WNOR

WNOR is a Mainstream Rock formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Norfolk, Virginia, serving Hampton Roads. WNOR is owned and operated by Saga Communications.

History

During the 60s WNOR-FM was an easy listening station, and at one point employed an all-female air staff, a revolutionary move at the time. In 1969 the station began airing a progressive rock format from 9pm-6am. They abandoned the "split-format" approach in 1974 and began playing rock full time. The station’s Arbitron ratings quickly took off, culminating in the station’s rise to #1 – the first time an FM station in the Norfolk market had achieved #1 status.

Henry "The Bull" Del Toro

The station was, for many years, home to the late shock jock Henry "The Bull" Del Toro, who became a legend in Norfolk radio in the 80s. Del Toro, was co-host of the "Reeger and The Bull Show", then "Jimmy and The Bull", and later "Tommy and The Bull" morning show. Del Toro, along with Tommy Griffiths (who left WNOR in 2009), created havoc on April Fools' Day in 1992 by warning listeners that a large build-up of "methadrine" gas was about to cause a fiery explosion at Mount Trashmore, a landfill-turned-park in Virginia Beach. Residents were warned to evacuate the area, causing the local 911 to be flooded with calls.^[1][2]

Del Toro was also known for his charity work with the many organizations in the Hampton Roads area.

He would later go on to work at WROX-FM, WKLR and finally WOBR before he died in 2002. He was 44 years old.^[3]

Programming

The station's morning programming is dominated by the Rumble in the Morning show, which broadcasts from 5:30AM to 10:00AM. Afterwards, the programming is composed of 20 song marathon, then Shelley's Lunch Box. WNOR also carries the nationally syndicated Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx.^[4]

External links

• FM99 WNOR Online
• Query the FCC's FM station database for WNOR
• Radio-Locator information on WNOR
• Query Arbitron's FM station database for WNOR