WAKR

Station Information

Call Letters: WAKR

Frequency: 1590 AM

Location: Akron, OH

WAKR banned The Beatles!

Evidence of the Ban:

On Thursday, August 4, 1966, the Akron Beacon Journal reported that WAKR "would continue to play the group's music despite the furor." However, one day later the Beacon Journal  stated under the headline "WAKR Stops Beatle Records," "Radio station WAKR has stopped playing Beatle records after published comments by singer John Lennon that the Beatles are more popular than Christ. Roger C. Berk, vice president and general manager of Summit Radio Corp., which owns WAKR, said today: 'WAKR banned the playing of the Beatles records on the station Thursday in light of comments by John Lennon. The ban will continue until such time as it's in the public interest to play them again. WAKR began conducting a listeners' poll on the issue Thursday evening. The poll will continue this evening. Listeners can call the station after 6 to record their comments on whether Beatle records should be played. Thursday's poll brought mixed reaction, and the recorded comments will be played on the air during the day today.' "

On August 7, the Dayton Daily News reported, "A WONE spokesman yesterday said the Beatle-ban orders came from the station owner, who also operates station WAKR in Akron, and that there was no plan to rescind the policy."

On August 13, the Beacon Journal updated the story: "WAKR Radio officials are reconsidering their ban on playing Beatle records. Roger Berk, vice president and general manager of Summit Radio Corp., said the ban is being reconsidered in light of Beatle John Lennon's explanation and apology."

Finally, on August 17, the Beacon Journal brought the story to its conclusion: "Here's something to scream about, girls. Once again you can tune in WAKR to hear 'The Yellow Submarine' and 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand.' The radio station today lifted its ban on playing Beatle records."

Notes:

In 1966, WAKR included news every half-hour, "Morning Scriptures" at 5:55 AM, a "Hymn For Today" at 11:55 AM, an evening show called "Oldies But Goodies," and a midnight to 5 AM show called "Night Life."

Current Info:

Correspondence:

The station was contacted to see if they want to apologize to The Beatles, but they did not respond.