The Great Disappearance of WFNX: A Tale of Lost Radio Waves and Mournful Bostonians
Ah, WFNX. The name brings a tear to the eye of any true Bostonian who ever blasted "Loser" by Beck with the windows down, cruising down Storrow Drive. This wasn't your average radio station, folks. This was the beacon of alternative rock, the champion of the underground, the place where DJs with questionable taste (in the best way possible) introduced you to bands you never knew you needed in your life.
But like a fleeting summer romance, WFNX is no more. Here's the lowdown on what went down:
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| What Happened To Wfnx Boston |
The Fall of the Phoenix
Back in 2012, the unthinkable happened. WFNX, a fiercely independent station, was gobbled up by the media giant Clear Channel (now iHeartRadio). It was a David vs. Goliath situation, only this time, Goliath had a much bigger playlist of cheesy pop hits.
Tip: Don’t skim past key examples.
The Aftermath: A Radio Revolving Door
Clear Channel, with all its corporate glory, decided Boston just wasn't ready for Sonic Youth and Radiohead. So, they flicked a radio format switch faster than you could say "alternative is dead." First came 'The Harbor,' an adult hits station that blasted oldies. We're talking "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith, not the screaming kind of emotion Bostonians felt about losing WFNX.
A month later, they did a complete 180 and switched to EDM (electronic dance music). Imagine the confusion! Picture your parents trying to explain dubstep to you. That's basically what happened to the Boston radio landscape.
The Rise of the Phoenix (Sort Of)
QuickTip: Look for repeated words — they signal importance.
Die-hard WFNX fans weren't about to go down without a fight. The station's spirit briefly lived on as an internet radio station run by the Phoenix Media/Communications Group. But alas, even that flame flickered out in 2013.
WFNX Lives On...In Our Hearts (and Maybe Your Basement)
So that's the story, folks. A tale of corporate greed, format changes that made your head spin, and the unwavering love of Bostonians for a radio station that dared to be different.
Sure, you can't tune into 101.7 FM and hear the dulcet tones of Henry Santoro introducing some obscure indie band anymore. But hey, that doesn't mean you can't crank up your old WFNX mixtapes and reminisce about the good ol' days.
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WFNX: Never Forgotten. Frequently Cranked Up in Basements Across Boston.
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
WFNX: The Frequently Asked Questions
How to mourn the loss of WFNX?
A: Easy. Blast "Basket Case" by Green Day on repeat and tell Alexa you miss Leftover Lunch with Julie Kramer.
How to find music similar to what WFNX played?
QuickTip: Pause at transitions — they signal new ideas.
A: Dive deep into the wonderful world of college radio stations and independent music blogs. There's a whole world of alternative music out there waiting to be discovered!
How to convince Clear Channel to bring back WFNX?
A: This one might be a little trickier. Maybe a strongly worded letter and a very large petition wouldn't hurt?
How to tell if someone is a true Bostonian?
A: If their eyes light up when you mention WFNX, congratulations! You've found your people.
How to make your own alternative radio station in your basement?
A: Now that's a story for another day...
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