WRKS-FM

WRKS-FM better known as 98.7 Kiss FM is an Urban Adult Contemporary radio station in New York. Emmis Broadcasting currently owns the station. It is one of the top rated staions in the city. Kiss FM's broadcast transmitter is on top of the Empire State Building.

History

WXLO-FM had very low ratings in 1980. RKO General who owned the station decided to target WBLS-FM's urban audience by bringing in new program director Barry Mayo. He actually suggested a new format for the station to then-general manager Lee S. Simonson. The station's new urban format was designated in August of 1981 as WRKS (98.7 Kiss FM). WBLS was very worried about the new station since they had no real competition. Kiss-FM played a great deal of R&B and Dance music in the early days. The station was in the top five ratings in the early 1980's. Around mid-1983 DJ Red Alert started his mix show that included underground rap music. In the fall of 1983 Kiss was the first station to play rap music regularly. WBLS responded to the rivalry by hiring Mr. Magic to conduct a weekend rap show which took the station to number three that same year and beat out Kiss FM. By 1984 altough Kiss was not black-owned, they promoted Barry Mayo as the first black general manager in the RKO radio chain. During that same year the station's format evolved into a hip hop sound. RKO General continued to own Kiss until June 26, 1989 when the station was sold to the Summit Communications Group of Atlanta. Several radio stations began to use the moniker "Kiss FM" name as well as the format. For years Kiss FM was on the top of the Arbitron ratings due to its hip hop-influenced format. It was also the home of the famous Wake-Up Club and Wendy Williams morning show Wendy & Company. In 1994 WQHT-FM (Hot 97) changed formats from Dance music to strictly rap which put them into a rivalry with Kiss. Emmis Broadcasting which owned Hot 97 agreed to purchase Kiss FM from Summit in December 1994. This formed the market's first FM duopoly. Notable DJ's such as Wendy Williams (now on WBLS) and Red Alert (previously returned to Kiss and now heard on WWPR-FM) moved from Kiss FM to Hot 97. Hot 97 continued with its new format and Kiss was now focusing on an Urban Adult Contemporary format which really tightened the competition with WBLS-FM. 98.7 Kiss FM is a world renowned urban contemporary station. In 1999 Kiss FM switched to more current R&B. This is the mother station for hip hop and R&B.

For those of you who want 98.7 Kiss FM's rap format to return go to emmis.com

Most Notable Disc Jockeys at 98.7 KISS FM

• Jeff Foxx (1987–1995, 2003-present)
• Carol Ford (1987–1995)
• Wendy Williams (1990–1994)
• Ken Webb (1984–1995)
• Mike Love (1987–1990)
• Charile Burger (1981–1985)
• Dahved Levy (1989–1994)
• Yvonne Mobley (1981–1994)
• Ashford & Simpson (1995–1999)
• Roberta Flack (1995–1999)
• Isaac Hayes (1996–2001)
• Michael Baisden (2003-present)
• Tanya Simpson (1997-present)
• Shaila Chateuse (1994-present)
• DJ Red Alert (1983–1994, 2000–2002)
• Frankie Crocker (1998–2000)
• Jerry Young (1987–1990)
• Tony Quartarone (1982–1986)
• Mary Thomas (1981-?)
• B.J. Steele (1990–1991)
• Wanda Ramos (1981–1983)
• Jeff Troy (1981)
• Bob Slade (1981-present)
• Barry Mayo (1981, promoted to Vice President of Kiss FM in 1984)
• Rob Crocker (1986–1989)

98.7 Kiss FM's 25th Birthday Party in 2006

Next year in August 2006 will mark Kiss FM's 25th birthday! Anyone interested in the historic birthday party including past pictures and logos as well as their greatest hits from 1981 to present should contact Vice President Barry Mayo at (212) 242–9870. An overwhelming response will persuade him to conduct the party.

98.7 Kiss FM's current disc jockey lineup

• Monday – Friday 6 AM – 10 AM

Wake Up Club with Jeff Foxx and Shaila

• Monday – Friday 10 AM – 3 PM

Kesha Monk

• Monday – Friday 3 PM – 7 PM

Michael Baisden

• Monday – Friday 7 PM – 2 AM

Monday – Thursday: Kissing After Dark with Lenny Green

• Friday 7 PM – 12 Midnight: Kissing After Dark with Lenny Green
• Saturday 12 Midnight – 3 AM: Midnight Mix with Daryl James
• Tuesday – Saturday 2 AM – 6 AM

Fred "Bugsy" Buggs

• Sunday 12 Midnight – 5 AM

Kiss Club Classics – with Ruben Toro

• Sunday 5 AM – 10 AM
• Kiss Inspirations – with Nicole Brown
• Sunday 10 AM – 12 Noon

Open Line with Bob Slade, Bob Pickett and James Mtume

• Sunday 12 Noon – 4 PM

Rhythm Revue with Felix Hernandez – classic soul and r&b Rhythm Revue Official Website

• Sunday 4 PM – 10 PM

Mike Shannon

• Sunday 10 PM – 11 PM

Soul Beginnings with Bob Slade

• Sunday 11PM – 12 Midnight

Week in Review with Bob Slade

Management

• General Manager – Barry Mayo
• Operations Manager – John Mullen
• Program Director – Toya Beasley
• Music Director – Julie Gustines
• General Sales Manager – Keith Crystal

References and Links

• 98.7 Kiss Fm's Official Website
• New York Radio Guide
• Hip Hop Music Site
• Emmis Communications Official Website
• History of Urban Contemporary