[87] Unable to service its growing debt, Malrite chose to leave radio and sold off all its remaining properties in 1993:[37] WMMS went to Shamrock Broadcasting, the Roy Disney broadcasting firm. Mr. Leonard supposedly worked at the Buzzard, as the assistant public service director, but he was never able to make it into the office. [39][40] Noted filmmakers, including Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous) and Paul Schrader (Light of Day), have called on both TheBuzzard and its personnel while preparing for various rock-themed productions. On October 26, 2010, Rover hired a witch doctor to curse LeBron James after the NBA star left the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 1966, in an effort to make the medium more commercially viable, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandated that FM stations could no longer duplicate the programming of their AM sister stations. [103] Despite signs of success, the stations were sold again in 1996: WMMS went to Nationwide Communications,[105] while WHK went to Salem Communications. Needless to say, for health reasons, this contest changed the way promotions were done going forward at WMMS. He is part of the permanent radio exhibit in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Alan Cox Show: 1/20/23 | 100.7 WMMS | The Alan Cox Show Today, he is the principal and chief content officer of WOW Media, LLC -- the parent company of oWOW. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He later took his groundbreaking progressive rock show to WNCR FM/95.5, working alongside pioneering Cleveland rock deejays Billy Bass and David Spero. "[110] Studios were moved again to a combined facility in the suburb of Independence, Ohio. Jeff and Flash ruled the airwaves for 18 years on 100.7 WMMS. The show is now syndicated to WKGB-FM/Binghamton, WRKK/Williamsport, and WZNE/Rochester; replays continuously on a dedicated iHeartRadio channel; is available on demand through iHeartRadio; and broadcasts over the Livestream video platform. Spero is still active as an artist manager. Everything else in Cleveland was going wrong except us," said Gorman about his early years at WMMS in the '70s. Kid Leo was actively involved in the campaign in bringing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to Cleveland - which lead to the mayor Geroge Voinovich granting him a key to the city in 1990. [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. Fowler works for country station WGAR-FM/99.5, and Cronauer is an on-air personality for WKYC-TV/Channel 3 and The Fish, WFHM-FM/95.5. [148][146][152][153][154][155], A devoted fan of heavy metal, Cox considers himself more of a comedian than a disc jockey. 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. [83][89] Lisa Dillon, Ric Bennett and Tom Renzy also would depart the station that same day. There were other really good rock stations around, but those other stations opted in to carry the live broadcast of the MMS birthday show (in 1978). In studio, WTAM sports director Mike Snyder hosts The Tip-Off Show, The Halftime Report, and The Nightcap Recap the network pregame, halftime, and postgame shows, respectively. [96] Gorman changed the WMMS format to alternative rock,[97] playing new acts like Nirvana, The Offspring, and Nine Inch Nails, on October 27. [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. Additionally, Rover was the Midwest replacement for Howard Stern under CBS's Free FM branding concept following Stern's move to Sirius Satellite Radio in 2006, originating from Chicago's WCKG. A comedic mainstay of the morning show at WMMS-FM/100.7 for years, the character is the creation of comedian John Carillo, a California native who uses John Rio as his stage name. Regular segments include "The Shizzy", a daily news update; "Tech Tuesday", where listeners pose consumer electronics questions to an industry expert; and "The Thursday Hook-Up", a call-in dating game. The announcement came less than two weeks before the show. According to her LinkedIn page, she now works as a freelance voice actor and author. The call letters WMMS stand for "MetroMedia Stereo". She later worked in radio promotion and sales in Chicago and New York. The second logo, first one in print, used by