Springsteens famous 1978 Agora show is, arguably, the most famous gig in Cleveland history. But her Agora set was modest, featuring just seven songs. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. [161][162] The House of Hair with Dee Snider also airs on Sunday evenings. Goldfinger, The Refreshments, Triple Fast Action and others played the second stage at the top of the hill. Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Detroit, St. Louis they ran another stations birthday party. The Buzzard in Cleveland is one of the country s most well-known commercial FM radio stations. More information Todd Rundgren and the Agora will be forever connected, as Rundgren recorded part of his live album, "Back to the Bars," there while touring in support of "Utopia" in 1978. Since AEG Presents purchased the venue, it has invested $3 million in improvements and upgrades to the legendary concert club. The cast included Casey Coleman on sports, Pat Brady with traffic, Len Boom Goldberg as the voice of the morning show, Ruby Cheeks, Spaceman Scott, Captain Kenny Clean and Mr. Leonard. The WMMS Coffee Break Concert was a weekly music-interview show broadcast live from the station's studio, and later with an audience at the Agora Ballroom. The Coffee Break Concerts Roadies n Rockstars 1.58K subscribers Subscribe 0 1 view 3 minutes ago Growing up in Cleveland the local radio station WMMS would put on free shows during the week. He played just seven songs, two of which were covers. [112] WMMS scheduled a second Green Day performance just two months later this time at Blossom Music Center and at a near-record-low cost of $5 per ticket, the station gave fans a "second chance" to see the band live. [38][39] Considered "a true radio legend," WMMS DJ Kid Leo was chosen for Rolling Stone's "Heavy Hundred: The High and Mighty of the Music Industry" (1980) and named "The Best Disc Jockey in the Country" in a special 1987 issue of Playboy. "[83] Negative reaction was swift and widespread;[44][45] some called the scheme a mere "lack of judgement,"[44] while a reporter for the Akron Beacon Journal compared the station's response to that of discredited former Vice-president Spiro Agnew.[84]. They brought pleasure to the average Clevelanders workday with segments like Token Jokes of the Morning, Spousal Arousal and Blow Something Up. Find tickets to all live music, concerts, tour dates and festivals in and around Ashburn. [120] Finally, The Bob & Tom Show aired in the time slot from 2006 until April 2008. [31] In 1981, Radio & Records identified "the malevolent feathered figure" as "the best-known station symbol in the country. Being one of the highest-rated radio stations in the country, he became the afternoon drive DJ in 1974, all the way until December of 1988 - which he then decided to part pays with Cleveland. The top 40 format also failed to make any major ratings impact. Southside Johnny and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band both had shows in Cleveland on Aug. 31. [163] The station hosts two additional HD Radio subchannels: WMMS-HD2 is the Cleveland affiliate for the Black Information Network, [136][164], WMMS airs regular traffic and weather updates via the Total Traffic and Weather Network and former sister station WOIO (TV channel 19),[165] and the station satisfies U.S. Federal Communications Commission-mandated public affairs programming on Sunday mornings with the City Club of Cleveland's Friday Forum. Brian Chalmers, Rock 'N' Roll Artist", "Film; Paul Schrader Plumbs Grassroots Rock", "iHeartMedia Cleveland To Move To New Facility As Company Begins Cloud Based Tech Rollout", "Downtown TV station group may move to the suburbs", "Cleveland Broadcast Radio Archives WMMS timeline", "Rock in Akron: The Music Of Greater Akron", "The Second WMMS Music Marathon Station TV Spot", "Recalling a couple of wacky radio guys", http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1994/RR-1994-11-04.pdf, http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1994/RR-1994-12-02.pdf, "Billboard/Airplay Monitor Radio Awards Bestowed", "Kevin Metheny, a.k.a. [120] Geared as a format change to contemporary hit radio (CHR) using the "KISS FM" brand,[30][126] the decision was reversed at the last minute by management. Several of the songs from the album were featured at the show. Until Aug 21, 2022. 4, their fourth album, which had been released the previous year, but dug deep into their back catalog for a crowd-pleasing set that featured all of the hits and a hefty selection of deeper tracks that were also fan favorites. The Buzzard was the co-creation of Gorman, Sanders and American Greetings artist David Helton.[31]. WMMS "Coffee Break Concert" series hosted lots of name artists and legendary performances over the years. Concerts Skillet & Theory Of A Deadman at The Agora Mar 03, 2023. Belkin Productions staged these events, attracting popular hard rock bands and as many as 88,000 fans. . They were rewarded with a night that they would remember for the rest of their lives. The change was done for many reasons: as a nod to the sudden influence Z100's format had on the Malrite group; Gorman and Sanders intention to stay with the current music trends as the album-oriented rock (AOR) format was, even then, in a state of decline; and as a means to attract a female audience. He would read some commercial copy and then "throw them in the bash bucket where they belong" and openly criticize music he didn't care for. Tom Waits WMMS Cleveland Coffee Break Concert 12-03-75 5,244 views Feb 8, 2017 125 Dislike Share Save Dadalorian 31 subscribers 1. Concerts Morgan Wade at The Agora Mar 04, 2023. He joined the station in early 1972 before its sale to Malrite, and stayed in different capacities until 2004. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. WHK-FM became one of a handful of commercial stations in the country to try that format, many of which were owned by MetroMedia. "[86] From 1991 to 1993, WMMS served as the FM flagship for the Cleveland Browns, sharing coverage with then-sister WHK; the late Nev Chandler served as play-by-play announcer. Later the program moved to the Agora Ballroom and was done with an audience. If you need a reminder of just how many great acts stepped onto an Agora stage, here's a look back at 35 legendary concerts that took place inside the venue since the early 1970s. WMMS Art Director, Brian Chalmers was approached by Dreamworks to provide artwork and logos for their movie Almost Famous which came out in 2000. [104] John Gorman was named Program Director of the Year (Rock) in 1995. In 1995 he was the PA voice introducing acts for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Grand Opening concert at Municipal Stadium. [91] As promised, Stern held a party for his fans on the streets of Cleveland a "Funeral" for his local rivals, much like similar events held in New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia and broadcast it nationwide. [133] "Chris Tyler" Merluzzo, former program director for Providence's WHJY, took over for Bo Matthews as WMMS program director on February 17, 2014. Created in April 1974 as "an ironic twist on Cleveland's down-and-out reputation as a decaying Rust Belt city," the station's longtime promotional mascot has been an anthropomorphic "Buzzard" cartoon character. Lorton. Attendance was by general admission. Thousands of entries were received, but only 375 lucky listeners received two tickets to the concert. [85] Four different program directors, including Rich Piombino and Michael Luczak, came and went with varying levels of success. [152][156][157][158], Comedian Chad Zumock was a co-host until his dismissal on December 3, 2012, after being arrested for driving while intoxicated;[159] Zumock was acquitted of the charge on May 3, 2013. Kid Leo Interviews Van Halen April 20, 1980. In 1958, both WHK and WHK-FM were sold to Metropolitan Broadcasting, itself renamed MetroMedia two years later. [57], Following a legal dispute with a competing station owner over non-compete clauses in their contracts, former Top 40 WIXY personalities Dick "the Wilde Childe" Kemp and Lou "King" Kirby were signed by MetroMedia for the top 40 format. Kid Leo interviews David Lee Roth, Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony before their show at the Richfield Colesium. This feature ran at the exact moment of the KSU shootings twenty years later. The very first logo to ever be created for WMMS was a red and white rainbow. Bruce held on to the innocence and the romance. [107][108][109][110], During this time, WMMS held a series of sold-out rock festivals that featured many of the new up-and-coming artists receiving station airplay. Right up until his departure in 1988, Kid Leo played "Born to Run" as his signature sign-off song every Friday night at 5:55 to kick off the weekend for area listeners. . Saturday, Mar 4, 2023 from 9:00am to 4:00pm. [56], MetroMedia found major success with progressive rock at KMET Los Angeles, KSAN San Francisco, WMMR Philadelphia and WNEW-FM New York, but a lack of commitment from MetroMedia led the company to drop the format at WMMS by May 1969. Jerry Busch.com. Over the next twenty years Matt did mostly middays and hosted the weekly "Coffee Break Concerts", likely introducing more concerts than anyone in Cleveland history. The concert was broadcast on WMMS and an additional seven stations, reaching throughout the Midwest to Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis and other markets and would eventually reach far beyond that radius, thanks to the many who were rolling tape to record the concert from their stereo. Joan Jett, Sandy West and company played 13 songs, including "Cherry Bomb" and a cover of The Velvet Underground's "Rock & Roll. A few of the live recordings during the band's "Stained Class Tour" gig worked their way onto single releases. Rolling Stone once called it the greatest live LP in Springsteen's catalog. Some other possible meanings "Where Music Means Something" or "Weed Makes Me Smile". [60] Sounds described the station programming at this time as "totally off-the-wall in its choice of records, playing anything it liked. Weiland and STP were touring in support of No. Among the more significant moves taken by WMMS was the formatting of the morning zoo concept created by Z100's Scott Shannon onto the show Jeff & Flash (Jeff Kinzbach and Ed Ferenc) were already hosting. But the recorded performance offers a rare look at Gene Simmons and company's early years with a tight, eight-song set. [120] Meanwhile, ownership would change yet again as Nationwide Communications was bought out by Jacor in November 1997. He influenced many listeners of the station and kept the momentum alive pushing new music into the ears and speakers of the audience of WMMS. [103] Despite