New Wave: Dare to be Different (2017)

  • NR
  • 04/27/2017 (US)
  • Documentary, Music
  • 1h 35m

The story of the most influential radio station in America

Overview

U2, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, Blondie, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, The Clash, The Cure: Over half a billion records sold but you may never have heard of them if not for a small suburban radio station on Long Island, NY: WLIR. In August, 1982, a small group of radio visionaries knew they couldn't compete with the mega-stations in New York City. With one brave decision, they changed the sound of radio forever. Program Director Denis McNamara, the 'LIR crew and the biggest artists of the era tell the story of how they battled the FCC, the record labels, mega-radio and all the conventional rules to create a musical movement that brought the New Wave to America.

Ellen Goldfarb

Director

Jay Reiss

Writer

Cast

Debbie Harry's headshot

Debbie Harry

Herself - Blondie - Singer / Songwriter
Joan Jett's headshot

Joan Jett

Herself - The Runaways, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts - Singer / Songwriter
Billy Idol's headshot

Billy Idol

Himself - Singer / Songwriter
Nick Rhodes's headshot

Nick Rhodes

Himself - Duran Duran - singer / songwriter / keyboards
Nancy Abramson's headshot

Nancy Abramson

Herself - WLIR - DJ
M. King Adkins's headshot

M. King Adkins

Himself
Ron Alexenburg's headshot

Ron Alexenburg

Himself - record executive
Sam Ash's headshot

Sam Ash

Himself - Sam Ash Music - owner

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