KPLZ-FM

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KPLZ, branded as Star 101.5 FM, is a "Best of the 80's, 90's and today" radio station broadcasting from Seattle, Washington. It is operated by Fisher Communications, Inc. The stations studios are located at 140 4th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109.

Until 1976, the station at 101.5 was KETO and had a country music format. During the 1970s, AM radio dominated the Seattle airwaves. The major country station was KAYO 1150. Top-40 stations in the city included KOL-AM, which became country station KMPS-AM in the mid-1970s. In 1976, Seattle was a two-station battleground between KING-AM 1090 and the legendary KJR 950. The sign-on of KVI-FM at "101 Plus" signaled the beginning of the end for contemporary music on Seattle's AM radio stations. KETO changed formats to Top-40 as "The FM KVI." The station later became "K-Plus" and changed it's call letters to KPLZ. In the late 1970s, while KJR and KING maintained mainstream Top-40 formats, "K-Plus" became the area's de facto disco music station. The death of disco combined with the sign-on of Top-40 upstart KBLE-FM ("The New 93") -- today's KUBE -- signaled a tough ratings environment for KPLZ, but under the leadership of Program Director Casey Keating, the station became the city's dominant Top-40 station during the late 1980s. KUBE struggled for a time, but ultimately adopted a Rhythmic CHR approach. KPLZ's ratings dropped while KUBE ascended the ratings ladder. KPLZ finally gave up on Top-40 radio and became "Star 101.5." The Kent and Alan morning team remained intact and continue on-air to this day.