WBCN-FM 1968 - 2009
On the night of March 15, 1968, WBCN-FM began broadcasting as "The American Revolution," with its first song being "I Feel Free," by the group Cream. At first, this new format was only heard on radios throughout Boston during the overnight hours, but in mid-May 1968, WBCN went full-time. In addition to its progressive rock format, WBCN began supporting alternative news reporting and such novel concepts as "Lock Up," a program for prison inmates, health warnings about the hazards of street drugs, a lost pet-finding service called the "Cat and Dog Report," a travelers' aid service called the "Travelers' Friend," live updates on the traffic problems at Woodstock, and by 1970, live-to-air concert broadcasts.
On the night of March 15, 1968, WBCN-FM began broadcasting as "The American Revolution," with its first song being "I Feel Free," by the group Cream. At first, this new format was only heard on radios throughout Boston during the overnight hours, but in mid-May 1968, WBCN went full-time. In addition to its progressive rock format, WBCN began supporting alternative news reporting and such novel concepts as "Lock Up," a program for prison inmates, health warnings about the hazards of street drugs, a lost pet-finding service called the "Cat and Dog Report," a travelers' aid service called the "Travelers' Friend," live updates on the traffic problems at Woodstock, and by 1970, live-to-air concert broadcasts.
Forty-one years later, on July 14, 2009, the eventual owner of WBCN, CBS, announced it would be closing the station on August 13, 2009, to help make room for an "all sports" Boston FM outlet.
This page is dedicate to the WBCN family, including all of those who worked at the station, all of those who listened to the station, and all of those who may have missed the opportunity to have heard radio that made a difference.
Send your photos, audio clips, memorabilia, news accounts, or film or video related to WBCN to LCM@LCMedia.com for inclusion in this archives, and please leave your rememberances below.
(Thanks to Dan Beach and Wikipedia.)
R.I.P., WBCN (Who Really Killed the Radio Star?)
by Charles P. Pearce, Boston Globe, August 30, 2009
by Charles P. Pearce, Boston Globe, August 30, 2009
Rebirth of WBCN on HD Radio
Sirius Buzz August 18, 2009
Sirius Buzz August 18, 2009
Charles Laquidara and Danny Schechter regarding
WBCN's closing on public radio's "Hear and Now"
August 14, 2009
WBCN's closing on public radio's "Hear and Now"
August 14, 2009
"WBCN and the American Revolution"
by Bill Lichtenstein
Huffington Post, August 11, 2008
by Bill Lichtenstein
Huffington Post, August 11, 2008
"The Glory Days of The Rock of Boston"
by Bill Lichtenstein
by Bill Lichtenstein
Boston Globe Op-Ed July 18, 2009
"RIP Big Mattress, WBCN" by Howie Carr
Boston Herald July 19, 2009
"WBCN's Glory Days" by Sarah Rodman
Boston Globe July 17, 2009
News of WBCN's Closing (YouTube)
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Bill Lichtenstein's documentary film project
My parents remember quite well this station and they always have great words about it.
Posted by: Asus Gaming Laptop | August 30, 2011 at 08:34 AM
The modern stations should take a similar initiative and evolve it.
Posted by: BlackBerry For Sale | August 30, 2011 at 08:32 AM
Guess everything will come to an end eventually, right?
Posted by: Graco DuoGlider Double Stroller | August 22, 2011 at 03:55 PM
I used to love this station.
Posted by: Next Generation iPad | August 02, 2011 at 05:09 AM
What a pity and we should thank all the employees at the station for a great, long service.
Posted by: Kindle for Sale | August 02, 2011 at 05:07 AM