed their call letters to WWPR (as they were calling themselves "Power 95") in 1987. The existing 'PLJ calls wound up in a station in a small market in northeastern Pennsylvania. But, market testing showed that the public preferred the 'PLJ calls as they were more recognizable (plus the fact that Z-100 called them "Wimper", added the fuel to the rivalry). They went back to WPLJ, and were still very successful.
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| WPLJ's short-lived "Mojo radio" incarnation in 1991. |
WPLJ tried another stunt in 1991, calling themselves "Mojo Radio", going several days without any DJ's. Scott Shannon, who was responsible for fueling the rivalry between it and Z-100, had moved out west and founded "Pirate Radio" at KQLZ in Los Angeles in 1989. After that station changed formats, he came back to New York, to WPLJ for its morning show, saying that "we know we sucked", referring to 'PLJ's rivalry with Z-100, but vowing to make it better. "Mojo radio" didn't last long and it was back to "Power 95" with the station still playing the hits of the day.
However, 1992, radio in general took another turn. Just like the early 1980's, many stations were going softer and flipping to Adult Contemporary formats. Thus, PLJ became an "Adult Top 40" station, which really meant, they still played current hits, minus the rap-oriented songs that had become popular in recent years. Shortly after that, Todd Pettengill joined the morning show and the "Scott and Todd" show (aka 'The Big Show') flourished for over twenty years. Scott and Todd would do many "phone scams" and even put out comedy albums. The 1990's and 2000's were probably the best era for the station in some ways. On the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, they would do a live show from Jenkinson's Pavilion on the beach in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, with many name acts performing live, kicking off the summer.
During the holidays, the last live morning show before Christmas featured Scott and Todd doing a remote from (and benefitting) Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, with again, some popular acts, most notably Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty and a contingent call The Holiday Express, which continued well into the 2010's. During the holiday season of 2005, the station flipped to all Christmas songs from mid November to December 25, for that year only, but up until around 2009, they would feature the "24 Hours of Christmas" from noon on December 24 to noon Christmas Day.
By 2014, Shannon "retired" from WPLJ and moved his morning show to WCBS-FM, while Pettengill continued doing the morning show, eventually joined by Jayde Donovan. While they stuck to the Adult Top 40 format, also known as "Hot AC", they did throw in an alternative song or two into the mix; I had heard "Paris" by Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, as well as a song by Calvin Harris, "Sweet Nothing" that featured Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine, the latter hitting the Billboard Hot 100's Top 10.
I pretty much forgot about WPLJ in recent years, as I pretty much soured on local terrestrial radio in general. Cumulus bought the station from Citadel broadcasting, which in turn brought it from Disney/ABC and kept the format until the end when they sold it.
During this week, the station had a proper farewell, as personalities from its history (including Shannon, Jim Kerr, Shelli Sonstein, Jimmy Fink, Carol Miller, Pat St. John, and many others). On Thursday, the station had an 18-minute montage of its highlights (similar to what WABC did in 1982). They aired even classic rock cuts from the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Led Zeppelin and replayed some of the 90's phone scams.
In an era where radio stations suddenly disappear and change formats without notice, and letting go jocks on the spot without warning, you got to give kudos to WPLJ for celebrating its storied history, even going back a few formats worth, and allowing the station to embrace its history, through all its incarnations, for one last time.
Forty-eight years is a long, long time. Although I wasn't able to listen to all of this, I am hoping that it will be recorded and airchecked for us to enjoy in the future.
Thank you, WPLJ or making up a good deal of the soundtrack of our lives.
GOODBYE ADAM: It was also a goodbye to another "institution" this week, as Adam Levine, a regular on the reality-competition show The Voice, during all of its sixteen seasons, has announced he was leaving the show. The singer, frontman for his band Maroon 5, said he was moving on, despite having signed on for two more seasons. While his band, which was initially popular in the first half of the 2000's has gotten a boost from the exposure of the show, scoring many hits despite the change in pop music style during the decade (the band's most recent Billboard #1, "Girls Like You", featuring rapper Cardi B, embraces the spare hip-hop pop style), much of his time and effort has been with the show, which as a coach, has him mentoring many of the artists that comprised his teams. No doubt, he will tour more with Maroon 5, but he will also be executive-producing a new music-oriented show for NBC, Songland, although he will not appear on it. It had appeared that Levine was unhappy in recent weeks, although his parting from the show was said to be amicable.
The show, which crowns a "winner" each season, is more noted for the banter between the four coaches, in particular the "bromance" between Levine and Blake Shelton. This banter often takes away from the artists themselves, not to mention the "game show" format (i.e. chair turns, blocks, saves,etc) that perhaps detracts from the singers' performances. It is perhaps one reason that the show, unlike the early seasons of its main rival, American Idol, hasn't produced a superstar, or even a modestly successful artist.
To be honest, for the last two seasons, my wife and I watch only during the initial "blind audition" rounds, just to see which coaches turn their chairs. Subsequent rounds were pretty much avoided by us. And the ratings of the show have steadily eroded as the novelty is starting to wear off. Incidentally, the winner this season is Maelyn Jarmon, from first-season coach John Legend's team. And while we're at it, Laine Hardy, an 18-year-old country crooner, won the current season of American Idol. While I added both show's winners last season (which, to be honest, I can't even remember who they were), these winners will probably also be forgotten.
Incidentally, replacing Adam Levine in the next season will be Gwen Stefani, who is returning after a few seasons away.
