WAWA (defunct)
Encyclopedia
WAWA was a radio station licensed to West Allis, Wisconsin
, serving the Milwaukee
area, located at 1590 AM. It's studio and transmitter were located in Elm Grove
. For the station's entire existence, WAWA was the sister station to WAWA-FM (later WLUM).
The station signed on the air in 1961, and signed off in 1988, when the owner returned the license to the FCC
. Since the FCC no longer re-licenses daytime-only stations, the 1590 AM frequency allocation in the Milwaukee market is considered to be permanently deleted.
format, WAWA quickly found success playing rhythm and blues
music, starting in 1963. The format was popular with Milwaukee's African-American community, and was a serious rival to WNOV
during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. They also simulcast part time with their FM sister station at 102.1 FM, later carrying the WLUM call letters, with their sister station. All-Pro Broadcasting purchased both stations in 1979. In 1998, they were able to buy a stronger station at 1290 AM
. Since FCC rules at the time would not allow them to keep both AM stations, and because they were unable to sell WAWA, they signed 1590 AM off the air for good and returned the station's license to the FCC. WAWA's format and programming were subsequently moved to 1290 AM.
West Allis, Wisconsin
West Allis is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. The population was 61,254 at the 2000 census. Its name derives from Edward P. Allis, who started the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company in the 19th century. The site of the town was...
, serving the Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
area, located at 1590 AM. It's studio and transmitter were located in Elm Grove
Elm Grove, Wisconsin
Elm Grove is a village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 6,249 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elm Grove is located at ....
. For the station's entire existence, WAWA was the sister station to WAWA-FM (later WLUM).
The station signed on the air in 1961, and signed off in 1988, when the owner returned the license to the FCC
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
. Since the FCC no longer re-licenses daytime-only stations, the 1590 AM frequency allocation in the Milwaukee market is considered to be permanently deleted.
History
Originally airing an adult standardsAdult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
format, WAWA quickly found success playing rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
music, starting in 1963. The format was popular with Milwaukee's African-American community, and was a serious rival to WNOV
WNOV
WNOV is a community-oriented urban contemporary radio station located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. WNOV is currently the only station owned by Courier Communications, but on January 18, 2008 it was sold to a new company called Radio Multi-Media...
during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. They also simulcast part time with their FM sister station at 102.1 FM, later carrying the WLUM call letters, with their sister station. All-Pro Broadcasting purchased both stations in 1979. In 1998, they were able to buy a stronger station at 1290 AM
WMCS
This article is about the radio station, for the school, see West Memphis Christian SchoolWMCS is an African-American-oriented talk and music radio station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
. Since FCC rules at the time would not allow them to keep both AM stations, and because they were unable to sell WAWA, they signed 1590 AM off the air for good and returned the station's license to the FCC. WAWA's format and programming were subsequently moved to 1290 AM.