WMMS#Rolling Stone Readers' Poll

On March 30, 1946,{{cite news|last=Stephan|first=Robert S.|date=March 31, 1946|title=WHK Dedicates First FM Experiment Station in Area|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|publisher=The Plain Dealer Broadcasting Co.|page=26A}} radio station WHK – owned at that time by United Broadcasting Company, a subsidiary of Forest City Publishing, itself the parent company of The Plain Dealer – launched an experimental FM station under the callsign W8XUB at 107.1 megahertz (MHz).{{cite web|title=Cleveland Broadcast Radio Archives WMMS timeline|url=http://www.cleve-radio.com/index2.htm#WMMS-FM|year=2002|work=Cleveland Broadcast Radio Archives|publisher=Mike Olszewski & SofTrends, Inc|access-date=December 28, 2009|archive-date=May 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509082729/http://www.cleve-radio.com/index2.htm#WMMS-FM|url-status=live}} On July 31, 1947, W8XUB began broadcasting at 100.7 MHz.{{cite news|date=July 31, 1947|title=Notice of W8XUB frequency change|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=15}} On November 13, 1947, the new FM station transitioned from experimental to commercial status; increased its power; and changed its callsign to WHKX.{{cite news|last=Stephan|first=Robert S.|date=November 13, 1947|title=WHK's FM Station Graduates, Expands Program Schedules|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=19}}

On November 11, 1948,{{cite web|year=1961|title=1961-61 Broadcasting Yearbook|url=http://www.davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1961-62/BC%20YB%201961-62%20Color.pdf|work=AmericanRadioHistory.com|publisher=David Gleason on the Web|page=B-128|access-date=February 9, 2011}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} the station adopted the callsign WHK-FM. In 1958, both WHK and WHK-FM were sold to Metropolitan Broadcasting, itself renamed MetroMedia two years later.{{r|Archives Timeline}} Like most early FM stations, WHK-FM mostly simulcast the Top 40 programming of its AM sister station. In 1966, in an effort to make the medium more commercially viable, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandated that FM stations could no longer duplicate the programming of their AM sister stations.{{r|Archives Timeline}} Seeing a small but significant groundswell of support for the medium in the market, WHK-FM adopted a new progressive rock format on August 15, 1968. WHK-FM became one of a handful of commercial stations in the country to try that format, many of which were owned by MetroMedia.{{r|Archives Timeline}} To firmly establish a separate identity, and to reflect the station's ownership,{{sfn|Olszewski|2003|p=14}} the WHK-FM callsign was changed to WMMS on September 28, 1968.{{cite web|title=Station Guide: Call Letters|url=http://www.cleve-radio.com/index2.htm#CALL%20LETTERS|year=2002|work=Cleveland Broadcast Radio Archives|publisher=Mike Olszewski & SofTrends, Inc|access-date=December 13, 2009|archive-date=May 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509082729/http://www.cleve-radio.com/index2.htm#CALL%20LETTERS|url-status=live}}

File:WMMS Presents Jefferson Airplane (alt.) - 1968 print ad.jpg concert]]

MetroMedia found major success with progressive rock at KMET Los Angeles, KSAN San Francisco, WMMR Philadelphia and WNEW-FM New York City, but a lack of commitment from MetroMedia led the company to drop the format at WMMS by May 1969. The station first turned to adult contemporary, big band, the Drake-Chenault automated Hit Parade '69 and finally Top 40,.{{sfn|Olszewski|2003|pp=21, 24}}

Following a legal dispute with a competing station owner over non-compete clauses in their contracts, former Top 40 WIXY personalities Dick {{nowrap|"the Wilde Childe"}} Kemp and Lou "King" Kirby were signed by MetroMedia for the top 40 format. The top 40 format also failed to make any major ratings impact. Soon after, the station revered back to the Progressive Rock format to battle WNCR of Nationwide Communications, itself filling the void created by the brief absence of WMMS on the album rock scene. The top 40 deejays were retained, but it was soon obvious that they were inadequate hosts for a progressive rock format. Album deejay Denny Sanders was brought in from Boston and key WNCR personnel (including former WHK-FM/WMMS personalities Martin Perlich and Billy Bass, and station newcomer David Spero) were soon hired by WMMS, taking most of their audience with them.{{cite journal|date=January 3, 2007|title=Best of All Time: Radio|journal=Cleveland Free Times|publisher=Kildysart LLC}}{{cite web|year=2010|title=About Martin Perlich|url=http://martinperlichinterviews.com/about/|work=MartinPerlich.com|publisher=Martin Perlich Interviews|access-date=August 22, 2012|archive-date=July 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730024245/http://martinperlichinterviews.com/about/|url-status=live}} During this time, WMMS used slogans derived from its call sign: first as "Music Means Satisfaction", and later as the place "Where Music Means Something".{{sfn|Gorman|Feran|2007|p=10}} Sounds described the station programming at this time as "totally off-the-wall in its choice of records, playing anything it liked. It is most famous for heavily plugging the MC5, The Velvets and The Dolls on one hand and science-art groups like Soft Machine and King Crimson on the other."{{Cite magazine |last=Silverton |first=Peter |date=June 17, 1978 |title=Rock in Akron: The Music Of Greater Akron |url=http://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/rock-in-akron-the-music-of-greater-akron |magazine=Sounds |access-date=March 12, 2019 |via=Rock's Backpages |url-access=subscription |archive-date=August 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813040859/http://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/rock-in-akron-the-music-of-greater-akron |url-status=live }}

Under the leadership of station manager Billy Bass and program director Denny Sanders, WMMS helped break many new rock artists nationally, most notably David Bowie. Based on considerably high record sales in the Cleveland market, Bowie (in his Ziggy Stardust persona alongside The Spiders from Mars) kicked off his first U.S. tour in "The Rock Capital" (a term coined by Bass).{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://ech.case.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=RR|title=Rock 'n' Roll|encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History|publisher=Case Western Reserve University|date=February 24, 2009|access-date=December 21, 2010|archive-date=May 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522214943/http://ech.case.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=RR|url-status=live}} The WMMS-sponsored concert was a "phenomenal success"{{r|Free Times Best of Radio}}{{sfn|Olszewski|2003|p=82}} and prompted the station to sponsor a second show that year. This second show sold out immediately, and was held at the city's largest venue: Cleveland Public Hall.{{sfn|Olszewski|2003|p=82}}

In November 1972, WMMS was sold to Malrite Communications, a Michigan-based firm that relocated to Cleveland upon purchase. Under Malrite ownership, WMMS would become an album-oriented rock (AOR) powerhouse, much in the same vein as its former MetroMedia progressive rock siblings.

During this time, WMMS also began broadcasting a remarkable number of live concerts, many of which originated in Cleveland and were produced by the station itself. The WMMS Coffee Break Concert was a weekly music-interview show broadcast live from the station's studio, and later with an audience at the Agora Ballroom. Warren Zevon, John Mellencamp, Lou Reed, Tim Buckley, Peter Frampton, and a host of others performed on the program over the years, recordings of which are still widely available as bootlegs. The WMMS Coffee Break Concerts were booked and directed by Denny Sanders and hosted by Len "Boom" Goldberg, Debbie Ullman, and later, Matt the Cat. The concert series continued on well into the 1990s and early 2000s, albeit much less frequently.{{cite news|last=Norman|first=Michael|date=February 20, 1997|title=Coffee Break Concert Gets Shot of Metallica|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=4B - Metro}}{{cite news|last=Scott|first=Jane|date=December 15, 2000|title=Pair of Earles Headed to the Odeon in February|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=13 - Friday}}

File:WMMS mushroom logo.png

In July 1973, John Gorman joined WMMS as music director and was promoted to program director and operations manager two months later where he remained for thirteen years. During this time, with Denny Sanders as his creative services director and Rhonda Kiefer as programming assistant, WMMS broke all Cleveland ratings and revenue records. WMMS was the first radio station to employ full-time promotion and marketing directors: Dan Garfinkel and his successor, Jim Marchyshyn.

In time, the station adopted new slogans reflecting the callsign: "We're your Modern Music Station" and "your Music Marathon Station."{{cite web|date=March 16, 2009|last=Gorman|first=John|title=St. Patrick's Day, Buzzard-style, 1983|url=http://buzzardbook.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/st-patricks-day-buzzard-style-1983/|work=BuzzardBook.WordPress.com|publisher=John Gorman/Gray & Co. via WordPress.com|access-date=January 14, 2010|archive-date=April 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402102911/http://buzzardbook.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/st-patricks-day-buzzard-style-1983/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Gorman|first=John|date=April 8, 2008|title=The Second WMMS Music Marathon Station TV Spot|url=http://buzzardbook.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/the-second-wmms-music-marathon-station-tv-spot/|work=BuzzardBook.WordPress.com|publisher=John Gorman/Gray & Co. via WordPress.com|access-date=December 23, 2009|archive-date=July 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715013518/http://buzzardbook.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/the-second-wmms-music-marathon-station-tv-spot/|url-status=live}} Although never used on the air, listeners alternately knew the callsign as an acronym for "Weed Makes Me Smile" and "Magic MushroomS," the latter referencing the somewhat controversial logo used before the Buzzard.{{sfn|Gorman|Feran|2007|pp=10, 62}}{{sfn|Wolff|2006|p=20}}{{sfn|Adams|2002|p=120}} WMMS also began referring to its frequency in promotions as {{nowrap|"101 FM"}}, a rounding-off which continued for the next decade.

File:1975 Year of the Buzzard - WMMS print ad.jpg. Poster by David Helton.{{r|Buzzard is Born}}]]

Contrary to what many believe, the choice of the second Malrite logo had nothing to do with Buzzard Day, the annual "folksy event" held in Hinckley Township, Ohio.{{sfn|Gorman|Feran|2007|pp=61, 70–71}} Rather, WMMS adopted a buzzard as its mascot in April 1974 because of the then tenuous economic state of Cleveland – less than five years away from becoming the first major American city to enter into default since the Great Depression{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://ech.case.edu/timeline.html|title=Cleveland: A Bicentennial Timeline|encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History|publisher=Case Western Reserve University|access-date=January 10, 2010|archive-date=March 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327005642/http://ech.case.edu/timeline.html|url-status=live}} – and the winged-creature's classification as a scavenger. In other words, the carrion-eating bird represented "death and dying" – a darkly comic reflection of the city's decline. EC horror comics, Fritz the Cat, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and Looney Tunes – all served as inspirations for the "bird of prey with attitude" concept. The station was known as "The Home of the Buzzard" at first. {{nowrap|The Buzzard}} was the co-creation of Gorman, Sanders and American Greetings artist David Helton.{{r|Buzzard Chapter 7}}

{{Quote box|align=right|quote=We joked about the Buzzard becoming Cleveland's Mickey Mouse... a "Buzzard Land" amusement park filled with sex, drugs and rock and roll...|source=– John Gorman|width=250px|salign=right}}

A study conducted by MBA students at Case Western Reserve University in 1975 found that the new WMMS logo was more recognizable to those living in Greater Cleveland than both Chief Wahoo of the Cleveland Indians and even Coca-Cola.{{cite web|last=Gorman|first=John|date=April 15, 2009|title=35 Years Ago – The Buzzard Is Born!|url=http://buzzardbook.wordpress.com/2009/04/15/35-years-ago-the-buzzard-is-born/|work=BuzzardBook.WordPress.com|publisher=John Gorman/Gray & Co. via WordPress.com|access-date=January 8, 2010|archive-date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718092039/http://buzzardbook.wordpress.com/2009/04/15/35-years-ago-the-buzzard-is-born/|url-status=live}}

From the onset, Helton's streamlined artwork resulted in an aggressive, yet family-friendly symbol for the station, one that continues to endure more than 40 years later. The Buzzard became synonymous with WMMS, Cleveland radio and the city itself, spawning a series of T-shirts so numerous that they are now impossible to catalog, many with slogans like "Where Music Means Something" and "Ruler of the Airwaves."

