These are AC stations which include a lot of rock/classic rock in their playlist outside of the typical AC product. I know we have talked about ones with more rhythmic product, but these include bands like Nirvana, AC/DC, Queen, Styx, Blue Oyster Cult, ect. One example, though more of a hybrid, is KKPK in Colorado Springs. Any other examples?
I suppose there were some "rock/ac" stations back in the 80's and 90's. I would also suppose very few exist today. The two format descriptions tend to cancel each other out. This isn't to say that some AC's don't lean "rock", but even that is a stretch. Successful AC's today play hits that are generally non-offensive, and this certainly include some rock titles.
Some examples of rock tunes that get airplay on AC: (starting with older titles)
Boston "More Than A Feeling"
Journey "Lights", "Don't Stop Believing"
Eagles "Heartache Tonight" "Hotel California" (live 90's version)
REO Speedwagon "Keep On Lovin' You"
John Cougar "Jack & Diane"
Genesis "Invisible Touch" "Land of Confusion"
Billy Idol "Mony Mony" (live)
U2 "With Or Without You", "I Still Haven't Found"
Steve Winwood "Roll With It"
Aerosmith "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing"
Santana/Rob Thomas "Smooth"
All these titles fit on AC's today, as well as Classic Hits.
I don't believe AC/DC, Blue Oyster Cult, or Nirvana would ever be played on an AC no matter how "rock" they may be. That is "Classic Rock" pure and simple. However there may be a few rogue stations that play these artists mixed in with traditional AC titles. But this blurs into today's variety "we play what we want" formats (Jack, Bob, Charlie, etc.).