George Gimarc spent 29 years in radio working for a variety of stations in the Dallas area, including WRR, KNTU, KDNT, KZEW, KRQX, KZPS, KNON, and KDGE. In March of 1977 George went on the air on the College station (KNTU) with "The Rock & Roll Alternative", which was one of the very first regular "new wave" or "punk" radio shows in the US. The program was the only venue that new music was played on the radio throughout the late 70's and early 80's. Acts that Gimarc was responsible for breaking in the DFW area include R.E.M., the Go Go's, U2, Psychedelic Furs, Sex Pistols, Devo, B 52's, XTC, The Smiths, The Cult, and many others. The program moved to commercial radio on May 18th, 1980. This was also the same day that Ian Curtis of Joy Division hanged himself. The "Rock & Roll Alternative" continued for 14 years. The show was broadcast on four different stations throughout its run in Texas, and at one time was on as many as twenty pirate radio stations throughout Europe, England and Australia.
THE ROCK AND ROLL ALTERNATIVE DALLAS TX 06.12.83
Bono and Mike Peters of The Alarm are guests on "The Rock and Roll Alternative" hosted by George Gimarc from KZEW f.m. Dallas. Nice candid interview with Bono and a surprise demo played for the first time on Radio that Mike brought in. Scattered with funny phone call in stories. Bono learns what a yokel is for the first time.
Bono and Mike Peters of The Alarm are guests on "The Rock and Roll Alternative" hosted by George Gimarc from KZEW f.m. Dallas. Nice candid interview with Bono and a surprise demo played for the first time on Radio that Mike brought in. Scattered with funny phone call in stories. Bono learns what a yokel is for the first time.
DJ career
Gimarc began his career at college as a disc jockey on the University of North Texas radio station KNTU, with his program that eventually became known as The Rock & Roll Alternative. This was one of the first regular New Wave or punk radio shows in the United States.
The Rock & Roll Alternative program was responsible for introducing acts such as R.E.M., The Go-Go's, U2, The Psychedelic Furs, The Sex Pistols, Devo, The B-52's, XTC, The Smiths, The Cult, and hundreds of others to the listening audience of the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex listening area from 1977 onwards. Its musical introduction began with the words "This is George's show ...", recorded for Gimarc by The Bangles.
The Rock & Roll Alternative program moved to commercial radio on May 18, 1980 and continued for 14 years until it was retired. It was heard on four different licensed stations throughout its run in Texas. After the show moved to KZEW (The Zoo) in Dallas, George Gimarc in association with John England began to promote the ideology of free radio (as opposed to government censored radio) within the show. Gimarc announced the show as being heard on the flagship station KZEW and the Four Freedoms World Service (4FWS) which relayed the program via recordings for retransmission by a network of unlicensed pirate radio stations that transmitted on AM, FM and shortwave in Europe, and shortwave from New Zealand via KIWI Radio, to Australasia. A Texas network of Public Access Television cable channels called 4FTN, also aired special editions of Gimarc's programs.
Gimarc began his career at college as a disc jockey on the University of North Texas radio station KNTU, with his program that eventually became known as The Rock & Roll Alternative. This was one of the first regular New Wave or punk radio shows in the United States.
The Rock & Roll Alternative program was responsible for introducing acts such as R.E.M., The Go-Go's, U2, The Psychedelic Furs, The Sex Pistols, Devo, The B-52's, XTC, The Smiths, The Cult, and hundreds of others to the listening audience of the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex listening area from 1977 onwards. Its musical introduction began with the words "This is George's show ...", recorded for Gimarc by The Bangles.
The Rock & Roll Alternative program moved to commercial radio on May 18, 1980 and continued for 14 years until it was retired. It was heard on four different licensed stations throughout its run in Texas. After the show moved to KZEW (The Zoo) in Dallas, George Gimarc in association with John England began to promote the ideology of free radio (as opposed to government censored radio) within the show. Gimarc announced the show as being heard on the flagship station KZEW and the Four Freedoms World Service (4FWS) which relayed the program via recordings for retransmission by a network of unlicensed pirate radio stations that transmitted on AM, FM and shortwave in Europe, and shortwave from New Zealand via KIWI Radio, to Australasia. A Texas network of Public Access Television cable channels called 4FTN, also aired special editions of Gimarc's programs.
While Gimarc was hosting The Rock & Roll Alternative on KZEW-FM, in 1982 he also became music director on its sister AM station KRQX (K-Rocks). He took to the air over KRQX and presented his own shows which often focused on obscure records from the 1960s as well as the subject of free radio.
In 1987, after both KZEW and KRQX changed ownership and formats, he began a new program called Back Pages on KZPS in Dallas. This was an eclectic classic rock show combining rare records, intriguing stories and listener requests.
In 1989, Gimarc joined KDGE (The Edge) where he co-formatted the station as Music Director and hosted the afternoon drive show. He left KDGE with other staff in 1993 when the station changed its format to a Top 40 style of format.
Producer and author
In addition to his on-air work, Gimarc became the sole writer for Rotten Day, a syndicated radio program starring John Lydon, which aired in over 50 markets. He has acted as consultant for the Time/Life and the History Of Rock And Roll series, compiled several record collections and written liner notes for many record labels. He has also written several books, including Punk Diary 1970-1979 and Hollywood Hi Fi.
In 1987, after both KZEW and KRQX changed ownership and formats, he began a new program called Back Pages on KZPS in Dallas. This was an eclectic classic rock show combining rare records, intriguing stories and listener requests.
In 1989, Gimarc joined KDGE (The Edge) where he co-formatted the station as Music Director and hosted the afternoon drive show. He left KDGE with other staff in 1993 when the station changed its format to a Top 40 style of format.
Producer and author
In addition to his on-air work, Gimarc became the sole writer for Rotten Day, a syndicated radio program starring John Lydon, which aired in over 50 markets. He has acted as consultant for the Time/Life and the History Of Rock And Roll series, compiled several record collections and written liner notes for many record labels. He has also written several books, including Punk Diary 1970-1979 and Hollywood Hi Fi.
The Rock & Roll Alternative was responsible for introducing acts such as R.E.M., The Go-Go's, U2, The Psychedelic Furs, The Sex Pistols, Devo, The B-52's, XTC, The Smiths, The Cult, and hundreds of others to the listening audience of the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex listening area from 1977 onwards.
From left to right: Bryan Boyd, Eric Gardner, John Lydon, George Gimarc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gimarc