Composite of KZZP 104.7 FM Phoenix – “The #1 Hit Music Station” – from what appears to be the mid to late 1980′s and possibly 1990.  Features Bruce Kelly, Clarke Ingram (possibly his first or one of his first shows on the station), Steve Goddard, Tim Hattrick, Valerie Knight, and Jim Morales.  Note the 260-6404 phone number – this later changed to 260-1047. There also appears to be a segment recorded from the former KZZP 1310 AM.  I believe this was a simulcast of the FM for most/all of its existence.  However, this segment seems to imply that the programming was, at least at that moment, different on the two; can anyone clarify this? http://bit.ly/gtt8T5 indicates that KZZP-AM became Adult Standards as KXAM on 2/19/90; the segment references Adult Standards and the AM station, so perhaps that particular segment is from that day.

“If you’re offended by any of the programming you hear on the KZZP Saturday Night Party Patrol, please dial 1-800-EAT-SH…well, 328-7448″ — one of the many entertaining sweepers defining this high-energy program on the legendary KZZP/Phoenix during the late 80′s and/or early 90′s.

Throughout the 80’s, KZZP/Phoenix enjoyed incredible success, establishing itself as one of America’s legendary CHRs.  Per the station’s Wikipedia page, it “produced a long list of future stars in the radio business”, and offered a music mix that was adventurous for a Top 40 station – as illustrated by the other KZZP montages posted here.
 
But, like many of its peers in the format, KZZP struggled to adjust to changing pop music tastes in the early 90’s.  By the Spring of 1991, the station had morphed into an Adult CHR, as heard on this aircheck.  (It reminds me very much of what was playing on cable’s VH1 at the time, when it still focused on showing music videos.)

Not long after this recording, KZZP’s 11-year run sadly came to an end – owner Nationwide Communications flipped it to AC (making it the fifth station in the market to offer some variation of the format) as KVRY “Variety 104.7″.

Throughout the 80’s, KZZP/Phoenix enjoyed incredible success, establishing itself as one of America’s legendary CHRs.  According to the station’s Wikipedia page, it “produced a long list of future stars in the radio business”, and offered a music mix that was adventurous for a Top 40 station – as illustrated by the other KZZP montages posted here.

But, by the late 80′s/early 90′s, like many of its peers in the format, KZZP began to struggle.  A combination of changes in personalities, management, and overall pop music tastes led to the station’s downfall.  On Sunday, April 28, 1991, KZZP was replaced by the sound of a ticking clock.  Quoting a post by John Davis on the KZZP Facebook group:

It died later in the day than midnight. A friend of mine did overnights (with the Dave Ryan “guess the change” promo), then it went into public affairs, then they aired AT40. After playing the last commercial break (before playing the #1 song) they jingled into Elton John’s “Funeral For A Friend” and then the ticking clock was on.

Two days later, “Variety 104.7″ debuted with Adult Contemporary music — becoming the fifth station in the market to offer that format.

This montage includes snippets of the ticking clock (including embedded announcements teasing the debut of the new station), the sign-on of Variety 104.7, and a promo with sample songs featured as part of the new format.  Many, many thanks to Eric Paul Johnson (also a member of the aforementioned Facebook group) for providing this aircheck (which I personally have never seen listed/published anywhere else.)

This is a compilation of the legendary KZZP/Phoenix that spans most of its original run. Included are segments in which the station referred to itself as “Hit Music 104″.

I’ve attempted to make mention of every personality featured on this aircheck; please refer to the tags (below) to see a list.

Many thanks to Sluggo (Doug Roberts) for producing the full-length version of these airchecks, and for Chad Wagner for passing them along to Airchecked.com.

During the 80′s, KZZP 104.7 FM in Phoenix was one of the most successful Mainstream CHR stations in the country. According to the station’s Wikipedia page, it “produced a long list of future stars in the radio business”, and offered a music mix that was adventurous for a Top 40 station. However, a combination of changes in personalities, management, and overall pop music tastes led to the station’s downfall (in April 1991).

Five years later, owner Nationwide Communications brought KZZP back to the airwaves with a Modern AC format, making an attempt to appeal to the listeners who grew up with the station as a CHR. The station performed well, ranking #1 in key demos by 1998. However, by that point, Jacor (now Clear Channel) had taken ownership of KZZP along with KGLQ (96.9). On Labor Day Weekend 1998, KGLQ inexplicably flipped to Hot AC as “Mix 96.9″, suddenly giving KZZP a direct competitor.

