The top of the Empire State Building is an impressive place to say that you’re doing any activity, and it’s even more exciting to say it’s where you’re hosting a radio program. That’s what listeners in the New York City area imagined when they tuned to Z100 on their radio dial. Okay, so maybe in actuality they weren’t broadcasting exactly from that lofty location, but the theatrical panache solidified Z100 into what is now considered perhaps the most influential radio station in the world.
However, there was a time when that claim was not true. In the early ’80s, a successful host from Florida was sent to the swampy Meadowlands of NJ to create a radio station that would rival all others in the New York City metro area. That man was Scott Shannon and he is my guest this week to discuss a new film that has been released which explores those primal days at Z100 and how they climbed from the bottom of the ratings to the top. It’s called From Worst to First and also features memories and interviews from Jon Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, Nile Rodgers, Debbie Gibson, and—of course—Scott Shannon.
Shannon joins me to discuss the path that led him to Z100, how playing it safe is a fool’s game, and what was so special about the musical mix cooked up by Shannon and his compatriots.
So, while we’re not joining you from the top of the Empire State Building, it doesn’t matter, Shannon long ago reminded us all that radio is, indeed, a theater of the mind. No one says that you can’t close your eyes and imagine Scott Shannon and I conversing on the 102nd floor of the most iconic, Art Deco skyscraper in New York City. Man, would you just look at that view?
Evan Toth is a songwriter, professional musician, educator, radio host, avid record collector, and hi-fi aficionado. Toth hosts and produces The Evan Toth Show and TVD Radar on WFDU, 89.1 FM. Follow him at the usual social media places and visit his website.
