Launched late ’75, it was our first FM station. Initially double Z, stereo radio was a revelation to Brisbane. Not only what they played, but how it sounded. Stereo radio was as significant as colour was to black and white. Coupled with that, was the fantastic stuff the station was playing.
The station played whole albums, the likes of Pink Floyd, YES, Moody Blues, Steely Dan, Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison, Radio Birdman, the Clash, Lou Reed, Tom Waits, BB King, Muddy Waters, Nina Simone, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane…
– and gave welcome exposure to many unknown Australian artists. Nearly all of which the established AM stations wouldn’t play. The station dedicated an hour each weeknight to a particular musical genre: e.g. blues, jazz, 50’s rock’n’roll, new releases. Each night produced by a host knowledgeable in that style of music (especially the 50’s rock’n’roll blokes). An education for Brisbane listeners.
Double Z also provided alternate views to mainstream media on current issues. It was the height of the Peterson reign. Station announcers were mostly volunteers, were far from slick and smooth. In fact, sometimes there weren’t any. Just good music. Less was more.
The station hosted concerts, played live across Brisbane airwaves, and pioneered brave exciting changes to conservative Brisbane.
At Friday night parties in those days, we danced to LPs. I recall hilarious rushes to the turntable as each LP finished. To alleviate all this, on Friday nights the station played stuff you could dance to. No more mad rushes to get your record played. Ha!
When double Z came to Brisbane, someone pushed open a window – badly needed. The station was light years ahead of anything else at the time. Halcyon days friends – and I was there when it happened!
4ZZZ will host their ZED50 Market Day Festival at Roma Street Parklands on October 25 to celebrate 50 years.
Do you have your own memories of the renegade radio station? Email us at [email protected]