A major contributor to the ratings success was an airstaff that remained fundamentally unchanged for many years: personalities like Kid Leo, Jeff & Flash, Matt the Cat, Dia Stein, Denny Sanders, Murray Saul, Debbie Ullman, Betty "Crash" Korvan, Ruby Cheeks (Debra Luray), BLF Bash (Bill Freeman), TR (Tom Renzy) and the late Len "Boom" Goldberg were invaluable to the station's popularity.{{cite news|last=Santiago|first=Roberto|date=February 4, 1993|title=Digging the Graveyard Shift in Radio|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=5E - Arts & Living}} Of all the personalities that worked at WMMS, Len "Boom" Goldberg remained the longest. He joined the station in early 1972 before its sale to Malrite, and stayed in different capacities until 2004. He was best known as the voice for the station's hourly IDs, music segues, sweepers, and commercials, and was also a member of The Buzzard Morning Zoo in the mid-80s.

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{{Quote box|align=left|quote="Born to Run" was the essence of everything I loved about rock 'n' roll. Bruce held on to the innocence and the romance. At the same time, the music communicates frustration and a constant longing to escape.|source=– Kid Leo|width=250px|salign=right}}

WMMS during this period would play a key role in breaking several major acts in the US, including: Rush, Roxy Music, Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny, Fleetwood Mac, Meat Loaf, The Pretenders, the New York Dolls, Lou Reed, Mott the Hoople, Boston, and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Of special note was the early support of Bruce Springsteen by Kid Leo and others, prior to the release of the Born to Run album. For the station's tenth anniversary in 1978, WMMS hosted and broadcast a live Springsteen concert at the Agora Ballroom independent of his concert tour. Heavily bootlegged, the concert further cemented the relationship between the two in fans' minds, and well into the 2000s Cleveland remains one of Springsteen's strongest bases. Right up until his departure in 1988, Kid Leo played "Born to Run" as his signature sign-off song every Friday night at 5:55 to kick off the weekend for area listeners.{{r|Rock Hall Exhibit}}{{r|Rush Toronto Star}}{{cite web|year=2010|title=Underground Garage DJs: Kid Leo|url=http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/Page&c=Channel&cid=1104779639688&s=person|work=Sirius.com|publisher=Sirius XM Radio|access-date=February 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131215552/http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius%2FPage&c=Channel&cid=1104779639688&s=person|archive-date=January 31, 2010|url-status=live}}{{sfn|Adams|2002|p=233}}{{sfn|Gorman|Feran|2007|pp=95, photo captions}}{{cite web|last=Masur|first=Louis P.|title=The Birth of Born to Run|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2226603/pagenum/all/|date=September 22, 2009|work=Slate|publisher=Washington Post. Newsweek Interactive Co. LLC|access-date=January 1, 2010|archive-date=December 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229190935/http://www.slate.com/id/2226603/pagenum/all|url-status=live}}

{{Clear}}

{{Main|World Series of Rock}}

The World Series of Rock was a recurring, day-long and usually multi-act summer rock concert held outdoors at Cleveland Municipal Stadium from 1974 through 1980. Belkin Productions staged these events, attracting popular hard rock bands and as many as 88,000 fans. WMMS sponsored the concerts. Attendance was by general admission.{{sfn|Gorman|Feran|2007|pp=72–79}} Concertgoers occasionally fell – or jumped – off the steep stadium upper deck onto the concrete seating area far below, causing serious injury. The Cleveland Free clinic staffed aid stations in the stadium with physicians, nurses and other volunteers, and through 1977, made its treatment statistics public. From 1978 on, Belkin Productions conditioned its funding of the Free Clinic on the nondisclosure of the number of Clinic staff on duty at the concerts, the nature of conditions treated and the number of patients treated.{{cite news|date=September 2, 1974|title=Some Fans Got off on Music, Others High on Marijuana|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|publisher=The Plain Dealer Publishing Co.|page=A4}}{{cite news|title=88,000 Rock Fans Win Modell's Praise|newspaper=Cleveland Press|publisher=Joseph E. Cole|page=A1|date=September 2, 1974}}

• {{cite news|title=Rainy Sunday|newspaper=Cleveland Press|publisher=Joseph E. Cole|page=C1|date=June 6, 1977}}
• {{cite news|date=July 2, 1978|title=It's a Gas, Gas, Gas: Roisterous Crowd Greets Rolling Stones|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=A1}}
• {{cite news|date=August 27, 1978|title=Fleetwood Mac Show Crowd Praised as Best Behaved|newspaper=The Plain Dealer}}
• {{cite news|title=Fleetwood Mac Concertgoers Are Rob Victims|newspaper=Cleveland Press|publisher=Joseph E. Cole|page=A12|date=August 28, 1978}}

WMMS was directly influenced by then and current sister station WHTZ/New York City (Z100), which rose to the top of the ratings books immediately after installing a contemporary hit radio (CHR) format. Among the more significant moves taken by WMMS was the formatting of the morning zoo concept created by Z100's Scott Shannon onto the show Jeff & Flash (Jeff Kinzbach and Ed Ferenc) were already hosting. Kinzbach and Ferenc had already been a morning team – with sidekicks – since 1976, seven years prior to adopting the "morning zoo" label, so the basic structure was already in place.

The music structure also was modified at this time as artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince soon found airplay on WMMS. The change was done for many reasons: as a nod to the sudden influence Z100's format had on the Malrite group; Gorman and Sanders intention to stay with the current music trends as the album-oriented rock (AOR) format was, even then, in a state of decline; and as a means to attract a female audience. By 1984, the WMMS format moved to an CHR/AOR hybrid, playing a great deal of Top 40 rock singles in hot rotation mixed with album cuts; this new blended rock/Top 40 format was soon known by those at the station as Rock Forty. The station also started to devote a Saturday night program to the classic rock artists and groups.{{sfn|Neer|2001|p=248}}

In the mid-1980s, WMMS was an important contributor in organizing a campaign (along with former Cleveland ad agency president Edward Spizel and author-deejay Norm N. Nite) which brought the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to Cleveland. John Gorman, Denny Sanders and Kid Leo organized the original campaign with Tunc Erim, assistant to Atlantic Records president Ahmet Ertegun. Jeff & Flash were also credited as being major contributors in bringing the Rock Hall to Cleveland, by heavily promoting on-air a USA Today reader poll to decide which city should get it.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/recalling-a-couple-of-wacky-radio-guys-who-pushed-hard-for-cleveland-to-get-rock-hall-of-fame-in-90s|title=Recalling a couple of wacky radio guys...|work=newsnet5 |publisher=WEWS-TV|access-date=April 14, 2015|archive-date=April 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414213146/http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/recalling-a-couple-of-wacky-radio-guys-who-pushed-hard-for-cleveland-to-get-rock-hall-of-fame-in-90s|url-status=live |last1=Bibb |first1=Leon }}

John Gorman and Denny Sanders left the station in fall of 1986, leading fourteen staff members with them to start rival station WNCX. Gorman credits his decision to leave to changes in management, and the station's overall shift to a more "corporate" mentality.

Rolling Stone named WMMS "Radio Station of the Year" nine straight years (1979–1987) as part of its annual Readers' Poll, but a February 1988 front-page story in The Plain Dealer revealed station employees had stuffed the annual survey's ballot box for the 1987 poll to allow for the possibility of a tenth straight win the following year. Lonnie Gronek, then general manager of the station, claimed in The Plain Dealer article that the process had gone on "for years", however other accounts dispute Gronek's claim.

The station claimed it was simply "a marketing strategy" and "much in line with what many stations did."{{cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=August 27, 1995|title=Memorable Moments: A Quick Look Back at Cleveland History Shows the Events and People Who Helped Make This City a Happening Place|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=1I - Arts & Living}}

• {{cite news|last=Sandstrom|first=Karen|date=April 15, 1994|title=Its Farewell Today to the Zoo: Zany WMMS Team Bowing Out as Station's Ownership Changes|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=1A - National}} Negative reaction was swift and widespread;{{sfn|Olszewski|2003|p=315}}{{sfn|Gorman|Feran|2007|p=278}} some called the scheme a mere "lack of judgement,"{{sfn|Olszewski|2003|p=315}} while a reporter for the Akron Beacon Journal compared the station's response to that of discredited former Vice-president Spiro Agnew.{{cite news|last=Dyer|first=Bob|date=March 6, 1988|title=Rationalization of 'MMS worthy of Spiro Agnew|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Beacon Journal Publishing Co.|page=D1}}

By the late 1980s, most of the original staff members had departed: John Gorman and Denny Sanders left in 1986 to launch upstart station WNCX, and Columbia Records hired Kid Leo in 1988.{{cite web|last=Hyduk|first=John|title=The Hit King: Kid Leo|url=http://www.clevelandmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=E73ABD6180B44874871A91F6BA5C249C&nm=Arts+%26+Entertainemnt&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=1578600D80804596A222593669321019&tier=4&id=6C9860EEA68A4E49BE879337DC86BEA3|date=December 2007|work=ClevelandMagazine.com|publisher=Great Lakes Publishing|access-date=January 8, 2010|archive-date=September 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905134055/http://www.clevelandmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=E73ABD6180B44874871A91F6BA5C249C&nm=Arts+%26+Entertainemnt&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=1578600D80804596A222593669321019&tier=4&id=6C9860EEA68A4E49BE879337DC86BEA3|url-status=live}} Four different program directors, including Rich Piombino and Michael Luczak, came and went with varying levels of success. DJ additions included station engineer Ric Bennett as "Rocco the Rock Dog,"{{cite news|date=December 14, 1992|title=MTV 'Choose or Lose' Creater Tapped by NBC|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=7C - Arts & Living}} Scooter (WMMS music director Brad Hanson), former WRQC nighttime Personality and later WNCX Afternoon Drive and Production Director, Tom "Jack" Daniels (who returned to the Cleveland airwaves after a successful stint as Program Director of WLEV, Allentown, PA), Lisa Dillon{{r|PD MTV Choose or}} and station veteran Matt the Cat,{{r|PD MTV Choose or}} (who returned to the midday slot in 1990 after a two-year absence.) However, Matt would be dismissed permanently from the station in late 1992, the victim of budget cuts.

Ratings steadily increased during the time of the First Gulf War, but The Howard Stern Show was soon picked up by a then struggling WNCX. Stern's ratings exploded and this – along with a growing urgency from management not to compete with or mention Stern on the air – led to a sudden and steep ratings decline for The Buzzard Morning Zoo. Matt the Cat was permanently let go in December 1992 due to "budget problems."{{r|PD MTV Choose or}} From 1991 to 1993, WMMS served as the FM flagship for the Cleveland Browns, sharing coverage with then-sister WHK; the late Nev Chandler served as play-by-play announcer.{{cite news|last=Santiago|first=Roberto|date=February 21, 1994|title=Browns End Use of Flagship Radio Station|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=7E - Arts & Living}}

• {{cite news|last=Heaton|first=Chuck|date=August 4, 1993|title=Belichick Is Optimistic as First Exhibition Nears|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=2F - Sports}} Unable to service its growing debt, Malrite chose to leave radio and sold off all its remaining properties in 1993:{{r|NYT Malrite Buyout}} WMMS went to Shamrock Broadcasting, the Roy Disney broadcasting firm.{{cite news|date=August 4, 1993|title=Shamrock Completes Purchase of Malrite|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=2E - Business}} Management ordered a change to the Buzzard by giving it a flat-top and mullet.

