|
All news is attributed to the source from which it was received so that readers may judge the validity of the statements for themselves.
Have Joan Jett news to report? Email us at jettfc@aol.com, and please include the source of the information so it can be validated.
'80s make a comeback
They paved the way for modern rock. And they're taking their act on the road
from: journalsentinel.com
By Nick Carter
On the radio
Less alternative and critically appraised '80s pop sounds have resurfaced among Milwaukee music listeners.
A few weeks ago, radio station WLTQ-FM (97.3) converted from light rock classics to an all-'80s rock format. Jeff Lynn, program director at the new WLTQ, now known as "The Brew," said the station's new focus will be on mainstream hard-rock '80s songs.
"The program is conceived and programmed right out of Milwaukee," Lynn says. "It's generally rock of '80s we play, but not strictly, which gives us a bit more latitude. We can play some Boston tunes from the late '70s or other stuff from the early '90s. . . . For now, we're playing strictly rock, no pop."
Acts exemplifying the gamut of the station's new play list run from Boston and Foreigner to Def Leppard and Bon Jovi, Lynn says. There also will be some JOAN JETT, Heart, Rolling Stones and possibly a few Pat Benatar tunes thrown in for good measure, he adds.
"We don't play a lot of what's considered alternative now, but some of the acts that are borderline, such as Duran Duran, may be added to the play list in time." (Duran Duran is also part of the '80s comeback circuit; just this week, the group released a new CD, "Astronaut.")
Lynn says the station is trying to reach the 35- to 49-year-old segment of its overall 25-to-54 demographic, with that target about a 50-50 mix of male and female listeners.
"We did a market research study, and the indications from the research were that harder-edged rock from the '80s versus pop from that decade was the way to go," he says.
Of the less commercial but more critically respected '80s pop acts coming to town in recent weeks, such as Morrissey, Camper Van Beethoven and the Pixies, Lynn says: "Those artists are pretty much off our play lists. We're more dialed in to '80s acts like Van Halen and George Thorogood," who are playing Nov. 3 at the Bradley Center and Dec. 2 at Potawatomi Bingo Casino, respectively. WLTQ is promoting both those shows.
DuChaine says that customers he's encountered at his store who enjoy both alternative and mainstream rock are mainly pleased with WLTQ's new format. They are, he says, "an equal mix of music fans who either miss the music from that era or missed out on it."
Just like any other decade, DuChaine says, the '80s produced innovative and not-so-innovative acts.
"But both kinds created lots of memories and influence, and that's why their songs are still with us today."
|
| |
This Week:
No shows scheduled this week.
Click on the LIVE DATES link for upcoming shows |
Item Of The Month:
|
