New clips from CKOC, CHEX & CKPT uploaded here. Scroll to the bottom of the linked page

The Boston area was fertile ground for Top 40 stations on FM during the early 70’s. There were a number of them experimenting with the format. Experimenting is the right word as these Top 40 stations and others throughout the country featured wider playlists and were more influenced by the FM Free Form and AOR stations than their AM counterparts. Hallelujah by Sweathog and Starman by Bowie are two of the tracks featured and they did not get much AM airplay.

There were also stations playing oldies and a hip version of soft rock with artists such as Jackson Browne and Buffalo Springfield

The clip above features:

WBZ FM ( station ID at 7:48).

WEEI FM ( DJ at 10:11).

I believe  one of the automated versions of  WROR FM ( DJ at 2:36 and 11:44).

You will also hear a bit of WHDH AM ( ID at 11:54) which had a MOR format and WEZE ( DJ at 12:18).

https://youtu.be/a2uq_rTNBmU

***A note to air check traders. Please do not record these air checks and try and trade. I have the original tapes many of which I recorded myself and thus the authenticity can not be in doubt and can be easily traced.

The first clip features Peter Griffin on CHUM FM from May 1975. The free form format was tightening and some hits had been placed into the rotation but the station had still not converted to a pure album rock format and what you will hear on this air check is  an outlet in transition from a progressive free form format to something more structured.

One interesting side note about this air check. The announcers featured on the commercials were all there during the free form heyday. You will hear David Marsden promoting a club during the first break and also Walter Michaels right after him and both of them were no longer at the station. David Marsden had left just two months before. Jim Bauer is featured during the second break and Brian Master is heard on the last break.

The second clip features Dani Elwell and Steve Jackson on CKFM from December 1985, A big thanks to Dani for identifying her partner on this clip. The clip is from a Saturday night dance music show.  There is some overlap with the music heard on CFNY at the time. A long clip with some “Hot Spot” updates from clubs around the city. This was early in Dani’s  professional career while she was still attending Ryerson College.

Part one from both these air checks can be heard here