KROQ Sets Wayback Machine To ’80s

• Entercom’s World Famous KROQ/Los Angeles announced the return of its original “ROQ of the ’80s” format. The 1980s rock-centric radio station, under the loving command of KROQ vet Gene Sandbloom, launched Sept. 4 on Radio.com and KROQ-HD2 with a “Flashback 500” countdown, featuring classic hits from the artists and bands that helped make KROQ world famous, like U2, Blondie, Duran Duran and Nine Inch Nails, etc., along with beloved KROQ on-air alumni Freddy Snakeskin and Tami Heide, highlighted by original station imaging.

Jeff Federman, SVP/Market Manager of Entercom Los Angeles commented, “KROQ came to prominence in the early ’80s and we are excited to honor the iconic station with the launch of ‘ROQ of the ’80s.’ This new channel will give fans the opportunity to relive the station as it sounded then, while exposing new consumers to the magic of early Alternative music.”

RAMP checked in with Sandbloom to discuss the welcome relaunch of this groundbreaking format that became the foundation of today’s Alternative radio, and the effect KROQ had on him as a young man. “When I first heard KROQ in 1978, I literally changed my major in college to broadcasting,” Sandbloom told RAMP. “From the music to the imaging to the DJs, it was non-stop mayhem. So when Jeff Federman, Chris Ebbott and Kevin Weatherly asked if I’d like to bring it back, I told them I would be honored. There is so much great music from the ’80s that was exclusive to KROQ.”