Hitz Melbourne’s 12th broadcast begam on this very day, in 1997. It was a broadcast that had both massive changes, and yet business as usual.
But I’ll get to those things in moment.
Let’s talk music.
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.
Going for gold in 2000: Hitz Melbourne’s 18th Broadcast
In September 2000, Hitz Melbourne’s 18th Broadcast began. We were smashing out tracks like Lady (Modjo), Embrace the Sunshine (Quench) and On a Night Like This (Kylie). The big films at the cinema included X-Men, Road Trip and Hollow Man. And up in Sydney, they were busy with some sporting event involving 5 rings.
But seriously, the real action was in Melbourne.
Continue reading “Going for gold in 2000: Hitz Melbourne’s 18th Broadcast”9 unforgettable moments in TWO YEARS of Hitz FM blogging
It’s my blog’s anniversary today. Normally, after 2 years of Hitz FM blogging, you’d expect a list of favourite stories. But that seems crass and boring.
So instead, I’d like to tell you about 9 moments in the past 24 months that I won’t forget.
Continue reading “9 unforgettable moments in TWO YEARS of Hitz FM blogging”Stream: The first 2 hours of Hitz Melbourne Broadcast 16
July 26, 1999. Humberto ‘Humpy’ Texeria opened Hitz Melbourne Broadcast 16 at 9am with Hey Boy, Hey Girl by The Chemical Brothers. He kept playing hit after hit, great new music – but something was wrong. Hitz FM had returned, but there weren’t any requests coming in.
The phones were dead.
Continue reading “Stream: The first 2 hours of Hitz Melbourne Broadcast 16”Flashback to July 1997 – Hitz Melbourne’s 11th broadcast
July 1997 was a great time to be heading to the movies in Australia. Hits included Jim Carrey’s Liar Liar, Nick Cage (and his hair) in Con Air and Bruce Willis’ amazing 5th element.
It was also a time of change for Hitz FM.
Continue reading “Flashback to July 1997 – Hitz Melbourne’s 11th broadcast”STREAM THE PARTY: Queens Birthday Sunday night (in 98)
Back in 1998, it was a pretty awesome Queens Birthday Sunday night. In fact, the whole weekend on Hitz was big. They were giving away prize packs every hour to new members.
And you’ll find a TWO HOUR recording to stream below, including an hour of The Warmup with Shannon Yates “playing some of the harder sounds”.
But first, let’s jump into our time machine…
Continue reading “STREAM THE PARTY: Queens Birthday Sunday night (in 98)”See the Pics: The four Hitz Melbourne studio locations
Although most listeners interacted with the station via phone (or fax!) requests – many visited the Hitz Melbourne studio to pick up prizes, have a look around or even volunteer.
More than just a building – each location had an impact on the young staff working there. So I thought you’d like a bit of a peek into the places – and faces – of the four Hitz Melbourne broadcast locations.
Continue reading “See the Pics: The four Hitz Melbourne studio locations”STREAM: The first FIVE HOURS of Hitz FM’s 14th Broadcast
Let’s jump back to April 1998. It wasn’t just the time of Hitz FM’s 14th Broadcast. It was the era of It’s Like That (Run DMC/Jason Nevins), You make me Wanna (Usher) and Frozen (Madonna). At the movies Titanic was finally ending its mammoth run, to be replaced by Good Will Hunting and The Wedding Singer.
And now you can stream 5 hours from that era – as Hitz FM’s 14th Broadcast began…
TEN amazing bits of Hitz Melbourne audio worth preserving
Each year, ten pieces of ‘important sound’ are inducted into the National Film and Sound Archive’s (NFSA) Sounds of Australia. But which recordings of Hitz Melbourne audio would I save? How would I decide?
Last year’s Sounds of Australia included Somebody That I Used to Know (Gotye ft. Kimbra) and the Stolen Generation Apology by Kevin Rudd.
But how do I narrow down 17,543 hours of youth radio (yes, that’s the true number) into ten essential bits of Hitz Melbourne audio? At the risk of starting a big debate, I’m going to try.
And many of them are here, ready to stream!
Continue reading “TEN amazing bits of Hitz Melbourne audio worth preserving”When Hitz Melbourne smashed the radio ratings
Back in Summer 93/94 the Hitz crew were having the time of our lives. We had our music on the radio, tonnes of listeners calling in, and more free pizza than we could eat. But we never suspected what would happen next. The day Hitz Melbourne smashed the radio ratings.
And it was this very day, the 22nd of February.
Continue reading “When Hitz Melbourne smashed the radio ratings”