The late 70s. The second heyday of WLS in Chicago. By this time, WLS was the number one station in Chicago, even with FM competitors in the Top 40 format. It’s FM station at 94.7 was WDAI, an Album Rock station that had been around since 1971. WLS AM had been known in the early 70s as the “Rock of Chicago”. With that background, WLS was solidly known as the place for Rock music in the market and there wasn’t a station around strong enough to challenge the brand.
While WLS would once again revive the “Rock of Chicago” name in 1979, at the time of this aircheck in 1977, WLS is using the “MusicRadio 89” branding which had proven itself so successful at sister station WABC New York. The jingles at this time are all from JAM Creative Productions in Dallas, Texas, and are all fairly new, introduced on the air earlier in 1976. As was common back then, WLS IS dayparted, with the more middle of the road songs being played during Lujack’s Morning Show and Edwards’ Midday Program. By the time Landecker’s show goes on, this is a blowtorch of a station with the hardest rock & disco music out there, and it’s nighttime, with WLS’ signal reaching out to half the United States and Canada, parts of Mexico and even the Caribbean and other faraway places! Contests are a staple of WLS programming, with constant promotions and on-air giveaways. WLS airs it’s callers, and Landecker of course has ‘Boogie Check’! This is the legacy of the Enormous 89, a station which was larger than life and would get larger as it entered the early 80s!
This is a full day composite. It starts with Lyle Dean (WLS News) and moves through the days’ different shows including Larry Lujack, Tommy Edwards, Bob Sirott, Larry Lujack, Steve King and Yvonne Daniels.
Courtesy of Contributor and Featured Jock Allen Beebe... Jingle freaks, this is as close to heaven as one can get! Starting with the first Top 40 jingle package, An Anita Kerr package, if I recall correctly, this blows through many of the major jingles heard on WLS from 1960 through…
Almost 18 minutes of pure heaven. Thanks again to Matt @ Big Apple Airchecks, a huge slice of WLS! Included: tons of early 70s commercials and those awesome WLS Jingles! J.J. Jeffrey would go on to station ownership later in his career. WLS would go on to number one status…
What did a complete broadcast day sound like in March, 1973? WLS is sporting the "Rock of Chicago" jingles - Gwinsounds cuts, if I recall. Not much in the way of commercials, but this was tightly scoped and all about the air talent. In order: Charlie Van Dyke in the…
Steve West is a 41 year veteran of broadcasting. His air work as a Jock and News Anchor includes six radio markets and over two-dozen radio stations. Steve is the founder of Airchexx.com and Hitoldies.net - All the BIG Hits!
I probably was the only kid my age that could not wait for the sun to go down because I knew the the big 50,000 watters would start booming in. To me there was NO better rivalry in top 40 radio history than WLS vs. WCFL!!!
As a kid I remember listening to WLS even though i was in Ottawa Canada . Fell asleep listening to The Rock of Chicago, woke up to Larry Lujack and Animal Stories. A true pro who will be greatly missed, one of a kind..
His influence is still heard in radio today.
Mike, My brother and I were two others who waited for the sun to go down! WLS at night between 1972 and 1979 was the best eight years of top 40 radio ever. Landecker had it all- a razor sharp wit, great sense of rhythm as he syncopated along with the beat over the intros, a fine voice, superb sense of timing, awesome jingles, reverb, a 50,000 watt powerhouse that beamed out over much of America- Boogie Check, Americana Panorama, Cannot Get a Witness News, he was surely the best ever, WLS at night in the 70’s and John Records Landecker- this was the perfect storm….
THE best station, ever!
I probably was the only kid my age that could not wait for the sun to go down because I knew the the big 50,000 watters would start booming in. To me there was NO better rivalry in top 40 radio history than WLS vs. WCFL!!!
It is interesting that WLS is giving away Elvis concert tickets. Since Elvis left the building in 1977, I wonder if this concert actually took place?
I think it is likely as the article identifies this as having been recorded in March. Elvis did not pass until August.
Wonderful aircheck of WLS and the way this great radio station sounded in the mid 1970’s.
Thanks for this aircheck.
My pleasure! Steve, great to see you post again. Been a while, hasn’t it been?
Ahhh, the good old days!
In the those bad 70’s winter I would turn on WLS in the car before I turned the defroster on. Great air check!
Steve King is doing nights….where is John Landecker?
Great aircheck! Good stuff!
As a kid I remember listening to WLS even though i was in Ottawa Canada . Fell asleep listening to The Rock of Chicago, woke up to Larry Lujack and Animal Stories. A true pro who will be greatly missed, one of a kind..
His influence is still heard in radio today.
Thank’s for the great radio!
BrIngs back lots af great memories
Mike, My brother and I were two others who waited for the sun to go down! WLS at night between 1972 and 1979 was the best eight years of top 40 radio ever. Landecker had it all- a razor sharp wit, great sense of rhythm as he syncopated along with the beat over the intros, a fine voice, superb sense of timing, awesome jingles, reverb, a 50,000 watt powerhouse that beamed out over much of America- Boogie Check, Americana Panorama, Cannot Get a Witness News, he was surely the best ever, WLS at night in the 70’s and John Records Landecker- this was the perfect storm….
You know Uncle Larr loved doing those live 60 second True Value ads. You can almost hear his eyes rolling.
Makes me miss the days of real radio… Love the jingle package!