WLS MUSICRADIO 89
| Here
are your memories of WLS . . .
"AHHHH,
the memories!! I remember the days vividly of growing up in southeast Arkansas
and listening to WLS radio while I came of age in the 70's.I listened to
it on my little AM radio while waiting to go to sleep. Later, I (uh, we)
listened to it while making out in my mom's 1976 Monte Carlo with my long-term
high school girl friend. With friends I listened to it during impromtu
parties from a symphony of mono car radios on "Party Road" - a gravel logging
access road behind the University Of Arkansas at Monticello. Of course,
the station drift didn't seem to matter. The static would only last awhile,
and then the signal would come back in like gang busters. One just had
to be patient. And, of course, "Boogie Check, Boogie Check, OH, AH!!" was
a call that would lead to instant and loud echoes among my classmates in
the halls of my high school. I remember one thing that I thought strange
- especially in these days of world wide internet access where one can
listen to crystal clear signals from around the world - of talking to my
cousins about the stations they listened to. They lived in Madison, Wisconsin
and also were big fans of the station. I thought that was fascinating,
that is, to listen to the same station in Monticello, Arkansas that my
cousins were partying to in Wisconsin. They also listened quite frequently
to a station in Little Rock, Arkansas (KAAY, another 50,000 watt powerhouse)which
put on a program at 11:00 at night called "Beaker Street" which played
"underground music" and other album cuts. I still remember the deep bass
voice coming over KAAY at night proclaiming, "Greetings Cuba, Greetings
Honduras, Greetings Nova Scotia, from 50,000 watt clear channel, KAAY,
Little Rock, USA". Those stations made the world seem much smaller to an
average guy in the middle of nowhere. My nostalgia becomes that much greater
in times like these when I've just gotten the news of the death of another
friend from those days. She lost her life in a car accident on Thursday,
January 7th. Another in the long line of friends that I've lost that way.
I'll always remember Marty for her gorgeous, smooth voice, bubbling fun
personality, and, of course, the fantastic way she looked in that majorette
outfit - way back in 1976. How will I explain the magic to my son of listening
to a top 40 station, far, far away and of how the static didn't seem to
matter? It told us high school kids that there was a huge world out there
waiting for us and left indelible memories of good times and good friends.
I miss those days. I really, really miss those days. ... M Pomeroy 1/11/99
"I lived in the south and used to listen to Art Roberts at night. The signal was very strong, crystal clear in the cold of winter. I'm wondering if any other listeners from that era remember the ads for Mr. Norms Speed Shop (3300 West Grand Avenue, if I recall)and the ads for the drag strip in Union Grove Wisconsin (SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY !) Are those places still in business ? ... Dixie 1/10/99 "Does anyone know where you can get the chickenman comedy series that used to be on WLS in the early sixties? It used to be on a record (atco label) I think. I would like to hear it again on any medium tape, record or otherwise. Thanks. This site is great. I used to listen to wls from Grand Rapids Michigan when Dick Biondi used to be dj. It would fad in and out but I loved the station and the music. God love you all. ... Jim 1/06/99 "Does anyone who listened to WLS in the early to mid 70s remember hearing a unique version of the Kraftwerk song "Autobahn" sung with english lyrics? I used to have a cassette recording of WLS radio from around 1974 that featured a track with the music of the song Autobahn, however, the lyrics were different. They were all based on Chicago area roads... (i.e. "drive drive drive on the Lake Shore Drive" and "flyin' flyin' flyin' on the ol' Dan Ryan", etc.) I may be mistaken that this was played on WLS. I *think* it was. If anyone has a copy of this track, I'd love to hear it again after all these years. ... Tom 1/03/99 "I believe it was on the third Animal Stories album in which Uncle Lar tries