Sad Day in Radio

It is indeed a sad day or days in radio land. New York's WPLJ, named after a Mothers of Invention song was truly an innovative and inventive radio station.  Virtually, at the same time Q-107 or Mix 107.3, also legendary in DC, formerly WMAL-FM, suddenly became K-Love, and lost its rock identity after a long -run, and its last format change.  

Although both stations went through many format changes in their close to legendary 50-year histories, they always stayed fresh, and with a form of rock, and that was often ahead of their times.  

PLJ, started as WABC-FM, one of the first album-oriented rock stations, with interesting DJ’s such as Zacherle, Alex Bennett (who had a legendary radio career of his own), and Vince Scelsa.  PLJ's last song was John Lennon's “Imagine,” released in 1971, the same year the station went on the air. 

Its DC counterpart included many DC rock radio pioneers, such as Stoney Richards, and Dude Walker ending with veteran morning-man Jack Diamond.  It's so-called flight out song was "Cherish" by the Association.  

Both stations inspired many other stations, DJs, and listeners.  Each format shift on both stations, renewed the energy-level in their areas and their commitment to high-quality radio. It is sad to lose their creative takes on what radio can be.