WLIR
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| Slogan | New York's Original Alternative Station |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 105.3 MHz WPTY-HD3 |
| First air date | September 2005 (streaming) November 2016 (HD Radio) |
| Format | Alternative |
| Webcast |
Listen Live Listen Live (via TuneIn) |
| Website | wlir |
WLIR (WLIR.FM) is an internet and over the air radio station (105.3 WPTY-HD3 Calverton-Roanoke) that plays the new music/modern rock that was originally heard on WLIR/WDRE (92.7 FM, 98.5 FM, and 107.1 FM) in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s along with the alternative rock of the 2000s to the present. The spirit of the original WLIR is maintained with the music mix and the personalities, such as Larry the Duck, Malibu Sue, Andre and Rob Rush. Bob Wilson, long time WLIR employee and historian, created the WLIR.FM website and programs the music playlist.
WLIR was best known as an influential radio station that launched the careers of many music acts and disk jockeys from the 1970s through the 1990s. In 1970, it changed to a progressive rock format before switching to a new music/modern rock format in 1982. The station originally broadcast from studios at the Garden City Hotel, Garden City, New York, then 175 Fulton Avenue, Hempstead, New York, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York, and finally, 1103 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York, with its transmitter located on the North Shore Towers in Floral Park, New York.
WLIR was founded in 1959 by John R. Rieger. It was licensed to Garden City, New York on the frequency 92.7 FM and played a mix of Broadway tunes and classical music from a basement studio in the Garden City Hotel.
In the early 1970s, announcer Richard Neer and part-time announcer Mike Harrison convinced Rieger to change to a progressive rock format. This meant playing obscure artists, playing many cuts off an album (not just the hit singles), and having disc jockeys speak in a slow, mellow tone. At this time, the station adopted the famous WLIR Seagull as its logo. Also, in the early 70's, Bob Shavelson (music director) began the first ever live broadcasts of major artists from UltraSonic Studios and the club My Father's Place. Included in the series were Bruce Springsteen, The Allman Brothers Band, Dr. John, Jackson Browne and many other notable celebrities of the era. In addition to the live concert series WLIR promoted local bands such as The Good Rats.
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