REV 105 Minneapolis-St. Paul alternative radio aircheck

While alternative radio station REV 105 was never a huge ratings success story in Minneapolis-St. Paul or the greater Twin Cities area, its eventual assembly of three radio stations (KREV 105.1 Lakeville, WREV 105.3 Cambridge and towards the end of its three year run KCFE 105.7 Eden Prairie) spawned an uproar among the music community when ABC Radio purchased the group of three stations in 1997 and shuttered the alternative radio format to protect its of KEGE 93.7 The Edge.

While alternative radio did, again, return to the 105s -- first as Zone 105 in 1998 and again as Drive 105 in 2002 -- commercial alternative radio is likely gone forever from the Twin Cities. The final nail in the coffin of Drive 105 was the launch of 89.3 The Current which managed to assemble for REV 105 and Zone 105 DJs like Mary Lucia and Mark Wheat. While The Current is an amazing radio station in its own right, there is definitely room for a commercial alternative rock station in the Twin Cities and 105 was the right place to do it.

With rumors about 105's new owners (Cumulus Broadcasting) looking to launch a News/Talk format on one of its FM properties, it seems that music may have sung its final swansong on those frequencies in the way of oldies as Love 105. Oh well, that's just one of the many problems with commercial broadcasters and it's why I'm thankful for 89.3 The Current and my iPod.

If you like music and arts in general then you must LOVE photos, check out my photo project, MinnPics. It's all about Minnesota, the state in which I live.