Tonight was the night – 26 years ago exactly – when the Hitz gang gathered at their favourite King Street nightclub. It was the end of Hitz broadcast 10.
And I’ve got a 90 minute tape for you to stream.
It was the end of the station’s 10th broadcast, which ran over the Summer of 96/97. Hit songs of that era included In the Evening (Sheryl Lee Ralph), On the Bible (Deuce), and No Diggity (Blackstreet). Hitz played a number of known and emerging Aussie tracks like September (Past to Present), Floorspace (Our House), Your Love (Bubblegum Crisis), and I belong to you (Gina G).
During this time, Hitz had a number of guests through the doors, including Past 2 Present, La Bouche, Dead or Alive, and 80s pinup icon Samantha Fox (!) who “dropped in because she heard the station and liked it.”
Clubbing time
Hitz broadcasted live from The Metro and Inflation each Friday and Saturday night respectively. (In fact, you can hear a Hitz FM Friday night Joy at The Metro recording here). So it was no surprise that the final broadcast and party happened at Inflation.
Thoughout the afternoon and evening, the station counted down the top 89 requested songs of the broadcast. Starting with Me & You (Alexa, at No. 89), all the way through to the top 3. There was Break My Stride (Unique II), Sound of E (Ultrashock) and at No. 1 – Sexy Eyes (Whigfield)
Hitz broadcast 10 – have a listen!
In this recording, you’ll hear songs by Jamiroquai, Keith Sweat, Gina G, Duke, The Cardigans, Blackstreet, Unique II. And there’s some old-school sponsor ads including Big M, Billy Guyatts and Hoyts Cinemas (Advertising Romeo & Juliet, plus Space Jam).
But most of all, you’ll hear many familiar Hitz names in a relaxed – and very silly – mood. I’m not sure if it was the “Sub Zero” era in early 97 – but some sort of liquid was flowing, judging by the conversations.
Enjoy!
PS: As an added bonus, listen out for a funny little cameo (near the end) from Tony Martin (Martin Molloy / Get This).
