On October 17th, 1955, the Calgary branch of the University of Alberta ran a 15-minute program called Varsity Vista on CFAC radio. The show aimed to give the community an inside view of campus life.

Five years later, a campus radio club was founded. They built a studio in the basement of the arts and administration building, using home-built and donated equipment, and broadcast over a closed circuit PA system into student lounges and common areas.

By 1972 an AM and cable broadcast had been added and the station was on-air 24 hours a day.In the summer of 1973 Deborah Lamb joined the station, becoming Calgary’s first female music disc jockey.

Then, on January 15 1985, CJSW-FM in Calgary started broadcasting with the Talking Heads song "Once in a lifetime".

To celebrate 25 years on the FM dial, the station is kicking off a year-round celebration. And the good times start this weekend. On Saturday, January 23 CJSW has invited some of the most beloved Calgary bands of the past and present to perform for Calgary’s biggest music fans. Over 25 Bands, 25 Bucks, 25 Years!

The following heroes of the local music scene will reunite for this one-night exclusive engagement: Wagbeard, Field Day, The Mants, The A-Team, Ripchords, Shecky Forme, Same Difference, Difference Engine, The Corta Vita, The Everymen, Mico, and Tinderbox. CJSW is also proud to present an exciting smattering of the city’s current talent such as Dragon Fli Empire, Miesha and The Spanks, Plaid Tongued Devils, Woodpigeon, Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, Smokin’ 45s, The
Summerlad, Dojo Workhorse, Chad VanGaalen, Tariq, Anne Loree, Matt Masters, Jay Crocker, Jordan Klassen, Clinton St. John, Rembetika Hipsters and more. Artists will perform full sets that will be staggered throughout the evening in different spaces in MacEwan Hall, so fans can catch as much as they want!