I-92 Rock of the 80's

WIFI-92 in Philadelphia was a failing top 40 radio station in 1982. 

In early 1983, WIFI called consultant Rick Carroll. He transformed KROQ Los Angeles 106.7 FM into a Southern California ratings success.

Carroll attempted to replicate his Rock of the 80’s New Wave format in Philly.

He brought in DJ Mel Toxic and DJ Lee Paris.

The station was referred to as “I-92, Rock of the 80’s.” LISTEN > 

I-92 Rock of the 80’s DJ’s

Radio Radical: Tim Dougherty

Bill ‘E’: Mike Brophy

Moe Hawk:  Andre Gardner

Mel Toxic:  Mel Taylor / John Jurgaitis

Lee Paris:  Lee Salmons

Cathy Cummings

Mark Didia

David Sanchez

  • Is there Something I Should Know?- Duran Duran
  • Safety Dance – Men Without Hats
  • Every Breath You Take – Police
  • In A Big Country – Big Country
  • Church of the Poison Mind – Culture Club
  • Let’s Dance – David Bowie
  • Mad World – Tears for Fears
  • Major Tom (Coming Home) – Peter Schilling
  • Union of the Snake – Duran Duran
  • I Confess – English Beat
  • Do You Really Want to Hurt me? – Culture Club
  • Modern Love – David Bowie
  • Burning Down the House – Talking Heads
  • New Year’s Day U2
  • Our House – Madness
  • I’ll Tumble 4 Ya – Culture Club
  • King of Pain – Police
  • Jeopardy – Greg Kihn Band
  • One Thing Leads to Another – Fixx
  • 99 Luftballoons – Nena
  • Make A Circuit With Me – Polecats
  • Swear – Tim Scott
  • Karma Chameleon – Culture Club
  • Sweet Dreams – Eurythmics
  • Pale Shelter – Tears for Fears
  • Save it for Later – English Beat
  • She Blinded Me with Science – Thomas Dolby
  • Living on the Ceiling – Blancmange
  • Miss Me Blind – Culture Club
  • Talking in Your Sleep – Romantics
  • The One Thing – INXS
  • Cool Places – Sparks & Jane Wiedlin
  • Synchronicity – Police
  • Change – Tears for Fears
  • Rebel Yell – Billy Idol
  • Let’s Go to Bed – Cure
  • Lifeline – Spandau Ballet
  • The Reflex – Duran Duran
  • Blue Monday – New Order
  • Shiny Shiny – Haysi Fantayzee
  • Politics of Dancing – Reflex
  • Lies – Thompson Twins
  • China Girl – David Bowie
  • Legal Tender – B-52’s
  • Radio Waves – OMD
  • Send Me An Angel – Real Life
  • Radio Free Europe – REM
  • Der Kommisar – Falco
  • Let Me Go – Heaven 17
  • It’s A Mug’s Game- Soft Cell
  • Love My Way – Psychedelic Furs
  • Doot Doot – Freur
  • Wishing (Photograph) Flock of Seagulls
  • White Lines – Grandmaster Flash
  • Buffalo Gals – Malcolm Mclaren
  • Oblivious – Aztec Camera
  • Nowhere Girl – B Movie
  • Shock the Monkey – Peter Gabriel
  • Young Guns (Go for It) – Wham!
  • Communication – Spandau Ballet
  • This is Not a Love Song – PIL
  • Too Shy – Kajagoogoo
  • Telephone Operator – Pete Shelley
  • The Lovecats – Cure

Rick Carroll

Rick Carroll of KROQ fame gave me my first radio job back in 1983.

The following is an obit I found online..

Rick Carroll is remembered as the first radio programmer to introduce the “Modern Rock” format to commercial airwaves. 

From 1978-1985 and 1988-1989 he programmed KROQ in Los Angeles and consulted 13 other modern rock stations in addition to MTV. During that time he coined the term “Rock of the Eighties.” 

In 1978, he was hired to program KROQ in Los Angeles.

The idea he had for the new modern rock format was to play fresh, yet unheard music in top 40-style until it became a hit.

If he liked a record, it went on the air. He knew a hit when he heard it.

Several radio and music people owed their careers to Rick Carroll. In fact, many modern rock artists who had their first hits in the late seventies and early 80’s can thank Rick for playing their music when no one else would – until he made them hits. 

By 1981, the station was beating L.A. competitors KMET and KLOS. A few years later, KROQ was attracting over a million listeners as Carroll parlayed this success into a consultancy. 

Carroll left KROQ in 1985 to concentrate on consulting a growing list of modern rock stations.

Sadly, Rick died of AIDS on July 10, 1989 at the age of 42. 

Unlike most radio legends who fade in history, Rick Carroll’s achievements were clearly monumental and will be remembered for years to come.

LEE PARIS

Contact Mel Toxic