I don't know much about the history of FM radio, except that for it's inception in the late 60's and early 70's, it was supposedly a bastion of free-form wackiness that was a relief from the mundane format of AM radio dreck. This view of FM was perpetuated over the decades by "Rock Critics" (remember them?) and so-called "hip" D.J. 's, until it became generally accepted that FM music stations, especially the "Rock" stations, were far superior to anything an AM station had to offer.
As a sidebar, I would like to note, that in my personal opinion, music sounds much more pure when listened to on an AM station. I recently heard the song "Jumpin Jack Flash" under optimal conditions on an AM station, and could detect small subtle nuances I had never picked up on before. Whether or not the mix of the song played on this particular station was mono or stereo, is open to debate, and the whole "mono vs. stereo" struggle is another issue for another time.
"OK, so what is he going on about?"
Indeed, but in this case, perhaps "what" is not the appropriate word, but "WHY"?
Why do terrestrial FM "rock" stations still exist? I mean, who in their right mind still listens to this shite? "Classic Rock" stations, if any still exist, are a joke: pounding the same tired songs into the ground, and then regarding more modern (ie, the 80's) crap as "new classics". Have you heard the news? There's good rockin' tonight, featuring "Bon Jovi", Billy Idol, and the same Aerosmith song we played yesterday! Apparently, according to radio "consultants", people feel safer when on familar listening ground.
Whatever happened to...?
Ever hear of a guy called Elvis Presley? How about Chuck Berry? Buddy Holly? The decade that was the 50's has all but vanished from any form of FM music stations. The so-called "oldies" stations have apparently deemed that era of rock and roll not suitable for today's music listener. And don't look now, the 60's just made the chopping block, unless it's to play a "Light my fire" for the zillionth time.
Back Catalogue?
The Beatles and The Rolling Stones are generally regarded to have a few decent songs in their repertoires. So why on bloody earth do these facacta stations keep the same songs in their playlists? Hey, I like "Start me up" as much as the next guy, but how about something a bit more obscure, like for instance, "Satisfaction"?
It sounds different
Subtle censorship abounds! Remember the song by The Who (no jokes, please) "Who are you?". For years, that sucker was a radio staple, and it contained a naughty word. Yes, the "F" word. Right around 2001, as far as I can figure, it was edited out, and in fact until recently, the entire third verse of the song was omitted. Call Ripley's on that one. Another radio standby, "Mama Kin" , by Arrowsmith, used to contain another naughty word that rhymes with "hit". Gone, gone, gone, as if by magic, and a bad edit to boot.
I suppose I should wrap this up
Dear friends, I am merely scratching the surface as to my disdain at the state of modern FM radio. I could say a million things about talk radio, but my driver is double parked and the girls are waiting for me at the club. Stay tuned to this blog for much more vital information that will come eventually. "say la vee"!
