“It was a rock’n roll death match. Listeners had the ringside seats.”
by David Fulton,
Arcadia Publishing 2013
128 pages
Naptown Rock Radio Wars is a full length documentary film that has had several theatrical showings in Indiana, including a gala premiere at the IMAX, and has aired frequently on WFYI-TV (Channel 20).
The film, directed by Fulton, tells the story of a battle for rock radio supremacy in Indianapolis, beginning in the late 1950’s and culminating in the early 1980’s. The dominant theme of the film is the evolution of FM radio and the strategic battles between the Fairbanks Broadcasting Company, then owners of WIBC-AM and WNAP-FM, versus WIFE-AM.
The just released book (also authored by Fulton) is a vital companion piece to the film, featuring hundreds of rare photos and memorabilia, interspersed with commentary and quotes from key DJ’s and station luminaries. It’s an invaluable treasure trove of Indianapolis radio nostalgia and an authoritative examination of the dogfights between the radio stations, both for listeners and advertising sales. This book also is the closest thing one will have to a hard copy of the film, as the cost of obtaining music clearance rights currently prevents a DVD release.
Of particular interest — while FM came to dominate AM in every city and town by the mid 1970’s — the launch of WNAP-FM as a rock station happened here in 1968, well before most cities saw FM rock radio emerge.
The film Naptown Rock Radio Wars will have a one-time matinee showing at The Irving Theater on Saturday, February 9, at 1:30 p.m., with a book signing reception immediately following at Irvington Vintage, featuring appearances by several DJ’s from the era. Admission to the film is free; donations to The Irving Theater are encouraged. Books will be available for purchase, courtesy of Bookmamas, 9 S. Johnson (Irvington).
Rick is co-owner of Irvington Vintage and an adjunct professor of marketing at Franklin University of Ohio. In the 1970’s, Rick was a weekend DJ and news announcer at three radio stations in Terre Haute.