Keener13.com - The End of an Era

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Keener was history. But across the Detroit river, another AM powerhouse would soon become a memory. The Canadian Radio and Television Commission, Canada's version of the FCC initiated strict content rules requiring all Canadian stations to devote a significant portion of their airtime to "Canadian Content." At CKLW, that meant playing lots of Joni Mitchell, Blood Sweat and Tears (David Clayton Thomas was Canadian), Neil Young, Paul Anka and the Guess Who. Even with Keener legend Dick Purtan holding up the morning drive numbers, this draconian regulatory approach, coupled with the dominant popularity of higher fidelity FM signals spelled doom for The Big 8.

But that's not quite the end of the story. For a brief time, Keener was reborn. Paul Christie convinced Ed Christian to put classic top 40 gold and the Keener 13 moniker back on 1310 AM in the late 70s. Steve Schram worked at the rejuvenated Keener and, after a few career stops along the way, returned to WNIC as the general manager, taking the former WKNR-FM to the top of the Detroit radio ratings. Once again, there was a number one station at 15001 Michigan Avenue. Steve made sure that the 100.3 FM staff was always aware of the creative legacy that permeated the former home of WKNR..

Clear Channel Communications is writing the final chapter in the Keener story. The oligopoly plans a consolidation of their Detroit radio facilities at the former A&W Detroit headquarters. The old Keener studios in Dearborn will soon no longer echo with the sound of broadcast excellence.

The end of an era.