Stephen King’s Maine rock radio legacy comes to a close

Stephen King’s three radio stations in Maine — WZON, WKIT, and WZLO — are set to go off the air on December 31, 2024, marking the end of an era for the Bangor region. King said the decision is part of his effort to "get his business affairs in better order."

These stations, which have operated under King's ownership for more than 40 years, are shutting down due to significant financial losses and King’s decision to streamline his business responsibilities as he approaches his 78th year. Of course, King is mostly known as a novelist, and particularly (though not exclusively) in the horror genre (a "Big Four" of horror might include Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King, and Bram Stoker).

King, a lifelong music enthusiast and avid rock fan, purchased the flagship station WZON in 1983. WZON, whose call letters reference King’s novel The Dead Zone, broadcasts a "Retro Radio" format featuring classic hits. WKIT, branded as "The Rock of Bangor" or "Stephen King’s Rock & Roll Station," focuses on classic rock, while WZLO offers adult alternative programming.

Despite their strong community presence, King personally subsidized the stations’ operation for decades, a costly endeavor in an increasingly corporatized media landscape. Reflecting on the closure, King emphasized his pride in maintaining local, independent radio ownership, a rarity in today’s broadcasting world.

More on why the closure of these Stephen King stations is sad

Stephen KIng praised the dedicated staff who ran the stations and supported local advertisers. "Tabby and I are proud to have been a part of that for more than four decades," King stated. He also expressed gratitude for the stations’ contributions to the Bangor community.

The decision underscores broader challenges in independent radio, as smaller stations struggle to compete with large corporate entities. General Manager Ken Wood noted that the closure represents a loss for local radio enthusiasts and advertisers alike. There also appears to be no future for the stations, as no plans for new ownership have been announced.

On the bright side: The legacy of Stephen King's rock fandom

These closures also highlight King’s broader contributions to the arts and local community. Beyond his literary fame, King has shown a passion for music, notably performing with the Rock Bottom Remainders, a band of literary icons, featuring King, Dave Barry, Amy Tan, Scott Turow, Greg Iles, and Matt Groening. His radio ventures reflected this same love for music and a commitment to connecting with his Maine roots. Also, keep in mind: Horror and rock music have a pretty long history.

Because it's tough to find a legal clip of the Rock Bottom Remainders with quality audio and Stephen King present, here's a nice intervie segment from Conan O'Brien with King: