Clear Channel Flips KLOL (Houston)

[Don Wishon]

Read this one on zrock.com:

Clear Channel Communications shocked rock fans in Houston and across Texas on Friday (Nov 12) as the radio giant threw away 34 years of rock n roll and flipped legendary rocker KLOL to Mega 101 FM (with the tag line "Latino and Proud") featuring a mixture of Spanish hip-hop, reggaeton and pop/dance music. Similar shock is still being felt in San Jose, CA as KSJO-FM (92.3), a rock station for 36 years, was flipped on October 28 in favor of an oldies-based, regional Mexican format. Clear Channel has vowed to embark on an aggressive plan to convert as many as 25 of its stations to a Spanish-language format in the next 12-18 months.

Since it went on the air in 1970, KLOL was one of the most popular rock stations in Texas and was once once known as "The Texas Rock 'n' Roll Authority." KLOL was a true friend to the music community, from the days of the legendary Texxas World Music Festivals (aka Texxas Jam) to a few weeks ago, as KLOL graciously interviewed Vince Neil on the air to promote our ZRock Crue for the Cure Charity Meet & Greet at the Hard Rock Cafe on Halloween.

The music is gone but not forgotten. Fans are invited to share their KLOL memories about the music, the station personnel, and everything that was part of KLOL being "the station you grew up with." RIP KLOL 1970-2004.

[GuitarPLYR]

Although it will not affect me since I don't live in Texas.....THAT ****S!!!!!!!!!

[yleekiyote]

One more reason to buy XM.

[zebrarette]

Another one bites the dust....:mad:

[macca]

Another reason why the music industry is dying. Again.....wish the signal for 95.3 was stronger in my area.......great little Rock station in Biloxi. REAL DJ's...even a request line/request night(Saturday). Wow...what a concept...you call and you speak to a REAL person!

[chinarain62]

Originally posted by yleekiyote
One more reason to buy XM.


Ditto!

[Delirious Nomad]

Yes....KLOL has been around forEVER. It was the mainstay for Rock and Roll in Houston for all those years as others came and went.

The problem is that their audience was dwindling. Plain and simple.
My nephews have no idea what KLOL is because they only listen to today's music on 94.5.

The new rock is on 94.5
The classic rock is on 93.7
The softer rock is on 96.5
The 80's pop is on 106.9

Most people that listen to 101.1 KLOL have gone to XM like me because KLOL just had TOO MANY dang commercials. And their morning show ****ed @ss. People that listened to KLOL want good ole' hard rock without the talk in the morning and a commercial after every 2 songs.
We get that on satellite radio.

Clear Channel had no choice. It was time for KLOL to change format. They couldn't go "new", "classic", "soft" or "pop". They couldn't go heavy metal because Z-Rock already tried and failed.
KLOL got lost in the mix.

As much as I hate to say it.....it was time for them to go.


:(

[RobertDLG]

Yeah, as mentioned, Clear Channel pulled the same crap here in San Jose. KSJO was the first preset on my car radio, and they would even play Zebra (but only on their "Hair Ball" metal show, and during '80s weekends). This ****s.Although long rumored, the change stunned fans of what is called ``active'' rock. They have no other station in the area to turn to for new rock music with a harder edge.

``That's a shocker to me,'' said Santa Clara guitarist Dave Meniketti, who grew up listening to the station and founded the band Y&T that became a staple on it. ``I know radio stations come and go, but I thought they would always be there.''Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/living/10045220.htm

[76_Bestbanker]

Seems like a sound business decision seeing how the fastest growing segment of the population is Hispanic. Us gray haired old rockers are falling fast. I still remember the day WRNO died.

[Delirious Nomad]

Yes....It was a good business decision.
Nothing evil about it.

[Sgt.Pepper]

David, you forgot to mention KACC 89.7, a college radio station that plays all genres of rock and roll. And very few commercials.

As far as clear channel, money talks. The Hispanic community is 1.6 million of the 4 million in Houston.

[earl]

La Cucaracha!Tequila!Badges,we don't need no stinkin badges

[tome811]

I remember when I first moved back to Houston in '94. I called a couple of radio stations(KLOL for one), and asked repeatedly to hear some Zebra. Finally, I was told, "We don't play Zebra" plain and simple.

And those F'ing talk shows in the mornings. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE F'ING SHOWS CAN DROP DEAD! It's sickening to have to listen to CRAP like DAT in the early mornings at the workplace, being blasted at high volumes. How about some f'ing music people??

The only station an old fart like myself would somewhat enjoy, in between the commercials, is 93.7 Classic Rock. But their signal is kinda weak, and also, I believe, the station Sgt. Pepper mentioned.

I rarely ever, ever listen to radio anymore at all. I've always been a person who plays cassettes(or CDs) in the car or home. Cos', it's proven, radio Sux!:mad:

[macca]

After seeing this, I finally understand all the talk Walton and Johnson were doing over the past few months. I wonder if that means they'll be re-locating back here in NOLA?