WLUM-FM 102.1 Milwaukee Past Listens
Listening to previous incarnations of WLUM-FM before its sale to K-Love Inc.
Last month, K-Love, Inc. announced its latest acquisition for its rapidly expanding K-Love and Air1 networks: AC WLDB 93.3 “B93.3” and modern rock WLUM-FM 102.1 in Milwaukee. The current formats on both stations are slated to conclude in October. The purchase means WLUM-FM will join a growing list of stations with heritage call letters whose local identities are being retired to accommodate one of K-Love’s national formats.
This trend has become familiar in the industry, with numerous established local brands having been replaced. Notable examples include WPLJ 95.5 New York, KKLQ 100.3 Los Angeles, WLUP-FM 97.9 Chicago, WRQX 107.3 Washington, WAAF 107.3 Boston, KLTY 94.9 Dallas/Fort Worth, WFSH-FM 104.7 Atlanta, KPRI 102.1 San Diego, WTSS 102.5 Buffalo, WFHM-FM 95.5 Cleveland, KRTY 95.3 San Jose, WABB-FM 97.5 Mobile, WPFM 107.9 Panama City, WRCK 107.3 Utica/Rome, and KSLY-FM 96.1 San Luis Obispo.
While K-Love frequently receives criticism in these transactions, it is worth noting that they are only able to purchase stations from willing sellers. Although the change signifies the end of a local brand in favor of a national signal relay, the network successfully produces a format that resonates strongly enough with listeners to generate consistent financial support through donations.
As WLUM-FM’s final day approaches, we turn our attention to celebrating and reflecting on some of its memorable past programming.
November 1993 | “Hot 102”
The WLUM-FM calls debuted in the late 1970s when 102.1 began a disco format. For the next decade and a half, WLUM-FM ran R&B, top 40, and rhythmic top 40 formats.
This aircheck comes from a Saturday night in November 1993 during its “Hot 102” days. The aircheck is audio from WLUM-FM’s “Saturday Night Street Party” mix show. Among the songs mixed together:
2Pac (featuring Digital Underground) | “I Get Around”
Ice Cube | “Really Doe”
Salt-N-Pepa | “Shoop”
Eric B. & Rakim | “Eric B. Is President”
Snoop Dogg | “What’s My Name”
The Gap Band | “Outstanding”
Mista Grimm | “Indo Smoke”
Leaders Of The New School | “What’s Next”
Cypress Hill (featuring Kurupt) | “Here Is Something You Can’t Understand”
Zhane | “Hey Mister DJ”
In 1994, WLUM-FM evolved from top 40 “Hot 102” to modern rock, converting to “New Rock 102.1” in October. In mid-1998, it moved to an AAA-ish rock format that lasted a half a year as it shifted to active rock “Rock 102-1” by year-end. WLUM-FM evolved back to modern rock in 2002.
August 2004 | “Rock 102One”
When WLUM-FM moved from active rock back to modern rock in 2002, it maintained the “Rock 102One” brand. It still had that handle when this audio was recorded in August 2004.
August 2006 | “FM102-1”
In July 2006, WLUM-FM rebranded as “FM102-1, Independent. Alternative. Radio.” and made a slight format adjustment to include a bit of indie rock. This aircheck is a month into the new brand.
October 2011 | “FM102-1”
For the last aircheck, we fast forward 5 years to the final evolution of the modern rock format that ran until this month.
As always, the logos and other intellectual property belong to the stations. The recordings were made from over the air broadcasts. Similarly, other data (charts, ratings, etc.) belong to their respective owners.