Even in the mid-’10s, I recall being in an Uber with a colleague and remarking how heavily Sirius XM ’70s on 7 was into the K-Tel/Rhino goofy pop part of the ’70s that day. I can’t remember whether it was “Playground in My Mind” or “Chevy Van” that triggered the discussion, but I know we heard them both. ’70s on 7 plays enough of those songs that even some fans of the Lost Factor series argue that it’s not fair to call songs “lost,” even if large-market Classic Hits FM stations don’t play them. Besides, the Saturday afternoon American Top 40 reruns guarantee that you’ll hear any song at least 1-2x a year.
On large-market Classic Hits stations, there are fewer ’70s songs in general. The remaining slots are more likely to be filled by late-’70s Classic Rock. Pop, R&B, and Disco are down to a relative handful of “Stayin’ Alive” and “You’re the One That I Want”-level wedding songs. But in recent weeks, I’ve heard a lot more ’70s pop and R&B on ’70s on 7. The channel continues to play Queen, Aerosmith, Bad Company, etc., but now it’s very possible to hear Seals & Crofts’ “Diamond Girl” into Anne Murray’s version of “Danny’s Song.”
The ’70s on 7 changes parallel those made around 2015 by SXM’s then-’60s on 6 channel, now ’60s Gold. As FM Classic Hits stations whittled the ’60s down to “Brown Eyed Girl,” CCR, and “Come Together” — which many have now deaccessioned anyway – ’60s on 6 was unshackling itself from the safe list altogether under PD Lou Simon.
There have also been presentational changes on ’70s on 7. Even the veterans of ’70s/’80s Top 40 are stopping the music to talk, not “crushing and rolling” over the intros. There are fewer jingles. The ’70s atmospherics have been reduced in favor of some of the “music appreciation”-type sweepers you might hear on Classic Rock or goofy/ironic pieces that recall Bob- and Jack-FM. You are more likely to hear a song by the Partridge Family. You are less likely to hear audio from that TV show.
I definitely appreciate the more soulful aspect of the music. ’70s on 7 is inviting listeners to vote on the “Top Soul Hits of the ’70s” to air in February. Here’s ’70s on 7 just after 5 p.m. ET January 17:
- Mungo Jerry, “In the Summertime”
- Bob Welch, “Sentimental Lady”
- Natalie Cole, “Our Love”
- Cat Stevens, “Another Saturday Night”
- Commodores, “Still”
- Osmonds, “One Bad Apple”
- George Harrison, “My Sweet Lord”
- James Taylor, “Handy Man”
- Lighthouse, “One Fine Morning”
- Al Green, “Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)”
- Daryl Hall & John Oates, “Sara Smile”
- Main Ingredient, “Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely”
- Doobie Brothers, “Takin’ It to the Streets”
- Moments, “Love on a Two Way Street”
- Three Dog Night, “Celebrate”
- Johnny Rivers, “Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu”
- Rod Stewart, “You Wear It Well”
- Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta, “Summer Nights”
- David Ruffin, “Walk Away from Love”
- Leo Sayer, “You Make Me Feel Like Dancin’”
- Dionne Warwick, “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” — the start of the next hour
KDRI (The Drive) Tucson, Ariz., is not a ’70s station. The music is about 50% ’70s, 40% ’60s, and 10% ’80s. That mix has made it a favorite with Ross on Radio readers, but so has the presence of local talent throughout the day. Major broadcast groups that need to voice-track denigrate the value of “live and locally-owned.” In the fall, the Drive, an AM/FM translator combo, was No. 3 in the market with a 5.5, and ahead of a typically programmed Classic Hits FM, at least 12-plus. On weekends, it was No. 2. When American Top 40 was on, it was No. 1.
The Drive’s ’70s still include plenty of pop/rock — that also includes a lot of the music played by Album Rock radio in the late ’70s, but exiled by today’s Classic Rock stations. Those songs now read as bubblegum to some people, but it’s easier for me to hear “Thunder Island” or “Ebony Eyes” than to sit through “Blinded by the Light“ or “Carry On Wayward Son” again. That might be different in a few years if the ’70s are whittled down to Queen and Elton John altogether at Classic Hits radio.
“The Drive” has made my annual list of “Intriguing Stations” for each of the past three years. I had been determined not to repeat myself in Intriguing Stations of 2022, but at No. 3 on a translator, I couldn’t really deny Bobby Rich and company. I decided to take this “Fresh Listen.” Here’s the Drive around 11:00 a.m., January 18:
- Spandau Ballet, “True”
- Lee Dorsey, “Working in a Coal Mine”
- America, “Sister Golden Hair”
- Box Tops, “Soul Deep”
- Lionel Richie, “Stuck on You”
- Carpenters, “Yesterday Once More”
- Kenny Loggins, “This Is It”
- Supremes, “Where Did Our Love Go”
- Electric Light Orchestra, “Livin’ Thing”
- Fleetwood Mac, “Hypnotized”
- Patti Smith Group, “Because the Night”
- Sam & Dave, “Soul Man”
- Johnny Hates Jazz, “Shattered Dreams”
- Rod Stewart, “Maggie May”
- Daryl Hall & John Oates, “Out of Touch”
- Rivieras, “California Sun”
- Franke & Knockouts, “Sweetheart”
- Barbara Lewis, “Make Me Your Baby”
- Firefall, “Just Remember I Love You”
- Monkees, “I’m a Believer”
- Level 42, “Something About You”
- Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
- Abba, “Fernando”
