as 790 AM in Louisville was originally WGRC and featured a variety of programming typical of radio in the pre-rock era. In 1958, broadcaster Gordon McLendon, a Top 40 radio pioneer best known for his legendary KLIF in Dallas, Texas, purchased WGRC. After stunting with the novelty record "The Purple People Eater", WGRC became WAKY on July 7, 1958, and immediately shot to the top of the Louisville ratings as the market's first Top 40 music station.
As 790 AM in Louisville was initially WGRC, it offered a range of programming typical of radio before rock music. In 1958, broadcaster Gordon McLendon, a Top 40 pioneer renowned for his famous KLIF in Dallas, Texas, acquired WGRC. After experimenting with the novelty record "The Purple People Eater," WGRC changed to WAKY on July 7, 1958, and quickly rose to the top of Louisville's ratings as the city's first Top 40 music station.