Do You Remember Rock and Roll Radio - The Sequel

I recently wrote about asking radio DJ Dennis Elsas of WFUV-FM on my blog.  I later found his Web site and sent him an e-mail explaining how I was the person who asked him about Family at his Montclair, New Jersey appearance and how I had also considered asking him about the state of rock radio, particularly with regard to WRXP-FM.  He e-mailed me back asking for my phone number, which I gave him. Then he called me!  I actually talked to him about my questions, both about radio and Family, and he pretty much confirmed what I'd suspected - that it's becoming hard for a rock station on terrestrial radio to get enough listeners these days.  WFUV-FM, as a public station, doesn't have to worry about ratings or advertisers, but WRXP-FM did.  

He also appreciated my efforts to bring an obscure band like Family to people's attention, though he couldn't remember ever interviewing any members of that band on the radio.  But I did recall reading old articles about the band explaining that they gained a good deal of notoriety in America during their 1972 U.S. tour here, particularly with airplay and record sales.  Mr. Elsas noted that, whatever tastes rock fans have, the Internet and satellite radio have certainly made it easier to hear the music you like, and while I don't have sat,  I certainly listen on my to Internet streams on my desktop  . . . and WFUV on my radio.  I felt better about the state of rock music after speaking with Mr. Elsas, and I'm definitely going to continue listening to WFUV at home and in my car. :-)

After all, another DJ on that station played the dBs' cover of Family's "My Friend The Sun." :-)