It's official: Here's the CBS press release ending the 41-year run of WBCN

Mark Parenteau on the rise and fall of 'BCN

Adios, WBCN

19 Comments

• aging cynic said:

  Favorite 'BCN memory, (other than Duane Ingalls Glasscock):

  One year, a friend of mine arranged a St. Patrick's Day party far in advance at a hotel restaurant he managed near the BCN studio, with BCN also a sponsor. Being related to some cops, he arranged for a BPD motorcycle squad to do some sort of display with the police Harleys. Between the original brainstorm and St. Patrick's Day, the bar evolved into a largely gay clientele. The sight of middle-aged Irish motorcycle cops performing for the not-yet-out DJ Mark Parenteau and a group of his friends was a classic.

  July 14, 2009 12:51 PM

• ZAKK said:

  THIS IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE IN BOSTON RADIO HISTORY!

  July 14, 2009 2:03 PM

• Chipper said:

  I loved when Duane Ingalls Glasscock locked himself in the station, and I believe, kept playing the same song, or something to that effect. It was the nation's best underground station for years! We'll miss ya.

  July 14, 2009 2:45 PM

• Theo80126 said:

  Well Lick Me!! Too bad for the world. But I guess this really happened ten years ago when they let Mark Parenteau (aka Mahk 'Arenno) go. What would Dick McGiver, the toll taker on the Pike say about all of this?

  My favorite memory, other than ONLY listening to 'BCN, or the time Duane played "Tusk" for an entire shift, Walking in the picket line during the strike, or going with my friend Greg Smizer to follow the station when they moved from the Pru Tower to 1185 Boylston St, or was when I stopped by to work on the "Listener Line" one December day in 1983. There was a woman there that did the same thing. The "Listener Line" folks couldn't make it that day because of snow, on bad acid, I forget which. So I showed up. Fun. Mark was doing lines and smoking dope for the last hour of his shift. Bastard wouldn't share, though.

  I miss 'BCN. Where else would we here "Do you Think I'm Psycho, Momma", or "Wet Spot" (I'm Not Going to Sleep on the Wet Spot Anymore)? I try to tell friends about listening to this station and they don't believe it ever happened. RIP WBCN. I'll never forget you.

  July 14, 2009 3:32 PM

• Peter Keough said:

  First song played on WBCN: Cream's "I Feel Free"

  July 14, 2009 3:36 PM

• Studio8H said:

  The devastation of WBCN is complete. The clueless suits have run it into the ground. A once great medium has answered to the corporation - not the listeners.

  Fortunately some of the old 'BCN spirit will be available, once the dust settles, on the web and HD Radio.

  FM is dead.

  July 14, 2009 4:05 PM

• Robin Goodwin said:

  You guys should whip out the WBCN Strike issue and cover photo...

  July 14, 2009 4:13 PM

• chris said:

  iloved the morning mattress and laughed myself sick evrytime Billy west was on doing Larry Fine.  

  July 14, 2009 4:17 PM

• djeddieo said:

  'BCN died a long time ago...do they even play any music from THIS century? I miss Oedipus, when he played music, and Charles/Dwayne....THAT's radio! I doubt former 'BCN listeners will flock to 'FNX now. Even though I think it sux now as well (again, the 90's ended some time ago....), it's still way too modern for that listener. If anyone's curious what the rock music of TODAY sounds like, check out LA's indie1031.com (alas, another former FM station that's now internet only, but for this Bostonian, it always was!)

  July 14, 2009 5:57 PM

• tc8string said:

  for awhile the DJ's seemed as big as the rock stars....my theory is that the station died when they stopped playing the Fools....

  July 14, 2009 9:14 PM

• Janice said:

  I actully had me Duane Ingalls Glasscock and asked him.if he had 'Crystal Balls'!!!!!!!!!!!!!Very figgin funny..........

  July 14, 2009 10:03 PM

• aging cynic said:

  If memory serves, 'BCN was the impetus for me to join 500 other idiots on the Esplanade in a midnight reading of the "Michigan Daily" scoop on the "death" of Paul McCartney. Wow, do I feel old....

  July 14, 2009 10:16 PM

• Bill McGrath said:

  The shame of this all is that the people who listen to this station only care about what they hear, whether its the personalities or the music. I only wish someday the people who actually own radio...will listen to their target audience.

  July 14, 2009 11:01 PM

• Robbie Mac said:

  This is depressing! We have WeeI already why do we need it on the Fm dial? WTF! All my childhood memories of listen to the radio all include WBCN if it was Howard Stern in the morning when I was in High School. Nick Carter at night when I was washing dishes or cooking at Friendly's. Then as an adult having my fav show ever Opie and Anthony. Thanks for the memories WBCN you'll be missed.

  July 15, 2009 7:27 AM

• Danielle said:

  Meanwhile, the primary NYC public radio station has <a href="www.mediabistro.com/.../wnyc_buys_nyts_classical_music_station_121577.asp">bought the city's classical station</a>, but will keep the format.

  The NYT is now either $11.5m or $35m richer (can't tell whom Univision's paying). Maybe the sale will ease the tension on the Globe? Ha ha, just kidding.

  July 15, 2009 9:46 AM

• Kenyon said:

  The Cosmic Muffin would say the stars are lined up just right for this to happen. I wonder what Danny Sheckter the news disector is saying about this move. I felt connected to the different personalities over the passed 37 years. Only once did I ever hear the time of day announced and I was shocked.

  August 9, 2009 9:21 PM

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