WMMS was the Tongue Logo. [34], Loveline, Westwood One's nationally syndicated call-in show hosted by Dr. Drew, aired weeknights from August 2008 through June 2010. From 2007-2014, she was owner and CEO of Life After Your Divorce, a company that worked with people going through divorce. Date unknown. [60] Sounds described the station programming at this time as "totally off-the-wall in its choice of records, playing anything it liked. They brought pleasure to the average Clevelanders workday with segments like Token Jokes of the Morning, Spousal Arousal and Blow Something Up. WMMS also airs The Week in Cox, a weekly recap show on Sunday mornings. Mike had been heard on a number of Cleveland radio stations over the years, putting in 40 years ol the air. 26 memorable DJs and radio personalities from WMMS-FM's past: The Buzzard turns 50 This year, WMMS turns 50. [129][130] Radio & Records twice named WMMS "Rock Station of the Year: Markets 1-25" (200506) as part of the now defunct publication's annual Industry Achievement Awards. He stayed at WMMS until 1992, moving then to WNCX-FM/98.5 and WDOK-FM/102.1. 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. [114] BuzzardFest II was held the very next fall (September 1995) again at Blossom and featured performances from the Goo Goo Dolls, Alanis Morissette, Jewel, as well as the Dance Hall Crashers, Eleven, Green Apple Quick Step, Prick and Sons of Elvis. Thats how big MMS was. Soon after, the station revered back to the Progressive Rock format to battle WNCR of Nationwide Communications, itself filling the void created by the brief absence of WMMS on the album rock scene. Arriving from Boston in Cleveland in September 1976, BLF was highly opinionated. In 1973 WMMS unveiled a new logo The Mushroom. Perlich is second from right in the photo above, kickin' it with the WHK crew, circa 1968. He briefly transformed WNWV-FM/107.3 into the adult album alternative station V 107.3. Cox's intelligence, humor, and willingness to do a variety of on-air stunts for the show led to his hiring as a producer. (Plain Dealer file photo), Proud Parma natives, this longtime duo is better known as the affable hosts of "The Brian and Joe Show." "Discover Financial Services (DFS.N), a provider . (Plain Dealer file photo), "Spaceman Scott" - Scott Hughes, better known as Spaceman Scott, was a member of WMMS-FM/100.7's top-rated "Buzzard Morning Zoo" in the 1980s, along with Jeff Kinzbach, Ed "Flash" Ferenc, and others. Gun rights advocates on the other hand, have warned this could bring unwarranted scrutiny on the overwhelming majority of law-abiding gun owners. WMMS Art Director, Brian Chalmers was approached by Dreamworks to provide artwork and logos for their movie Almost Famous which came out in 2000. Matt remains one of the most popular air personalities from WMMS fifty year history. BLF also praised musicians and was a great fan of the Texas Tornadoes and Blue Cheer. Rover is pictured in the middle in the 2009 WMMS promo photo above with partners Dieter and Duji. The very first logo to ever be created for WMMS was a red and white rainbow. 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We joked about the Buzzard becoming Cleveland's Mickey Mouse a "Buzzard Land" amusement park filled with sex, drugs and rock and roll A study conducted by MBA students at Case Western Reserve University in 1975 found that the new WMMS logo was more recognizable to those living in Greater Cleveland than both Chief Wahoo of the Cleveland Indians and even Coca-Cola. Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Detroit, St. Louis they ran another stations birthday party. [51], Among the most notorious broadcasts of The Howard Stern Show occurred on June 10, 1994. She left in 1989 to work for Top 40 station WPHR-FM/107. (Photo courtesy Lou Santini), Saul is best known the "Get Down Man," whose Friday afternoon riffs and rants on WMMS-FM/100.7 made him a local celebrity in the 1970s. (Plain Dealer file photo), Halper worked as a DJ and music director for WMMS-FM/100.7 from 1973-75 and was instrumental in helping the band Rush land a record deal. In the '90s, it re-focused on alternative rock programming, and in later years, moved into an active rock program with popular talk programs like "Rover's Morning Glory. Maria Farina landed at WMMS in 1986 fresh out of Ohio University and quickly gained popularity. [135] Former Lex and Terry producer Jason Carr was named the new WMMS assistant program director on February 1, 2018. Attendance was by general admission. Students were protesting the bombing of Cambodia by the United States Armed Forces. He came to Cleveland as both a DJ and the Buzzard's program director. Other shows, like The Buzzard Morning Show with Rick and Megalis (Rick Eberhart, Tom Megalis) and WMMS Mornings with Sean, Cristi, and Hunter (Sean Kelly, Cristi Cantle, Hunter Scott), came and went in quick succession. (Billy Bass is at far left in the photo, kickin' it with the WHK crew, circa 1968. [123] WMMS veteran John Gorman has remained a vocal critic of iHeartMedia, once remarking on the company's former Cleveland executive, Kevin Metheny (dubbed "Pig Virus" by Howard Stern during their time at WNBC): "He had a volatile time here. She worked there until 1999. [137][138], In 2000, the station turned to Wakin' up with Wolf and Mulrooneyhosted by Bob Wolf and John Mulrooneyfrom Albany's WPYX, which initially continued to originate and simulcast the program. In 1986, Gorman and 12 other staff members left WMMS to start classic-rock station WNCX-FM/98.5. Guest spots on WJR's Morning Show for Hollywood and Gossip Reports. She left Cleveland to take a radio job in Florida. [52] On November 13, 1947, the new FM station transitioned from experimental to commercial status; increased its power; and changed its callsign to WHKX. [85] Four different program directors, including Rich Piombino and Michael Luczak, came and went with varying levels of success. Listen To The Most Popular Podcasts On iHeartRadio! Hes heard introducing Bruce Springsteens fabled WMMS tenth anniversary show at the Cleveland Agora which is thought to have been the most bootlegged radio concert ever before its official release. Ken Schneck. Craig Ehlo. WMMS does not air additional network programming. The Week in Cox is a weekly podcast featuring the best segments from The Alan Cox Show. Springsteen and the band hit the stage full throttle, opening appropriately with a cover of "Summertime Blues," with Springsteen promising, "I'm a gonna raise a fuss/ I'm a gonna raise a holler.". The station also started to devote weekend programming to the classic rock format. The Alan Cox Show Corey Rotic 100.7 WMMS Podcasts See All The Alan Cox Show Rover's Morning Glory The Week in Cox The Bill Squire Show Latest Stories Local News VIDEO: Cleveland Police Give Details of What Lead to Fatal Crash Mar 03, 2023 Music News Why March 5th Matters In Rock History Mar 03, 2023 Music News The duo reigned over a zany -- and revolving -- supporting cast of characters on "Buzzard Morning Zoo" for 18 years from 1976-1994. 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. He offered "Solid Goldbergers" and ordered us to "EN-joy". [160], WMMS's program lineup currently features Rover's Mornings Glory in morning drive, Dan Stansbury middays, The Alan Cox Show in afternoon drive and Corey Rotic evenings. Since retiring from WDVE last year, he's been roaming the country by car. In 1995 he was the PA voice introducing acts for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Grand Opening concert at Municipal Stadium. They were rewarded with a night that they would remember for the rest of their lives. The show also drew national attention after holding a book burning party for Fifty Shades of Grey on July 8, 2012. This feature ran at the exact moment of the KSU shootings twenty years later. Throughout the 1970s and '80s, the station played home to some of Cleveland's most recognizable personalities: Matt the Cat, Denny Sanders, Murray Saul, Betty "Crash" Korvan, Ruby Cheeks, BLF. "[33] By April 2008, the station had reverted to branding as The Buzzard but using a road sign-style logo similar to a U.S. Route shield in an allusion to the mascot. (Plain Dealer file photo), Santini came to WMMS-FM/100.7 in 1994 after a stint at Canton's WRQK-FM/106.9. Some other possible meanings "Where Music Means Something" or "Weed Makes Me Smile". [144] Rover's contract with CBS was set to expire, but it was an affiliate contract inherited from the Free