"The End" met its end last week as KENZ radio (FM-101.9) switched formats on April 21 to a "Gen-X" 1990s based music format.
That finishes a more than 14-year run by the adult alternative music station, which began on Jan. 1, 1996.
Three radio employees — Jimmy Chunga, Cort Johnson and Grant Ruby all lost their jobs due to the changes.
Citadel Broadcasting, the station's owner, is emerging from a bankruptcy which may have played a factor. The new format is DJ-less, like the KJMY ("Y-99") format, an obvious savings in manpower and salaries.
KENZ had not done well ratings-wise in recent years. At its peak, it was a top 10 station. However, in the latest Arbitron rating estimates, it dropped to a tie for 16th place among all listeners with 2.0 percent audience share.
KJMY, meanwhile, has almost double that audience with a 4.5 percent share, good for 7th place in the Salt Lake radio market.
KENZ had already made come cuts. In December 2007, "Mr. West" was forced out from the Chunga morning show. With him gone, the show never had as much spark.
The station also changed frequencies in Sept. 2005, going from FM-107.5 on the dial to FM-101.9. (That clearly meant a move from the far "end" of the radio dial to the "middle," and yet the station retained its "End" nickname.)
Will the new "Gen-X" station attract more listeners? Yes, I think it will.
There has been many changes on the FM-101.9 frequency over the years.
It was the home of KKAT for many years and KPQP prior to "The End" taking over.
Here's are some of the morning personalities that have called FM-101.9 home over the years:
2006-10: Jimmy Chunga show.
2004-05: The Morning Pop Squad with Mike, Tiffany and the Janitor
2004: Tommy Carerra
2002-04: Tim and Willey
2000-01: Shawn and Dobie
1999-2000: Cano, Rick and Dawn
1997-99: Rick, Dawn and Tom Kelly
1995-97: "Kidd Cassidy"
1996-97: Welch and Woody
1994-95: Gary and Scotty
1990-94: Cano and Simmons
1988-90: John Marks
1987-88: Max Wulfe and Sheila Balistreri
1984-87: Mike Butts and John Van Wagoner.
Between 1990-94, the frequency experienced its heyday as ranked No. 1 most of those years.RADIO HAPPENINGS — Fans of Bob Lonsberry, morning host on KNRS, will have a chance to go to dinner with him on May 12, 6:30 p.m., at Noah's restaurant in Lindon. The cost is $12 a person. Call 801-375-1115 to make a reservation.
— KBYU (FM-89.1) will air more concerts from the 2010 Madeleine Festival:
"Robert Simms: Spirituals" will air May 2 and 9, 8-10 a.m.
"Lucarelli and Friends" airs May 3-7 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
"Mendelssohn's Elijah with the Utah Oratorio Society" airs May 16, 3 p.m.
"Cathedral Choir and Orchestra" airs May 23, May 30 and June 6, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
TWENTY YEARS AGO IN SALT LAKE RADIO — KSL seeks to purchase an FM radio station in Salt Lake City; it files an application for an ownership waiver with the FCC.
e-mail: lynn@desnews.com