I-n early 1970 Mike McCormick returned to WLS from KQV in Pittsburgh and became program director of WLS and the changes began. The Big 89 became The Rock of Chicago. The jock lineup included Larry Lujack, Gary Gears, Fred Winston, J.J. Jeffrey, John Records Landecker, Bill Bailey (2), Chuck Buell and Joel Sebastian. Charley Van Dyke and Chuck Knapp would also join WLS during this period. 

(l-r back row) Fred Winston, Bill Bailey, J.J.Jeffrey, John Landecker, Dick Sainte.
(l-r front) Charlie Van Dyke & Chuck Knapp (courtesy John Landecker)
A new jingle package was purchased from PAMS of Dallas, "Solid Rock". The Studio C singers were used instead of the original vocal group. Ken R described it this way, "This package used a younger rock-oriented vocal group in the style of  "Jesus Christ Superstar" which was popular at the time. The style was copied by the other jingle companies, but PAMS was very successful with this series." 
A second package was put on the air in April, 1973 produced by Jodie Lyons Productions, called "The Rock of Chicago."
 
PAMS Solid Rock Jingle Demo
(narrated by Fred Winston)

WLS Bill Bailey (2) Aircheck - 1973
The Rock of Chicago - Mike McCormick Program Director
PAMS Studio C Singers

WLS Chuck Buell Aircheck - December 14, 1971
The Rock of Chicago - Mike McCormick Program Director
WLS News: Jeffrey Hedricks   ABC News: Bill Larson
PAMS Studio C Singers

WLS Gary Gears Aircheck - March, 1972 - November 3, 1971
The Rock of Chicago - Mike McCormick Program Director
1972 - WLS News: Paul Clark
PAMS Studio C Singers
1971 - WLS News: Gil Gross    Just before the change to The Rock of Chicago
PAMS Jingle Singers 

WLS Gary Gears Aircheck - December 29, 1971
The Rock of Chicago - Mike McCormick Program Director
WLS News: Roy Wood and Gil Gross
PAMS Studio C Singers 

WLS Gary Gears Aircheck - February 10, 1972
The Rock of Chicago - Mike McCormick Program Director
WLS News: Lyle Dean
PAMS Studio C Singers 

WLS John Landecker Aircheck - January 29, 1972
The Rock of Chicago - Mike McCormick Program Director
WLS News: Paul Clark and Roy Wood  ABC News: Bob Scott
PAMS Studio C Singers 

WLS Dick Sainte Aircheck - July 27, 1972
The Rock Of Chicago WLS - Mike McCormick Program Director
ABC News: Paul Harvey
PAMS Studio C Singers

WLS Kris Erik Stevens Aircheck - 1971
The Big 89 WLS / 
The Rock Of Chicago - Mike McCormick Program Director
WLS News - Roy Wood
PAMS Jingle Singers / PAMS Studio C Singers

WLS Kris Erik Stevens Aircheck - January, 1972
The Rock of Chicago - Mike McCormick Program Director
PAMS Studio C Singers

WLS Charlie Van Dyke Aircheck - June 30, 1972
The Rock of Chicago - Mike McCormick Program Director
WLS News: Gil Gross
PAMS Studio C Singers

WLS Charlie Van Dyke Aircheck - January 2, 1973
The Rock of Chicago - Mike McCormick Program Director
WLS News: Gil Gross
PAMS Studio C Singers

WLS Jingle Cart Montage
The Rock Of Chicago / Musicradio WLS
PAMS / JAM Jingle Singers

(jingle samples below in real audio)

The Solid Rock Song

More Solid Rock WLS

A Mountain Of Music

The Rock Of Chicago WLS





The above ad appeared in Jet Magazine November 2,1972


click above to view larger version of this 1972 Billboard Article

Jodie Lyons produced a Rock of Chicago Jingle Package.
This ad appeared in Billboard Magazine September 9. 1972

The above ad appeared in the Chicago Sun Times