‘STEREO ISLAND’ FOUND on 100.3 on the DIAL: A WKNR FM ‘PAMS’ JINGLE PACKAGE, 1971

Audio digitally remastered by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

In 1971, WKNR-FM shifted from its progressive rock format to “Stereo Island,” a blend of Beautiful Music and Middle of the Road styles, foreshadowing what would later be known as Soft Adult Contemporary. This transition proved successful, inspiring others like WFMK in Lansing, Michigan. By early 1972, both WKNR and WKNR-FM were sold. On April 25, 1972, at 8:00 a.m., WKNR-FM bid farewell to the Stereo Island format, rebranding as WNIC and WNIC FM. They began simulcasting a straightforward Beautiful Music format, with the call letters “WNIC” chosen to reflect the station’s commitment to “NICe” music. In 1976, WNIC embraced (48 years ago) a more lively tone dubbed “Rock ‘n’ Easy,” eventually evolving into its current (and much successful) adult contemporary format, a status those same call letters still maintains today.

Partial information, presented in this post, was obtained from credited source: WNIC Wikipedia

The featured WKNR Stereo Island Jingle PAMS package is licensed, property of JAM, Incorporated. The PAMS logo and brand is licensed and marketed by JAM Productions, Dallas.

NEW! WKNR FM-WNIC FM BACK ON THE RADIO: JIM CUTLER, APRIL 25, 1972

NEW! A special THANK YOU to our friend, Jim Nuznoff, of Port Charlotte, Florida, for this recent contribution for our Motor City Radio Flashbacks airchecks repository.

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At 7:54 a.m., Tuesday morning, April 25, 1972, ‘Stereo Island’ WKNR-FM morning personality Jim Cutler stated without explanation that it was “an important day in the Motor City” and, with that, moments later said a final goodbye and closed a chapter in Detroit radio history with a final song, “Poem For My Little Lady,” by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition.

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Jim writes (January 9, 2024) — “On the date noted on this aircheck, WKNR FM transitioned to WNIC-FM. I did simultaneously had recorded as well, the WKNR-AM to WNIC-AM at the approximate time when the transition took place. But, unfortunately, it was ruined by someone at the studio who threw the wrong switch. That action resulted in several seconds of dead air. Insofar as the AM side, I no longer have that ‘WKNR to WNIC’ tape today.” –Jim Neznoff

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Newly restored! This selected audio recording was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.

WKNR FM! RUSS GIBB, BACK ON THE RADIO: JULY 1969

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Russ Gibb, WKNR FM underground DJ and Detroit rock & roll visionary extraordinaire, passed away at the age of 87 on April 30, 2019.

In the featured aircheck, Russ Gibb interviews Jeff Beck on his Saturday mid-afternoon show. Inasmuch, Beck was billed to perform at the Grande Ballroom that same night. On another note, and across town as well, Creedence Clearwater Revival was to take the stage at the Olympia at 8:30 p.m.

In wake of his passing, the Detroit Free Press highlighted his career as a WKNR FM broadcaster, rock promoter, and ultimately, as an instructor/teacher in the Dearborn area. In remembrance of Russ Gibb, you can read the article online, here.

This is our very first Russ Gibb inclusion (the first of two) for the site’s Aircheck repository. A nameless donor, in sharing this recording, expressed complete anonymity. The said donor has made two audio contributions, here and here. He resides elsewhere outside the State of Michigan today.

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Audio was digitally remastered by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

**WKNR-FM Russ Gibb**, circa 1969 (Detroit Free Press file photo)

WKNR FM: ‘WHERE IS PAUL?’ JOHN SMALL PHONES JOHN LENNON, OCTOBER 1969

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It was the proverbial question raised by John Small, which he posed to John Lennon (via telephone), who was in London at the time. It was October of 1969. Three days after Russ Gibb fueled the rumor when WKNR FM aired his controversial two hour program, The Beatle Plot’ in his Sunday show, October 19, 1969.

In this radio interview with John Small, Lennon said that the rumor was “insane” but good publicity for Abbey Road (he further explains in the interview).