signs of success, the stations were sold again in 1996: WMMS went to Nationwide Communications,[105] while WHK went to Salem Communications. WMMS Coffee Break Concert Jan 30, 1980 The Cleveland Agora Cleveland, Ohio, United States Scroll to: Top Bands Details Genres Setlists Videos Photos Map Comments Band Line-up Alex Bevan Concert Details Date: January 30, 1980 Venue: The Cleveland Agora Location: Cleveland, Ohio, United States Notes: WMMS's studios are located at the Six Six Eight Building in downtown Cleveland's Gateway District;[48][49] the station transmitter resides in neighboring Seven Hills. Workhouse Arts Center: Mount Vernon Nights. (Interview) 3. [142], Radio personality Rover (Shane French), host of Rover's Morning Glory, took over weekday mornings at WMMS on April 1, 2008, following a contract dispute with WKRK-FM owner CBS Radio; John Gorman compared signing the popular morning personality to a "coup". [140] The Maxwell Show gradually evolved from airing mostly music to all talk, with Maxwell joined by WMMS music director Dan Stansbury and Tiffany "Chunk" Peck, the program's phone screener. Described by Talkers magazine as "a bold anomaly worthy of industry attention", the show itself has successfully continued the format established by its predecessor The Maxwell Show all talk during afternoon drive on an FM rock station. The top 40 deejays were retained, but it was soon obvious that they were inadequate hosts for a progressive rock format. [142], On April 3, 2009, The Maxwell Show went on the air claiming that Metallicain Cleveland for the 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony the very next daywas playing a free show in the WMMS parking lot later that evening. What puts the show over the top is David Bowie backing Iggy on keyboard. It was brief but memorable, especially for fans of college rock. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If you plan on going to the Agora in the near future, you'll notice a few eye-popping changes. The ritual lasted through his entire career at the Buzzard. It was the same logo used by all of the FM radio stations owned by Metromedia at the time. Talking Heads' 1978 Agora show is so beloved by fans the original master tapes have gone up for auction. For STP vocalist Scott Weiland, who spent time as a kid living in Bainbridge Township and attending grade school in Chagrin Falls, the concert was a homecoming experience and he referenced his time growing up in Northeast Ohio during his conversations with the crowd that evening. WMMS was directly influenced by then and current sister station WHTZ/New York (Z100), which rose to the top of the ratings books immediately after installing a contemporary hit radio (CHR) format. During a June 19, 2012 interview with Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, the show broke news of the delayed release for Music from Another Dimension!, the band's first studio album in eight years. Chrissie Hynde had to go to Europe to form the band that would make her famous. [28][29][30] Owned by iHeartMedia, and broadcasting a mix of active rock and hot talk, WMMS is currently the flagship station for Rover's Morning Glory, the FM flagship for the Cavaliers AudioVerse and Cleveland Guardians Radio Network, the Cleveland affiliate for The House of Hair with Dee Snider and the home of radio personality Alan Cox. Featuring Kevin DuBrow on vocals, Frankie Banali on drums, Rudy Sarzo on bass and Carlos Cavazo on guitar. Date unknown. [41] WMMS also lured popular morning personalities Brian Fowler and Joe Cronauer away from rival WENZthen also an alternative rock stationas the successors to Jeff and Flash (Jeff Kinzbach, Ed Ferenc) on The Buzzard Morning Zoo. Bands that played the CBC. 1.2.1Coffee Break Concerts 1.3Album-oriented rock (1973-94) 1.3.1From "Find Me" to FM powerhouse 1.3.2World Series of Rock 1.3.3Rock Forty and the Rock Hall 1.3.4Rolling StoneReaders' Poll 1.3.5Changing times 1.3.6The Cleveland Funeral 1.4Alternative rock (1994-97) 1.4.1The Next Generation 1.4.2BuzzardFest 1.5Active rock (1997-present) That will never be done again. Stern's ratings exploded and this along with a growing urgency from management not to compete with or mention Stern on the air led to a sudden and steep ratings decline for The Buzzard Morning Zoo. The team did later relocate to Cleveland, but lasted only a few months until an acrimonious breakup between Wolf and Mulrooney. Past show members at WMMS include, Ryan Hoppe, Scott Taylor (now a reporter at WJLA in Washington, DC, Kaitlin Geosano, and Rob Garguilo. Cleveland Police briefly detained Ky-Mani Marley after the singer threatened Rover for comments made during an April 20, 2010 in-studio interview. It was in use in 1971 but was discontinued after the band the Rolling Stones issued a cease and desist order against MetroMedia for it resemblance to their logo. He was on WMMS for more than twenty years, and would end his show with, "Blue skies and green lights to ya. In other words, the carrion-eating bird represented "death and dying" a darkly comic reflection of the city's decline. People in radio say he was not an easy guy, that dealing with him was like a daily root canal. April 16, 1974 the Buzzard was born. John Gorman and Denny Sanders left the station in fall of 1986, leading fourteen staff members with them to start rival station WNCX. 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