Worst To First: The Best Of Z100
• Finally… the colorful history of the legendary Z100/New York has now been committed to video as a feature-length documentary, to the eternal delight of us radio geeks everywhere. Worst to First: The True Story of Z100 New York documents how Scott Shannon created one of the most successful radio stations and formats in the history of the business, and in the span of 74 days in 1983, Shannon propelled Secaucus, NJ-based Z100 from “Worst to First,” going on to dominate the New York market for 39 years.
Worst To First is a collaborative labor of love between Shannon, now doing mornings on Audacy Classic Hits WCBS-FM/New York, and Elvis Duran, who has anchored the Z100 morning show for the past 26 years. Sure, technically they are competitors, but the two have formed a lasting friendship built on mutual respect and admiration.
“What Scott Shannon did — taking a little swamp-based radio station and making it the greatest radio station in America — is the stuff of legend,” said Duran. “Everyone in radio should know this story. I’m happy I had the chance to team with Scott and share this tale with the world.” Shannon said, “At first I thought the documentary was a crazy idea and I’m still a little suspicious. I’d like to thank Elvis for participating in this labor of love because I know he thought it was a wacky idea too!”
Worst to First was directed, written and produced by Mitchell Stuart and produced by Trish Hunter Shannon, Elvis Duran, David Katz and John McConnell and features appearances by Shannon and Duran, “Magic” Matt Alan, “Professor” Jonathan B. Bell, Frankie Blue, Anita Bonita, Ross Brittain, Pete Cosenza, Michael Ellis, Gavin DeGraw, Cathy Donovan, Gary Fisher, Frank Foti, Sean “Hollywood” Hamilton, David Hinckley, Donnie Ienner, Jim Kerr, Steve Kingston, Ken Lane, Kenny Laguna, Jimi LaLumia, Tom Poleman, Geraldo Rivera, Trish Hunter Shannon, Patty Steele, Claire Stevens, Mitchell Stuart, John Sykes and Jim Wood, as well as Jon Bon Jovi, Nile Rodgers, Clive Davis, Debbie Gibson, Joan Jett, Taylor Dayne, and more. Naturally, “Radio’s Best Friend,” Art Vuolo, contributed a bunch of vintage video.
Worst To First premieres tomorrow, February 11, on VOD platforms including iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, and Microsoft. It will also be available on cable platforms like InDemand (Comcast, Spectrum, Charter, Cox, Frontier, etc.) and DirectTV. Watch the amazing trailer below:
