Wayne Valley High School - Embers Yearbook (Wayne, NJ)

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S e We Were Kids We Liked PU, but When Punk, Junk, and Michael Jackson Took Over It Was The Day The Music Died June 30, 1983 was a bleak day in the history of rock ‘n‘ roll when WPLJ. the area's foremost rock radio station for more than fifteen years, changed its album oriented radio format to Top 40. Seniors who have the advantage of knowing what it was like in the old days were especially offended. It used to be great. says Patrick Russo. Eric Kramer reflected. They lost a lot of listeners when they switched to Top 40.1 never listen anymore. Even popular WPLJ disc-jockey Carol Miller found the new format too much to bear — she moved to rock station. WNEW, which, along with WAPP. “the Apple.” and WDHA. the Rock of North Jersey,” has become a new haven for disgruntled diehard rockers. What has displaced rock, a twenty-five year old tradition? There are many words to describe the New Wave of music: glitter rock, punk, disco. But whatever you call it Michael Jack-son. Billy Idol, and Boy George of Culture Club are just not the equivalents of Eric Clapton. Bob Dylan, and Pete Townshend. Here in school, the new music has failed to dethrone rock ‘n’ roll. In an EMBERS poll, most listeners indicated WAPP as their preferred radio station. But the new zoo . Z-100, finished a close second, evidence of the importance of the new trend in pop music. And lately, even the best of rock radio seems to be incorporating some new music into their play schedule. For me, I'll stick with my albums and as long as I'm the DJ, rock and roll can never die .. — Marc Levy 18 Student Life Don Imus WNBC Jim Kerr WPLJ Tony Pigg WPLJ

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Sitting in class, ready to go home, they planned their Escape from Wayne Valley It's 2:00 P.M. In the corridors all you can hear is a teacher or two droning on about the eight causes of the Civil War or the role | of hydrocarbons in petroleum formation. Soon however the sleepy students will awaken and become for a few short minutes, a loud, confused mass of humanity. pulsing with life, and bent on a single goal dismissal 2:10: Buses begin to arrive, their diesel engines making the ON THE ROAD AGAIN Junior Girard Thurrott rocks his way home from school just after the 2 20 bell outside air unbreathable All fifteen are in position near the courtyard by 2:15. 2:15: Halls are still silent, save the slapping of closing books and teachers' voices rising to compensate for the inevitable restlessness. 2:18: Although it is two minutes before the final bell, some students are seen filtering into corridors. 2:20: The final bell rings. All hell breaks loose as lockers bang open, books are dropped inside, and then metal meets metal as lockers are slammed shut. Shouts and whistles penetrate the clamor. Hurried good-byes are exchanged. 2:21: Streams of people flow from all exits. Buses fill with their human cargo Student parking lots are mazes of confusion as senior drivers race for a spot on one of the four lanes which make up Valley Road 2:26: The buses depart, a yellow caravan snaking west toward Valley Road 2:30: Wayne Valley is a silent corpse, put to sleep once again until the custodians wake it up at 6:30 A M. the next day. J1 IN TRANSIT: Senior Steven Dahl begins his long journey home Said Steve. Although the bus is sometimes overcrowded, it beats walking

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I DIGITAL DIALER Sophomore Karin Liljeg-ren tunes to WPU In 1983 this popular rock I station adopted a policy of playing all the hits . “There's a war going on and let me tell you. it is fun. I don’t care what format a station is — each is trying to improve. The creative juices are really flowing.” — Scott Muni. WNEW FM. as quoted in the Bergen Record. February 5. 1984 MUSIC MACHINE Sophomore David Molnar won't be able to sneak down the hallways with this 25 pound Zenith Students were forbidden from taking radio boxes to school David is moving the radio to the front of the room for Mr. Bontekoe who occasionally plays songs to illustrate modem trends. IN A WORLD OF HER OWN. At the home of Senior Kathy Seidl. Sophomore Cathie Juster listens to a Sony Walkman. Robin Quivers Frank Reed Pat St John Howard Stem WNBC WNBC WPLJ WNBC Student Life 19