to hypnotize Little Tommy like he did to a chicken in their movie. I've heard their three albums, but have not seen their movie. As with the availability of their albums, is there any availability to their movie? Also, is there only three albums? ... Rick T 12/29/98 "Does anyone remember a part time dj named gary harmon at WLS in the early 70's? ... Steve 12/27/98 "Here's the poop on Animal Stories. According to reelradio.com, there has been talk of re-releasing the three albums on CD's. That rumor has been around for a couple of years though. I'm hoping that Uncle Lar and Lil' Tommy will find it in their heart to share these gems. Besides, I'm willing to pay to have them on CD (or vinyl). I'm sure you are too! Rob Calhoun 12/21/98 This is always the hot topic ! I have spoken to Tommy Edwards. Disney (the current owner of ABC radio & WLS will not let them become available. It is not Tommy or Larry keeping them out of circulation. Jeff "HI CHICAGO I WAS THE NUMBER 1 GUEST DJ ON WLS DURNING THE GUEST DJ PROMOTION ON THE ART ROBERTS SHOW. IT IS GREAT TO SEE SUCH A GREAT WEB SIGHT. STILL ON RADIO FOR 30 YEARS AT up 105.7 WUPY. SEE YOU ALL LATER CHICAGO AND ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WLS ART ROBERTS AND DICK BIONDI ARE TO BE THANKED FOR MY RADIO BOUGHT. THEY ARE THE GREATEST EVER ON RADIO. ... Cliff Edwards 12/20/98 "Dear Jeff... I really enjoyed your WLS page, and seeing pictures of some of the DJs I listened to and never knew what they looked like. I listened to WLS in the early '60s, even though I then and still do live in Tampa FL. I had bought a short wave radio thinking it could pick up AM stations better and came across WLS.& It was one of the few distant rock stations I could pick up then, in 1961. I listened to Dick Biondi, Clark Weber, and Bob Hale into the wee hours of the morning since I had to do homework until then. Biondi made it a lot easier. I can remember the jingles: " W-LS-----in Chicago", and even some of the commercials. Back then, you could hear different songs on different stations around the country, as radio had not become "homogenized" as it did later. You could hear songs on WLS or WTIX and WNOE in New Orleans that you couldn't hear in Tampa. It was exciting! In the early 1960s, popular music was still a blend of rock and roll and "popular" music; it was more of a mixture than it became later, when rock took over. You could hear a jazz song like "Midnight in Moscow" or Dave Brubeck's "Unsquare Dance", as well as novelty songs like "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport." Or you could hear Vic Dana's "Little Altar Boy." Clark Weber probably played more of the latter than Biondi, on Weber's Show, "East of Midnight." At this time, WLS still sounded like a conservative station, even though it played rock. The news would be introduced by the announcer saying, "This is (Stan Dale) and I have news for you!" followed by the ABC musical intro. After the news, they would introduce the dj with, "It's the good time for the good sound of music, with (Dick Biondi)". It's funny how I can still remember this stuff after over 35 years. I think radio was a lot more exciting then, and FM will never equal the excitement of AM, where you could pull in a distant station, and the thrill of knowing that the station was over1000 miles away. I was somewhat of a 'DXer", because I liked to listen to distant stations. Cuban stations getting northern ones more difficult. Later in the '70s, "Top 40" radio reduced to the Top 20, with a lot more repetition, and it wasn't as much fun By the time FM took over, the excitement was gone. I have fond memories of WLS, and your site has brought back and amplified them" ... Charles Heffelfinger 12/17/98 Here is an email I received from Art Roberts & Family 12/16/98 "the roberts xmas 98 What
