New Wave: Dare to be Different
The story of the most influential radio station in America
Overview
U2, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, Blondie, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, The Clash, The Cure: Over half a billion records sold but you may never have heard of them if not for a small suburban radio station on Long Island, NY: WLIR. In August, 1982, a small group of radio visionaries knew they couldn't compete with the mega-stations in New York City. With one brave decision, they changed the sound of radio forever. Program Director Denis McNamara, the 'LIR crew and the biggest artists of the era tell the story of how they battled the FCC, the record labels, mega-radio and all the conventional rules to create a musical movement that brought the New Wave to America.
Cast
Debbie Harry
Self - Blondie - Singer / Songwriter
Joan Jett
Self - The Runaways, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts - Singer / Songwriter
Billy Idol
Self - Singer / Songwriter
Nick Rhodes
Self - Duran Duran - singer / songwriter / keyboards
Nancy Abramson
Self - WLIR - DJ
M. King Adkins
Self
Ron Alexenburg
Self - record executive
Sam Ash
Self - Sam Ash Music - owner
Tom Bailey
Self - The Thompson Twins - lead singer
Ivan Baker
Self - Ivan Ivan - producer, manager, executive, DJ
Jeff Beck
Self - WLIR - production director / DJ
Eric Bloom
Self - Blue Oyster Cult - lead singer
