Over the years WLS Surveys went through many looks!
From the Silver Dollar Survey ... thru the Hit Parade ... to the Music Radio Survey ... until it was replaced by WLS-FM and Z-95 ... the WLS Survey reflected Chicago's musical tastes. The biggest hits and albums were featured. The WLS Jocks were pictured as well as advertisements for many of the Chicagoland's biggest products, as well as concert info, song lyrics, and pictures of the hottest artists to appear at WLS or in Chicago.

Bill Danning (the Oldies Loon) and his Survey Guys have begun posting weekly WLS Silver Dollar Surveys, Hit Parades, and Musicradio Surveys ! Thanks to their efforts you can now look at many of the weekly lists as they appeared in record stores all over Chicagoland ! 1960-1981 are on-line !

Thanks Bill for allowing me to link to your tremedous efforts !

Click above to see the surveys
WLS
Silver Dollar Survey
CHICAGO'S AUTHENTIC RADIO RECORD SURVEY
October 1960 - 1961
WLS
The bright sound of Chicago Radio
Silver Dollar Survey
Chicago's Offical Radio Record Survey
1962 - 1965
WLS
The bright sound of Chicago Radio
Silver Beatle Survey
Chicago's Offical Radio Record Survey
February 1964
WLS
PERSONALITY RADIO IN CHICAGO
Silver Dollar Survey
WLS' OFFICIAL PLAY LIST
1966 - 1967
WLS
Super Summer Survey
1967
WLS 89 abc
SILVER DOLLAR SURVEY
WLS' OFFICIAL PLAY LIST
Fall 1967  (note addition of ABC logo)
WLS 890 abc
SILVER DOLLAR SURVEY
WLS' OFFICIAL PLAY LIST
December 1967
WLS RADIO 89 abc
HIT PARADE
1968-1969
89 WLS abc
HIT PARADE
1970 - early 1971
89 WLS
CHICAGOLAND
HIT PARADE
abc
Spring 1971 - 1972
WLS MUSICRADIO SURVEY
1973
WLS MUSICRADIO 89
1973
WLS MUSICRADIO 89
1974
WLS
MUSICRADIO 89
Forty-fives
1975-1981
WLS
MUSICRADIO
Forty-fives
1981
WLS
AM 89 & FM 95
Forty-fives
1981
WLS
AM 89 & FM 94.7
Forty-fives
1984-1985
HIT ROCK 94.7
WLS-FM
Forty-fives
1985-1986
Z 95
WYTZ
Singles
1986-1987
A great series of books detailing the history of the WLS Silver Dollar Surveys has been published by Ron Smith.  I received this note from Ron... "Thought you might be interested in the book I just had published. It does for the WLS Silver Dollar Surveys of the 60s what Joel Whitburn's books do for the Billboard Hot 100-- it lists every song to reach the chart alphabetically by title and by artist, along with debut and peak dates, peak position reached and weeks on the survey."  There are now 3 books, covering the history of the WLS Surveys.  These are a must have for WLS fans. Book 2 covers the 70's and Book 3 takes you through the 80's.

Click above to find out more !
Check out Ron's Website as well...
OldiesMusic.Com