Check Out What The Edge Sounded Like On Its First Day Of Programming.

“Rock ‘n’ / Rock ‘n’ roll radio / Let’s go.”

Twenty-four years ago this past Sunday, the familiar refrains of The Ramones’ “Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio” became more than just the first song ever played on KDGE 94.5-FM The Edge. It was also the station’s mission statement, as put forth by the station’s very first music director, the great George Gimarc.

A decade prior, Gimarc had given Dallas its first punk/alt-rock radio show with his “Rock and Roll Alternative” program for KZEW, sure. But on June 30, 1989, the city finally got its first, full-time alternative rock station.

And, from the jump, the station went out of its way to endear itself to the more alternative-inclined listener by making it very clear that it was going to be different from the rest of the options to be found on the region’s FM radio dial.

Among the songs featured in the Edge’s first on-air hour were Elvis Costello’s “Radio Radio,” R.E.M.’s “Radio Free Europe,” and, we’re guessing, a whole bunch of other songs with the word “radio” in the title.

After that first hour, though, Gimarc was quick to showcase precisely what the station — and the new era in local radio that came with it — would be all about.

Thanks to longtime KDGE personality Jeff K, who posted the following day-one air check on his Soundcloud page this afternoon, you can now relive that momentous day in local broadcast history — or, well, 40 minutes of it, anyway.

It’s a cool treat, to be sure, to hear the station’s initial imaging and overall flavor. Check it out below. And, if you enjoy, head on over to Jeff K’s personal site, where you can also find a whole slew of more old Edge, EdgeClub and Tales From The Edge treats for download and streaming.

Tracklist
The Cult – “Rain”
Lou Reed – “Romeo Had Juliet”
OMD – “If You Leave”
The Boomtown Rats – “I Don’t Like Mondays”
The Cure – “The Walk”
The B-52’s – “Cosmic Thing”
The Psychedelic Furs – “Love My Way”
Echo & The Bunnymen – “Lips Like Sugar”
Tears For Fears – “Head Over Heals”
U2 – “Angel Of Harlem”
Bob Marley & The Wailers – “No Woman No Cry”

 

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