Remembering Kansas City’s KY-102…
Thank you for the memories!
On this day, 50 years ago, the legendary radio station hit the airwaves.
Rock’n the heartland!
On July 1, 1974, one of Kansas City's legendary radio stations signed on; KY-102 (KYYS). The first (and ultimately, last) song played on KY-102 was “Too Many People” by Paul McCartney. In 1979, “KY” became the most successful Album-oriented Rock (AOR) station in Kansas City, hitting #1 in the ratings.
While another station (Q-104) was our go-to place for all things Pop, including the late Casey Kasem and American Top 40, KY was our main source for everything Rock; concert announcements, along with the latest band news and album information. If you grew up in Kansas City during the ‘70s and ‘80s and loved Rock music, you likely remember many of the station’s on-air personalities; Max Floyd, the late Paul “Fredrocks” Adams, Tanna Guthrie, Larry Moffitt, Randy Raley, Skid Roadie, the late Brian “Slacker” Adams, and Dick Wilson. The station’s legendary “voice” for sweepers, commercials, and concert announcements was Joe Kelly.
Courtesy of Anthony Woodard
In fourth grade, I was fortunate to witness a live broadcast, when KY’s Vaughn Mac was onsite at our school after we won a city-wide aluminum can collection drive. Vaughn also used his PA system to fill our gym with high decibels and great songs, including “Rock the Casbah”.
Courtesy of Anthony Woodard
KY-102 dominated the dial for more than a decade. However, all good things must come to an end. On September 19, 1997, at 12:01 a.m., KYYS flipped to a Modern Adult Contemporary format and was branded as "102.1 The Zone". KY’s demise was short-lived, as around a month later, the station returned to the airwaves and to #1 in the ratings, albeit at a new frequency (99.7 FM). The revival was driven by the station’s loyal and vocal fan base. The first song played on the revived KY was “Back in Black” by AC/DC.
“99.7 KY” would continue on for another decade, helping create even more memories for me and many others. On June 3, 2007 (“Smoke Sunday”), 1,721 guitar players (myself included) took part in a Guinness world record rendition of Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The previous record for largest guitar ensemble had been 1,323. Tanna Guthrie, a morning show host for 99.7 KY, came up with the idea for the record attempt. Tanna said she chose "Smoke on the Water” because it's one of the first songs many guitarists learn.
Courtesy of Anthony Woodard
Courtesy of Anthony Woodard
A few months later, my wife and I attended KY’s “33 1/3 Birthday Bash” concert at the City Market, featuring ZZ Top. Quiet Riot was the opening act. We still remember the old, bearded fellow, who apparently had one too many, staggering and stumbling over next to us, when the headliner took the stage. As Billy F. Gibbons strummed the opening chords to “Got Me Under Pressure”, the man yelled out “ZZ f’n Top!” and then preceded to pass out, face planting in the process; it was like a scene right out of “The Simpsons” or “South Park”. He later came to towards the end of “Jesus Just Left Chicago” and made his way into the late-Summer night.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, again... On January 18, 2008, at 1 p.m., after playing "In the Dark” by Billy Squier, KY flipped to an Adult Album Alternative format and was branded as "99-7 The Boulevard, Kansas City's Quality Rock".
KY may be gone, but it is not forgotten.
Epilogue: Not so fast… KY returns!
On June 15, 2020, our neighbors in nearby St. Joe (KGNM) changed their station’s format to Classic Rock, branded as "KY 102". The sale to Eagle Communications was consummated on September 24, 2020 and the station changed their call letters to KYSJ shortly thereafter.
Rock 'n' roll ain't noise pollution
Rock 'n' roll ain't gonna die
Rock 'n' roll ain't noise pollution
Rock 'n' roll, it will survive (yes, it will)
“Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” by AC/DC
Visit my “Today In Music History” page to listen to a live stream of the new KY 102!
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