Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

(famous WMMS bumper sticker--surely a collector's item!)



Today's Hidden Gem: WMMS 100.7 FM


Cleveland IS the Rock and Roll Capital of the world!


We are lucky to have a plethora of radio stations ranging from rock to country to hip hop and back again which showcase a group of the most entertaining DJ's around! Each station has contributed to Cleveland's unyielding Rock and Roll Legacy!


One of the stations that surely brought Cleveland to its music prowess, in my opinion, was 100.7 WMMS!


Apparently I'm not the only one who feels this way! The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum will be opening a new exhibit Friday, August 29th, commemorating the 40th anniversary of WMMS which is called 'WMMS: A Cleveland Legend Turns 40."


This exhibit opens Friday on the third floor of the Rock Hall.


WMMS hit the airwaves on September 28, 1968 and took the music industry by storm. Radio, Rock and Roll, and Cleveland have never been the same.


WMMS has a rich history of influential deejays including Denny Sanders, "Kid Leo," "Matt the Cat," "Len 'Boom Boom' Goldberg," Jeff and Flash, Billy Bass, John Gorman, Ruby Cheeks, Betty Korvan, Murray Saul, Steve Lushbaugh, Rover, Bill Freeman, T.R. and Dia Stein....just to name a few. The list is endless, really!


If you don't know what dial it's on or even recognize many of the booming voices, everyone is familiar with the notable mascot, The Buzzard!


Through the years, WMMS has racked up award after award including the prestigious honor of "Radio Station of the Year" 9 years in a row --an honor the readers of Rolling Stone Magazine bestowed on them!


WMMS was the leader in FIRSTS!! They opened the door for so many rock and roll artists including Springsteen, Rush and Roxy Music...


Jeff and Flash's "Buzzard Morning Zoo" lead the pack in morning radio....


And The Coffee Break Concert Series gave the audience a live performance mixed in with live interviews of their favorite bands....


Though there have been a number of changes over the years from deejays to owners, even to the formatting, WMMS has stayed one of the top Rock Stations in town!


Just tune into 100.7 FM....visit the new Rock Hall Exhibit.....or read up on the history of WMMS (including 'The Buzzard' by John Gorman with Tom Feran) and you, too, will see why WMMS is this week's Hidden Gem!



Information supplied by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, WMMS website and growing up a Clevelander!!!