KACD/KBCD (Groove 103.1) – Los Angeles – 7/11 & 7/12/98 – Rob Blair & Mohamed Moretta

In June 1996, KACD-FM (Santa Monica) and KBCD-FM (Newport Beach) switched from a Mainstream AC format to a Underground Dance format known as “Groove Radio”. While Groove Radio was unique, it was perhaps too unique for conventional radio. It never made any sort of dent in the ratings. During the summer of 1997, Groove Radio creator Swedish Egil was fired. The station remained in the Dance arena, but it became more mainstream (better suited for radio) — but not so mainstream that it could truly be considered “cheesy”. The name also changed to “Groove 103.1″, mainly because Egil owned the rights to the “Groove Radio” name.

With the exception of one week in September 1997 (when the format reverted to ordinary traditional Rhythmic CHR, only to return to Dance CHR a week later),  Groove 103.1 survived until October 1998.  This aircheck is a sample of the station from July 1998 (recorded 16 years ago this month) – featuring both live-to-air mixshow programming (from the “House-a-palooza” event) and regular programming.