The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • 60

TUNIEDIN By Jeff McLaughlin here's a new sound around ffcif ds Boston radio stations these days: the sound of sabers being rattled. The never-ending battle for listeners has escalated into er audience. Program director Sunny Joe White was ebullient the other day, looking forward to giving the powerhouses some tough, new competition. WRKO's decision to fire its mad morning man, Dale Dorman, surprised a lot of people in the business and out. Many of the insiders expect there's another shoe to be dropped, but the folks at the station are guarding their news as if it had a National Security stamp on it.

The key to the change clearly is WVBF-FM's continued lead over WRKO-AM in the ratings among people aged 18 to 34. Boston is regarded as a more sophisticated town than many other markets, and Dorman's zaniness may have been perceived as too juvenile for top ranking. But apparently WVBF doesn' think so. It appears likely that Dorman has won a regular weekend job at the Framingham station. One rumor, and I stress that it is only a rumor, is that WRKO will switch formats with its FM sister station, WROR, putting the automated all-hits sound on the AM dial and the contemporary pop format head-to-head against WVBF on the FM side.

Nobody at WRKO is talking, on or off the record. WAAF, the Worcester FM station that plays album-oriented rock, has improved its signal into Boston, and more improvements are due within three months. With an increase of 40 percent in its power, WAAF clearly will become a factor in the rock radio battle. At WBCN and WCOZ, the big ques- Con tin ued on Page 32 war, the generals and the combat troops are picking up sides and the potential for revolution is enormous. During the next few months, there likely will be changes in programing at half a dozen stations, maybe more.

Here's a rundown: WACQ and WTTK have been sold by Plough Broadcasting to General Cinema with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval expected soon. General Cinema's most successful radio operations in other parts of the country (Philadelphia and Chicago) are Top 40-cum-soul, but the lid is on what is being planned here. Alexander Tanger, who worked at WHDH when the Boston Herald-Traveler owned it, is the consultant for General Cinema. When asked if WACQ and WTTK would challenge Top 40 or progressive rock stations, he replied, "That's an interesting question, isn't it?" In any event, the call letters will change to WHUE, AM and FM. WBOS-FM starts seven-day-a-week WILD has received FCC clearance to increase power from 1000 watts to 5000 WAAF has improved its signal into Boston.

With an increase of 40 percent in its power, WAAF clearly will become a factor in the rock radio battle. known disco radio jockeys signed up. John Luongo, who had the first disco radio program in the country at WTBS-FM, will do the WBOS show Tuesdays and Wednesdays 8 p.m.-midnight. "Disco Vinnie" Perruzzi moves over from WEZE to handle the job Friday and Saturday nights. And Ron Robin, who broadcast the first disco show on commercial radio in Boston (three years ago at WVBF), will be the dance party host on Sunday, Men-day and Thursday.

The FCC has dismissed the last challenge to the sale of WEZE-AM to New England Continental Media, which plans to air religious-oriented programing. WILD has received clearance from the FCC to increase power from 1000 watts to 5000 watts, which will give its soul-disco-rock sound potential for a larg disco programing in the evening hours next week, with all three of Boston's best- Jeff McLaughlin is a member of The Globe staff. Open Daily 11-8 Sat. 10-6 NEW ENGLAND'S LARGEST PILLOW STORE We inventory for immediate delivery a huge selection of Completely -C XJif wired with y.9o jpSsL 8" Globe Shade 19' SY diameter I M9.95 i 1 M4.95 Sofas, Chairs Sleepers Modular Seating 9 end U-Shaped Sofas Crate Butcher Block Snake Couches OakTileAcrylicGlass Tables, all sizes, shapes Compare. Our Price, Ouolily Style Selection.

Fast custom work; we design and manufacture to fill your needs describe it, we'll mote it. large Selection of Outstanding Decorator Fabrics. the Furniture Gallery where pillows become furniture 1331 Beacon Street. Brookline (617) 731-1240 Opsn 10-8 Beg. Price $40.00 Completely Wired Reg.

Price $30.00 Completely wired Complete line of FIRST QUALITY stained glass tiffany style fixtures, and table lamps. Largest selection In New England. ills! AUGUSTINE'S PLAZA 233-3601 Route 1, North Saugus, Mass. Raleigh bicycles on SALE mum rDiD List $1 87.95 Raleigh Grand Prix M69.95 Other Models $10-20 Off Raleigh Grand Prix is the finest moderately priced bike in the country today, requiring the least amount of maintenance in fact we auarantee We will teach you to play tennis easily quickly inexpensively using the Graduated Teaching Method. Learn tennis and have some fun doing it.

Members only $24.00 for Three 2-Hour Lessons. Non-Members $29.00. F0R 0UR FREE BROCHURE AND UPCOMING CLASS SCHEDULE 734-6726 9:00 a.m.-5:00 Come watch John Allis, the National Road Champion, as he show you how to bicycle around the city without getting yourself killed. This Tuesday, April 11 from 12 noon til 2 PM. Right here at the North Plaza of the Piu, the Center of Town.

The Great Coming Outside Party atThe Pro, the Center of town. Tuesday, April II. all our new bicycles to be maintenance "free" for 1 year. WE TAKE TRADE INS Large selection of parts and accessories The Motion Market 65-67 Union Newton Ctr. April classes held in or near: Allston, Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brighton.

Brook-line. Braintree, Burlington, Cambridge, Canton, Chelsea, Dedham. Dorchester, Ouincy, Maiden, Milton, Newton, Sometville, Stoneham, Wayland. 527-0967 Located across from the MBTA Advanced beginner and Intermediate lessons are also available at low cost. BOSTON SKI CLUBrU C.

323 Harvard Street BrooMine, Mats. 02146.