History of KQRS-FM in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 3, 2025

KQRS-FM is a radio station located in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota. Licensed to Golden Valley and transmitting from Shoreview, it's owned by Cumulus Media and operates studios in Minneapolis' Como district. It broadcasts on the FM dial and is a part of the Twin Cities' radio landscape.

May 1948: KEVE-AM launched

KEVE-AM launched in May 1948 and was owned by Family Broadcasting.

January 1955: KEYD-TV launched

In January 1955, Family Broadcasting launched KEYD-TV, which is now KMSP-TV.

1956: Family Broadcasting ownership ended

In mid-1956, Family Broadcasting's ownership of KEVE-AM ended.

1957: Studios moved to Golden Valley

By 1957, the KEVE studios had moved to its transmitter site in Golden Valley at 917 Lilac Drive.

1960: Format shift began

In 1960, a gradual shift from country music to a mix of classical music, show tunes and adult standards began on KEVE stations.

March 1963: Format shift completed

By March 1963, a gradual shift from country music to a mix of classical music, show tunes and adult standards was completed on both KEVE stations.

October 1963: Call letters changed to KADM

In October 1963, the call letters were changed to KADM to complement its AM sister station.

December 1, 1964: Call letters changed to KQRS

On December 1, 1964, the call letters for both KEVE radio stations became KQRS.

1968: Experimenting with freeform rock

In the summer of 1968, KQRS started experimenting with freeform rock in the late night hours with a program called "Nightwatch" with George Donaldson Fisher as DJ.

1977: Shift to tightly programmed rock

By 1977, KQRS's freeform rock format gave way to a tightly programmed rock approach using the "Superstars" format from Burkhart/Abrams.

1982: AM switched to oldies format

In 1982, the KQRS AM station switched to an oldies format as KGLD.

1986: Evolved to classic rock format

In 1986, KQRS signed a new consultant, Jacobs Media, and evolved into its present-day classic rock format.

1994: KQRS became most listened to station

In 1994, KQRS unseated WCCO as the most-listened-to station in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market.

1994: KRXX purchased and call sign changed

In the Spring of 1994, rival KRXX was purchased by Capital Cities-ABC, and the station's call sign was changed to KEGE with a new alternative rock format.

1996: AM became Radio Disney affiliate

In 1996, the AM was split from the FM to become one of the first affiliates of Radio Disney, a format targeting children. The call sign became KDIZ.

1996: KQRS mentioned in Jingle All the Way

In the 1996 Christmas-themed movie "Jingle All the Way", the character played by Arnold Schwarzenegger calls KQRS during a contest in an effort to win a rare toy doll for his son.