Welcome Back, Bob Shannon and WCBS-FM
Today, at 1:01 PM, WCBS-FM (101.1) in NYC ditches JACK-FM and goes back to the great oldies format that NYers treasured for so many years. Well, sort of – it’ll be updated to include the best of the ’60s, ’70s, and now, ’80s as well, and will have "the biggest in New York," according to Program Director Brian Thomas. (For more insight about the switch, visit our good friend JB over at The Hits Just Keep On Comin’.)
But the best part is that Bob Shannon will be back on the air, every day from 10 AM – 3 PM. If you’ve been around here for a while, you’ll know that Bob was one of the very first fans of this website, highlighting my Michael McDonald obsession and even making the colossal mistake of having me call-in during the program. Bob is a genuinely nice guy, and I’m giddy over the fact that he’s returning to where he belongs. (Read his emotional post about returning to the building.)
So long, JACK. I will miss you. I think you’re a great format (I especially loved "Acoustic Sunrise"), and you belong in NY…just not at 101.1.
Congratulations, Bob and to all fans of WCBS-FM!
July 12th, 2007 at 7:57 am
Wonderful, wonderful news!!!!! NYers over the age of 40 will all agree with me. I’m calling the wife on the cell right now. Burn in hell, Jack.
July 12th, 2007 at 8:43 am
I was so relieved when I heard the news. I grew up in CT and there were many many many car rides into NYC with WCBS as the soundtrack. I admit that I used to give my dad a hard time when he insisted on putting on CBS and trying to sing along, but … it wasn’t the same around here without CBS.
Thanks for including a link to Bob Shannon’s post. It was quite touching.
July 12th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Hey, ya think he’ll be playing David Soul? Maybe you can do a Mellow Gold feature with him.
July 12th, 2007 at 9:45 am
I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I miss the oldies on CBS FM but on the other, I really like Jack. It’s pretty much the only station in this hip hop dominated area that played a decent selection of 80s rock. Maybe WPLJ should go Jack.
July 12th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
I grew up in Queens and Bob was like a good friend I could always count on so it’s great to hear that he’s back. That said, the Jack format is really refreshing and I hope it finds another home there. We still have it here in L.A.
July 13th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
I listened to WCBS-FM from the day it started, until June 3rd, 2005, when it was replaced by JACK-FM. The station had been such a part of my life for so long, when it was taken off the air, I was stunned and felt I had lost part of my family. When I heard. just a couple of days ago, that it was returning to its rightful spot on the airwaves, I didn’t know what to do. So, I cried.
After living in NJ all of our 55 years, last year my husband and I moved to PA. Yesterday, we drove for about 2 hours into NJ until we could pick up CBS, pulled over, and waited until 1:01 p.m., for its return. We knew we could stream it online, but that just wouldn’t have been the same. We are thrilled WCBS-FM is back where it belongs – the NY/Metro area loves its oldies! Too bad they are excluding the 50s and apparently the early 60s, hopefully, they will find some time in the schedule somewhere for the true "oldies" and my favorite era. But in the meantime, the "Boomers" have been vindicated, and congrats to WCBS-FM and Bob Shannon!
July 13th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Beautiful story, Bev. Thank you for sharing.
August 6th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Sorry but CBS 101.1 is nothing like it was. If you want the classic oldies – The only place to find them is at 1250AM WMTR or at WMTRAM.com. The Greatest Hits from the 50′, 60’s and 70’s.
April 27th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
what happened to bob shannon?Is he sick?sure do miss him
July 17th, 2012 at 9:18 am
bob shannon sick???not fair that nobody is saying anything…i emailed station DJs..and got mixed stories ..some say very ill..some say he will be back…tell us already…not fair too fans
July 17th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
Yes, it’s “not fair” that he’d want to keep his private life private.