Death of Rock N Roll: WZZQ

JACKSON, miss. – On the evening of July 2, 1981, WZZQ closed the evening with Todd Rundgren’s “Death of Rock N Roll” and “The End” by the Doors. At midnight they signed off with the words, “That was WZZQ Jackson,” and then dropped the signal.

Six hours later, at 6 a.m., news anchor Bill Ellison came on the air and read “This is WMSI-FM” from an index card before his usual news announcement. WMSI is now known as MISS-103.

Now, for the first time in over 40 years, WZZQ is getting a much-needed farewell in a new documentary.

“WZZQ the Movie” is intended to be a final farewell and a celebration of what Jackson didn’t even know existed at the time – an avant-garde of album-oriented radio.

Directed by Jackson native Ann Ford and featuring firsthand interviews with people who were connected to and affected by ZZQ102, the film will delve into the station’s history, from its beginnings in a back room of the WLBT building on Jefferson Street as WJDX-FM, to its glory days as WZZQ in a new studio, to its transformation and eventual inclusion on mass radio.

The Rock of Jackson

In 1968, Jackson radio station WJDX-FM switched from easy listening to progressive rock, calling itself “WJDX, the Rock of Jackson.” In 1973, the station was given the call sign WZZQ. The station was a local version of the growing format of album-oriented rock, led by a small group of DJs whose antics became local legend. The station offered its own mix of deep cuts, blues, folk, local artists, news, even comedy tracks and radio plays. Unlike today, WZZQ’s DJs had creative freedom and often played several songs by the same artist in a row, especially if they fit a certain theme.

Songs were chosen that sounded good together, flowed well into each other and, most legendary of all, shared a similar theme or made a statement together. Some sets had a common lyrical theme, others had a musical connection, still others were more complex. Almost every song played was connected in some way to the previous song and the rest of the songs in the set between breaks. Sometimes they were obvious, a “car set” or a “dog set,” sometimes incredibly obscure, but always very thoughtful.

Miss 103

In 1981, new owners switched the station to a country music format and renamed it WMSI-FM, or “Miss 103.”

When the format change was announced, listeners protested fiercely. A group called Save Our Station circulated petitions and threatened advertising boycotts. However, WZZQ’s assistant manager and general manager Marshall Magee stood firm. He believed that a country music format was a “good business practice.”

“We’re in the business to make money. Most die-hard ZZQ people know that. The key to any successful business is what is most profitable for the business,” Magee said in a 1981 Clarion Ledger article.

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