As of Wednesday at noon, “The Rock” is dead. “KULV, The Rock You Listen To” officially switched formats for the first time in 12 years.
“The Rock” passed away peacefully and did not suffer, as “A Cursive Memory” played its final swan song. “Everything.”
Although “The Rock” is dead, the radio station itself is very much alive, having been taken over by pop princesses and boy bands. That is right; KULV, now known as “Leo FM,” is now a contemporary hit radio station.
As college students, sometimes it is hard for us to admit that we do in fact know these songs—and even like them—but as Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music” came across the airwaves as the first official song on “Leo FM,” everyone on campus was bobbing along.
Rihanna sang, “Do you know what you started; I just came here to party, and now we’re rockin’ on the dancefloor.”
The song was quite appropriate for the situation since rumors have been flying that the entire radio station was going to die along with “The Rock.”
Although we at the Campus Times hope that “The Rock” rests in peace, we fully support the change. The new format brings an upbeat tempo to campus, leaving students, faculty and staff singing along to their favorite pop hits.
Some may be embarrassed to sing along with Fergie, Justin Timberlake, Danity Kane, the Pussy Cat Dolls and the Jonas Brothers, but do not be; everyone is doing it.
The University of La Verne is joining the trend and hopping on the pop wagon.
The switch took place at Davenport during lunch with appearances by Jessica Ortega, Miss La Verne 2008, P.J. Butta, music artist and ULV alumnus, and Steve Morgan, ULV President, or as he was called on the air, “Captain Morgan.” They, along with the students, seemed pleased with the change.
During the summer, surveys and petitions were passed along through the social networking Web site Facebook about a format change. More than 200 people said that change would be good but whether that had anything to do with it, we may never know. Regardless, change has been made, and we are all happy about it.
With a new contemporary hit radio station that plays all the most popular songs, it is hoped that more people will tune in to “Leo FM” and 107.9’s listenership will dramatically increase.
If you have not yet tuned into 107.9 “Leo FM” be sure to do so. In no time at all, you’ll be singing along with the rest of the ULV community to pop sensations like Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry.
We would like to take this time to congratulate the “Leo FM” staff on a successful format change, and we will be tuning in on a regular basis to see what else you have in store for us.
Format changes do not happen very often, and we do understand what a momentous event this was, not only for the Radio Department, but for the entire University. Thanks for the change and allowing us to be around for it.
Who knows, maybe next time “Leo FM” will throw on some boots and spurs and go country.
Until then, in the words of Rihanna, “Let’s escape, D.J. play, I just can’t refuse it, like the way you do this, keep on rockin’ to it.”
Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Campus Times Editorial Board.