KISS-FM's format changed to free formprogressive rock in the late 1970s. In the 1980s, the playlist stressed hit albums as the station segued to album-oriented rock. During the early years, KISS-FM DJs were mostly given a free rein. Many brought in their own vinyl albums, producing their own shows within a looser rock ballad & heavy metal format. The most notable past KISS/KMAC DJs/personalities were Joe "The Godfather" Anthony and Lou Roney, who worked together for many years. With KISS-FM's hard-edged rock sound, San Antonio became known as the "Heavy Metal Capital Of The World." Scores of bands can attribute their first & subsequent successes to airplay at KISS-FM. Stone City Attractions & Jam Productions were the notable concert promoters. Co-owned 630 KMAC broadcast show tunes, opera, as well as religious programs such as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir until the evening, when the AM station would simulcast the rock format heard on KISS-FM. In those earlier years, KISS-FM signed off at midnight each night. "Spread The Word" was the popular window sticker slogan & on-air moniker during the 1970s & 1980s. Over the years, the owners of the radio station included the Capitol Broadcasting Company, The Rusk Corporation and current owners Cox Media Group. In 1987, Adams Radio bought KISS-FM for $13 million.
Brief Time with Oldies
The rock format was set aside for a year and a half. In May 1990, KISS-FM flipped to oldies as "99.5 KISS Oldies." The Rusk Corporation, which owned KSMG Magic 105.3 bought KISS-FM and KOOL 930 AM from Adams Broadcasting Corporation in November 1991. Rusk began simulcasting KSMG on both 99.5 FM and 930 AM.
Return to Rock
On New Year's Eve, December 31, 1991, the rock music format returned to 99.5 KISS-FM. It was described as Active Rock. In 1997, KISS-FM was acquired by Cox Radio. As of 2012, the station's format was described as Mainstream Rock. Despite being considered a mainstream rock reporter by Mediabase, KISS-FM has typically been an active rock station, according to Nielsen BDS.
KISS-FM Call Letters
KISS-FM is the legal call sign issued to this San Antonio radio station by the Federal Communications Commission. It has had the call letters since its founding in 1946. The KISS-FM call sign is not related to the "KISS-FM" brand name used by iHeartMedia, Inc. iHeart uses the moniker "Kiss-FM" on many of its Top 40 stations and a few using other formats. It originated with Los Angeles's KIIS-FM, which has called itself KISS-FM since 1975. Despite San Antonio being the headquarters city of iHeartMedia, the company seems to have a gentlemen's agreement not to have a KISS-FM-branded station in the city, while Cox has not attempted to claim rights on the branding despite holding the official KISS-FM call letters from the FCC. Of note, Cox owns WALR-FM, an urban adult contemporary station in its home city of Atlanta, which utilizes the "KISS-FM" branding. iHeart has KISS-FM stations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Boston, San Diego and other cities.
