Boston is truly one of the greatest large cities in America. But being a large city, it is hard to find a radio station that plays all of the music you like (speaking only of rock) in this age of demassification of rock radio. Most stations stick to only one or two genres to hit a specific age bracket audience for the purpose of selling advertising time to advertisers who want specific demographics. This page is a simple guide to a few of the best options for rock radio stations available in the Boston Area. Depending on what you like for rock music, pick your station using this guide.

Boston, MA

Disclaimer: Boston Star Webpages and Mark Pasciscia, the author of this site, are not affiliated with any of these stations. All opinions are just that, and are that of Mark Pasciscia.

The best stations depending on which genre you like are:

Classic Rock:

Top pick: WZLX, 100.7 FM, Boston - WZLX is Boston's true classic rock station. 'ZLX Plays mostly 60's and 70's but also features hits from the 80's as well.

Runners up:

WROR 105.7 FM Boston - A light mix of classic rock and oldies. Definitely aimed at a more mature audience, this station is the place to be for good ol' easy listening classic hits from the past.

WHJY, 94.1 FM, Providence, Rhode Island - this station, though a Providence station, is available to most systems in Boston. It comes in very well in cars and fairly well on some home systems. I would have to say that WHJY is the best station available in Boston, even though it is not from Boston. WHJY combines all rock, all genres from all generations. Everything from the 1960's to today can be heard on WHJY (everything), including the decadent rockin' hairbands of the 80's (you know you like that music, admit it). WHJY Has a well mixed variety of new and old.

Top Picks (tie):

WAAF 107.3 FM, Boston - WAAF has always been the leader in Boston's new hard rock experience. AAF has been known to play hard rock artists before they were big. WAAF also plays many other genres of rock in limited numbers. A few classics are even thrown into the mix with the new rock. WAAF is the best station to hear great classic Metallica, AC/DC and other household names, as well as the latest mainstream. WAAF is mostly a hard rock station.

WBCN 104.1 FM Boston - WBCN, like WAAF, has always been a leader in new rock. In the eighties they were the leader in progressive rock. In the 90's they went all-alternative. Now they are still one of the leaders in the new rock genre. WBCN also features Howard Stern in the morning. WBCN, however, was once a much greater station. Prior to the era of alternative rock, WBCN once featured a perfect mix of new rock and classic rock. Now they stick mostly to new rock and 90's rock. WBCN is an excellent choice for hearing local bands (on weekends).

WFNX 101.7 FM Boston - WFNX is basically a mix of new mainstream rock and developing rock bands who are hopeful future megabands, not unlike WAAF. WFNX is not known for mixing as much classic rock as WAAF, and is purely for the new rock crowd.

Runner(s) Up:

WHJY, 94.1 FM, Providence, Rhode Island - this station, though a Providence station, is available to most systems in Boston. It comes in very well in cars and fairly well on some home systems. I would have to say that WHJY is the best station available in Boston, even though it is not from Boston. WHJY combines all rock, all genres from all generations. Everything from the 1960's to today can be heard on WHJY (everything), including the decadent rockin' hairbands of the 80's (you know you like that music, admit it). WHJY Has a well mixed variety of new and old.

WGIR 101.1 FM Manchester, New Hampshire (Also known as "Rock 101")- Although this station is from New Hampshire, it has a very strong following in Boston. WGIR runs most of the big names in new rock, but specializes in the 1980's music that has been forgotten by most stations. WGIR does rock blocks every weekend, and has an excellent mix of old and new rock, although sometimes the songs can be repetitive.

Top pick: WMJX 106.7 FM, Boston - (Also known as "Magic 106.7") - Boston's premier choice for soft rock. This station was once purely soft rock, but lately has also mixed in a lot of pop music with the soft rock, such as Backstreet Boys, etc. However, this station is still best choice for soft rock listeners.

Runner up: WBMX 98.5 FM, Boston - (Also known as "Mix 98.5") - This station is a pop and pop-rock station, mixing a variety of different genres of pop, soft rock, pop rock and similar music.

All-around great mix of classic rock and new rock:

Top pick: WHJY, 94.1 FM, Providence, Rhode Island - this station, though a Providence station, is available to most systems in Boston. It comes in very well in cars and fairly well on some home systems. I would have to say that WHJY is the best station available in Boston, even though it is not from Boston. WHJY combines all rock, all genres from all generations. Everything from the 1960's to today can be heard on WHJY (everything), including the decadent rockin' hairbands of the 80's (you know you like that music, admit it). WHJY Has a well mixed variety of new and old.

Runner up: WGIR 101.1 FM Manchester, New Hampshire (Also known as "Rock 101")- Although this station is from New Hampshire, it has a very strong following in Boston. WGIR runs most of the big names in new rock, but specializes in the 1980's music that has been forgotten by most stations. WGIR does rock blocks every weekend, and has an excellent mix of old and new rock, although sometimes the songs can be repetitive.

Oldies:

Top pick: WODS 103.3 FM Boston - the only pure oldies station in Boston. This is the station to tune to for the old classics that marked the dawn of rock n' roll.

Runner up: WROR 105.7 FM Boston - A light mix of classic rock and oldies. Definitely aimed at a more mature audience, this station is the place to be for good ol' easy listening classic hits from the past.

- 2002 Boston Star Webpages. Page designed and authored by Mark Pasciscia. All opinions are just that, and are opinions of Mark Pasciscia.