The History of WAKY
July 15, 1958, marked the beginning of a new era in Louisville radio.
On that day, the sleepy sounds of WGRC on 790 AM gave way to something entirely different—a bold new station called WAKY. Louisville listeners were introduced to a high-energy blend of rock 'n' roll, larger-than-life personalities, and a style of radio unlike anything the city had ever experienced.
Legend has it that before officially launching, WAKY spent a day—or perhaps two or three—playing Sheb Wooley's novelty hit "Purple People Eater" (or, as Billboard magazine reported, Joe South's similarly titled "Purple People Eater Meets the Witch Doctor?") on repeat. However, you remember it, one thing was certain...
WAKY had arrived.
From the late 1950s through the late 1970s, WAKY became the soundtrack of Louisville. The station dominated Kentuckiana with an exciting mix of Top 40 hits, unforgettable contests, and legendary personalities who entertained an entire generation.
Listeners woke up with—and stayed tuned in for—radio icons including Bill Baily, Jack Sanders, Weird Beard, Coyote Calhoun, Skinny Bobby Harper, Timothy L. Tyler, Bill Crisp, Gary Burbank, Dude Walker, Mason Lee Dixon, and Steven Lee Cook.
Behind the scenes, visionary program directors like Jim Brand and Johnny Randolph helped shape the station's unique personality. Together, they created the fun-loving spirit that made "WAKY Radio" one of the most recognizable and beloved brands in American Top 40 radio.
Like every great chapter, the original WAKY eventually came to an end. By the mid-1980s, the station had changed formats, the famous WAKY call letters left Louisville, and an unforgettable era of radio history came to a close.
But the story wasn't over.
In 2007, W & B Broadcasting brought the legendary WAKY call letters home to Kentuckiana. On May 11 at 5:00 p.m., WAKY returned to the Louisville airwaves on 103.5 FM, once again playing the timeless music listeners loved—complete with the classic WAKY jingles that generations had grown up hearing.
Today, WAKY continues that proud tradition by bringing Kentuckiana's Greatest Classic Hits to listeners throughout the region. While the technology has changed, the mission remains the same: great music, local personalities, community involvement, and the unmistakable spirit that has made WAKY a Louisville favorite for more than six decades.