The station continued to decline during the ownership transition from Malrite to Shamrock; then Shamrock sold both WMMS and WHK to OmniAmerica, a broadcasting company run by former Malrite executives Carl Hirsch and Dean Thacker, which already owned oldies station WMJI. WMMS' decline culminated on April 14, 1994, with the high-profile departure of Jeff Kinzbach, effectively ending "Jeff & Flash" on WMMS (Ferenc would leave the station several weeks later; both would pair up again at WWWE).{{r|PD Memorable Moments}}{{Cite news|last=Simmons|first=Sheila|date=August 27, 1994|title=WWWE reunites Kinzbach and Ferenc|page=6F|work=The Plain Dealer|location=Cleveland, Ohio|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807D804292C4A8|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 26, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Lisa Dillon, Ric Bennett and Tom Renzy also would depart the station that same day.{{r|Archives Timeline}}

Among the most notorious broadcasts of The Howard Stern Show occurred on June 10, 1994.{{cite news|last=Albrecht|first=Brian E.|date=June 11, 1994|title=Curses! Stern Sabotaged: Reveling Shock Jock Has Broadcast Jammed|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=1E - Arts & Living}} Stern had arrived on the Cleveland airwaves less than two years earlier, and in that time took his syndicated program on rival WNCX from an Arbitron ranking of thirteen to number one.{{cite news|last=Santiago|first=Roberto|date=April 22, 1994|title=Shock Jock Stern Grabs No. 1 Morning Spot|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=4B - Metro}} As promised, Stern held a party for his fans on the streets of Cleveland – a "Funeral" for his local rivals, much like similar events held in New York City, Los Angeles and Philadelphia – and broadcast it nationwide.{{r|PD Curses! Stern Sabotaged}}{{cite news|last=McIntyre|first=Michael K.|date=May 27, 1994|title=Live Stern to Hold Funeral for 2 Rivals|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=1B - Metro}}

During the now infamous broadcast, WMMS engineer William Alford snipped a broadcast wire used for the Stern show's satellite feed.{{r|PD Stability at WMMS}}{{cite news|last1=Ewinger|first1=James|last2=Santiago|first2=Roberto|date=September 8, 1994|title=Ex-Technician Pleads Guilty to Silencing Stern|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=4B - Metro}} Stern continued on with the program over a phone line as engineers worked to quickly patch together the severed broadcast wire. Alford was subsequently caught, arrested and later sentenced to ten days in jail and a $1,000 fine.{{cite news|last=Ewinger|first=James|date=June 29, 1995|title=Stern Silencer Gets Jail|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=4B - Metro}} Station management initially claimed that Alford acted alone,{{r|PD Ex-Technician Pleads Guilty}} however WMMS Promotions Director Heidi Klosterman – working under the name Heidi Kramer – later pleaded guilty to a felony charge of attempted disruption of a public service and a misdemeanor of receiving stolen property; Greg Smith, a former Klosterman colleague, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor of breaking and entering.{{cite news|last=Seper|first=Chris|date=June 27, 1995|title=Stern Broadcast Saboteurs Plead Guilty|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=2B - Metro}}

Already program director at OmniAmerica station WMJI, station veteran John Gorman returned to WMMS as vice-president and director of operations in early 1994.{{cite news|last=Norman|first=Michael|title=WMMS' Gorman Tries Ratings Magic Again|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=2J - Arts & Living|date=May 8, 1994}} Gorman changed the WMMS format to alternative rock,{{cite magazine|last=Boehlert|first=Eric|date=November 5, 1994|title=Modern Rock Radio Roars Ahead|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YwgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA5|magazine=Billboard|page=5|access-date=February 9, 2011|archive-date=June 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628191615/http://books.google.com/books?id=YwgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA5|url-status=live}} playing new acts like Nirvana, The Offspring, and Nine Inch Nails, on October 27.{{r|BB Modern Rock Radio}}{{cite news|last=Santiago|first=Roberto|date=November 26, 1994|title=Here's How the Buzzard Put WENZ on the Rocks|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=8E - Arts & Living}}{{Cite web |title=RR-1994-11-04 |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1994/RR-1994-11-04.pdf}}{{Cite web |title=RR-1994-12-02 |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1994/RR-1994-12-02.pdf}} To emphasize this change, WMMS was re-branded and aggressively promoted as "Buzzard Radio: The Next Generation", a reference to the success of Star Trek: The Next Generation and its continuation of the Star Trek franchise.{{r|PD Here's How the}}{{sfn|Olszewski|2003|pp=414–415}} Gorman brought back the original Buzzard design, now drawn by David Helton's successor Brian Chalmers.{{r|RIP Brian Chalmers}} WMMS also lured popular morning personalities Brian Fowler and Joe Cronauer away from rival WENZ – then also an alternative rock station – as the successors to Jeff and Flash (Jeff Kinzbach, Ed Ferenc) on The Buzzard Morning Zoo.{{cite news|last=Rauzi|first=Robin|date=July 9, 1994|title=Brian and Joe End Up at WMMS' Zoo|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=4B - Metro}}

While the change in programming alienated many longtime listeners, many of whom switched to WNCX and their full-time classic rock format, WMMS boosted its ratings for the first time in years with a new, younger audience.{{r|PD WMMS' Gorman Tries}}{{r|PD Here's How the}} Billboard and Airplay Monitor magazines together named WMMS Rock Station of the Year (Medium Market) in 1995,{{cite magazine|last=Taylor|first=Chuck|date=October 28, 1995|title=WPLJ N.Y. Big Winner At Awards|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rA4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA8|magazine=Billboard|page=8 (continued on p. 95)|access-date=February 9, 2011|archive-date=June 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628191858/http://books.google.com/books?id=rA4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA8|url-status=live}} and Modern Rock Station of the Year (Medium Market) in 1996.{{cite magazine|last=Taylor|first=Chuck|date=September 21, 1996|title=Billboard/Airplay Monitor Radio Awards Bestowed|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wwkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA1|magazine=Billboard|page=1 (continued on p. 69, 76)|access-date=February 9, 2011|archive-date=June 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628191903/http://books.google.com/books?id=wwkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA1|url-status=live}} John Gorman was named Program Director of the Year (Rock) in 1995.{{r|BB WPLJ N.Y. Big}} Despite signs of success, the stations were sold again in 1996: WMMS went to Nationwide Communications,{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=April 23, 1996|title=Nationwide 'to Own' Cleveland Radio; Insurer to be Largest Owner of Stations with WGAR, WMMS, WMJI|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=1A - National}} while WHK went to Salem Communications.{{r|PD Here's How the}}{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=April 26, 1996|title = WHK sold to West Coast firm|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=6E - Arts & Living}} The sale came almost immediately after passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, a time when radio companies nationwide rushed "at a fever pitch" to acquire new properties.{{r|PD Nationwide 'to Own'}} John Gorman, who has since openly criticized the industry's current state, departed for CBS Radio in Detroit, but soon moved to media consulting.{{cite news|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=March 26, 2000|title=Net's New Bird for Local Radio|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=1I - Arts & Entertainment}}{{cite news|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=June 21, 1996|title=WMJI, WMMS Vice President Resigns Post|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=7B - Scene & Heard}}{{cite news|last=Strassmeyer|first=Mary|date=April 15, 1997|title=Alive and Well and Researching|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=5B - Scene & Heard}}{{cite news|last=Norman|first=Michael|date=April 30, 2010|title=Kevin Metheny, a.k.a. 'Pig Virus,' riles WGN Radio's Chicago fan base|url=http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2010/04/kevin_methany_aka_pig_virus_ri.html|work=The Plain Dealer|publisher=Cleveland Live, Inc.|access-date=November 15, 2010|archive-date=November 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119052755/http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2010/04/kevin_methany_aka_pig_virus_ri.html|url-status=live}}

During this time, WMMS held a series of sold-out rock festivals that featured many of the new up-and-coming artists receiving station airplay. Buzzard-Palooza was the first of these: held in July 1994 at the Nautica Stage, the all-day concert included sets from Collective Soul, Junkhouse and Fury in the Slaughterhouse,{{cite news|date=July 22, 1994|title=Flats Hosts Illuminating River Expo|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=9 - Friday}} but was cut short after turning into a "rock-and-bottle-throwing melee." Cleveland Police wearing riot gear were called in just as headliner Green Day took the stage.{{cite news|last=Stephens|first=Scott|date=July 25, 1994|title=Thousands Jam Flats for Festival; Melee at Rock Concert Can't Mar River Expo|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=1B - Metro}} WMMS scheduled a second Green Day performance just two months later – this time at Blossom Music Center – and at a near-record-low cost of $5 per ticket, the station gave fans a "second chance" to see the band live.{{cite news|date=August 12, 1994|title=Bluesman Returns with Weird Al|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=39 - Friday}} The Ramones headlined BuzzardFest '95 the following spring (May 1995) at Blossom;{{cite news|last=Yarborough|first=Chuck|date=May 22, 1995|title=Youth Rules at BuzzardFest '95|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=4E - Arts & Living}} other acts included Our Lady Peace, The Rugburns and Face to Face.{{r|PD Youth Rules at}} BuzzardFest II was held the very next fall (September 1995) – again at Blossom – and featured performances from the Goo Goo Dolls, Alanis Morissette, Jewel, as well as the Dance Hall Crashers, Eleven, Green Apple Quick Step, Prick and Sons of Elvis.{{cite news|last=Soeder|first=John|date=September 11, 1995|title=Radio Station Bash Features Up-and-Coming Performers|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=5B - Scene & Heard}}{{cite news|last=Bish|first=Diana|date=September 25, 1995|title=Price Is Right for Melee with Music|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=2E - Next}}

The next of these multi-act shows, simply titled BuzzardFest, was held in May 1996 at Blossom Music Center and featured performances from 311 and No Doubt, along with Candlebox, The Nixons, Goldfinger, Gods Child, Dash Rip Rock, Holy Barbarians, and Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip.{{cite news|last=Norman|first=Michael|date=May 20, 1996|title=Sunny Weather Shakes the Blues|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=8D - Arts & Living}} BuzzardFest 2000 was held on June 30, 2000, at the Nautica Stage; Stone Temple Pilots, performing in Cleveland for the first time in six years, headlined the event.{{cite web|url=http://www.wmms.com/buzzardfest.html|title=BuzzardFest 2000|work=WMMS.com|publisher=Clear Channel Communications|date=June 2000|access-date=February 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000711043229/http://www.wmms.com/buzzardfest.html|archive-date=July 11, 2000}}

{{Quote box

| quote = Yes, the station had lost its way for a bit, but 'MMS was the standard. There were other really good rock stations around, but those other stations opted in to carry the live broadcast of the 'MMS birthday show (in 1978). That's how big 'MMS was. Other stations carried their birthday show. Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Detroit, St. Louis... they ran another station's birthday party.

