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What Was The Best Year For Music On The Radio?
There usually isn't much to listen to Sunday mornings in this area, but an early show on CKTB in St. Catharines is not only live and somewhat local, but features two guys sounding like they're having a lot of fun discussing absolutely nothing for a few hours.
Karl Dockstader and his producer Ryan Williams start out with the so-called "Secret Hour" from 6-7 AM and that's when they started talking about the best year in music. Being from a certain generation, they chose 1984 as the perfect period, with hard rock having a run, hip hop coming into its own and MuchMusic debuting on cable.
Those are all good points, but that would certainly not be my choice. Mine has to be 1969, the year of Woodstock, the Moon landing and a miasma of magnificent music. Here's why I choose that year. I recall '69 as being the time when nearly everything and anything was on the radio.
The Beatles were still around making some great final albums (although we didn't know it at the time), the British Invasion was still going on, American artists were starting to steal away more airtime, progressive rock began to be heard on more and more FM stations (including CHUM-FM), Canadians were beginning to make a mark on the charts (especially the Guess Who) as CanCon was on the horizon, protest tunes (including those over the Vietnam War) hit new heights, Elvis was making a comeback, and for those who were still young, bubblegum music like the classic "Sugar Sugar" by The Archies was all over the airwaves.
In fact, it can be argued that '69 was one of the last great hurrahs for Top 40, where you could hear Mama Cass followed by Hot Smoke and Sassafras by Bubble Puppy on the radio. They couldn't have been more different. But you could still hear them back-to-back. That could never happen today. But that was the nature of the format back then that everything goes.
It was a great time to listen to the radio, in my case CHUM and CKFH. I can't recall another year quite like it. 
- Scarboroughbluffsradiof99
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I'm 24 years old, so, I'm going to say 2006, 2001, 2007 and the 70s because I also like classic hits.As a six year old who loved listening to the radio back in 2006, Mix fm played some of the best music.
Also kiss 98.5, the old CHFI format, CKOC on saterday nights with wolfman jack, EZ rock 97.3 and star 102.5's christmas music.
If I could go back in time with my radio or an internet site, I would be a teenager or my age now in the mid 00s and relisten to mix fm and ez rock.
Also cant forget 102.9 klight or is it klite.
Last edited by Scarboroughbluffsradiof99 (December 15, 2024 3:43 pm)
- newsguy1
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The 60s 70s and 80s do it for me, which is probably why I find myself listening to Boom when I'm in the car and wanting some fun music.
- Paul Jeffries
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Not sure what would classify as the best year(s), but I do know my favorite years are 1977-79, as late 1977 was the year I start listening to "my own" radio stations (mostly Top 40) as opposed to what my parents listened to.
Also, 1987 strikes me as being a good year for music, because unlike other years in that decade, there didn't seem to be one single genre that dominated the pop charts; there was a little bit of everything for everybody that year: pop, rock, classic rock, dance, new wave, hair metal, etc.
PJ
ClassicHitsOnline.com...Classic hits done right!
- Chrisphen
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The best year for music was clearly when I was young, fit and hip.
- Dial Twister
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It's a toss-up...
1967, 1968, 1969?
- paterson1
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I don't have a single year as my favourite. I enjoyed late 60's, 70's and 80's the most, especially new wave. I like some of the current music too, some pop, alternative and what little rock is out there.
- Jody Thornton
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Paul Jeffries wrote:
Not sure what would classify as the best year(s), but I do know my favorite years are 1977-79, as late 1977 was the year I start listening to "my own" radio stations (mostly Top 40) as opposed to what my parents listened to.
Also, 1987 strikes me as being a good year for music, because unlike other years in that decade, there didn't seem to be one single genre that dominated the pop charts; there was a little bit of everything for everybody that year: pop, rock, classic rock, dance, new wave, hair metal, etc.
PJ
I would say that if I had a range of years that I could not live without, it would be 1976 through to 1984. If I had to say favourite years, it would be 1980, 1981 and 1990. Mind you, I'd still be excluding a wealth of music.
This would exemplify another area where modern radio would let me down though, and that would be deeper playlists of those years/ranges mentioned. When it comes to 80s music, we hear what's researched and palatable sounding for modern-day, rather than what was heard back then. Next time I hear Simple Minds, could it please be "Promise You A Miracle", instead of "Don't You Forget About Me"? How about "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" from the Police, instead of another fatiguing play of "Every Breath ...". But that won't ever happen.
I'm with Paul on 1987 being a "best" year though, for the reasons he mentioned. It's not my favourite year, but it could be an overall best.
Cheers,
Jody Thornton
- Paul Jeffries
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This would exemplify another area where modern radio would let me down though, and that would be deeper playlists of those years/ranges mentioned. When it comes to 80s music, we hear what's researched and palatable sounding for modern-day, rather than what was heard back then. Next time I hear Simple Minds, could it please be "Promise You A Miracle", instead of "Don't You Forget About Me"? How about "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" from the Police, instead of another fatiguing play of "Every Breath ...". But that won't ever happen.
Most commercial classic hits stations play about 25% of the music from the youth of their target audience because the other 75% supposedly "doesn't test very well".
PJ
ClassicHitsOnline.com...Classic hits done right!
- Muffaraw Joe
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1978-1979
The world would be so good if it weren't for some people...
- Jody Thornton
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This would exemplify another area where modern radio would let me down though, and that would be deeper playlists of those years/ranges mentioned. When it comes to 80s music, we hear what's researched and palatable sounding for modern-day, rather than what was heard back then. Next time I hear Simple Minds, could it please be "Promise You A Miracle", instead of "Don't You Forget About Me"? How about "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" from the Police, instead of another fatiguing play of "Every Breath ...". But that won't ever happen.
Most commercial classic hits stations play about 25% of the music from the youth of their target audience because the other 75% supposedly "doesn't test very well".
PJ
Oh I understand why. It just means another reason why radio no longer suits me. :D
Cheers,
Jody Thornton
- Radiowiz
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Any year that had a song with TWO (different sounding) versions.
How about 1998?
Pluto's The Good Bye Girl had a rock version, which was played on Kiss 92,
while Energy 108 would play the "Pop goes the girl" version, a great dance mix.
Last edited by Radiowiz (December 16, 2024 6:00 am)
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RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.
- mic'em
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The 2000 era of new country was extremely popular at that time. Garth Brooks, Shania et all dominated radio in that genre. Sirius still had a 2YK channel last time I was able to receive their service a couple of years ago.
- Shorty Wave
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My favourite radio years would have to be the early 80s when New Wave was influencing pop. Remember Wall of Voodoo and the likes? I think pop music got shook up, sure there was still Hall and Oates, but even they were influenced. There were some very innovative artists, and like Jody Thornton, I liked Simple Minds, Someone, Somewhere in Summertime did get some airplay back in the day, but Love Song always worked for me! Good post and great input.