"Growing up in joliet ill., this guy was my FAVORITE dj, SUPERJOCK if you will. I'm looking for ANYTHING related to his show including, but not limited to, playlists, airchecks, surveys, animal stories related items (lp's for sure) peak years 76-87, ANYONE WHO CAN HELP ME OUT, please email me. rocktron1001@hotmail.com. thanks ... *trooper* 12/14/98 "Any hints on how to get a hold of ALL or ANY recordings of Ol' Uncle Lar and his sidekick Li'l Snotnosed Tommy? I would really like to get some information on how to find any recordings, albums, or memorobilia. Thanks for any help you can provide, ... Nick 12/13/98 "I recently got some surveys from a guy named Jim (yer package is on the way :)) from 79 and up and i was hoping someone could help with finding some playlists from 79-85 or anything having to do with ole' uncle lar. write to me and help me out , thanks ... *trooper* rocktron1001@hotmail.com 12/12/98 "These WERE the best jingles on radio...hands down!! Does anyone have the COMPLETE assortment of WLS jingles in a "package" anywhere?... Shookie. shookie@rocketmail.com Seattle 12/09/98 "Jeff... Nice work on the tribute pages. Having grown up in Philly and Harrisburg (and having worked on-air in Williamsport, York, and Harrisburg before moving to L.A.) I remember listening to those great stations in the sixties and seventies. For info and updates on WLS you may want to check with a friend of mine at WBBM in Chicago. He's the new overnight news anchor and can be reached at radio2@bigfoot.com I believe. WBBM may also have a website through which you can contact him. His name is Gene Davis... lifelong Chicago resident, lifelong radio geek, in his early forties." ... Russ Schell 12/07/98 "I am looking to acquire old WLS Silver Dollar Surveys. I need some in early 1964 and earlier. I also am looking for certain 1974 and later. I have all in between. I am looking to fill in the missing surveys. My surveys have been used on Bob Sirrots oldies TV show. I am also looking for some WCFL surveys also. I can fax or E-Mail an exact list of the ones I am in need of. Thanks. ... Bill B Hengels@aol.com 12/03/98 " How many years ago did WLS move out of 3? Now WLS is at 190 N State,but I wonder what now occupies their old studios on the 4th(WLS-FM) -&- 5th(WLS-AM)floors in the old Stone Container Building at 360 N Michigan.I think Paul Harvey is on the 5th floor." ... Charles 11/27/98 "FM 94.7 was WENR(1966?-69) WLS-FM(1969-71) WDAI(1971-80) WRCK(1980-81) WLS-FM(again 1981-85) WYTZ(Z95,"Hell94.7",Hot94.7 1985-91) WLS-FM(yet again 1991-96) WKXK("Kicks Country"1996-97) and WXCD(CD 94.7 1997-) Danae Alexander(currently at WNUA-FM Chicago) seems to have been at FM 94.7 the longest IMO,starting in 1973 when it was WDAI,staying through the WRCK era and the first 2 years of the second incarnation of WLS-FM before leaving in 1983(she was so popular that she went by only "Danae" back then)." ... Charles 11/27/98 "Jeff, Thanks so much for this site-gosh, the memories it brought back. Standing in my kitchen in downstate IL at night, doing dishes and listening to Boogie Check. Every time I hear Pink Floyd's "Money" I remember hearing it on LS for the first time. I live in Lewistown, a small town southwest of Peoria, and when I was in high school in the seventies you didn't go to school in the morning till you heard Animal stories (I still have my LP). Lujack was the best, and I can still hear him saying HEELLLOOO in his deep voice when he answered the phone. I have a cassette of his last 15 minutes on the air, and I've kept it but I can't listen to it-breaks me up. I had left IL and when I came home to learn he was retiring, I thought it was a bad omen - almost enough to make me turn around and leave again. Tuning to LS when Lennon died, because you knew they would understand. I remember the Stones' "Some Girls" getting banned in some markets because of it's lyrics, and Lujack goes "This album was just banned", then he played "Beast of Burden" twice in a row. The "Magic Bus" jingle in the summertime, and sending to Chicago to get my "Fantastic Plastic Card" because I wanted to be the first person around here to do it. Thanks again for the memories" ... Christy Picton 11/25/98 "Great site!! I grew up in Chicago, and still remember when 'LS played Top 40 (and I mean REAL Top 40). You brought back some wonderful memories....thanks again. (The site's well -designed, too....and easy to navigate.)" ... Kathy Cline ...WSOY AM 1340, Decatur, IL 11/23/98 "The host of the show was Brother John (St. John I believe). It was and still produced by the Southern Baptist Radio