Not many stations are left that can say they’ve carried the same format for 5 decades. Beasley’s WMMR in Philadelphia will celebrate 50 years Sunday, April 29th. The station will begin celebrating its 50th birthday Monday as legendary host Pierre Robert, who’s been with the station for 37 years, hosts daily 90 minute features focusing on the 5 decades of music and Philadelphia events.
On Saturday, April 28th, the station will be dedicated to playing the top 50 live performances culled from the MMaRchives. It will feature literally hundreds of live performances recorded at WMMR studios, as well as local venues and venerable Sigma Sound recording Studio. These will include early performances from Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Warren Zevon, America, Billy Joel, The Go-Gos and Robin Trower to recent private performances from Chris Cornell, Bon Jovi, Cage the Elephant, Smashing Pumpkins and many more.
Pierre Robert will celebrate WMMR’s 50th Birthday on Sunday, April 29th by doing a rare weekend show to count down the top 50 rock songs played on WMMR, one from each year 2018 to 1968. In addition, the station will present a 50th Birthday concert featuring 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Bon Jovi at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center. The event will be hosted by MMR’s Afternoon Drive Host Jaxon, Pierre Robert and Nighttime Air Talent, Jacky Bam Bam. The station has chosen local band, Foxtrot & The Getdown to open the show.
WMMR will continue to celebrate 50 years rocking Philly with additional music events, along with special programming and themed weekends, which will highlight specific years in music and events. These include a new daily feature at 1:30pm, Live From The MMaRchives and a planned summer reunion with station alumni. There is a line of “throw-back” t-shirts and merchandise from the many station designs created over the years available for listeners to purchase at www.wmmr.com, where fans can also find details on the birthday edition of the annual MMR*B*Q Music Festival, which takes place May 19th at BB&T Pavilion in Camden, NJ.
“To have a radio station go 50 years without changing format is remarkable … for a rock station, it is unprecedented,” said Program Director Bill Weston. “I’m humbled by the talent and hard work of WMMR’s current staff, plus all the alumni who have walked these hallways and the listeners who have supported this amazing rock station for over the past five decades. Thank you!”
