KLLC

Infobox Radio station
name = KLLC-FM


city = San Francisco, California
area = San Francisco Bay Area
branding = "Alice @ 97.3"
slogan =
airdate = 1948
frequency = 97.3 (MHz) HD Radio
format = Modern AC
erp = 82,000 watts
haat = 309 meters
class = B
owner = CBS Radio
former_callsigns = KRQR (1982-1995)
KCBS-FM (1977-1982)
KEAR (1948-1977)

sister_stations = KCBS, KFRC, KITS, KMVQ, KYCY
"also part of CBS Corp. cluster: KPIX-TV and KBCW-TV"
webcast = [http://cbsplayer.streamtheworld.com/index.php?CALLSIGN=KLLCFM Listen Live]
website = [http://www.radioalice.com radioalice.com]
callsign_meaning = KL ALiCe

KLLC (97.3 FM, "Alice @ 97.3") is a commercial radio station located in San Francisco, California, broadcasting to the San Francisco Bay Area. KLLC airs a modern adult contemporary music format.

History

The 97.3 MHz frequency was home to Family Radio's KEAR since 1956. On September 13, 1978, Family Radio purchased a much stronger frequency, which saw KEAR and their format move to 106.9, as part of a three-way deal that also saw KCBS-FM move from 98.9 MHz to 97.3 MHz. KCBS-FM, now known as "97K", programmed an adult contemporary/Top 40 format. Over the years, the station evolved in more of a classic hits direction. For a time, they aired the syndicated "American Top 40".

In January 1982, KCBS became KRQR, "The Bay Area Rocker", with a hard album-oriented rock (AOR) format, to compete against leading rock station KMEL. KRQR's harder approach helped start a long run as a dominant rock station. The year was a busy one for Bay Area rock stations. In May of that year, KSFX dropped rock and went to a talk format as KGO-FM. A month later, on August 23, KQAK switched to rock as "The Quake". And in September, KFOG dropped beautiful music for a more eclectic mix of rock.

Even with four AOR stations in San Francisco, in addition to two more in San Jose, KRQR still dominated amidst the stiff competition. KQAK was the first to give up, dropped AOR in April 1983 [http://www.bayarearadio.org/audio/kqak/kqak_alex-bennett_aug-23-1982.shtml] and picking up modern rock. But KRQR and KFOG put lots of pressure on the tightly-formatted KMEL, which flipped to CHR in 1985.

KRQR's rock format continued throughout the 1980s and up to 1993, when they repositioned as a classic rock station. By 1995, the AOR format was in decline across the country, as modern rock was on the rise. Management responded by blowing up KRQR and introducing a new station, KLLC, "Alice 97.3".

Programming

The station's most popular show was "The Sarah and No Name Show", in weekday morning drive. It was hosted by Sarah Clark and Mike Nelson, a.k.a. "The DJ with No Name", who was let go by station management on July 17, 2008. The station has come under heavy criticism for the firing,Fact|date=September 2008 and continues to insist that their target demographic is women 25-54, despite evidence that many males in the same age group listen to and call the station. It was announced that Vinnie will re-team with Sarah on August 4, 2008. The show was formerly known as "Sarah and Vinnie", including Clark and Vinnie Hasson, then known as Vinnie Crackhorn, who was allegedly fired because of his problems with alcohol. [ [http://sfist.com/2008/07/17/alice_radios_no_name_booted_off_mor.php] ]

Weekdays at noon, the station features a program called "Retro in the Metro", which plays a variety of songs that were done before 2000, mostly 1980s music.

Off-air activities

The station sponsors 3 seasonal concerts each year - the free "Summerthing" show in June and the "Now and Zen Fest" in September, both in Golden Gate Park, and "Alice in Winterland" in December. Featured acts have included Alanis Morissette, Duran Duran, Five for Fighting, Smash Mouth, and Train. Recordings from the concerts and other live appearances on the station are collected into the annual "This is Alice Music" CD, which is sold to raise funds donated to Breast Cancer research and treatment charities.

ummerthing lineups

2008, Lifehouse, Ingrid Michaelson, The Last Goodnight, Marie Digby, Secondhand Serenade.

2007, Smash Mouth, Everclear, Mat Kearney.

2006, Cake, Missy Higgins, O.A.R..

2005, Hootie & the Blowfish, Jem, Better Than Ezra.

2004, Smash Mouth, Five For Fighting, Berlin, Gavin DeGraw.

2003, Luce, Mary Gray.

Now and Zen Fest lineups

2008, Sara Bareilles, Gavin DeGraw, Sugar Ray, and Duffy.

2007, James Blunt, Joss Stone, and Gin Blossoms.

2006, The B-52's, Blue October, Augustana, Gnarls Barkley, Carbon Leaf.

2005, Maroon 5, Duran Duran, Josh Kelley, Natasha Bedingfield.

2004, Howie Day, Dashboard Confessional, Tears for Fears.

2003, Duran Duran, Liz Phair, Seal, Maroon 5

2002, Train, India.Arie The Wallflowers, Aimee Mann

2001, Alanis Morissette, Macy Gray, Melissa Etheridge

2000, Dogstar, Tonic, Travis, The Go-Go's and Beck.

1999, Jewel, Cake, Old 97's, Fleming & John.

1998, The Wallflowers, Smash Mouth, Des'ree, Anggun, Sixpence None the Richer.

Alice in Winterland lineups

2007, The Kooks, Colbie Caillat.

2006, Scissor Sisters, Soul Asylum.

2005, Eoin Harrington, Switchfoot, Alanis Morissette.

2004, Joss Stone, Jem, Los Lonely Boys, Rachael Yamagata.

2003, Howie Day, Pete Yorn, Counting Crows, Guster.

2002, Coldplay, Frou Frou.

2001, Matt Nathanson, Jewel.

2000, Nelly Furtado, Everclear, Fastball.

1999, Barenaked Ladies, Dido, Joan Osbourne.

References

External links

* [http://www.radioalice.com/ Alice 97.3 official website]
*FMQ|KLLC
*FML|KLLC
*FMARB|KLLC