89X Returns to Local Airwaves after Five Year Hiatus
Cryptic promos. Countdowns in Spanish voiceovers. Online speculation swirling. Reports of a branded vehicle spotted around the city.
By the time “Stop!” by Jane’s Addiction blared over Windsor airways on 8:08am on August 28th, it was clear that it was all more than just rumours: 89X was back.
In that moment, the station didn’t just switch formats, it resurrected a legend.
Reviving of one of North America’s most iconic modern rock stations with the alt-rock classic was no coincidence: that same track had been the first song ever played when 89X officially launched as an alternative rock station in May 1991 and the last song heard before its switch to Pure Country 89 in November 2020.
As 89X Program Director Brad Gibb explains, everything about that moment and the days leading up to it was by design.
“In this day and age to really stand out, you can’t just do something and hope that people are going to care,” says Gibb. “I think the best thing we did was kind of let it slip out a little and let that excitement build so that people were all tuning in that morning, wondering if it was going to happen. And then it did.”
Even the song choices preceding the changeover were thoughtfully chosen, an homage to the time spent as Pure Country and something that could artfully weave together the two formats: three consecutive songs by The Man in Black himself, Johnny Cash.
“We wanted to pay respect to what was,” he explains. “Johnny Cash was that outlaw, you know? That punk rock country guy that did a lot of modern rock covers too. ‘When the Man Comes Around’ was the last song and to me it was the eulogy that put that station to rest and bridged the gap between the two formats.”
After that respectful handshake, it was back to the cutting-edge music that started a radio revolution over 34 years ago. This time, with a 2025 spin; equal parts nostalgia, new rock, and a strong sense of community.
For Gibb, an Amherstburg native who got his start in radio at 89X in the late 90s, the heart of the brand has always been about inclusion, both musically and culturally.
“In the early ‘90s, there was this huge shift,” he reflects. “You went from the decadence of late-‘80s hair metal to a movement where grunge, hip hop, industrial, punk, and funk could all share the same stage at Lollapalooza.”
That eclectic energy became 89X’s identity: a place where it was okay to be different, to stand out, and to belong.
Today, Gibb says that spirit remains at the core of the re-launch; a station where ‘89X Originals’ and hard-to-find tracks that built the brand coexist naturally with new sounds. Where Pearl Jam and Soundgarden play alongside amazing new Canadian rock like The Beaches, The Glorious Sons and The Blue Stones.
“Alternative rock in Canada has never been better and we’re just back at the right time with a really, really strong catalog of new and upcoming bands,” he adds.
Carrying that same spirit (and a deep appreciation for music) into the next generation of 89X is a familiar voice to Windsor listeners: Dan MacDonald, the station’s newly appointed afternoon drive host.
A former AM800 talk show host, MacDonald is no stranger to the FM dial. He previously helmed the same time slot on 93.9 The River and also could be heard on 89X before its format change in 2020. His return feels like a full-circle moment; a broadcaster coming home to the kind of music and community that first sparked his love for the medium.
“Music is and always has been my passion, and I’ve always lived and died by the radio. I literally ‘came of age’ listening to 89X,” says MacDonald. “That station helped shaped my taste in music and I think for a lot of us, it gave us a sense of identity. So to be part of its comeback now, it feels surreal and deeply personal.”
“To me, 89X was always more than just a radio station, it was this entity. I’m honoured to help carry that torch forward for long-time fans and a whole new generation of listeners. As a local music fan and a big supporter of that scene, I’m so bloody excited.”
Gibb echoes MacDonald’s enthusiasm, looking forward to reconnecting with the region through not just music, but social media and local events.
“We want to be a positive influence on the things that are happening in our own backyard; we want to be a part of events and share what we’re doing and create that sense of community,” he says. “If you’re with us, we’re with you.”