Not surprisingly, KZZP began to lose audience, almost forcing a format change. In February 1999, the station began including pop and rhythmic hits in its playlist, and had evolved to full-fledged Mainstream CHR by April.  This aircheck was recorded in November of the following year.

The new “104-7 ZZP” never really caught on — and so two years later (which, not coincidentally, was 11 years ago this weekend), following a weekend of stunting with the song “Kiss” by Prince, KZZP relaunched as “104-7 Kiss-FM”, with a much more Rhythmic-oriented CHR approach.

“K-Mart’s loudspeakers…one place you’ll never hear music on The Edge” — this late 80′s aircheck of KZZP focuses primarily on “The Edge” — a nightly program playing what was considered “Alternative” music at the time.  This was several years before full-time commercial Alternative formats became available on the Phoenix FM dial.

Throughout the 80’s, KZZP/Phoenix enjoyed incredible success, establishing itself as one of America’s legendary CHRs.  Per the station’s Wikipedia page, it “produced a long list of future stars in the radio business”, and offered a music mix that was adventurous for a Top 40 station – as illustrated by the other KZZP montages posted here.

But, like many of its peers in the format, KZZP struggled to adjust to changing pop music tastes in the early 90’s.  By the Spring of 1991, the station had morphed into an Adult CHR. This is a lengthy aircheck (recorded 22 years ago today) of the station’s morning show at the time, hosted by Dave Ryan.  Included are multiple references to the arrest of Danny Bonaduce (two days prior) — Bonaduce was employed by crosstown Rhythmic CHR KKFR “Power 92″ at the time.

Not long after this recording, KZZP’s 11-year run sadly came to an end – owner Nationwide Communications flipped it to AC (making it the fifth station in the market to offer some variation of the format) as KVRY “Variety 104.7″.

As a side note, Dave Ryan moved onto host mornings at KKFR, before landing at the station where he has been for the past two decades: the legendary 101.3 KDWB in Minneapolis.

KZZP was one of America’s most successful CHRs of the 1980′s. On this aircheck, recorded in early May 1984, longtime Phoenix radio personality Steve Goddard hosts the “Phoenix Favorites Top 30″ weekly countdown.

During the 80’s, KZZP 104.7 FM in Phoenix was one of the most successful Mainstream CHR stations in the country. According to the station’s Wikipedia page, it “produced a long list of future stars in the radio business”, and offered a music mix that was adventurous for a Top 40 station. However, a combination of changes in personalities, management, and overall pop music tastes led to the station’s downfall (in April 1991).

Five years later, owner Nationwide Communications brought KZZP back to the airwaves with a Modern AC format, making an attempt to appeal to the listeners who grew up with the station as a CHR. The station performed well, ranking #1 in key demos by 1998. However, by that point, Jacor (now Clear Channel) had taken ownership of KZZP along with KGLQ (96.9). On Labor Day Weekend 1998, KGLQ inexplicably flipped to Hot AC as “Mix 96.9″, suddenly giving KZZP a direct competitor.

Not surprisingly, KZZP began to lose audience, almost forcing a format change. In February 1999, the station began including pop and rhythmic hits in its playlist, and had evolved to full-fledged Mainstream CHR by April.  This aircheck was recorded in November of the following year.

The new “104-7 ZZP” never really caught on — and so two years later, following a weekend of stunting with the song “Kiss” by Prince, KZZPrelaunched as “104-7 Kiss-FM”, with a much more Rhythmic-oriented CHR approach.

During the 80′s, KZZP 104.7 FM in Phoenix was one of the most successful Mainstream CHR stations in the country. According to the station’s Wikipedia page, it “produced a long list of future stars in the radio business”, and offered a music mix that was adventurous for a Top 40 station. However, a combination of changes in personalities, management, and overall pop music tastes led to the station’s downfall (in April 1991).

Five years later, owner Nationwide Communications brought KZZP back to the airwaves with a Modern AC format, making an attempt to appeal to the listeners who grew up with the station as a CHR. The station performed well, ranking #1 in key demos by 1998. However, by that point, Jacor (now Clear Channel) had taken ownership of KZZP along with KGLQ (96.9). On Labor Day Weekend 1998, KGLQ inexplicably flipped to Hot AC as “Mix 96.9″, suddenly giving KZZP a direct competitor.