Last Friday (October 28) Motor City Radio Flashbacks featured an extension of the extremely rare and controversial WKNR program, ‘The Beatle Plot’. John Small, in collaboration with Russ Gibb and Dan Carlysle, shared their perspective, clues, and insights from their own ‘investigation’ they collective shared of the very question they raised on the night of October 19, Is Paul McCartney Dead?

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NOTE: In the event you may have missed our featured presentation — ‘Is Paul McCartney Dead? The Beatle Plot’ — you can find it HERE.

REMEMBERING A WKNR FM RADIO LEGEND: RUSS GIBB

**Russ Gibb** circa 1969 *(Photo courtesy the Detroit Free Press files)*

Russ Gibb – 1931-2019

Russ Gibb — Detroit rock visionary, schoolteacher and ‘Paul is dead’ prankster — dies at 87

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Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press Published 11:26 p.m. ET April 30, 2019 | Updated 2:36 p.m. ET May 1, 2019

(For the complete story click on the Detroit Free Press article/link highlighted above)

NEW! WKNR BACK ON THE RADIO: J. MICHAEL WILSON

**WKNR RECALLED ON MOTOR CITY RADIO FLASHBACKS**

**WKNR-FM 100.3 * 1966 * J. MICHAEL WILSON**

NEW! J. MICHAEL WILSON WKNR aircheck date: *September (12?) 1966

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* THE GARY HUNT COLLECTION *

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ABOUT THIS RECORDING

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This is one interesting J. Michael Wilson aircheck find which Motor City Radio Flashbacks contributor Gary Hunt recently donated for our airchecks archives.

In listening in, this is not the best audio insofar as quality, as you will note. But it is the 10 p.m. night time hour. And you’re listening to the J. Michael Wilson Show in Detroit on WKNR in August 1966.

At first listen, I thought this aircheck probably had been recorded by someone who resided somewhere possibly east of the Detroit map at the time. As we know, the 1310 transmitted signal was deficient during the night time hours after sundown east of the city.

So I wrote back to Gary in regards, and here was his response, “the J. Michael Wilson aircheck was recorded at my best friend’s (Bob Becker) house on Covell Road N.W. Grand Rapids, MI via his TV antenna two stories high on the roof. This was from WKNR FM.”

Amazing. So there you have it. Another rare, but a classic J. Michael Wilson aircheck found, as was aired on the #1 radio station in the Motor City in 1966.

THANK YOU!

A special THANK YOU to Gary Hunt for sharing this special J. Michael Wilson memory with Motor City Radio Flashbacks.

(Next week! Another NEW Gary Hunt WXYZ Jim Hampton aircheck from August 1966)

A MCRFB Note: Motor City Radio Flashbacks pulled up the WKNR Music Guide for the week of *September 12, 1966. And it appears the numbered song hits on this one WKNR JMW aircheck verifies it was recorded sometime during that particular week, as noted, for this aircheck presentation.

J. MICHAEL WILSON 1966

WKNR DETROIT RADIO: ’72 NEWSPAPER AD FLASHBACK

Sunday, January 09, 1972

A DETROIT RADIO BACK-PAGE AD

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DETROIT FREE PRESS: “WKNR AM/FM PRESENTS”

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WKNR DETROIT RADIO: ’72 NEWSPAPER AD FLASHBACK

Sunday, February 20, 1972

A DETROIT RADIO BACK-PAGE AD

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DETROIT FREE PRESS: “WKNR AM/FM PRESENTS”

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WKNR DETROIT RADIO: ’72 NEWSPAPER AD FLASHBACK

Sunday, March 12, 1972

A DETROIT RADIO BACK-PAGE AD

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DETROIT FREE PRESS: “WKNR AM/FM PRESENTS”

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DETROIT 1972 WNIC AM 1310 NEWSPAPER FLASHBACK

Tuesday, April 25, 1972

A DETROIT RADIO BACK-PAGE

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DETROIT FREE PRESS: WNIC-AM “Format Change for WNIC To Take Middle of Road”

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