Television folks. Despite the source, it very non-denominational. It plays current hits and offers sound advice without being preachy. You can still find it on various CHR and AC stations around the country." ... Rob Calhoun 11/21/98 (That's John Rivers) ... Jeff "I am a freelance writer doing research on the White Horse Ranch of Naper, Nebraska. The ranch was internationaly known and their White Horse Troupe traveled all over the U.S. At one point the ranch joined forces with WLS and radio personality Sunny Bernet served as announcer and booking agent for the ranch. Does anyone know anything about Sunny Bernet? Or what kind of contract the ranch would have signed with WLS? I'm not sure of exact dates, but I know they worked together for several years. This would have been in the '40s and '50s. Any help would be greatly appreciated." Thank you, ... Sherry siwinski@cconline.net 11/15/98 "I grew up in Memphis and was only able to get WLS late at night or on weekends. There was a program -- possibly on Saturday nights -- where the host took contemporary music and related it to Christianity. I think his name may have been J. Richard ________, but I am not sure. Does anyone else remember this?" ... C Blaydes 11/15/98 "It's great! I almost cried. :) Really! I was born and raised in the burbs of Chicago. I listened to that station from around 1970, until it went talk radio. I can't remember what year that was. Do you know?" Mrs Debbie Layfield 11/13/98 "I`M GLAD THAT THERE IS A WEB PAGE FOR ALL THOSE FANS WHO GREW UP IN CHICAGO TO LISTEN TO WLS IN THE 70`S-80`S. THE ONE THING THAT I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THOSE JINGLES TO INTRODUCE THE NEXT SONGS.TREMENDOUS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR WEB PAGE. AGAIN THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES"...ART VALADEZ SPOKANE,WA 11/13/90 "WHO WAS THE WINNER OF THE FANTASY CONTEST WLS RAN IN 1973? AND WHAT WAS THERE FANTASY?" ... Bill Evans 11/12/98 "The ABC FM in Chicago, that was WLS sister station, has had many calls ... including WENR-FM, WLS-FM, and I believe now is using the WXCD call... it's located at 94.7" bob 10/28/98 "Do you know how/when WLS switched to newstalk. Was it 100% music up until the end or did it experiment with a music/talk mix? Thanks." Glenn 10/25/98 "Hi, Jeff...it's always great to check in on your site. Interesting to see Kevin Orput's 8/23 mention of Bill Bailey; I've had very vague memories of this guy holding down the morning drive shift prior to Lujack, but hadn't been able to find any references to him anywhere...until last week, when one of his airchecks from Louisville popped up on the "Reel Radio" site. A quick listen revealed this to be the guy I remember listening to.The clip had him signing off for the last time before moving to Chicago, and was dated June 1969; so I think he must have been on the air for no more than six months, because he was gone by the time I started collecting WLS surveys in January 1970. He was my favorite jock during this stretch of time, but must have either bombed big-time or really offended somebody in the front office; weird to see someone in such a high-profile slot and then seemingly expunged from station history. I'd be interested if anyone knows the ins-and-outs of "the Duke's" brief stay in Chicago. Making things even more confusing is the fact that I think there was ANOTHER guy named Bill Bailey who worked for WLS a couple of years later... overnight shift, I think, but definitely not the same guy... someone else mentioned Dick Orkin's "Tooth Fairy" series...I know this definitely aired on WLS in 1971. Might have aired on WCFL at some point, too; I wasn't really plugged into them until around 1973... R.C. Price, Mesa, AZ 10/24/98 "Bill had one of the greatest voices. He wasn't at LS long but he sounded great" ... Jeff "I LOVE YOUR PAGE, BEING A CHICAGO NATIVE, AND HAVING A BAND IN THE 60'S I HAD CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE WLS PERSONALITIES.. I ALSO REMEMBER THE WLS "BEEP LINE", I HAVE SOME GREAT HORROR MEMORIES FROM THAT... THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES" ... DOC FITZ 10/16/98 |
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