KQRS Radio’s Big Format Shift Expected This Thursday Morning

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — KQRS Radio, a longtime staple in the classic rock scene, is poised to unveil a significant format change at 6 a.m. on Thursday. The station, known for its iconic rock lineup since the late 1970s, signifies this transformation with a cryptic message: “We’re under construction,” shared via social media.

The announcement follows a series of notable changes at the station, including the removal of all DJs from the airwaves last week and the anticipation of returning back to the airwaves with popular host Steve Gorman. Gorman has been involved with the station since he replaced veteran morning host Brian Zepp, who was laid off earlier in March.

As KQRS prepares for its new direction, listeners noted that the station began playing the 1992 hit “Somebody to Shove” by local band Soul Asylum on repeat Tuesday morning, fueling speculation about the nature of the format change.

A representative from Cumulus Media, the Atlanta-based company that owns KQRS, did not return a request for comment on the upcoming changes.

Established in 1948, KQRS transformed into a classic rock station in the 1970s and hit its peak audience in the 1990s thanks to the popularity of its morning show hosted by Tom Barnard. The station faced intense competition when Howard Stern entered the market in 1997, but Barnard’s ratings remained unmatched, leading Stern to exit after just two years.

However, ratings began to falter by late 2022 when Barnard made his departure known. Gorman, a Michigan native, joined KQRS after his prior success in sports radio and came equipped with a strong understanding of the station’s cultural significance. “I understand what KQ is and has been…I love the city, and it’s a great station,” Gorman stated at the time he was hired.

Now, some viewers theorize KQRS might transition from focusing solely on ’70s and ’80s classic rock to incorporating ’90s alternative rock and beyond into its lineup, noting that Green Day and Nirvana have started to feature prominently alongside classic icons like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.