New Wave: Dare to be Different

U2, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, Blondie, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, The Clash, and The Cure: these iconic bands have collectively sold over 500 million records, yet their fame might not have reached such heights without the influence of a modest suburban radio station in Long Island, NY, known as WLIR. In August 1982, a determined team of radio pioneers realized they couldn’t rival the major stations in New York City. With a bold and transformative decision, they forever altered the landscape of radio. Program Director Denis McNamara, along with the WLIR team and the era’s most prominent artists, recount how they defied the FCC, record companies, major radio networks, and traditional norms to spark a musical revolution that introduced New Wave to the American audience.