Maine business owners take over Stephen King’s ‘rock ‘n roll’ radio station
By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff
Two Maine men have stepped forward to take over the radio station formerly owned by Stephen King.
Jeff Solari and Greg Hawes will be taking over the popular classic rock station WKIT 100.3 FM, the two said in a Dec. 23 press release.
“We couldn’t let it die. Hundreds – if not thousands – of people posted, called or reached out when they heard the news 100.3 was getting the plug pulled. Longtime listeners were devastated. But now the grief can fade. The voices you love are staying right here,” Solari and Hawes said.
NEW OWNERS — Jeff Solari, right, and Greg Hawes will be taking over the popular classic rock station WKIT 100.3 FM.
WKIT will operate under Rock Lobster Radio LLC until the ownership is approved by the Federal Communications Commission in 2025.
“Today the dream came true. Greg Hawes and I are thrilled to have reached a deal with Stephen King to keep WKIT rockin’ Maine for years to come,” Solari said in a post on his personal Facebook account.
“It’s clear that the Bangor area was not ready to see 100.3 go away,” Hawes said in a separate Facebook post.
In early December, Zone Corp. announced it would stop broadcasting on Dec. 31 after more than 40 years on the air.
Details on whether the station would see a gap in broadcast coverage, as well as information on WZLO 620 AM and WZON 103.1 FM stations, was not immediately available.