10 Questions with ... Bill Weston

1) What was your first job in radio?

DJ 6-10p, WKSN (the FM was WHUG, so it was "hug and kissin'" - almost as good as WNOZ "The Nose."

Early influences?

CKLW/Detroit, WGR/Buffalo, WCFL/Chicago, WABC/NYC

2) What led you to a career in radio?

I loved music. Carried a radio everywhere. There was no job cooler than playing music for people.

Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it?"

Was allowed to run the board at a small station during a high school visit -- hand shaking so badly I could barely cue the record. After it was over, I was exhilarated. Hooked.

3) How long have you been at WMMR and what makes this station so unique?

Fourteen-plus years as PD. Our unique position stems from the longevity in the format -- 50 years as a Rock station -- we have easily three generations of listeners who grew up with WMMR. Sons/fathers/grandfathers. You'll see it at concerts. Also WMMR's illustrious history with 24/7/52 air talent ... including Preston & Steve, 37-year vet Pierre Robert and so many more. And every person on-staff understands it's not about us, it's about the listener. WMMR is America's longest running Rock station, playing new and familiar rock music from the very start.

MMR Rocking The Streets Of Philly Back In The Day!!

4) WMMR is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Give us a little history on how the station started rocking back in 1968?

Prior to April 29th, 1968, 93.3fm was a simulcast of a beautiful music/MOR AM station. FCC mandate required different programming on FMs .... though not many FM receivers back then. So was born the Marconi Experiment - a nighttime underground/progressive show with host Dave Herrman.

5) I'm sure with 50 years of Rock history, there are a few choice stories to report. Any great "rock star" stories you care to share?

Springsteen spinning records in the studio with DJ Ed Sciacky? Billy Joel giving MMR credit for rescuing his career when the station's session recording of an unreleased Capt. Jack blew up in Philly and then Columbia giving him another shot; Stevie Wonder showing up at the station unannounced to talk about Songs in the Key of Life; Zappa hosting the station's Zappa-ween parties; There's a lot that's happened over 50 years.

The WMMR air staff in 2017!
Left to right: Casey Foster, Marisa Magnatta, Kathy Romano, Preston Elliot, Steve Morrison, Pierre Robert, Jacky Bam Bam, Brent Porche, Jaxon, Nick McIlwain

6) Beyond the rock stars, you have some incredible on-air personalities on WMMR including Preston & Steve in Mornings and the iconic Pierre Robert in middays. We'll get to Pierre in the next question, but what are some of the best WMMR on-air personality stories you can share from the stations history?

Former Morning Zoo host John DeBella broadcasting live from the back of a Harley, leading a motorcycle procession up the steps and into the lobby of new Westinghouse sister station KYW; Preston and Steve throwing a birthday party for a cast member -- with clowns, face painters, a bounce-house and pony rides ... all inside the station;

7) Now let's talk about Pierre Robert. I'm sure having his presence in middays all these years adds a special touch to your 50th anniversary. What are some of the more memorable on-air Pierre moments you can share?

Pierre is the heart and soul of MMR, a lover of all music from Sinatra to Slayer (most of which he manages to play somehow) ... he understands it's about the listener, always showing them love and respect during every appearances. You cannot go to a concert at the local arena with Pierre, trying to walk around the concourse without someone yelling out, "Pierre!" every 10 feet. Those fans feel that Pierre cares about them (he does) and that he remembers meeting them 10 years ago on the lawn at an Ozzy concert (probably not) ... yet on-air, his dulcet tones and calming delivery pull you in and make it a very personal conversation...

Pierre Robert

8) Now let's talk about the music. What special music features are being doing on the air at WMMR to celebrate 50 years of Rock?

"Live from the MMaRchives" is a daily, live song culled from the MMR vaults overflowing with hundreds of studio sessions from over the years -- live broadcasts from local club shows (Talking Heads, Bruce, Joe Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, the Go-Gos!) to the first studio sessions at Sigma Sound for select live broadcasts ... Todd Rundgren, Flying Burrito Bros, Brewer & Shipley, America, Robin Trower, Billy Joel, Bonnie Raitt ... it is amazing to hear these performances and think about what it was like to be a part of them; Sara Parker, our music coordinator, went through so many tapes to find the best song from each. We also do special weekends highlighting one year from the 50 we have been on the air; we did a countdown of the 50 most important albums of the MMR era, and we will finish the 25 best songs of 2018, emphasizing the "now" is just as important as the "then" ...

Many rock stars have visited the halls of MMR -- including the late Jerry Garcia!

9) Are there any special 50th Anniversary concerts in the mix as well? What Rock bands are helping you celebrate?

Bon Jovi did a 50th concert for us in May; Foo Fighters threw us a very cool party for staff members this summer; Metallica just left town after playing MMR's 50th Finale -- blowing out the candles on our birthday cake ... while blowing the roof off the Wells Fargo Center. An amazing night; all bands were incredibly gracious and thankful for MMR's decades of support.

10) Finally, surviving and even thriving over a 50 year period is quite an accomplishment. What would you ultimately attribute WMMR's success over these last 50 years to?

Certainly a little bit of luck, but mostly past and present programmers, management and owners who understood the MMR call letters are synonymous with rock. As a hippy-dippy Rock station that bought an ad in the Woodstock (68) concert program ... to the more 'focused' years and market dominance in the '80s, and yes, even in the tough times up against Howard and YSP, the station hung in there with the Rock format -- always keeping the listener as its focus. We have been blessed with talented and hard-working staff, not the least of which are morning mavens, Preston and Steve. We also are locally programmed. WMMR APD Chuck Damico, lifelong resident, is key in knowing what's Philly. He's great at creating stuff out of thin air and identifying things that don't pass the MMR sniff test. It's been a great run; the 2018 Marconi for Best Rock Station perched atop the air studio console will attest to that ... but we still have such a long way to go.