THE BIG FOUR: Last week was my annual Roscoe camping trip with friends, which is the 25th anniversary of when I went for the first time. This year was a typical one, music-wise, with myself and four other friends taking turns playing DJ. While no new groundbreaking new stuff was discussed (mostly classic tunes, or cool remakes of such), I did throw some of my top songs into the mix. Sirius XM's "Alt Nation" channel also played some songs that were in my top 10, and in particular three of the my top four. Many new songs also went thru my head. In a nutshell, all of that activity is reflected on my current SNS 100.
Returning to the top spot is "Lo/Hi" by The Black Keys in another close race. "Lo/Hi" is at the top spot at Alternative, Triple-A, and for the first time, Mainstream Rock. The top four songs are just separated by three point and are miles ahead of the pack. Lil Peep's "I've Been Awaiting" moves back to the runner-up spot as I heard the song a couple times on Alt Nation. Last week's #1, Fitz & the Tantrums' "123456", falls to #3 despite still gaining points, although not enough for a bullet; I heard that song a couple times as well. An although no airplay was to be found for Nick Waterhouse's "I Feel An Urge Coming On", it still gains and holds on to the four spot. Next week will definitely be up for grabs. AJR and Tame Impala also make moves with their latest, but are far behind the top four. Catfish & the Bottlemen get the Impact award with "Longshot", moving up to #18.
MY NAME IS JONAS: The ascension of "Sucker" by Jonas Brothers which moves into the 20 spot this week is important for three reasons. First, it joins "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, which drops 6 to 9 this week, as former Billboard Hot 100 number ones. I can't remember the last time I had two former charttoppers in the Top 20 simultaneously. Secondly, it gives my top 20 two sets of brothers of three. Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas join another set of brothers---AJR's Adam, Jack and Ryan Met, whose latest "100 Bad Days" advances to #5. Finally, Joe Jonas enters an exclusive club: He is the second artist to hit my top 20 as part of two bands: DNCE hit #2 in 2016 with "Cake by the Ocean". He joins Rebecca Coleman, who actually has two #1's with Avi Buffalo and her current band Pageants, who incidentally debuts with a new song this week. By the way, Jack White, formerly of the pre-blog era White Stripes, has been also in The Dead Weather and The Raconteurs. Although the Dead Weather have made my top 20 twice, the latter's only entry on the SNS 100 was this year, when "Now That You're Gone" peaked at #49. White, however, has made my top 20 solo, twice, something that Joe Jonas and Rebecca Coleman haven't done.
DEBUTS: Many "obscure" SNS favorites enter the fray this week, topped by the latest by The Big Takeover, "Shy" which follows their top 10 "Girlie Girlie". The normally reggae-oriented band headed by Jamaican NeeNee Rushie goes in a more vintage Motown style this go round and is another blog-friendly track. The band will tour its mid-Hudson Valley region and parts of New England extensively this summer, including an appearance at Mountain Jam, which moves to Bethel Woods this year, as well as opening for Toots & the Mayalls in Burlington VT on June 8.
As mentioned above, The Pageants have a new song, which actually came out in late 2018, "Will O' the Wisp". Rebecca Coleman handles lead vocals awesomely, and the song has that great indie/girl group sound (although Coleman is the only female in the band which now appears to be stripped down to a duo). Another SNS hit for them.
Also entering this week are new stuff from The Regrettes' "Dress Up", with a classic new wave beat reminiscent somewhat of "I Wanna Be Sedated"; "Night Running", the latest by Cage the Elephant which features Beck (his third entry on my list); Christina Taylor, the North Carolina singer who is a friend of my Roselle Park friend Mary Anne Nolan and who has had Radio Disney country success, with "Settin' Myself on Fire"; Hozier's latest, "Almost", and finally Luke Bryan's 'Knockin' Boots", which continues the latest country influx on the SNS 100.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100
May 26, 2019
| This Week | Last Week | ARTIST-Title | Weeks on List |
| 1 | 2 |
NUMBER ONE:
Album: 'Let's Rock'
(4 weeks at #1)
|
9 |
| 2 | 3 | Lil Peep and IloveMakonnen f Fall Out Boy - I've Been Waiting | 8 |
| 3 | 1 | Fitz and the Tantrums - 123456 | 7 |
| 4 | 4 | Nick Waterhouse - I Feel An Urge Coming On | 6 |
| 5 | 7 | AJR - 100 Bad Days | 8 |
| 6 | 5 | Slothrust - Rotten Pumpkin | 11 |
| 7 | 11 | Tame Impala - Patience | 5 |
| 8 | 9 | Wild Belle - Mockingbird | 7 |
| 9 | 6 | Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper - Shallow | 21 |
| 10 | 8 | Florence + The Machine - Moderation | 8 |
| 11 | 10 | The Kooks - Chicken Bone | 13 |
| 12 | 12 | Dreamers - Die Happy | 9 |
| 13 | 16 | The Struts f. Kesha - Body Talks | 9 |
| 14 | 17 | Foster the People - Style | 7 |
| 15 | 19 | Tommy James - So Beautiful | 8 |
| 16 | 13 | Mark Ronson f. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart | 14 |
| 17 | 14 | Elle King - Baby Outlaw● | 16 |
| 18 | 23 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:
Album: The Balance
|
6 |
| 19 | 15 | Kungs f Ritual - You Remain | 13 |
| 20 | 25 | Jonas Brothers - Sucker | 7 |
Songs
with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week.
● Songs
with 25 or more plays on my iPod.
▲ Songs with 50 or more
plays on my iPod.
¨ Songs with 100 or more
plays on my iPod.
The “Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100” is a list
of current and recent song playlist which I am listening to.
