Forty years ago, when Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls and Johnnie Taylor were at the top of the R&B charts, Art Gilliam decided to buy an R&B radio station in his hometown. WLOK 1340 AM became the first black-owned station in Memphis. Soon after, Gilliam changed the format to gospel music. He talks with us about what it means to keep a "local" voice on the increasingly corporate airwaves.
The station is celebrating its 40th Anniversary on Saturday, June 4 with a concert featuring Al Green. Click here for more information.
Copyright 2016 WKNO
