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September 30, 2025 4:40 pm  #1


Famous U.S. Radio Consultant Recalls The Beginnings Of Q107

Lee Abrams is a consultant, one of those people who helps radio stations either work out existing problems or try to avoid them when they're first signing on. Which is why he was there before Q107 came onto Toronto's airwaves back in 1977. He tells the story of those early days, and remembers when Q was new - and trying to find a spot in the city's local radio scene. 

It was a very different time, but among the things that confounded him somewhat were the CanCon regulations. Turns out, he eventually found it to be a positive thing. 

"As I figured, we had to navigate a myriad of CRTC (the Canadian FCC) regulations, ranging from the dreaded “ Can Con “ to various regulations that translated into a ton of public service programming.  The problem with the Canadian Content reg was the need to completely rethink music programming.  

The American lists were the foundation but local and Canadian artists were injected into the mix. Discovered quite a few artists.  

One I really liked was a prog band called FM, that along with others, we imported to the US with varying degrees of success. Dan Hill was one that clicked.  A bright side is that the regulations forced ultra creative thinking and joyfully, that was the focus of our pre launch brainstorms." 

 
Lee Abrams: Rockin' Toronto

 

September 30, 2025 5:23 pm  #2


Re: Famous U.S. Radio Consultant Recalls The Beginnings Of Q107

Q107 was playing Dan Hill?


PJ


ClassicHitsOnline.com...The place where all the cool tunes hang out!
 

September 30, 2025 5:51 pm  #3


Re: Famous U.S. Radio Consultant Recalls The Beginnings Of Q107

Paul Jeffries wrote:

Q107 was playing Dan Hill?


PJ

That honesty's too much! 🤔😳

 

September 30, 2025 7:30 pm  #4


Re: Famous U.S. Radio Consultant Recalls The Beginnings Of Q107

and it went down hill from there.

 

 

September 30, 2025 9:19 pm  #5


Re: Famous U.S. Radio Consultant Recalls The Beginnings Of Q107

Back in 1977 Q only needed to play 20% cancon.  FM radio had lower levels than AM and also depended on the format.  It was later in the 80's that most FM stations reached 30%, and eventually 35% in 1999.