WRKO gave up on playing music. They had decided to go to a Talk format. Somebody had to say goodbye, and WRKO DJ Justin Clark, then-Assistant to Program Director Charlie Van Dyke, received the onerous honor as undertaker.

So WRKO's "goodbye-guy" wrote the script, and staged the swan song production. This was truly "the end-time".

It all happened Sunday afternoon, September 27, 1981, just before 6 PM, leading into the first talk show, which was hosted by attorney Steve Wiseman (we were told Mr. Wiseman's show was a snorer). 

Justin says Charlie asked him to stay on as Assistant P.D., which was all well and good until former WMEX/1510 Good Guy Mel Miller was hired as WRKO's new Program Director.  Out the door went Justin, who went over to WVBF/105.7, then on to WMJX.  He's out of radio now, working for his brother at the family liquor store in Charlestown.  He needs another radio gig!  Justin would like to hear from you, whether you worked with him, or are a fan.

This aircheck available for you at the bottom of this page —- WRKO's last gasp as a music station —  was an emotional experience for me.  You may feel similarly.

Oh.... what could have happened to the famous WRKO call letters?  According to then-Program Director Charlie Van Dyke, corporate headquarters in New York City gave Charlie the decision whether to keep or change the call letters, as the station went into its talk format.  Charlie just couldn't bear to toss away those heritage calls, for which many of us are grateful!