106.7 is no more

[Calvert DeForest]

The Peak was the one station that gave KHQ a run for their money in the day. WJML tried to go head-to-head, but ditched their CHR format in favor of AC by the mid-80's. The Peak came out of the gate with a sound comparable to what Tim Moore had built at KHQ, and talent to match. I think the competition made both stations better.

[kager]

JML was in place long before KHQ. In many ways, they were the incumbent, had the #1 spot all to themselves, only to be unseated in a relatively short period of time by KHQ's slicker and less heavily-dayparted (& AM/OptiMod-influenced) CHR on FM.

I don't remember if WWRM's 'Charmin-ultrasoft-AC to Top40-The-Puke' flip came before or after JML went to AC, but there was inner turmoil @ JML long before The Q arrived on the scene and provided them with some true competion in 1980. It was good timing on Moore's part. Several JML staffers 'defected' to KHQ during those early MTV years, and one could almost look at KPK's arrival as an uncoordinated & odd 'trading places' format scenario between JML and WWRM. Almost.

While KPK surely provided KHQ with competition (especially with the burgeoning (un)popularity of rap music and the 'Walker & Associates' ownership debacle - both of the early-mid 90's), I don't recall KPK being much of a ratings contender to KHQ prior to the complete departure of Moore and perhaps, impending Trishness.

There are a number of inaccuracies in the Wikipedia page devoted to WKHQ, BTW, but since anyone with a keyboard can tell the story there, we'll leave to those who wish to tell it in their own, lucky, special, magic way.

As for KPK arriving on the scene 'with talent to match' KHQ:

Well, that's kinda subjective, ain't it?

[CK-722]

WJML-FM History Card

http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/c ... r_id=81558

WWRM/WKPK History Card

http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/c ... r_id=83704

WKHQ History Card

http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/c ... r_id=81642

Except for formats, which are not shown, the FCC History Cards are indisputable. Often times format changes occur when call letter changes occur. WJML was the first dedicated Top 40 station in the area, and simulcast WJML 1110. WWRM Warm 107 was Beautiful Music/MOR until it became WKPK in 1984 and became Top 40 The Peak.

fccdata.org can be used for some information (call letter changes) between 1980 and 2000, and all information except formats after 2000.

[TVC_DX5678]

I posted this video on my new YouTube channel a while back, this is pretty much commercials and DJs talking from KHQ and KPK around December of ‘89: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMOhWOygtIQ

[innate-in-you]

"The New 106-KHQ" ?? What changed?

I believe it went from unused spectrum to a strong Top 40 station right as Top 40 awoke from its disco sleep.

1983 was a great year for T40!

[organman95]

I believe it went from unused spectrum to a strong Top 40 station right as Top 40 awoke from its disco sleep.

1983 was a great year for T40!

I was born in 1987. So I wouldn't know LOL

I found an 8-track at my grandparents' house a few years back that said "Top 40" and I think it was around 1986. "And the #1 song in America for three weeks in a row. Falco's "Rock Me Amadeus"" lol

[jlpeterson1957]

In late 1980 after KHQ went on the air corporate in Muskegon shifted our music at JML to VERY A/C. If it had an electric guitar in it, we clouldn't play it. Plus, our 35 commercials an hour weren't helping.