After 22 years as the Bay Area’s smooth jazz station, Clear Channel on Monday flipped KKSF 103.7 to classic rock. The station’s new handle is The Band. And now it is in the hunt to steal audience away from KFOG, which is seen as vulnerable with the departure of longtime morning man Dave Morey.

Program Director Michael Erickson posted a note on the station’s Web site that said in part:

While this decision was extremely difficult, KKSF is taking a different path and becoming a new radio station today — 103.7 The Band. It was made only after exhaustive market research, and extensive economic considerations (yes this is a business). We hope you’ll listen and let us know what you think.

KKSF switched to its new format at 3 p.m. Monday, and the first song it played was Santana’s “Everybody’s Everything.” The station intends to play 10,000 songs without a commercial break as it acquaints listeners with its new format.

No word yet on what’s next for KKSF’s hosts, which included Ramsey Lewis (mornings), Miranda Wilson (9 a.m.-2 p.m.), Dave Koz (2-7) and Maria Lopez (7-midnight).

As of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, KKSF’s Web site still had several references to its jazz format and a place for listeners to leave comments. The 20 comments that had been posted about the flip were unfavorable.

Said one, “I am just sick. Who does your market research? They should be strung up.”

Another post said, “What a shock!!! I have been listening to KKSF for almost 20 years. I have gone to your concerts, smooth Jass Brunches, patronized your advertisers. I am really upset that you have changed the format of the station. Our whole office listens to KKSF. What are you thinking!”

The market still has one jazz station — KCSM 91.1 San Mateo. And CC will air jazz on KKSF’s HD channel.

From the history department: KKSF, which originally was KGO-FM, was an album oriented rock station from 1980 to 1982 and again from 1984 to 1987. It flipped to “Smooth Jazz” on July 31, 1987.