| author = Tony Tilford

| source = WMMS program director (1999–2003)

| align = right

| width = 325px

}}

WMMS shifted format to active rock on February 17, 1997, under the direction of Bob Neumann, who had previously programmed WNCX and WENZ.{{Cite web |title=RR-1997-02-21 |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-02-21.pdf}} Neumann defended the decision later as the right thing to have done, noting how alternative rock would eventually fade as a format several years later. Meanwhile, ownership would change yet again as Nationwide Communications was bought out by Jacor in November 1997.{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=November 3, 1997|title=Jacor Ownership Taking Radio into New Era|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=6E - Arts & Living}} The Jacor purchase closed on August 10, 1998; {{age in years and days|1998|08|10|1998|10|08}} later, on October 8, 1998, Clear Channel Communications won a bidding war for Jacor in a $6.5 billion deal.{{Cite news|last=Bodipo-Memba|first=Alejandro|date=October 9, 1998|title=Clear Channel Wins Bidding Contest, Agrees to Buy Jacor Communications|language=en-US|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB907848481506215500|access-date=August 1, 2019|issn=0099-9660}} Closing in May 1999, Clear Channel was renamed iHeartMedia in 2014.{{Cite news|last=Sisario|first=Ben|date=September 16, 2014|title=Clear Channel Renames Itself iHeartMedia in Nod to Digital|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/17/business/media/embracing-digital-brand-clear-channel-renames-itself-iheartmedia.html|access-date=January 21, 2020|issn=0362-4331}} WMMS veteran John Gorman has remained a vocal critic of iHeartMedia, once remarking on the company's former Cleveland executive, Kevin Metheny (dubbed "Pig Virus" by Howard Stern during their time at WNBC): "He had a volatile time here. People in radio say he was not an easy guy, that dealing with him was like a daily root canal."{{r|Metheny - Pig Virus}} Studios were moved again to a combined facility in the suburb of Independence, Ohio.{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=September 22, 2002|title=At the controls: Clear Channel programmer rules radio in Cleveland|page=J1|work=The Plain Dealer|location=Cleveland, Ohio|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F63F86E9EBCAA48|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 26, 2021|via=NewsBank}}

Following Jacor's takeover, WMMS ran a "Death of the Buzzard" month-long stunt in October 1998.{{cite news|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=October 2, 1999|title='Mike O'Malley' First Show to Go: Sitcom Canceled After Two Weeks|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=5E - Entertainment}} As part of the stunt, Denny Sanders returned to host an airshift, programming the music at his discretion. Geared as a format change to contemporary hit radio (CHR) using the "KISS FM" brand,{{r|PD Stunt Puts Even}}{{cite news|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=October 3, 1998|title=WMMS Drops Buzzard, Gets Set to Launch New Format|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|page=1A - National}} the decision was reversed at the last minute by management.{{r|PD Buzzard to Keep}} The fall 1998 Arbitron books showed WMMS with a substantial increase in listeners; Plain Dealer radio critic Roger Brown commented, "the scam worked" claiming it drove people to listen to the station again for what was supposedly the format's final days.{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=January 18, 1999|title=Buzzard scam gets WMMS what it wanted: more listeners|page=3E|work=The Plain Dealer|location=Cleveland, Ohio|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D19AD5E2EAFC|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 26, 2021|via=NewsBank}} A new airstaff was assembled after the stunt: Tim "Slats" Guinane was hired for afternoon drive replacing Brian & Joe, who were transferred to WMVX, and music director Mark Pennington replaced Bill "BLF Bash" Freeman in overnights. Seth "the Barbarian" Williams took the overnight shift when Pennington moved to evenings in 2001.{{cite magazine|last=Schiffman|first=Mark|title=Arbitron: Listening Up, Fave Stations The Same |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1116256 |date=November 23, 2001 |magazine=Billboard via Billboard.biz Archive |access-date=February 14, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009174800/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1116256 |archive-date=October 9, 2012 }} WMMS again served as the FM flagship to the Cleveland Browns Radio Network from 2002 to 2012, with Jim Donovan and Doug Dieken as announcers.{{cite news|last=Grossi|first=Tony|date=September 11, 2011|title=Jim Donovan Pumped for Return to the Booth|page=H10 - 2011 Browns & NFL Preview|newspaper=The Plain Dealer}}

• {{cite news|last=Cabot|first=Mary Kay|date=October 17, 2011|title='Insignificant' Cribbs to Refocus on Special Teams|page=C8 - Sports|newspaper=The Plain Dealer}}{{cite web|last=Hammond|first=Joel|date=October 15, 2012|title=Browns next to explore market for radio rights|url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20121015/SUB1/310159969|work=CrainsCleveland.com|publisher=Crain Communications Inc|access-date=January 29, 2013|archive-date=October 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026124401/http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20121015/SUB1/310159969|url-status=live}} Radio & Records twice named WMMS "Rock Station of the Year: Markets 1-25" (2005–06) as part of the now defunct publication's annual Industry Achievement Awards.{{cite web|last=Boehlert|first=Eric|date=April 30, 2001 |title=Radio's big bully |url=http://dir.salon.com/ent/feature/2001/04/30/clear_channel/index.html |work=Salon |publisher=Salon Media Group, Inc |access-date=November 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914160117/http://www.clearchannel.com/ |archive-date=September 14, 2014 }}{{cite web|title=Radio & Records Industry Achievement Awards 2005 - Winners: Rock|url=http://www.radioandrecords.com/Conventions/con2005/awards/rock.asp|work=RadioandRecords.com|publisher=The Nielsen Company|date=June 2005|access-date=July 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506001553/http://www.radioandrecords.com/Conventions/con2005/awards/rock.asp|archive-date=May 6, 2008}}
• {{cite web|title=Radio & Records Industry Achievement Awards 2006 - Winners: Rock|url=http://www.radioandrecords.com/Conventions/Con2006/awards/rock.asp|work=RadioandRecords.com|publisher=The Nielsen Company|date=September 2006|access-date=July 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720234646/http://www.radioandrecords.com/Conventions/Con2006/awards/rock.asp|archive-date=July 20, 2008}}

In September 2007, WMMS management chose to "de-emphasize" both The Buzzard and WMMS call letters, referring to the station as simply "100.7", save for the FCC-mandated legal ID at the top of every hour.{{r|Buzzard De-emphasized}} Regarding the change, WMMS program director Bo Matthews (Alex Gutierrez) said, "... nobody's killing anything... Chief Wahoo is not on every piece of Indians promotional material... Ronald McDonald is not in every McDonald's commercial... We're not losing the letters. All we're doing is shifting an image."{{r|Buzzard De-emphasized}} By April 2008, the station had reverted to branding as The Buzzard but using a road sign-style logo similar to a U.S. Route shield in an allusion to the mascot.{{r|RMG Glory Days}}

Loveline, Westwood One's nationally syndicated call-in show hosted by Dr. Drew, aired weeknights from August 2008 through June 2010.{{cite web|title=WMMS Feelin' the Loveline|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/44121/wmms-feelin-the-loveline?ref=search|date=August 7, 2008|work=AllAccess.com|publisher=All Access Music Group|access-date=June 19, 2010|archive-date=September 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923184806/http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/44121/wmms-feelin-the-loveline?ref=search|url-status=live}} "Chris Tyler" Merluzzo, former program director for Providence's WHJY, took over for Bo Matthews as WMMS program director on February 17, 2014.{{cite web|date=January 29, 2014|title=CCM+E/Cleveland Names Chris Tyler PD Of WMMS, WAKS, 99X|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/126324/ccm-e-names-chris-tyler-pd-of-wmms-waks-99x|work=AllAccess.com|publisher=All Access Media Group|access-date=January 29, 2014|quote=Clear Channel Media + Entertainment/Cleveland has named Chris Tyler PD of Rock WMMS...|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202221901/http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/126324/ccm-e-names-chris-tyler-pd-of-wmms-waks-99x|url-status=live}} Following Merluzzo's departure, senior vice president of programming for iHeartMedia's North Ohio region Keith Abrams was named as program director on December 4, 2017.{{Cite web|date=December 4, 2017|title="Java" Joel Murphy Named WAKS-FM/Cleveland PD|url=https://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=n34955|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126203156/https://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=n34955|archive-date=January 26, 2018|access-date=January 26, 2018|website=Radio Online}} Former Lex and Terry producer Jason Carr was named the new WMMS assistant program director on February 1, 2018.{{Cite web|title=Jason Carr Named PD Alt 99.1 FM and APD for WMMS/Cleveland|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/173663/jason-carr-named-pd-alt-99-1-fm-and-apd-for-wmms-c|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409043735/https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/173663/jason-carr-named-pd-alt-99-1-fm-and-apd-for-wmms-c|archive-date=April 9, 2018|access-date=April 8, 2018}}

file:WMMS logo.svgFrom the 1994 exit of Jeff Kinzbach and Ed Ferenc until the arrival of Rover's Morning Glory in 2008, WMMS gained notoriety for airing 13 distinct shows in morning drive. Ross Brittain temporarily filled in prior to the arrival of The Brian and Joe Radio Show on the Buzzard Morning Zoo, hosted by Brian Fowler and Joe Cronauer. Brian and Joe were moved to afternoons in February 1997 after a change in ownership, with shock jock Liz Wilde (Anne Whittemore) from WPLL/Miami taking their place; her firing less than a year later sparked a successful lawsuit against both the station and then-owner Nationwide Communications. Danny Czekalinski and Darla Jaye teamed up in October 1997 with Liz Wilde holdover Cory Lingus (Cory Gallant) until August 1998. Matt Harris served in the interim until WMMS hired Dick Dale (Bert Morris) from WPLA/Jacksonville.{{cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=October 20, 2003|title=The Revolving Mike: The Buzzard Hopes Its Latest A.M. Team Will Soar After Many False Starts|page=D1 - Arts & Life|newspaper=The Plain Dealer}}

• {{cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=October 20, 2003|title=The Search for the Right Fit in the Morning at WMMS|page=D1 - Arts & Life|newspaper=The Plain Dealer}}{{cite news|last=Barbour|first=Clay|date=March 31, 2002|title=Dale Faces Stern Challenge as Radio Morning Show Host|page=1E|newspaper=The Post and Courier}}

In 2000, the station turned to Wakin' up with Wolf and Mulrooney – hosted by Bob Wolf and John Mulrooney – from Albany's WPYX, which initially continued to originate and simulcast the program. The team did later relocate to Cleveland, but lasted only a few months until an acrimonious breakup between Wolf and Mulrooney. Other shows, like The Buzzard Morning Show with Rick and Megalis (Rick Eberhart, Tom Megalis) and WMMS Mornings with Sean, Cristi, and Hunter (Sean Kelly, Cristi Cantle, Hunter Scott), came and went in quick succession.{{r|PD WMMS Mornings}} Cantle later called the failure of Sean, Cristi and Hunter as "a real team effort" and compared herself unfavorably to Johnny Manziel: "too young, too overconfident and too drunk to handle the responsibility... however I have no intentions of playing Canadian football".{{Cite web|last1=Wardlaw|first1=Matt|last2=Niesel|first2=Jeff|date=October 25, 2020|title=An Oral History of WMMS (1968 – 2018)|url=https://radioinsight.com/ross/214467/oral-history-of-wmms-1968-2018/|access-date=February 1, 2022|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}} Finally, The Bob & Tom Show aired in the time slot from 2006 until April 2008.{{cite web|date=June 16, 2006|title=WMMS Adds Bob and Tom to Mornings|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/10971/wmms-adds-bob-and-tom-to-mornings|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113072530/http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/10971/wmms-adds-bob-and-tom-to-mornings|archive-date=January 13, 2016|access-date=July 11, 2012|work=AllAccess.com|publisher=All Access Music Group}}

