The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Is Radio Ready For The Passing Of These Musical Icons?

**Posted by RadioActive** July 14, 2025 7:02 am

I found this article from Radio Ink to be very strange - it speculates about what most radio stations, regardless of format - will do when musical icons like Bob Dylan eventually pass away. The implication seems to be that instead of playing a ton of his music, they'll feature one hit and then move on.

"Will we sit in our format silos and ignore the moment, except for a passing mention in our “celebrity news” segment? Or will we use this as an opportunity to capitalize on a cultural moment?

Any station – regardless of format – can spend a day highlighting the music of an icon we’ve lost. But wait, those songs are unfamiliar to our audience. It’s too risky. It’ll cause tune out. Really?"

So what is the uncredited author (actually a guy named Steve Allan) trying to say - a country station should start playing Like A Rolling Stone? Classical 96.3 in Toronto interrupts its usual longhair fare to play Paul McCartney all day when he sadly passes?

I'm not entirely sure what the point of this is, but it's so odd that I'm curious what others think of it.

When The Next Legend Falls Silent, Will Radio?

**Posted by Shorty Wave** July 14, 2025 8:27 am

It certainly is odd RA! I watched the Live Aid doc last night on CNN and briefly thought about the artist who have died since, Bowie, Mercury come to mind, so a bit timely for me to read this.

I remember when Bowie passed, Indie 88 played his new album at the time, “Black Star” in its entirety, as he had released it on his birthday 3 days prior. I thought that was a fitting tribute. I guess it depends on the artist, for example, AM 740 played Tina Turner tunes the day she passed, she had plenty to choose from but I only heard one song when Kristofferson died last fall, although he was fairly huge.

Getting back to the topic, this is a strange article, thanks for posting RadioActive!

**Posted by g121** July 14, 2025 9:42 am

RadioActive wrote:
I found this article from Radio Ink to be very strange - it speculates about what most radio stations, regardless of format - will do when musical icons like Bob Dylan eventually pass away.
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When The Next Legend Falls Silent, Will Radio?

Salient line from the article ..
"(I did not include Keith Richards because he is apparently immortal)"

**Posted by Binson Echorec** July 14, 2025 9:55 am

I suppose the flipside could be that, upon the passing of someone of stature, all stations go full tilt with tributes and then there's no escaping it for the non-fans!

I recall the edict to play nothing but Tragically Hip for bumper music the day Gord Downie passed. Being a fan I had no problem with the order. Being a fan also meant I went deep and played personal faves and album cuts all shift.