A MCRFB news brief:
BIG BAND FORMAT SCRAPPED FOR FORMER BIG 8 CKLW-AM SOUND
DETROIT — A big chunk of top 40 Canadian/Motor City radio history comes to life at CKLW-FM Detroit (formerly CKEZ), where the “Big 8” format was reinstated last week (May 12). Developed by Bill Drake (as in Drake-Chenault) , the format ran on CKLW-AM when it ranked, with WLS Chicago and WABC New York, as one of the three most-listened-to radio stations in North America at one time.
That was back in the late 1960s, and CKLW-FM program director morning man Dave Shafer says he is aiming primarily in the 35-40 demo that grew up on the Motown-based format. It appears the return of the “Big Eight” may draw that demo’s children as well. “Already, after just a week,” say Shafer, “we can tell that the younger demos are here.”
Few, if any, jock changes are expected, says Shafer, although he says he’s been chatting with a few original format jocks. The “Big 8” by the way, refers to CKLW’s position on the dial. END.
(Information and news source: Billboard; May 24, 1986).
I remember hearing this Paul Revere hit Don’t Take it so Hard on American Bandstand or another teen program in 1968. I lived in Cleveland and primarily had WIXY or WKYC on the radio. We would take 80 mile rides every weekend to our weekend cottage and mobile home. I started listening to CKLW some that year after picking up. Detroit News going to the motor city that summer. By 1969 I heard the History Of Rock and Roll. It helped me become a regular listener.