Not surprisingly, KZZP began to lose audience, almost forcing a format change. On February 19, 1999, the station began to add pop and rhythmic hits to its playlist. Within two months, the station had evolved to a full-fledged Mainstream CHR, as heard on the aircheck embedded above.

During the 80’s, KZZP 104.7 FM in Phoenix was one of the most successful Mainstream CHR stations in the country. According to the station’s Wikipedia page, it “produced a long list of future stars in the radio business”, and offered a music mix that was adventurous for a Top 40 station. However, a combination of changes in personalities, management, and overall pop music tastes led to the station’s downfall (in April 1991).

Five years later, owner Nationwide Communications brought KZZP back to the airwaves with a Modern AC format, making an attempt to appeal to the listeners who grew up with the station as a CHR. The station performed well, ranking #1 in key demos by 1998. However, by that point, Jacor (now Clear Channel) had taken ownership of KZZP along with KGLQ (96.9). On Labor Day Weekend 1998, KGLQ inexplicably flipped to Hot AC as “Mix 96.9″, suddenly giving KZZP a direct competitor.

Not surprisingly, KZZP began to lose audience, almost forcing a format change. In February 1999, the station began including pop and rhythmic hits in its playlist, and had evolved to full-fledged Mainstream CHR by April.  This aircheck was recorded in July of the following year. It features the “Planet Z” Saturday night mixshow programming, along with a sample of “Lather, Rinse, Repeat” from the next night. The latter was a dance music-oriented show targeted at the LGBT community and hosted by local drag queen Barbara Seville.

The new “104-7 ZZP” never really caught on — and so two years later, following a weekend of stunting with the song “Kiss” by Prince, KZZP relaunched as “104-7 Kiss-FM”, with a much more Rhythmic-oriented CHR approach.

During the 80’s, KZZP 104.7 FM in Phoenix was one of the most successful Mainstream CHR stations in the country. According to the station’s Wikipedia page, it “produced a long list of future stars in the radio business”, and offered a music mix that was adventurous for a Top 40 station. However, a combination of changes in personalities, management, and overall pop music tastes led to the station’s downfall (in April 1991).

Five years later, owner Nationwide Communications brought KZZP back to the airwaves with a Modern AC format, making an attempt to appeal to the listeners who grew up with the station as a CHR. The station performed well, ranking #1 in key demos by 1998. However, by that point, Jacor (now Clear Channel) had taken ownership of KZZP along with KGLQ (96.9). On Labor Day Weekend 1998, KGLQ inexplicably flipped to Hot AC as “Mix 96.9”, suddenly giving KZZP a direct competitor.

Not surprisingly, KZZP began to lose audience, almost forcing a format change. In February 1999, the station began including pop and rhythmic hits in its playlist, and had evolved to full-fledged Mainstream CHR by April.  This aircheck was recorded in November of the following year.

The new “104-7 ZZP” never really caught on — and so two years later, following a weekend of stunting with the song “Kiss” by Prince, KZZPrelaunched as “104-7 Kiss-FM”, with a much more Rhythmic-oriented CHR approach.

The post KZZP (104-7 ZZP) – Phoenix – 10/29/00 – Bonzai Brian appeared first on FM Airchecks.

During the 80′s, KZZP 104.7 FM in Phoenix was one of the most successful Mainstream CHR stations in the country. According to the station’s Wikipedia page, it “produced a long list of future stars in the radio business”, and offered a music mix that was adventurous for a Top 40 station. However, a combination of changes in personalities, management, and overall pop music tastes led to the station’s downfall (in April 1991).

Five years later, owner Nationwide Communications brought KZZP back to the airwaves with a Modern AC format, making an attempt to appeal to the listeners who grew up with the station as a CHR. This is a sample of KZZP at or near its peak with the Modern AC approach, and shortly before it was acquired by Jacor (now iHeartMedia).

The post KZZP 104.7 FM – Phoenix – Rick Curtis – 11/29/97 appeared first on FM Airchecks.

During the 80′s, KZZP 104.7 FM in Phoenix was one of the most successful Mainstream CHR stations in the country. According to the station’s Wikipedia page, it “produced a long list of future stars in the radio business”, and offered a music mix that was adventurous for a Top 40 station. However, a combination of changes in personalities, management, and overall pop music tastes led to the station’s downfall (in April 1991).

Five years later, owner Nationwide Communications brought KZZP back to the airwaves with a Modern AC format, making an attempt to appeal to the listeners who grew up with the station as a CHR. This is a sample of KZZP within its first year of its Modern AC approach, when the station was in its final months of ownership by Nationwide.