{{Main|The Maxwell Show}}

Bo Matthews (Alex Gutierrez), who became the station's program director in early 2004, hired Ohio native Benjamin "Maxwell" Bornstein that April for a more "personality-driven" afternoon show following the departure of Tim "Slats" Guinane for WXTM.{{cite magazine|date=September 17, 2004|title=Matthews Builds A Better Buzz|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000632220|url-status=dead|magazine=Billboard via Billboard.biz Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007103919/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000632220|archive-date=October 7, 2012|access-date=May 17, 2010}} The Maxwell Show gradually evolved from airing mostly music to all talk, with Maxwell joined by WMMS music director Dan Stansbury and Tiffany "Chunk" Peck, the program's phone screener.{{cite web|year=2010|title=Individual Bio - Maxwell|url=http://bordingk.com/maxwellbio.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708083604/http://bordingk.com/maxwellbio.html|archive-date=July 8, 2011|access-date=October 6, 2010|work=bordingk.com|publisher=The Maxwell Show}} Maxwell was known for having feuds with other radio personalities during the show's time at WMMS, including Rover of Rover's Morning Glory and fellow WTAM afternoon host Mike Trivisonno; by 2009, Maxwell had become the number one afternoon program in several key demographics.{{cite web|last=Lewis|first=Frank|date=November 25, 2009|title=Maxwell Out at 'MMS|url=http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2009/11/25/maxwell-out-at-mms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128100625/http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2009/11/25/maxwell-out-at-mms|archive-date=November 28, 2009|access-date=February 14, 2010|work=CleveScene.com - Scene & Heard|publisher=Cleveland Scene}}

On April 3, 2009, The Maxwell Show went on the air claiming that Metallica – in Cleveland for the 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony the very next day – was playing a free show in the WMMS parking lot later that evening. Following the prank announcement, station management placed Maxwell on probation for 90 days. Already strained by ongoing contract renewal negotiations, the incident further alienated the two parties, and by November of that year the show was cancelled.{{r|Maxwell Out - Scene}}

{{Main|Rover's Morning Glory}}

File:Rover WMMS (b&w).jpg

Radio personality Rover (Shane French), host of Rover's Morning Glory, took over weekday mornings at WMMS on April 1, 2008, following a contract dispute with WKRK-FM owner CBS Radio; John Gorman compared signing the popular morning personality to a "coup".{{cite web|last=Washington|first=Julie|date=February 21, 2008|title=DJ Rover Leaving WKRK for WMMS|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tv/index.ssf/2008/02/rover_reportedly_leaving_wkrk.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016022911/http://www.cleveland.com/tv/index.ssf/2008/02/rover_reportedly_leaving_wkrk.html|archive-date=October 16, 2012|access-date=October 11, 2012|work=The Plain Dealer|publisher=Cleveland Live LLC}} Born in Chicago but raised in Las Vegas, Rover worked for rock stations KISW in Seattle and KXPK in Denver prior to arriving in Cleveland. Additionally, Rover was the Midwest replacement for Howard Stern under CBS's Free FM branding concept following Stern's move to Sirius Satellite Radio in 2006, originating from Chicago's WCKG.{{cite web|last=Hoffman|first=Kevin|date=July 14, 2004|title=Rover Unleashed!|url=http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/rover-unleashed/Content?oid=1487102|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910161711/http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/rover-unleashed/Content?oid=1487102|archive-date=September 10, 2015|access-date=October 11, 2012|work=CleveScene.com|publisher=Cleveland Scene}}

• {{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|date=March 1, 2006|title=Kathy & Judy Sit Out Contract Snag at WGN|page=71|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times}}
• {{cite news|last=Heaton|first=Michael|date=June 1, 2012|title=Eat Ribs, Wash Hands, and Pick Up a Good Summer Read|page=T2 - Friday|newspaper=The Plain Dealer}} Rover's contract with CBS was set to expire, but it was an affiliate contract inherited from the Free FM stint – CBS transferred him back to WKRK-FM after WCKG cancelled it – and not a talent contract, thus he was not subject to a non-compete clause.

Co-hosts Duji (Susan Catanese) and Dominic Dieter each worked on Rover's Morning Glory before the move to WMMS; since then, the show has expanded to include sound engineer Chocolate Charlie (Mike Toomey), phone screener Mattitude/Flatitude (Matt Novick), Video Anthony Snitzer, Producer Dumb (Shaun Street) and former intern Jeffrey LaRocque. Past show members at WMMS include, Ryan Hoppe, Scott Taylor (now a reporter at WJLA in Washington, D.C., Kaitlin Geosano, and Rob Garguilo. Past affiliates at WMMS include WAMX/Huntington, WMFS-FM/Memphis, WNDE/Indianapolis, WXEG/Dayton, WRXS/Columbus, and the now defunct Extreme Talk. The show is now syndicated to WKGB-FM/Binghamton, WRKK/Williamsport, and WZNE/Rochester; replays continuously on a dedicated iHeartRadio channel; is available on demand through iHeartRadio; and broadcasts over the Livestream video platform.{{cite web|last=Venta|first=Lance|date=June 16, 2014|title=Pair of Indianapolis Morning Show Changes|url=http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/89077/pair-of-indianapolis-morning-show-changes/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621080920/http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/89077/pair-of-indianapolis-morning-show-changes/|archive-date=June 21, 2014|access-date=June 21, 2014|work=RadioInsight.com|publisher=Radio Insight}}

• {{cite web|last=Venta|first=Lance|date=March 10, 2014|title=Rover Expands to Dayton & Louisville|url=http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/87943/rover-expands-to-dayton-louisville/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311003541/http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/87943/rover-expands-to-dayton-louisville/|archive-date=March 11, 2014|access-date=March 13, 2014|work=RadioInsight.com|publisher=Radio Insight}}
• {{cite web|date=September 13, 2013|title=In Brief - September 13, 2013|url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2699138|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314042618/http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2699138|archive-date=March 14, 2014|access-date=September 15, 2013|work=FMQB.com|publisher=Friday Morning Quarterback, Inc}}
• {{cite web|date=January 7, 2010|title=WRXS Wakes Up to Rover's Morning Glory|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/68837/wrxs-wakes-up-to-rover-s-morning-glory?ref=search|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113072530/http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/68837/wrxs-wakes-up-to-rover-s-morning-glory?ref=search|archive-date=January 13, 2016|access-date=October 11, 2012|work=AllAccess.com|publisher=All Access Music Group}}
• {{cite web|date=May 22, 2009|title=93X/Memphis Flips, ESPN Sportsradio 680 Gets FM Simulcast|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/58423/93x-memphis-flips-espn-sportsradio-680-gets-fm-sim?ref=search|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318000127/http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/58423/93x-memphis-flips-espn-sportsradio-680-gets-fm-sim?ref=search|archive-date=March 18, 2012|access-date=October 11, 2012|work=AllAccess.com|publisher=All Access Media Group}}
• {{cite web|year=2014|title=iHeartRadio: Extreme Talk|url=http://www.iheart.com/live/Extreme-Talk-6302/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140612015205/http://www.iheart.com:80/live/extreme-talk-6302/|archive-date=June 12, 2014|access-date=June 21, 2014|work=iHeartRadio.com|publisher=Clear Channel Broadcasting, Inc}}
• {{cite web|year=2014|title=iHeartRadio: Rover's Morning Glory Replay|url=http://www.iheart.com/live/Rovers-Morning-Glory-Replay-4552/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140624022018/http://www.iheart.com/live/Rovers-Morning-Glory-Replay-4552/|archive-date=June 24, 2014|access-date=June 21, 2014|work=iHeartRadio.com|publisher=Clear Channel Broadcasting, Inc}}
• {{cite web|year=2014|title=iHeartRadio: Rover's Morning Glory On Demand|url=http://www.iheart.com/talk/show/139-Rovers-Morning-Glory/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140624035036/http://www.iheart.com/talk/show/139-Rovers-Morning-Glory/|archive-date=June 24, 2014|access-date=June 21, 2014|work=iHeartRadio.com|publisher=Clear Channel Broadcasting, Inc}}
• {{cite web|year=2014|title=Rover's Morning Glory on Livestream|url=http://new.livestream.com/rmg|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424062459/http://new.livestream.com/rmg|archive-date=April 24, 2014|access-date=April 23, 2014|work=Livestream.com|publisher=Livestream}} WMMS itself also airs The Rover Rewind, a weekly recap show on Saturday mornings.{{cite web|date=June 4, 2014|title=June 4th 2014 - Tweens Kill For Slenderman/Chef Steve Schimoler In-Studio/Racism In America|url=http://www.wmms.com/media/podcast-the-alan-cox-show-TheAlanCoxShow/tweens-kill-for-slendermanchef-steve-schimoler-24857699/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607081622/http://www.wmms.com/media/podcast-the-alan-cox-show-TheAlanCoxShow/tweens-kill-for-slendermanchef-steve-schimoler-24857699/|archive-date=June 7, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2014|work=WMMS.com: The Alan Cox Show podcast|publisher=Clear Channel Media and Entertainment|quote=This weekend we're going to start running something on Sunday mornings called 'The Week in Cox'. It's gonna be 8 to 10 on Sunday mornings. It's going to be some of the best stuff from the week, just two short hours... Saturday morning there'll be the 'Rover Rewind', that's Saturdays from 8 to 10 am, and then 'The Week in Cox' will be Sundays from 8 to 10 starting this weekend.}} Rover is under contract with WMMS through 2022.{{cite web|last=Yarborough|first=Chuck|date=February 21, 2012|title=Rover and WMMS Agree to a Contract Extension That Will Keep Him on the Air Through 2017|url=http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/02/rover_and_wmms_agree_to_a_cont.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222220329/http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/02/rover_and_wmms_agree_to_a_cont.html|archive-date=February 22, 2012|access-date=February 23, 2012|work=The Plain Dealer|publisher=Cleveland Live LLC}}

Described by The Plain Dealer as "testosterone-fueled", the show dominates younger demographics, particularly male listeners ages 18–34. Cleveland Magazine has called the show a "juggernaut", and readers of Cleveland Scene named Rover the best Cleveland radio personality in 2009, 2014, and 2015 (Scene had previously recognized either Rover or his show four straight years, from 2004 to 2007, all prior to the move to WMMS). The broadcast consists entirely of talk, a mix of current events, pop culture, and stories from the staff. Regular segments include "The Shizzy", a daily news update; "Tech Tuesday", where listeners pose consumer electronics questions to an industry expert; and "The Thursday Hook-Up", a call-in dating game. Rover regularly takes calls throughout the show, and often interviews guests in studio and over the phone. Cleveland Police briefly detained Ky-Mani Marley after the singer threatened Rover for comments made during an April 20, 2010, in-studio interview. On October 26, 2010, Rover hired a witch doctor to curse LeBron James after the NBA star left the Cleveland Cavaliers.{{r|Heavy Mental}}{{r|CS Poll 2009, Rover 14, Rover 15, Rover Pre-MMS}}{{r|Rover's Morning Glory}}{{cite web|date=April 27, 2010|title=Ky-Mani Loses His Cool|url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100427/life/life2.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704134953/http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100427/life/life2.html|archive-date=July 4, 2010|access-date=October 11, 2012|work=The Gleaner|publisher=Gleaner Company}}

