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.

Key Crew

Top 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

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