Courtesy of John Davis, here is some information about Rick Kurtis, who is the featured air personality:

He worked at the station in its early days before Nationwide bought it before bouncing around the market in a variety of air and production director roles, later returning for the “new” KZZP.

The post KZZP 104.7 FM – Phoenix – Rick Kurtis – 12/18/96 appeared first on FM Airchecks.

During the 80’s, KZZP 104.7 FM in Phoenix was one of the most successful Mainstream CHR stations in the country. According to the station’s Wikipedia page, it “produced a long list of future stars in the radio business”, and offered a music mix that was adventurous for a Top 40 station. However, a combination of changes in personalities, management, and overall pop music tastes led to the station’s downfall (in April 1991).

Five years later, owner Nationwide Communications brought KZZP back to the airwaves with a Modern AC format, making an attempt to appeal to the listeners who grew up with the station as a CHR. The station performed well, ranking #1 in key demos by 1998. However, by that point, Jacor (now Clear Channel) had taken ownership of KZZP along with KGLQ (96.9). On Labor Day Weekend 1998, KGLQ inexplicably flipped to Hot AC as “Mix 96.9”, suddenly giving KZZP a direct competitor.

Not surprisingly, KZZP began to lose audience, almost forcing a format change. In February 1999, the station began including pop and rhythmic hits in its playlist, and had evolved to full-fledged Mainstream CHR by April.  This aircheck was recorded near the end of that year.

The new “104-7 ZZP” never really caught on — and so two years later, following a weekend of stunting with the song “Kiss” by Prince, KZZP relaunched as “104-7 Kiss-FM”, with a much more Rhythmic-oriented CHR approach.

The post KZZP (104-7 ZZP) – Phoenix – 12/20/99 – Karen Rite appeared first on FM Airchecks.

Throughout the 80’s, KZZP/Phoenix enjoyed incredible success, establishing itself as one of America’s legendary CHRs.  Per the station’s Wikipedia page, it “produced a long list of future stars in the radio business”, and offered a music mix that was adventurous for a Top 40 station – as illustrated by the other KZZP montages posted here.

But, like many of its peers in the format, KZZP struggled to adjust to changing pop music tastes in the early 90’s.  By the Spring of 1991, the station had morphed into an Adult CHR, as heard on this aircheck.  (It reminds me very much of what was playing on cable’s VH1 at the time, when it still focused on showing music videos.)

Not long after this recording, KZZP’s 11-year run sadly came to an end – owner Nationwide Communications flipped it to AC (making it the fifth station in the market to offer some variation of the format) as KVRY “Variety 104.7”.

The post KZZP 104.7 – Phoenix – April 1991 – Jack Hammer appeared first on FM Airchecks.

During the 80’s, KZZP 104.7 FM in Phoenix was one of the most successful Mainstream CHR stations in the country. According to the station’s Wikipedia page, it “produced a long list of future stars in the radio business”, and offered a music mix that was adventurous for a Top 40 station. However, a combination of changes in personalities, management, and overall pop music tastes led to the station’s downfall (in April 1991).

Five years later, owner Nationwide Communications brought KZZP back to the airwaves with a Modern AC format, making an attempt to appeal to the listeners who grew up with the station as a CHR. The station performed well, ranking #1 in key demos by 1998. However, by that point, Jacor (now Clear Channel) had taken ownership of KZZP along with KGLQ (96.9). On Labor Day Weekend 1998, KGLQ inexplicably flipped to Hot AC as “Mix 96.9”, suddenly giving KZZP a direct competitor.

Not surprisingly, KZZP began to lose audience, almost forcing a format change. In February 1999, the station began including pop and rhythmic hits in its playlist, and had evolved to full-fledged Mainstream CHR by April.  This aircheck was recorded sometime later than year; it swings back and forth between’s the station’s Noon hour mixshow programming at the time (“Club Cardio”) and regular programming, primarily from the evening, and features several of ZZP’s personalities.

The new “104-7 ZZP” never really caught on — and so two years later, following a weekend of stunting with the song “Kiss” by Prince, KZZP relaunched as “104-7 Kiss-FM”, with a much more Rhythmic-oriented CHR approach.

The post KZZP (104.7 ZZP) – Phoenix – 1999 – Karen Rite, Marino, Chris Cruze, Ron and Don appeared first on FM Airchecks.