• {{cite web|last=Mahon|first=Tom|date=October 27, 2010|title=Cleveland DJ Helps Cast a Spell on LeBron|url=http://articles.philly.com/2010-10-27/sports/24952757_1_witch-doctor-rangers-curse|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224229/http://articles.philly.com/2010-10-27/sports/24952757_1_witch-doctor-rangers-curse|archive-date=March 3, 2016|access-date=October 11, 2012|work=Philadelphia Daily News}}

File:Alan Cox WMMS (cropped).jpg

Radio personality Alan Cox, formerly host of The Morning Fix at WKQX/Chicago and The Alan Cox Radio Show at WXDX-FM/Pittsburgh, took over weekday afternoons as host of The Alan Cox Show on December 16, 2009. Joining the Chicago native are Cleveland area comedians Bill Squire and Mary Santora, and former intern-turned-phone-screener Cody (Poundcake) Brown. Described by Talkers magazine as "a bold anomaly worthy of industry attention", the show itself has successfully continued the format established by its predecessor The Maxwell Show – all talk during afternoon drive on an FM rock station. The Alan Cox Show is rated No. 1 in several key demographics, and readers of Cleveland Scene named Alan Cox the best Cleveland radio personality four straight years (2010–13).{{cite web|year=2010|title=Readers Poll Winners: People & Places|url=http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/readers-poll-winners-people-and-places/BestOf?oid=2142151&keywords=|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020222803/http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/readers-poll-winners-people-and-places/BestOf?oid=2142151&keywords=|archive-date=October 20, 2010|access-date=October 15, 2010|work=CleveScene.com|publisher=Cleveland Scene}}

• {{cite web|year=2011|title=Best of Cleveland 2011: People & Places|url=http://www.clevescene.com/gyrobase/best-of-cleveland-2011-people-and-places/BestOf?oid=2425839&showFullText=true|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011013832/http://www.clevescene.com/gyrobase/best-of-cleveland-2011-people-and-places/BestOf?oid=2425839&showFullText=true|archive-date=October 11, 2011|access-date=March 30, 2011|work=CleveScene.com|publisher=Cleveland Scene}}
• {{cite web|year=2012|title=Best of Cleveland 2012: People & Places|url=http://www.clevescene.com/gyrobase/best-of-cleveland-2012/BestOf?oid=2935019&showFullText=true|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402053916/http://www.clevescene.com/gyrobase/best-of-cleveland-2012/BestOf?oid=2935019&showFullText=true|archive-date=April 2, 2012|access-date=March 28, 2012|work=CleveScene.com|publisher=Cleveland Scene}}
• {{cite web|year=2013|title=Best of Cleveland 2013: People & Places|url=http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/people-and-places/BestOf?oid=3542941&showFullText=true|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030232709/http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/people-and-places/BestOf?oid=3542941&showFullText=true|archive-date=October 30, 2013|access-date=April 11, 2013|work=CleveScene.com|publisher=Cleveland Scene}} In addition to the live broadcast, the show is available on demand through iHeartRadio; and can be downloaded as a podcast through iTunes. WMMS also airs The Week in Cox, a weekly recap show on Sunday mornings.{{r|Heavy Mental}}{{r|RMG, AC Best-of}}{{cite web|last=Kevin Casey|date=May 10, 2012|title=Alan Cox Talk Show Rocks Cleveland on WMMS-FM|url=http://www.talkers.com/2012/05/10/alan-cox-talk-show-rocks-cleveland-on-wmms-fm/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714032954/http://www.talkers.com/2012/05/10/alan-cox-talk-show-rocks-cleveland-on-wmms-fm/|archive-date=July 14, 2012|access-date=July 8, 2012|work=Talkers.com|publisher=Talk Media, Inc}}{{cite web|year=2013|title=iTunes Preview: The Alan Cox Show|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alan-cox-show/id346182810|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008072053/http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alan-cox-show/id346182810|archive-date=October 8, 2012|access-date=August 27, 2013|publisher=iTunes Store}}
• {{cite web|year=2013|title=iHeartRadio Shows & Personalities: The Alan Cox Show 24/7|url=http://www.iheart.com/talk/show/The-Alan-Cox-Show-24-7/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618202954/http://www.iheart.com/talk/show/The-Alan-Cox-Show-24-7/|archive-date=June 18, 2014|access-date=June 7, 2014|work=iHeartRadio.com|publisher=Clear Channel Broadcasting, Inc}}{{cite web|date=December 16, 2014|title=December 16, 2014 episode - Alan Renews His Contract/The Show Recaps Bad Decisions/Drunk or Kid|url=https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/5360942/alan_renews_his_contract_the_s_0_1418755898.mp3|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201050200/https://d2kyuimef746yw.cloudfront.net/v2/variant/62748011-5fdc6f3e2d8b7cb082011b3cd09883dd.mp3?session_id=f9a3e033-59ea-4f55-98b2-2c9c74f0e537&episode_id=5360942&show_id=922419&user_id=6097524&tenant=IHEARTRADIO×tamp=1643691719&media_type=dynamic&response-content-disposition=attachment%3Bfilename%3D%22alan_renews_his_contract_the_s_0_1418755898.mp3%22&fallback_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd2kyuimef746yw.cloudfront.net%2Fepisodes%2Fhigh%2F14052457.mp3%3Fepisode_id%3D5360942%26show_id%3D922419%26user_id%3D6097524%26tenant%3DIHEARTRADIO%26timestamp%3D1643691719%26media_type%3Dstatic%26response-content-disposition%3Dattachment%253Bfilename%253D%2522alan_renews_his_contract_the_s_0_1418755898.mp3%2522%26Expires%3D1644382919%26Signature%3DACn4YUtdsgpZXhpiCeaUT0oXkIErzU-eEsOr6WpMwouCn24n1d5Di3wL5XTLfHfHEgEcs1zeCEo9nBESEX1JljMa7AZU5K-aZ-bBbXXRF0jRtEJdJRiJNtEAiaBm8%257Emxu9dK6Ueb7afTlwVzU79r-epZcD7uLjvdj8kq753mfDIIDDxXQOqvyXhJ5AmhN3arlTZknpIza5mhuxlP1KpSZ0KUehNHxrEYUOZFZsP74BpA1sYpsjMxqGCDNWskpkV92gIn9tDwQ2nbD7ULM0wBDkIx3KWagWKwVyrZEwzwVz4-bg8NoFX04c2XA4poV4PDb0whgpzguH2N69lwpqZy6Q__%26Key-Pair-Id%3DAPKAINDIVJ7TLFUAJI3A|archive-date=February 1, 2022|access-date=December 20, 2014|work=iHeartRadio.com: The Alan Cox Show 24/7|publisher=iHeartMedia, Inc}}{{Cite web|title=Cody 'Poundcake' Brown is out — and entertaining — as part of popular 'Alan Cox' show on WMMS|url=http://www.news-herald.com/arts-and-entertainment/20151106/cody-poundcake-brown-is-out-x2014-and-entertaining-x2014-as-part-of-popular-alan-cox-show-on-wmms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328123234/http://www.news-herald.com/arts-and-entertainment/20151106/cody-poundcake-brown-is-out-x2014-and-entertaining-x2014-as-part-of-popular-alan-cox-show-on-wmms|archive-date=March 28, 2016|access-date=March 18, 2016}}

A devoted fan of heavy metal, Cox considers himself more of a comedian than a disc jockey. The show itself rapidly covers a range of topics in a comedic format, from major current events to obscure pop culture; regular segments like "Sperm News", "Why Florida Sucks", and "Are You Smarter Than a Dumbass?" typify the show's irreverent style. Cox also frequently takes calls from listeners, and often interviews guests in studio and over the phone. During a June 19, 2012, interview with Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, the show broke news of the delayed release for Music from Another Dimension!, the band's first studio album in eight years. On February 9, 2010, the show aired "Parma State of Mind", both a parody of the Jay-Z/Alicia Keys hit "Empire State of Mind" and a way of continuing the Northeast Ohio tradition of poking fun at the Cleveland suburb. Dean DePiero, then mayor of Parma, criticized the song and its accompanying YouTube video: "It's pretty sick. ... The people who put it together aren't even smart enough to know where our city boundaries are." The show also drew national attention after holding a book burning party for Fifty Shades of Grey on July 8, 2012.{{r|Alan Cox Talkers}}{{cite web|date=June 26, 2012|title=Aerosmith Frontman Explains New Album Delay (Audio) - June 26, 2012|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=175955|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703114142/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=175955|archive-date=July 3, 2012|access-date=July 8, 2012|work=Blabbermouth.net|publisher=Roadrunner Records}}{{cite web|last=McIntyre|first=Michael K.|date=March 1, 2010|title=Forbes has it in for Cleveland. There's proof!: Michael K. McIntyre's Tipoff|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tipoff/index.ssf/2010/03/forbes_has_it_in_for_cleveland.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013221956/http://www.cleveland.com/tipoff/index.ssf/2010/03/forbes_has_it_in_for_cleveland.html|archive-date=October 13, 2012|access-date=August 5, 2012|work=The Plain Dealer|publisher=Cleveland Live, Inc}}{{cite web|last=Wells|first=Charlie|date=July 19, 2012|title=DJs Hold 'Fifty Shades' Book Burning|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-19/news/32751247_1_book-burners-literary-standpoint-censorship|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130110241/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-19/news/32751247_1_book-burners-literary-standpoint-censorship|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 30, 2013|access-date=August 4, 2012|work=Daily News|location=New York}}

Comedian Chad Zumock was a co-host until his dismissal on December 3, 2012, after being arrested for driving while intoxicated;{{cite web|last=Steer|first=Jen|date=December 3, 2012|title=Cleveland radio personality Chad Zumock no longer working at WMMS after OVI arrest|url=http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/oh_cuyahoga/cleveland-radio-personality-chad-zumock-no-longer-working-at-wmms-after-ovi-arrest|work=NewsNet5.com|publisher=The E.W. Scripps Co|access-date=December 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205004254/http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/oh_cuyahoga/cleveland-radio-personality-chad-zumock-no-longer-working-at-wmms-after-ovi-arrest|archive-date=December 5, 2012|url-status=dead}} Zumock was acquitted of the charge on May 3, 2013.{{cite web|last=Sandy|first=Eric|date=May 3, 2013|title=Chad Zumock Acquitted of OVI Charge|url=http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2013/05/03/chad-zumock-acquitted-of-ovi-charge|work=CleveScene.com|publisher=Cleveland Scene|access-date=May 3, 2013|archive-date=May 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507202644/http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2013/05/03/chad-zumock-acquitted-of-ovi-charge|url-status=live}}

{{See also|WMMS-HD2}}

{{Listen

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WMMS's program lineup currently features Rover's Mornings Glory in morning drive, Dan Stansbury middays, The Alan Cox Show in afternoon drive and Corey Rotic evenings. The station serves as the FM flagship for both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Guardians radio networks. While both Rover and Alan Cox are primarily "hot talk" programs, rock music airs during regular middays, nights, overnights, weekends and online during Cavaliers and Guardians play-by-play. Cleveland Magazine has also described both Rover and Cox as "talk shows with a rock-oriented sensibility".{{cite web|last=Vickers|first=Jim|date=June 2011|title=Heavy Mental|url=http://clevelandmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=E73ABD6180B44874871A91F6BA5C249C&nm=Article+Archives&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=1578600D80804596A222593669321019&tier=4&id=854DE644909340F6A090CDE68F575356|work=ClevelandMagazine.com|publisher=Great Lakes Publishing|access-date=August 5, 2012|archive-date=March 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322233206/http://clevelandmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=E73ABD6180B44874871A91F6BA5C249C&nm=Article+Archives&type=Publishing&mod=Publications::Article&mid=1578600D80804596A222593669321019&tier=4&id=854DE644909340F6A090CDE68F575356|url-status=live}}{{cite web|year=2004|title=Best of Cleveland 2004: Best Morning DJ|url=http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/best-morning-dj/BestOf?oid=1535813|work=CleveScene.com|publisher=Cleveland Scene|access-date=July 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015145923/http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/best-morning-dj/BestOf?oid=1535813|archive-date=October 15, 2012}}

