Howard Stern's first day on in Detroit Spring 1997

[Deleted User 15502]

"From The top of The Howard Stern Building, This Is WYST Detroit, 97 Rock"

The day Star 97 became 97 Rock, was of course Howard Stern's first day in Detroit. I remember Howard talking about W-4 and how Detroit was a dump(in some areas). Which got noticed obviously. If I recall, Rich Homberg, who I believe was head of CBS radio's Detroit cluster, had to do some damage control after that.

For some reason, I was off school that particular Monday, so I remember I got to hear this. I was listening to it on 106.5 out of Toledo but quickly found out Stern was on a Detroit station now, which I quickly flipped it over to 97.1.

Star 97 was one of my Mom's favorite stations, she didn't like the switch at all lol.

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

I am not sure why I didn't listen to K Rock back in 97. I think it was because I liked softer alternative more and 89X and Planet 96.3 were in their heyday. I am not sure if 97.1 skewed more to more talk in 1999, but that was when I got into Ed Tyll and Deminski and Doyle.

[Deleted User 15502]

97.1 was the white elephant. The slamming WRIF left and right got kinda old. I remember a guy at my school wearing a K-rock shirt actually, I think he went to a concert and they were giving them out. I was more into Planet 96.3 and a little later 105.1 The Edge.

I had a like/dislike relationship with 97.1 FM talk. I loved Tom Leykis! OMG! I about peed my pants laughing sometimes, I liked it when he would bring in 2 callers and play devils advocate.

[Deleted User 15506]

97.1 failed as a talk station because of Howard Stern, Tom Leykis, Ed Tyll and Deminski and Doyle the numbers proved that. And to make matters worse 97.1 hires Jay Towers, Bill McAllister and Michelle McCormick. What a wasted format, the ratings were always terrible.

[km1125]

Wow. This is interesting. I thought Howard arrived shortly after Steve Dahl left. I didn't realize there was almost 20 years in between!!

[Bobbert]

Wow. This is interesting. I thought Howard arrived shortly after Steve Dahl left. I didn't realize there was almost 20 years in between!!

You're correct about Stern's local career in Detroit:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_St ... ,_and_WWWW
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Dah ... laboration

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

97.1 failed as a talk station because of Howard Stern, Tom Leykis, Ed Tyll and Deminski and Doyle the numbers proved that. And to make matters worse 97.1 hires Jay Towers, Bill McAllister and Michelle McCormick. What a wasted format, the ratings were always terrible.

The big fail was 3G...."Listen up, dummies."

[Deleted User 15506]

97.1 failed as a talk station because of Howard Stern, Tom Leykis, Ed Tyll and Deminski and Doyle the numbers proved that. And to make matters worse 97.1 hires Jay Towers, Bill McAllister and Michelle McCormick. What a wasted format, the ratings were always terrible.

The big fail was 3G...."Listen up, dummies."

Yes, he added to the nightmare called “Free FM 97.1”.

[sparty89]

Howard never came close to beating Drew and Mike. Part of the reason has ratings sucked was that was around when his movie came out, and he would spend entire shows promoting it.

[Deleted User 15506]

I can’t believe to this day, that people actually pay SiriusXM to listen to his garbage. When Stern announced that he was leaving terrestrial radio, that was the happiest day of my life. And you’re correct sparty89, Stern’s ratings in Detroit were disastrous. As far as his movie, boy did that truly suck! What a waste of two hours for anyone’s life.

[BayCityJohn2337]

Tom Leykis had the highest ratings for afternoon drive in southern California. His show focused on men and relationship issues.

You can find lots of his old programs on you tube.

[Deleted User 15506]

Tom Leykis had the highest ratings for afternoon drive in southern California. His show focused on men and relationship issues.

You can find lots of his old programs on you tube.

Leykis was an expert on relationships. The Dude was married and divorced four times.

[Robert Faygo]

I enjoyed Private Parts a lot more than the radio show, with the exception of his interviews. His skills as an interviewer were underrated by many who only paid attention to the shtick.

Back in the day, I'd have much rather heard Stern banter with someone than any of the late night TV hosts, with the possible exception of Carson.

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

Tom Leykis had the highest ratings for afternoon drive in southern California. His show focused on men and relationship issues.

You can find lots of his old programs on you tube.

Leykis was an expert on relationships. The Dude was married and divorced four times.

Leykis was a POS. "Throw Em Out Thursdays" and all that other crap.

I never was a H*** Howard fan back in the day, but he had a quick wit as did Robin. And once he moved to Sirius and shut down the zoo act in the last few years, the show has gotten even better. His interview with Hillary Clinton was especially interesting.

[sirrealone]

Stern would have done fine here if Drew & Mike hadn't of been here. They had fiercely loyal listeners and they'd built their base on the local angle. Stern couldn't overcome that. I'd sometimes switch over to Stern during a commercial, but would immediately switch back over to D&M as soon as they were back on. I don't think there was much he could have done here.