Rock Ramblings: Radio station marks a decade of rock in the Hat

By Medicine Hat News on February 1, 2018.

February is a special month for everyone at 105.3 ROCK. No, not because of Valentine’s Day or Groundhog Day but because we turn 10 years old! Can you believe it has been a decade since we set up the big trailer boom box on the side of Trans-Canada Highway and brought Medicine Hat its first rock radio station?

Back in 2008 while Britney Spears was having a meltdown we were getting ready to bring the Gas City its long-awaited rock outlet. We officially hit the airwaves Feb. 25 with AC/DC’s “For Those About to Rock We Salute You!”

I thought it would be kind of fun to look back on how things have changed over the past decade.

Do you remember hanging out at your buddy’s place playing Rock Band 2 or Grand Theft Auto IV? Both of those video games were popular in 2008. Grand Theft Auto IV was one of the most critically acclaimed video games of all time. And who didn’t love playing the drums and singing along to your favourite rock songs? My personal favourite was Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer.”

Ten years ago we were introduced to the iPhone 3G. It was the first iPhone to have GPS and 3G data. It sported a two megapixel camera with a 3.5-inch screen and was the first iPhone to come with the App Store. Apple has come a long way since then. The latest iPhone, the iPhone X, has a 12 megapixel camera with a 5.8 inch display. Can you image what the iPhone XX will look like 10 years from now? And how did we ever survive without GPS on our phones?

In 2008 we all flocked to theatres to check out “The Dark Knight” starring Christian Bale and Heath Ledger (who passed away on Jan. 22 that year). The film received eight Academy Award nominations and was loved by fans and critics alike. “Sex and the City” was another popular movie — raking in $55 million its opening weekend (that’s a ton of moola for a chick flick). And we can’t forget about the Twi-hards. Yes, 2008 introduced us to Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart and the world of “Twilight.” It brought Stephenie Meyer’s fantasy romance novels to life —making way for four more films in the franchise.

Now what about the rock and roll? You know, not much has changed when it comes to rock. Some of the most popular artists in 2008 are still popular now. Seether was on top of the charts for their hits “Fake It” and “Rise Above This” off their album “Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces.” Disturbed released “Inside the Fire” from the band’s fourth studio album “Indestructible.” Also topping the charts was Theory of a Deadman’s “Bad Girlfriend,” Puddle of Mudd’s “Psycho” and Metallica’s “The Day that Never Comes.”

What else happened in 2008? The Detroit Red Wings hoisted the Stanley Cup, we were introduced to the Amazon Kindle, Google unveiled the Chrome browser, Spotify launched in Sweden, and Twitter exploded.

What will happen in the next 10 years? It is hard to say. But, no matter what 105.3 ROCK will be the soundtrack through it all.

Cassie Donnelly is the morning show co-host at 105.3 ROCK. You can reach her on twitter @cass_1053rock.