Rock (1991–1994) Its first days on the air as
KRKN were as a satellite based
rock station.
Country (1994–1996) In 1994, KRKN's call letters were changed to
KCDI. As KCDI, the station was known as "CD Country" and played satellite delivered country music.
Rhythmic Top 40 (1996–1998) In 1996, KCDI became
KSJM, and was known as "Power 97.5". Power played a mix of hip hop, Spanish, and Top 40 music, (today's
Rhythmic Top 40) and received high ratings, which competed with
KOHT. Power was the first station in Tucson to play Rhythmic Top 40 over the FM airwaves. After about two years,
Citadel Broadcasting purchased the station from locally owned Slone Broadcasting.
Smooth jazz (1998–2001) In 1998, Citadel turned Power 97.5 to a
smooth jazz station. It was known as 97-5 The Oasis. The call letters became
KOAZ.
Country (2001–2002) Due to low ratings and a lack of interest, the smooth jazz format was scrapped for a
Country format known as "Cat Country" in 2001. This seemed to be a response to
Clear Channel Communications' addition of a country station to Tucson, 92.9 Coyote Country (KOYT)(Today's
KHUD). Clear Channel's plans in creating Coyote Country were to take away enough listeners from long-dominant
KIIM-FM 99.5 (who coincidentally enough is also owned by Citadel), who has consistently been number one in the Tucson
Arbitron ratings. Both Cat Country and Coyote Country failed.
Hot adult contemporary (2002–2004) The station then changed to "Star 97.5" in 2002, a mix of
pop,
modern rock, and
adult contemporary. The call letters became
KSZR, and this format went on the longest. Ratings still failed to make a considerable difference, and Star 97.5 failed.
Adult hits (2004–2012) In November 2004, Citadel Broadcasting Corporation changed Star to
Bob FM, an
adult contemporary /
variety hits format. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011.
Top 40 (2012–2015) On February 3, 2012, at Noon, KSZR flipped to CHR as "i97.5". The final song on Bob FM was
Bye Bye Bye by NSYNC, while the first song on "i97-5" was
Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO.
Classic hip hop (2015–present) On May 22, 2015, at Noon, KSZR flipped to classic hip hop as "97.5 The Vibe". The final song on "i97-5" was "
Worth It" by
Fifth Harmony, while the first song on "97.5 The Vibe" was "
Hip Hop Hooray" by
Naughty By Nature. ==References==