• {{cite web|year=2005|title=Best of Cleveland 2005: Best Radio Morning Show|url=http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/best-radio-morning-show/BestOf?oid=1536188|work=CleveScene.com|publisher=Cleveland Scene|access-date=July 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314044849/http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/best-radio-morning-show/BestOf?oid=1536188|archive-date=March 14, 2014}}
• {{cite web|year=2006|title=Best of Cleveland 2006: Best Radio-Host Homecoming|url=http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/best-radio-host-homecoming/BestOf?oid=1536377|work=CleveScene.com|publisher=Cleveland Scene|access-date=July 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314044426/http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/best-radio-host-homecoming/BestOf?oid=1536377|archive-date=March 14, 2014}}
• {{cite web|year=2007|title=Best of Cleveland 2007: Best Radio Show|url=http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/BestOf?category=1528778&feature=&year=2007|work=CleveScene.com|publisher=Cleveland Scene|access-date=July 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314044713/http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/BestOf?category=1528778&feature=&year=2007|archive-date=March 14, 2014}}
• {{cite web|year=2009|title=Best of Cleveland 2009: Best Local Radio Personality|url=http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/BestOf?category=1528778&feature=&year=2009|work=CleveScene.com|publisher=Cleveland Scene|access-date=October 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019054428/http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/BestOf?category=1528778&feature=&year=2009|archive-date=October 19, 2009}}
• {{cite web|year=2014|title=Best of Cleveland 2014: Best Radio Personality|url=http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/best-radio-personality/BestOf?oid=4297603|work=CleveScene.com|publisher=Cleveland Scene|access-date=April 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424064748/http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/best-radio-personality/BestOf?oid=4297603|archive-date=April 24, 2014}}
• {{cite web|year=2015|title=Best of Cleveland 2015: Best Radio Show|url=http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/best-radio-show/BestOf?oid=4549870|work=CleveScene.com|publisher=Cleveland Scene|access-date=March 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326080455/http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/best-radio-show/BestOf?oid=4549870|archive-date=March 26, 2015}} All other air talent heard on WMMS is provided via iHeartMedia's "Premium Choice" voice-tracking service.{{cite news|date=August 1, 2009|title=Corrections and Clarifications|url=http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/other/1249115510305490.xml&coll=2|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|access-date=September 1, 2013|quote=The Cleveland Clear Channel stations using the Premium Choice programming package are WAKS, WGAR, WMJI and WMMS. Each station uses it overnight on weekdays, and for selected hours on weekends.}}{{cite web|last=Schneider|first=Kim|date=May 2005|title='Buzz' Words|url=http://www.clevelandmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=E73ABD6180B44874871A91F6BA5C249C&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=1578600D80804596A222593669321019&tier=4&id=CB3EC061B99F46EDAF0E7C097EF74CD8|work=ClevelandMagazine.com|publisher=Great Lakes Publishing|access-date=July 8, 2012|archive-date=May 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524021148/http://www.clevelandmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=E73ABD6180B44874871A91F6BA5C249C&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications::Article&mid=1578600D80804596A222593669321019&tier=4&id=CB3EC061B99F46EDAF0E7C097EF74CD8|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|year=2010|title=KISS DJs: Corey Hawkins|url=http://www.kiss.ky/DJsShows/CoreyHawkins/tabid/248/Default.aspx|work=KISS.ky|publisher=dms Broadcasting Ltd|access-date=July 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722142129/http://www.kiss.ky/DJsShows/CoreyHawkins/tabid/248/Default.aspx|archive-date=July 22, 2011}} The House of Hair with Dee Snider also airs on Sunday evenings.{{cite web|year=2012|title=House of Hair Stations List by State|url=http://houseofhaironline.com/house-of-hair-stations-list-by-state/|work=HouseofHairOnline.com|publisher=Bernadette Productions, LLC|access-date=July 8, 2012|archive-date=June 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620013855/http://houseofhaironline.com/house-of-hair-stations-list-by-state/|url-status=live}} The station hosts two additional HD Radio subchannels: WMMS-HD2 broadcasts classic hip-hop programming via Cleveland translator 99.1 W256BT, while WMMS-HD3 is the Cleveland affiliate for the Black Information Network via Beachwood translator 101.1 W266CJ.{{r|APD Carr}}{{cite web|last=Venta|first=Lance|date=May 23, 2012|title=99X Debuts in Cleveland|url=http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/58309/99x-to-debut-in-cleveland/|work=RadioInsight.com|publisher=Radio Insight|access-date=March 27, 2013|archive-date=March 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321104549/http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/58309/99x-to-debut-in-cleveland/|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|date=May 24, 2012|title=Bo Matthews to Program Cleveland's New 99X|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/106371/bo-matthews-to-program-cleveland-s-new-99x|work=AllAccess.com|publisher=All Access Media Group|access-date=March 27, 2013|archive-date=June 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630060324/http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/106371/bo-matthews-to-program-cleveland-s-new-99x|url-status=live}}File:WMMS Cleveland RDS display.JPG with RDS display, tuned to WMMS in the station listening area]]

WMMS airs regular traffic and weather updates via the Total Traffic and Weather Network and former sister station WOIO (TV channel 19),{{cite web|year=2013|title=Coverage Maps: Cleveland, OH|url=http://www.ttwnetwork.com/index.php/solutions/2013-04-02-15-39-16/coverageareas/95-cleveland-oh|work=TTWNetwork.com|publisher=Total Traffic and Weather Network|access-date=December 13, 2013|archive-date=December 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214013745/http://www.ttwnetwork.com/index.php/solutions/2013-04-02-15-39-16/coverageareas/95-cleveland-oh|url-status=live}}

• {{cite episode|title=2nd Segment: Jeff Tanchak Interview|series=The Alan Cox Show|station=WMMS/Cleveland|airdate=September 24, 2010}}
• {{cite web|year=2010|title=Radio and Television|url=http://www.cityclub.org/MediaCenter/RadioandTelevision/tabid/190/Default.aspx|work=CityClub.org|publisher=City Club of Cleveland|access-date=August 8, 2013|archive-date=May 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524101537/http://www.cityclub.org/MediaCenter/RadioandTelevision/tabid/190/Default.aspx|url-status=live}} and the station satisfies U.S. Federal Communications Commission-mandated public affairs programming on Sunday mornings with the City Club of Cleveland's Friday Forum. Most station imaging is produced out-of-market by national voice talents "David Lee" Olejniczak, Malcolm Ryker,{{Cite web|title=Power Producer: Malcolm Ryker|url=http://reelworld.com/blog/power-producer-malcolm-ryker|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329092059/http://reelworld.com/blog/power-producer-malcolm-ryker|archive-date=March 29, 2016|access-date=March 18, 2016|website=ReelWorld.com}} Rena-Marie Villano, and former WMMS creative services director Miles Hlivko; additional voice-over audio is produced on-site by WMMS imaging director Billy Black.{{cite web|year=2013|title=Radio Imaging Demo|url=http://www.davidleeproductions.com/files/Radio_Demo.MP3|work=DavidLeeImaging.com|publisher=David Lee Productions|access-date=October 24, 2013|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202456/http://www.davidleeproductions.com/files/Radio_Demo.MP3|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|year=2013|title=Radio Imaging Demos: Malcolm Ryker|url=http://www.atlastalent.com/audio/radio_imaging/Ryker,%20Malcolm.mp3|work=AtlasTalent.com|publisher=Atlas Talent Agency|access-date=October 24, 2013|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923175836/http://www.atlastalent.com/audio/radio_imaging/Ryker,%20Malcolm.mp3|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|year=2013|title=Radio Demos: Rock|url=http://renamarievillano.com/wp-content/uploads/Rock.mov|work=RenaMarieVillano.com|publisher=RenaMarie Villano and Plumvoice, Inc|access-date=October 24, 2013|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204823/http://renamarievillano.com/wp-content/uploads/Rock.mov|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|date=February 27, 2013|title=Miles Hlivko New APD At WMMS|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/115803/miles-hlivko-new-apd-at-wmms|work=AllAccess.com|publisher=All Access Music Group|access-date=October 24, 2013|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202806/http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/115803/miles-hlivko-new-apd-at-wmms|url-status=live}} WMMS also transmits text to compatible analog receivers, such as station IDs and artist and song information, via the Radio Data System (RDS); similarly, WMMS transmits text to HD Radio receivers known as Program Service Data (PSD).{{cite web|date=August 2010|title=Northeast Ohio: WMMS|url=http://www.beaglebass.com/dx/dx_rds.htm#Northeast_Ohio|work=Northeast & Midwest RDS Database|publisher=Chris Kadlec|access-date=February 27, 2013|archive-date=May 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531200317/http://www.beaglebass.com/dx/dx_rds.htm#Northeast_Ohio|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|year=2013|title=Marketing Tool Kit: 2010 Station Guide|url=http://www.hdradioalliance.com/assets/image/marketingToolKit/hdradio_2010station_guide.pdf|work=HDRadioAlliance.com|publisher=HD Digital Radio™ Alliance|access-date=March 8, 2013|archive-date=November 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122190126/http://www.hdradioalliance.com/assets/image/marketingToolKit/hdradio_2010station_guide.pdf|url-status=live}}

{{quote frame|"This radio station is known for breaking the rules, changing the game, and being successful. We all have such respect for what this station did back in the day. That will never be done again. All we can do is hope to create something cool so that in 20 years people will say, 'Man, remember what WMMS used to be like? It really was an awesome time.' "|Former program director Bo Matthews (2004–14){{r|Heavy Mental}}{{cite web|date=January 7, 2014|title=Bo Matthews Named VP Of Programming For CCM+E-Cincinnati|url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2742910|work=FMQB.com|publisher=Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Inc. and Mediaspan Online Services|access-date=January 8, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054712/http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2742910|url-status=live}}

• {{cite web|date=March 5, 2004|title=Bo Matthews New WMMS/Cleveland PD|url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=20418|work=FMQB.com|publisher=Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Inc. and Mediaspan Online Services|access-date=January 8, 2014|archive-date=January 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108102908/http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=20418|url-status=live}}}}

WMMS has served as the FM flagship station for the Cleveland Cavaliers AudioVerse since 2014, sharing network flagship status with AM sister station WTAM. On-site, play-by-play announcer Tim Alcorn calls games alongside color analyst Jim Chones, a former Cavaliers center. In studio, WTAM sports director Mike Snyder hosts The Tip-Off Show, The Halftime Report, and The Nightcap Recap – the network pregame, halftime, and postgame shows, respectively. WMMS does not air additional network programming. Play-by-play itself is also limited to over-the-air FM; due to league restrictions, the WMMS webcast on iHeartRadio does not stream play-by-play coverage online.{{cite press release|author=Cavs.com|date=October 8, 2014|title=Cavaliers and iHeartMedia Announce AM/FM Simulcast|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/cavaliers-iheartmedia-141008|work=Cavs.com|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|access-date=July 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009171341/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/cavaliers-iheartmedia-141008|archive-date=October 9, 2014}}

