1982 in radio

The year 1982 in radio involved some significant events.

Events

• After 22 years as a Top 40 music station, WABC-AM in New York City changes to talk radio on May 10, 1982.
• KBOX in Dallas, Texas drops its longtime call sign to become KMEZ and simulcast the beautiful music format of their sister station KMEZ-FM.
• KENR in Dallas, Texas drops country music for news/talk as "The Radio Magazine." By November, the station would flip once again, this time to adult contemporary.
• WBBM-FM Chicago debuts its long-running Top 40 format, beginning as a Hot Hits station called "96 Now!" In September, WHYT Detroit also goes Hot Hits and is also known as "96 Now!"
• The year brings two other significant format changes in Detroit - ailing Top 40 station WDRQ experiences a ratings surge after adjusting its format to urban contemporary that summer, and WABX jettisons its long-running album-oriented/progressive rock format for a New Wave-based CHR format called "Hot Rock."
• KMEL morning host Alex Bennett moves to upstart rival KQAK in August.

Debuts

• Ruth Bennett, mother of KMEL morning host Alex Bennett, begins as host of weekly Kamel Album Countdown on the station, allegedly becoming the world's oldest album-oriented rock disc jockey. A few months later, her son leaves the station.

Closings

Births

Deaths

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