Tape Tuesday: Joy @ The Metro Jan 1997

Time to jump in that time machine, to January 24th, 1997. The time of Joy at The Metro.

The Spice Girls Wannabe was battling with Savage Garden’s To the Moon and Back on the top of the Australian charts. Madonna won a Golden Globe for Evita, while Tom Cruise got one for Gerry McGuire. I guess somebody showed both of them the money. (sorry)

Meanwhile in Japan the classic videogame Final Fantasy VII was released. And the Australian navy had to rescue British yachtsman, Tony Bullimore after his boat capsized during an around-the-world race.

At the same time as these events, Melbourne’s airwaves were alive again. Hitz FM’s 10th broadcast had just 24 hours to go. Friday the 24th, Hitz was broadcasting live from Joy at The Metro. And thanks to Hitz fan Emir, we have a fantastic 90 minutes of this broadcast.

Interestingly, there’s very little mention of “Hitz” during the recording. Normally you would expect to hear a little Hitz promo every now and then. Perhaps somebody fell asleep back in the studio – or forgot to press the buttons. Either way, it’s a fantastic flashback to a well-loved venue, and one of the most enduring nights there in the 90s.

Enjoy the recording!

I’ve got some GREAT audio still to come… including a rare-as-hensteeth recording from Hitz FM’s very first broadcast, in 1992.

So, any fave tracks in the recording above?

Author: Gabe McGrath

Gabe McGrath is a radio creative and freelance writer. He helped set up 89.9 Hitz FM Melbourne in the 90s. This youth radio station caused a sensation and 30 years later many a 90s kid will smile when 'Hitz' is mentioned. Gabe is working on a book about that era and now blogs about Hitz Melbourne. GabeMcGrath.com includes tonnes of streaming audio recordings, photos, stories and behind-the-scenes info. View all posts by Gabe McGrath