Network Drops Certain Songs After Attacks

ByABC News
September 18, 2001, 4:04 PM

Sept. 19 -- In the wake of last week's terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, one radio network is recommending its stations not play "lyrically questionable" music and has issued a list of 150 songs it says should be off the air for the time being.

Clear Channel, the world's largest group of radio stations, circulated the list in its newsletter Hits Daily Double. It includes AC/DC's "Shot Down in Flames" as well as mellower songs such as Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" and Bob Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door."

Dave Mathews Band's "Crash Into Me," and the Kansas hit "Dust in the Wind" also made the list.

Clear Channel represents about 1,200 stations and broadcasts in 47 of the top 50 U.S. markets. One out of every 10 radio stations across the United States broadcasts under the Clear Channel's banner.

A representative from Clear Channel confirmed that the list was circulated. The company maintains that none of the "questionable" songs are banned

"In the wake of this terrible tragedy, the nation's business community is responding with a degree of hypersensitivity," said Mark P. Mays, president and chief operating officer of Clear Channel.

"Even some movie companies have altered some of their release schedules in light of the mood in America today," Mays said. "We value and support the artist community. And we support our radio station programming staff and management team in their responsibility to respond to their local markets."

ABCNEWS.com's Buck Wolf and ABCNEWS Radio's Vinny Marino contributed to this report.