I’ve gotten a number of e-mails and messages from Ross on Radio readers, appreciative of our coverage of 4KQ Brisbane, Australia, the highly successful Classic Hits AM, which is in the process of being sold to Australia’s sports radio network, SEN. 4KQ MD Brent James has gotten more, a lot more. James is struggling to keep up with the listener correspondence. (The format change was also covered recently on local TV news.)
We’re approaching the station’s planned June 30 sign-off, which means that June 24-26 will be the last go-round for 4KQ’s special weekends and weekend tentpoles. 4KQ’s regular format is still a unique offering because of its greater ‘60s/’70s emphasis and Australia-only hits, but the weekend shows have a heavier quotient of “songs not usually heard on the radio anywhere else.”
Here’s what to listen to before 4KQ’s sign-off. All times are local Brisbane time, which is 14 hours ahead of Eastern Time in North America. (You can also see the entire playlist for last weekend’s Sizzling ‘70s Weekend here.)
Friday, June. 24
6a – Morning team Laurel, Gary, and Mark’s final show. (4p Thursday night, ET.)
8p – Friday Night Fever, four-hour ‘70s- and ‘80s-based party show (not just disco, but new wave and other party songs). (6a Friday, ET)
Saturday, June 25
6a – Brisbane No 1s Weekend, continues through 6p Sunday except for other special features. (4p Friday, ET)
6p – Jukebox Saturday Night, ‘50s through early ‘70s—a good place to hear the history of Australian garage rock and bubblegum, but also some ‘60s international titles that have endured more in Brisbane than on U.S. radio. (Starts at 4a Saturday, ET)
Sunday, June 26
6a – Sunday Morning ‘60s, hosted by James (4p Saturday, ET). Four hours, followed by…
10a – A two-hour History of 4KQ special (10p Saturday, ET), followed by the resumption of the No. 1 weekend until..
6p – Living in the ‘70s (starts at 4a Sunday ET, but will still have several hours to go when East Coasters wake up).
Thursday, June 30
6p – The two-hour History of 4KQ repeats (4a Thursday, ET. East Coasters might do better with the Sunday version).
8p – Four-hour finale with “a few special guests” and the final song at Midnight. (Starts 6a Thursday, ET.)
You’ll have plenty of time to listen to 4BH, but the rival Brisbane AM has already seized the opportunity to segue from Soft AC/Adult Standards to Classic Hits. They have also introduced a version of Jukebox Saturday Night, which is newer than 4KQ’s version—more of a mash-up of that show and Friday Night Fever.
