WHFS Top 99.1 of 1997

1997 saw the continued transformation of WHFS in a more Generation-X direction. Its staff was primarily of Generation X -- born between 1961 and 1982 -- with one notable exception: Weasel. And by 1997 the 17 age cohorts that comprise WHFS's 18 to 34 age demographic were completely of the Generation X birth years.

The year saw the second of the Just Passin' Thru CDs, arguably the best of the lot and certainly this blogger's favorite.

The alternative music itself had changed as well. It was less guitar-based and more electronic, sometimes more pop-ish, and sometimes with a harder edge. It was also a big year for swing, led by groups such as the Mighty Mighty Boss Tones, who broke big that year.

Some have criticized HFS for "going pop" in those days. While the complaints have some merit, the effect seems to have been at least as much generational in nature as business decision (which itself was made by increasingly Generation-X station management). And WHFS 99.1 did maintain its creative edge that other alternative stations of the day lacked, through its highly stable program staff, several of whom had been with the station while the Einstein brothers still worked there.

The Top 99.1 begins with Bob Waugh opining that 1997 was "not a great year for music, but it was a pretty good year." He carried the program through the first 20 songs. Weasel came in around number 80, in an uncharacteristically quiet hand-off, and he carried the show until number 40, at which point Jonny Riggs (sans Auggh!) took over and finished off the countdown. Then Tom came in and produced a couple hours of radio, featuring a few decidedly decadent stories (e.g. How to be Suave). Just before the tape's end, Tom handed things over the Mark the Alien. His last words: "here, take this pack of matches, and follow my instructions."

Yet it is still HFS and the Top 99.1, and in retrospective I find myself wishing I had loaded a third tape ...

WHFS Top 99.1 of 1997 -1- Bob Waugh, Top 99.1 to 84.mp3
WHFS Top 99.1 of 1997 -2- Top 83 to 71.mp3
WHFS Top 99.1 of 1997 -3- Weasel, Top 70 to 59.mp3
WHFS Top 99.1 of 1997 -4- Top 58 to 46.mp3
WHFS Top 99.1 of 1997 -5- Top 45 to 30.mp3
WHFS Top 99.1 of 1997 -6- Top 29 to 18.mp3 
WHFS Top 99.1 of 1997 -7- Top 17 to Number One.mp3
WHFS Top 99.1 of 1997 -8- Johnny Riggs.mp3
WHFS Top 99.1 of 1997 -9- Tom.mp3 
WHFS Top 99.1 of 1997 -A- Top 9 at 9.mp3

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--jkw