KNAC

KNAC was a heavy metal radio station based in Long Beach, California. It was first programmed to keep up with the new fad in LA music, heavy metal. The first song it ever played was AC/DC's anthem, 'It's A Long Way To The Top', in early 1986. As new bands like Guns N' Roses and Metallica achieved huge commercial success in the late 1980s, the station's fan base grew. They printed out rather plain bumper stickers and t-shirts. Although they are not much to look at, many headbangers in southern California owned a t-shirt or bumper sticker with the black 105.5 logo printed on it. Some of the bands that were played most included Judas Priest, Scorpions, Rush, and Metallica, as well as mainstream metal bands such as Van Halen, Mötley Crüe, and Ratt

Related Topics:
Heavy metal - Radio - Long Beach - California - AC/DC - 1986 - Guns N' Roses - Metallica - Southern California - Judas Priest - Scorpions - Rush - Van Halen - Mötley Crüe - Ratt

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When the Seattle grunge scene emerged in early 1992, however, metal was beginning to lose popularity. In trying to keep up with the times, KNAC began to play grunge/alternative bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana. Many metalheads disliked KNAC's new format and ratings went down. In 1994, KNAC announced they were being sold to a Spanish station. Horrified metalheads began tuning in again, to find that KNAC had returned to their metal format for the few last months. Again headbangers could hear the classic metal they had not heard in a while, like Megadeth or Saxon. Finally, the last day arrived. February 15, 1995 was the day. James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich of Metallica guest DJed to show their support.

Related Topics:
Seattle - Grunge - 1992 - Pearl Jam - Nirvana - 1994 - Megadeth - Saxon - February 15 - 1995 - James Hetfield - Lars Ulrich

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The last song to be played on the legendary channel was Metallica's "Fade To Black." At 1:59 p.m., KNAC went off the air with a short good-bye from the manager, Gary Price. In 1998, KNAC decided they would start broadcasting again via Internet. KNAC.com is now one of the top Internet radio stations.

Related Topics:
Gary Price - 1998 - Internet

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