FM The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio by Richard Neer

This extensive collection of text provides an insider's historical look at the evolution of rock radio, particularly focusing on the shift from AM to FM broadcasting and the rise of progressive, free-form rock stations like WNEW-FM. The narrative details the cultural significance of FM radio in introducing new consciousness into mainstream media, contrasting its quieter, more revolutionary nature with the AM band's focus on structured Top Forty hits and the early challenges of the music industry's payola corruption. Furthermore, the excerpts offer personal anecdotes from the author's own journey in radio, including his attempts to secure a job at WNEW-FM and the volatile, drug-fueled, yet creative atmosphere that defined the lives and careers of prominent DJs like Scott Muni, Rosko, and Alison Steele. Ultimately, the source charts the clash between artistic freedom and corporate pressure that led to the eventual formatting and decline of free-form radio.