After tuning to 1460 on their AM dials for ten years to hear KADY, listeners heard a total identity change in July of 1968.
The studios were located in a small building in Boschertown, near St. Charles. New owners Mike Rice and his father changed the format from easy listening music to Top 40, pointing out that the old format had not only been unsuccessful; the KADY owners had actually declared bankruptcy in 1965.The Rices targeted listeners who were between 18 and 34 years old, competing directly against longtime powerhouse KXOK.
KIRL was sold in 1979 to Bronco Broadcasting, whose investors included several pro sports figures. It was the first black-owned radio station in the market. Upon completion of the sale, the format was changed to gospel music.