Modern Rock Returns to Chicago

A WINDY CITY ALTERNATIVE: Merlin Media has returned Modern Rock to the radio dial in Chicago last night, launching WKQX (Q 87.7) with the slogan, "Underground. Alternative." Merlin Chairman John Gehron called the new station, “a melodic, mainstream Alternative music mix designed to attract Chicagoland's young adult listeners. It concentrates heavily on music from the last 18 months by artists like Black Keys, Grouplove, Neon Trees, Mumford & Sons, Gotye and fun. Established core artists include Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Killers, Muse, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Smashing Pumpkins." The frequency, 87.7 FM, is a low-power TV signal that can be picked up on radio at that spot on the dial. Merlin recently entered an LMA agreement with Venture Technologies Group, LLC to program and sell advertising on the station. Merlin chief Randy Michaels previously flipped local Alternative station Q101 to a news-talk outlet, with disastrous ratings results. (5/7p)