iHeartMedia Classic Rock “Q104.3” WAXQ will commemorate the 50th anniversary Jim Kerr in mornings in New York with a series of events next week.
Kerr first arrived in New York on March 18, 1974 when at the age of 21 he took over mornings at ABC’s then-Rock 95.5 WPLJ. He would remain at WPLJ through its move to CHR “Power 95” until 1989 followed by stints at “Country 103.5” WYNY, Hot AC “Mix 105” WMXV, and suburban Country quadcast “Y107” WYNY. Kerr would move to WAXQ in 2002 where he has remained for the past 22 years. His career began at the age of 14 Ypsilanti MI and would work in Howell and Ann Arbor MI, WORJ Orlando, and WKNR Detroit before taking over mornings at 94.7 WDAI Chicago at the age of 19. He would briefly work at ABC sister “The Big 89” WLS Chicago before being transferred to New York. Kerr has become the longest running morning personality in the market. His co-host Shelli Sonstein first joined Kerr at WPLJ in 1977 and has worked with him at all of his stops in the market.
The events next week will start of Saturday with the “20th Annual Jim Kerr Irish Breakfast” hosted from Connolly’s Pub in Manhattan from 9am to 12pm. On Monday, New York mayor Eric Adams will join Kerr in-studio with a special proclamation celebrating the official 50th anniversary of Jim’s career in New York. Tuesday, March 19 will feature “radio legends from all eras of Jim’s career” joining him on-air including a simulcast with Howard Stern on SiriusXM. Friday, March 22 will feature a live broadcast from the top of the Empire State Building with a performance from Gavin Rossdale and appearances by Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi, and New York Jets Linebacker C.J. Mosley.
WAXQ Program Director Eric Wellman commented, “This milestone is impossible to comprehend. 50 years of mornings in the number one market is a record that will never be touched. It makes my job so much easier knowing I have a legend like Jim Kerr to pencil into the lineup every single day. I am humbled that he calls me ‘boss’ when I know that I really work for him. Congratulations Jim, here’s to the next 50!”
Holly Cook
Jim. Congratulations on your 50th anniversary. Been many, many years but I was the woman you found in Howard’s closet who was eventually engaged to him. I have fond memories of babysitting for Jimmy when you and Anne would go out. Even after Howard and I broke up he came to live with me in my little apartment on 90th and Third and continued to do laundry there even after I was married and moved to Connecticut. Wishing you many more years of success and happiness.