HALIFAX—Radio listeners will have to adjust to two rebranded stations on their FM dials now that Rock 105 and Mix 96.5 are changing their tunes.

Halifax Broadcasting Inc.’s Rock 105 has left its rock moniker behind. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, it became The Jewel 105, which now offers a soft adult contemporary playlist. That leaves just one commercial station of 10, Q104—which bills itself as the Home of Rock n’ Roll—to blast AC/DC, Pink Floyd and Guns N’ Roses across the city.

And on Thursday at midnight, Stingray-owned Mix 96.5 will relaunch as The Breeze 96.5, “Halifax’s Relaxing Favourites.”

Reaction was mixed, with many expressing disappointment over the disappearance of Rock 105 in favour of lighter hits. On Twitter, @matthfx called it “a sad day for Halifax radio.” Another tweeted that they thought they had mixed up the buttons on their radio.

A quick sampling of the Jewel 105 playlist on Wednesday included songs from Jimmy Buffett, Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Air Supply, Santana and The Supremes.

StarMetro reached out to The Jewel 105 for comment by phone and email, but didn’t receive a response.

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As for Mix 96.5, Dan Barton, Stingray’s director of contemporary programming for Nova Scotia, said they wanted to expand their audience. Stingray also owns Q104.

“We took an in-depth look at the Breeze format our company launched in Edmonton and Vancouver, and quickly came to the conclusion that a Halifax version would bring back a lot of these great songs that listeners love, but no one is playing in this market.”

The new 96.5 playlist will span five decades, from the 1970s to today. It will feature artists like Lionel Richie, Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Whitney Houston, Sarah McLachlan, Billy Joel, and Adele.

“With the artist list, there are a couple of artists that are, in fact, played on (other) Halifax radio (stations),” Barton clarified. “But our overall playlist features a great blend of songs other radio stations don’t play.”

Cole McLean, founder of Atlantic Canada Rocks, which tracks concerts coming to the region and reports on the Atlantic arts scene, said his biggest concern with any Halifax FM radio station rebrand is its potential impact on musicians.

“I help to spread the word about live music happening around the Maritimes and one thing that I know is when an artist is looking to come to the Maritimes, one of the things that they’ll look for is do I have a station that will support me, do I have a station that plays my music,” McLean said.

“This especially would go for some of the more modern rock acts that might get less air time on other stations.”

McLean is hopeful both rebranded stations will listen to feedback from their fans and tweak their playlists accordingly.

“It’s hard to say how things will fare out. I guess we’ll just have to see how fans feel about it.”

When it comes to rock, McLean said Q104 has long supported artists in the genre.

“They’ve definitely earned their spot as a favourite not just rock station but station in general amongst Halifax and many fans in the Maritimes,” McLean said. “Some of these other rocks stations (tried) but they couldn’t make it work like Q was able to.”

Although the rise of social media has changed the music industry for artists who use it to build audience, McLean said radio still has a role to play.

“Radio is still very important, especially to the live music industry,” he said. “I think they rely on that support and they’re going to continue to do so for years and years to come.”

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Jimmy Donnelly, co-owner of Taz Records in Halifax, doesn’t think the city will lose any of its rock and roll edge with just one “true” rock station.

Classic rock is far and away his bestseller for vinyl sales, with the likes of the Beatles and Led Zeppelin among the top favourites.

“Classic rock will always sell, no matter if the radio is playing it or not,” Donnelly said. “Radio is more what’s hot and current.”

With files from Philip Croucher

Yvette d’Entremont is a Halifax-based reporter focusing on health. Follow her on Twitter: @ydentremont

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