FM stintCBS transferred him back to WKRK-FM after WCKG cancelled itand not a talent contract, thus he was not subject to a non-compete clause. Denny Sanders Denny Sanders 1972 - 1986 Denny Sanders came to WMMS in 1971 from Boston where he'd been working as a DJ from the time he was just 16 years old. 50 Of The Longest-Lasting Celebrity Relationships Jun 09, 2022. Owned by iHeartMedia . He now works as a stand-up comedian, actor and writer. [120] Meanwhile, ownership would change yet again as Nationwide Communications was bought out by Jacor in November 1997. The concert series continued on well into the 1990s and early 2000s, albeit much less frequently.[64][65]. February 7, 2021 WMMS. (Scott is far right in the photo above, in the WMMS studio with Ed Kinzbach, Ed "Flash" Ferenc and Kenny Clean.) [139], Bo Matthews (Alex Gutierrez), who became the station's program director in early 2004, hired Ohio native Benjamin "Maxwell" Bornstein that April for a more "personality-driven" afternoon show following the departure of Tim "Slats" Guinane for WXTM. Seth's Big Fat Barbarian Wedding - August 19th, 2005 at Shooters on the Water. Gorman credits his decision to leave to changes in management, and the station's overall shift to a more "corporate" mentality. [41][42] WMMS was also a major driving force behind the successful campaign to bring the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to Cleveland.[26][43]. [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. [121] The Jacor purchase closed on August 10, 1998; 59days later, on October 8, 1998, Clear Channel Communications won a bidding war for Jacor in a $6.5billion deal. [53] It's most famous for heavily plugging the MC5, The Velvets and The Dolls on one hand and science-art groups like Soft Machine and King Crimson on the other. Rumor has it that WMMS had ballots printed so the public could fill them out at various events. Matt remains one of the most popular air personalities from WMMS' fifty year history. During the 1990s, he applied the same, take-no-prisoners promotion, programming and marketing strategy as operations manager of WMJI-FM/105.7, pushing the oldies station to the top of the radio ratings. He briefly worked mid-days at the end of his career, but soon retired. DJ additions included station engineer Ric Bennett as "Rocco the Rock Dog,"[86] Scooter (WMMS music director Brad Hanson), former WRQC nighttime Personality and later WNCX Afternoon Drive and Production Director, Tom "Jack" Daniels (who returned to the Cleveland airwaves after a successful stint as Program Director of WLEV, Allentown, PA), Lisa Dillon[86] and station veteran Matt the Cat,[86] (who returned to the midday slot in 1990 after a two-year absence.) Kid Leo interviews David Lee Roth, Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony before their show at the Richfield Colesium. [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. 100.7 WMMS Cleveland's Rock Station Follow Connect On Air Schedule The Alan Cox Show Live Corey Rotic 6:30 PM-12:00 AM Contests and Promotions We're Celebrating Women Who Make Music & Culture Download Our Free iHeartRadio App! The show itself rapidly covers a range of topics in a comedic format, from major current events to obscure pop culture; regular segments like "Sperm News", "Why Florida Sucks", and "Are You Smarter Than a Dumbass?" Belkin Productions staged these events, attracting popular hard rock bands and as many as 88,000 fans. We had a pretty good run with it in the '70s to the mid-'80s.". 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. Brian and Joe talk to Rob Thomas from Matchbox 20. His father, Herman, created Cleveland's legendary "Upbeat," an "American Bandstand"-style TV musical variety show which aired from 1964-71 and featured live performances of many of the great rock and pop acts of the era, from Simon and Garfunkel to Otis Redding. No. 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 stations involved are WMMS (FM), WTAM (AM/FM), WMJI (FM), WGAR (FM), WHLK (FM), WAKS (FM), WKAS (HD2) and WARF (AM). Quiet Riot played 11 songs. "[61], Under the leadership of station manager Billy Bass and program director Denny Sanders, WMMS helped break many new rock artists nationally, most notably David Bowie.