103.9 FM WDKX
Rochester, NY
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Back Down Memory Lane
And no, I'm not talking about Rochester's number one Saturday morning radio show. I'm talking about all of the memories I have about WDKX over the years.
Every year around this time, I get a little sentimental and remember what WDKX Radio has meant to me.
It was 1979 when I first walked through the doors of WDKX. Before I left the station that day, I was given a part-time job by Owner, Andrew Langston. 29 years worth of memories! Obviously I can't share all of them with you (and some of them I would have to kill you if I told you), but I will share a few:
Shortly after I started working at WDKX, they were celebrating their 6th Anniversary. The event was at the Mapledale Party House. We had a ball - good food, good people and a lot of dancing. The live entertainment was provided by the R&B group, Chapter 8. Being 17 at the time, I knew the lead singer was good, but it took a few more years for me to learn that she was Anita Baker!
1980 - 4th of July - The afternoon drive DJ at the time was Marge Bell. Marge had gone to a cookout before her shift began and let's say, partied a little too much! She called me to come and pick her up and bring her to work because she could drive. Once we got to the station, she told me she wouldn't be able to do her shift and that I needed to run the board. I had never done it before and I was very scared. I played the music and Marge managed to do her vocal breaks and then go back to sleep. The next day, Little John (who was the Program Director at the time), called me into his office. All he said to me was, "you did a good job running things yesterday, but don't let it happen again." I never did find out how he knew.
All memories aren't good ones. I had left the station and was working for Xerox, but had remained friends with Andre Marcel. I received a call from Andre and he told me to meet him at the station. When I arrive, Andre was sitting in his car in the parking lot. He told me to get in. He then told me that Little John had died that day. As he told me all of the details about how it happened, that was the first and the last time I've ever seen Andre cry. Little John was not only the Program Director of the station but he also had a wildly popular Gospel Show on Sunday mornings. The Rochester airwaves were never the same after he left us.
Now it's time to make new memories! This Friday will go down in the WDKX history books. Spring Fest 2008 featuring:
Lil' Wayne
Birdman
Lil' Boosie
Bizzy Bone
Webbie
Day 26
L.I.
And for the first time in history, WDKX will host 4 separate after parties:
Water Street Music Hall - From Making the Band 4, Day 26 (featuring Rochester's own and SOTA grad Qwanell "Que" Mosley) and Reggae Sensation Triniti
Club Venu - Peach Candy & Dwayne
Club Liquid - Webbie & Lil' Boosie
Harro East - Rocko
Come out and show your love for WDKX Radio help to create new memories.
Part III Tomorrow - Mr. Andrew Langston
You can write the Dean's List with your thoughts, comments, ideas or your WDKX memories: thedeanslist1@gmail.com