• {{cite press release|author=Cavs.com|date=October 5, 2017|title=Cavs and Monsters Announce Multi-Year Extensions of Radio Broadcast Agreements|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/radio-extension-171005|work=Cavs.com|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|access-date=July 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006032935/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/radio-extension-171005|archive-date=October 6, 2017}}{{cite tweet |author=((100.7 WMMS)) |user=WMMS |number=865725330753028096 |date=May 19, 2017 |title=As a reminder, we cannot stream @Cavs or @Indians on the Internet or via the @iHeartRadio app... |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501052221/https://twitter.com/wmms/status/865725330753028096|archive-date=May 1, 2018}}{{cite tweet |author=Cleveland Cavaliers |user=Cavs |number=519960890020749313 |date=October 8, 2014 |title=Nope - you'll want to grab the exclusive NBA Game Time app for that. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722080923/https://twitter.com/cavs/status/519960890020749313 |archive-date=July 22, 2018}}
• {{cite tweet |author=Cleveland Cavaliers |user=Cavs |number=522502462973153280 |date=October 15, 2014 |title=No, but you can listen free online w/ NBA Audio League Pass or paid w/ the NBA League Pass app. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722081009/https://twitter.com/cavs/status/522502462973153280 |archive-date=July 22, 2018}}

WMMS has also served as the FM flagship station for the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network since 2013, again sharing network flagship status with AM sister station WTAM. Play-by-play announcers Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus call games on-site. Rosenhaus hosts the network pregame show; and Hamilton hosts the network postgame show. WMMS does not air additional network programming, and the station only airs select games during spring training. WMMS also streams its coverage of selected games on iHeartRadio, even outside of the Cleveland market. {{r|No Streaming Play-by-play}}{{cite news|last=Hoynes|first=Paul|date=January 29, 2013|title=Cleveland Indians, WTAM AM/1100 reach 5-year deal to broadcast games|url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2013/01/cleveland_indians_wtam-1100_am.html|work=The Plain Dealer|publisher=Advance Ohio|access-date=July 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226045249/https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2013/01/cleveland_indians_wtam-1100_am.html|archive-date=February 26, 2013}}

• {{cite news|last=Hoynes|first=Paul|date=September 14, 2017|title=Cleveland Indians, WTAM, WMMS reach multiyear deal to carry games through (at least) 2023|url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2017/09/cleveland_indians_wtam_wmms_re.html|work=The Plain Dealer|publisher=Advance Ohio|access-date=July 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915125605/https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2017/09/cleveland_indians_wtam_wmms_re.html|archive-date=September 15, 2017}}{{cite tweet |author=((100.7 WMMS)) |user=WMMS |number=908851223398436865 |date=September 15, 2017 |title=Per MLB rules we are not allowed to stream games. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501053758/https://twitter.com/wmms/status/908851223398436865 |archive-date=May 1, 2018}}
• {{cite tweet |author=Cleveland Indians |user=Indians |number=773695603566084096 |date=September 7, 2016 |title=MLB At Bat app only for streaming audio. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501052523/https://twitter.com/indians/status/773695603566084096 |archive-date=May 1, 2018 }}
• {{cite tweet |author=Cleveland Indians |user=Indians |number=908455777505079297 |date=September 14, 2017 |title=Streaming? No. At Bat only for streaming. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501052853/https://twitter.com/indians/status/908455777505079297 |archive-date=May 1, 2018 }}
• {{cite tweet |author= Cleveland Indians |user=Indians |number=917529783726235648 |date=October 9, 2017 |title=iHeart does not stream Indians games. MLB At Bat. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501053007/https://twitter.com/indians/status/917529783726235648 |archive-date=May 1, 2018 }}
• {{cite web|author=Inside Radio|date=March 5, 2018|title=Play-By-Play Streaming Rights: 'The Goal Posts Are Moving.'|url=http://www.insideradio.com/play-by-play-streaming-rights-the-goal-posts-are-moving/article_46da9fc8-204e-11e8-ae0d-4b9fc5ccb9d9.html|work=InsideRadio.com|publisher=Inside Radio|access-date=May 1, 2018|quote='The MLB doesn't allow you to stream your local radio broadcast.' ... The MLB retains streaming rights for their own premium MLB At Bat service.|archive-date=June 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607021429/http://www.insideradio.com/play-by-play-streaming-rights-the-goal-posts-are-moving/article_46da9fc8-204e-11e8-ae0d-4b9fc5ccb9d9.html|url-status=live}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{cite book|last=Adams|first=Deanna R.|title=Rock and Roll and the Cleveland Connection|publisher=Kent State University Press|year=2002|isbn=9780873386913|location=Kent, Ohio}}
• {{cite book|last=Adams|first=Deanna R.|title=Images in America: Cleveland's Rock and Roll Roots|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=2010|isbn=9780738577869|location=Mount Pleasant, South Carolina}}
• {{cite book|last1=Berti|first1=Jim|title=Rush and Philosophy: Heart and Mind United|last2=Bowman|first2=Durrell|publisher=Open Court Publishing|year=2011|isbn=9780812697162|location=Chicago}}
• {{cite book|last=Carr|first=Daphne|title=33⅓: Nine Inch Nails' Pretty Hate Machine|publisher=Continuum|year=2007|isbn=9780826427892|location=London}}
• {{cite book|last=Chapman|first=Marshall|url=https://archive.org/details/goodbyelittleroc00chap|title=Goodbye, Little Rock and Roller|publisher=St. Martin's Press|year=2003|isbn=9780312315689|location=New York|author-link=Marshall Chapman}}
• {{cite book|last=Denisoff|first=R. Serge|title=Inside MTV|publisher=Transaction Publishers|year=1988|isbn=9780887388644|location=New Brunswick, New Jersey}}
• {{cite book|last=Denisoff|first=R. Serge|title=Tarnished Gold: The Record Industry Revisited|publisher=Transaction Publishers|year=1986|isbn=9780887386183|location=New Brunswick, New Jersey}}
• {{cite book|last=Edwardson|first=Ryan|title=Canuck Rock: A History of Canadian Popular Music|publisher=University of Toronto Press|year=2009|isbn=9780802099891|location=Toronto}}
• {{cite book|last=Goldberg|first=Danny|title=Bumping Into Geniuses: My Life Inside the Rock and Roll Business|publisher=Gotham Books|year=2009|isbn=9781592404834|location=New York}}
• {{cite book|last1=Gorman|first1=John|title=The Buzzard: Inside the Glory Days of WMMS and Cleveland Rock Radio|last2=Feran|first2=Tom|publisher=Gray & Co|year=2007|isbn=9781886228474|location=Cleveland|author-link=John Gorman (radio executive)}}
• {{cite book|last1=Harris|first1=Larry|title=And Party Every Day: The Inside Story of Casablanca Records|last2=Gooch|first2=Curt|last3=Suhs|first3=Jeff|publisher=Backbeat Books|year=2009|isbn=9780879309824|location=New York|author-link1=Larry Harris (record label executive)}}
• {{cite book|last=Hoskyns|first=Barney|url=https://archive.org/details/lowsideofroadlif0000hosk|title=Lowside of the Road: A Life of Tom Waits|publisher=Broadway Books|year=2010|isbn=9780767927093|location=New York|author-link=Barney Hoskyns|url-access=registration}}
• {{cite book|last=Keith|first=Michael C.|url=https://archive.org/details/voicesinpurpleha00keit|title=Voices in the Purple Haze: Underground Radio and the Sixties|publisher=Praeger|year=1997|isbn=9780275952662|location=Westport, Connecticut|author-link=Michael C. Keith}}
• {{cite book|last=Marsh|first=Dave|title=Bruce Springsteen: Two Hearts: The Definitive Biography, 1972–2003|publisher=Routledge|year=2004|isbn=9780415969284|location=New York|author-link=Dave Marsh}}
• {{cite book|last=Masur|first=Louis P.|url=https://archive.org/details/runawaydreamborn00masu|title=Runaway Dream: Born to Run and Bruce Springsteen's American Vision|publisher=Bloomsbury Press|year=2009|isbn=9781608191017|location=New York}}
• {{cite book|last1=Nicks|first1=Joan|title=Slippery Pastimes: Reading the Popular in Canadian Culture|last2=Sloniowski|first2=Jeannette|publisher=Laurier University Press|year=2003|isbn=9780889203884|location=Waterloo, Ontario}}
• {{cite book|last=Neer|first=Richard|title=FM: The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio|publisher=Villard Books|year=2001|isbn=9780679462958|location=New York|author-link=Richard Neer}}
• {{cite book|last=Olszewski|first=Mike|title=Radio Daze: Stories from the Front in Cleveland's FM Air Wars|publisher=Kent State University Press|year=2003|isbn=9780873387736|location=Kent, Ohio}}
• {{cite book|last=Pegg|first=Nicholas|title=The Complete David Bowie|publisher=Titan Books|year=2011|isbn=9780857682901|location=London|author-link=Nicholas Pegg}}
• {{cite book|last=Popoff|first=Martin|url=https://archive.org/details/contentsunderpre0000popo|title=Contents Under Pressure: 30 Years of Rush at Home and Away|publisher=ECW Press|year=2004|isbn=9781550226782|location=New York|author-link=Martin Popoff|url-access=registration}}
• {{cite book|last=Reynolds|first=Simon|title=Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978–1984|publisher=Penguin Books|year=2006|isbn=9780143036722|location=New York|author-link=Simon Reynolds}}
• {{cite book|last=Spitz|first=Marc|title=Bowie: A Biography|publisher=Crown Publishing|year=2009|isbn=9780307716996|location=New York|author-link=Marc Spitz}}
• {{cite book|last=Weisbard|first=Eric|title=Top 40 Democracy: The Rival Mainstreams of American Music|publisher=University of Chicago Press|year=2014|isbn=9780226896182|location=Chicago}}
• {{cite book|last=Wolff|first=Carlo|title=Cleveland Rock and Roll Memories|publisher=Gray & Co|year=2006|isbn=9781886228993|location=Cleveland|author-link=Carlo Wolff}}{{Refend}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{cite AV media|ref=Cummings|last=Cummings|year=2008|title=Radio Daze: Cleveland's FM Air Wars|first=Tom|medium=Film|others=Dave Rogant, Mike Olszewski (Producers)|location=Cleveland|publisher=Harvard 131 Films}}
• {{cite AV media|ref=Harrington|last=Harrington|year=2009|title=Hello, Cleveland!|first=Ashley|medium=Film|location=Syracuse, New York|publisher=Syracuse University}}
• {{cite AV media|ref=Heydt|last=Heydt|year=2009|title=The History of Howard Stern: Act III|first=David|medium=Radio|location=New York City|publisher=Howard Stern Productions}}
• {{cite AV media|ref=McFadyen|last=McFadyen|year=2010|title=Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage|first=Scot|medium=Film|author-link=Scot McFadyen|others=Sam Dunn (Producer)|location=Toronto|publisher=Banger Films}}{{Refend}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|https://wmms.iheart.com/}}
• {{FM station data|73273|WMMS}}
• {{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=82083 |title= FCC History Cards for WMMS|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}

{{Cleveland Radio}}

{{Active Rock Radio Stations in Ohio}}

{{iHeartMedia}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1946 establishments in Ohio

Category:Active rock radio stations in the United States

Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines

Category:IHeartMedia radio stations

Category:Metromedia

Category:Nationwide Communications

Category:Radio stations established in 1946

MMS