The WDVE Memorial Day 500 is back, and it's set to be a thrilling event for rock music enthusiasts in Pittsburgh. This year, the countdown will start earlier than usual, at 8 a.m. on Friday, to avoid the late-night marathon that occurred last year. The countdown, a weekend-long celebration of the best rock songs of all time, began in 1985 and returned in 2019 after a hiatus. It has since become a beloved Memorial Day tradition, with listeners eagerly awaiting their chance to vote for their favorite tunes.
What makes this year's countdown particularly exciting is the return of listener participation. WDVE invited listeners to submit their top 10 songs, and the response was overwhelming. Chad Tyson, the afternoon drive host, shared stories of dedicated fans who have been preparing for this event for decades, even using dry-erase boards and spreadsheets to track their favorite songs. This level of engagement highlights the deep connection between the station and its audience.
The countdown's top 10 list has seen some interesting changes over the years. Since 2019, the number one spot has been taken by Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2' (2019), AC/DC's 'Back in Black' (2021), and Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (2022). This year, the question on everyone's mind is whether Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' will retain its top position, having dominated the countdown for the past three years. However, Tyson suggests that this might not be the case, as the list is always subject to change.
Michele Michaels, from 'DVE Electric Lunch,' encourages listeners to explore newer tunes, citing Pearl Jam's 'Jeremy' as a recent addition to the top 100. She believes that the countdown showcases the timeless nature of classic rock, even if some of the older songs dominate the list. The anticipation and excitement surrounding the countdown are palpable, with listeners eagerly awaiting the reveal of the final list.
The Memorial Day 500 is more than just a musical countdown; it's a celebration of community and shared experiences. Michaels describes the camaraderie among Pittsburghers during the event, with people listening together and even arguing about the list as part of the fun. The internet and social media have further fueled this engagement, as people love lists and the idea of a list made by the listeners themselves.
As the countdown begins on Friday, several questions remain unanswered. Will there be any major upsets, with new songs challenging the classics? Will another artist beat Led Zeppelin's record of 27 songs on a single year's countdown? Will 'Four Sticks' from 'Led Zeppelin IV' make its debut? And how many songs by The Clarks will make it onto the list? The answers will be revealed as the countdown unfolds, and the excitement will build among the dedicated listeners of WDVE.
