Scott,

You did a fantastic job putting together your WLS site.

I spent 90 minutes going through it. It really was well done. What a great and influential radio station. One wonders how many radio stations around today will be the object of tributes for the next generations.

I worked at WLS for a brief time in 1995. I had become fascinated with talk radio. I was able work with Jay Marvin, Johnny Von and quite a few talented people at 190 N. State. I was able to put those great call letters on my resume.

I don't get back to the Chicago much. The radio dial has changed quite a bit since I left in 1997.

-Don Beno

Scott, 

Amazing......the amount of memories brought back by going through your website on the history of WLS, both in what I did know and what I did not.  As a suburban Chicago (Downers Grove) growing up in the 60s-80s, I was a news guy (WBBM 780) until 1977, when Styx and "Come Sail Away" enlightened and converted me.  From then on, it was almost always WLS on my radio, with some WE-FM (99.5) thrown in for good measure.  I grew up going to high school with Larry Lujack, Tommy Edwards, Bob Sirott in the afternoon, Brant Miller, Jeff Davis (my personal favorite), Yvonne Daniels overnight and more.  Has there ever been a better line-up of radio talent?  I was even at the New Years Eve broadcast from the long-gone Old Chicago amusement park with Brant Miller.  One of my very favorite moments was one evening the DJ (and I forget who it was) was rebelling against all the complaints that WLS played the short versions of all the Top 40 songs (and yes, they were guilty of that), so he played a Village People song (I think it was "YMCA") over and over and over again for about half an hour, mixing the end and beginning to get the ultimate long "disco party" version!  The best memories I have were of the weekly flyers where WLS listed top singles, albums, upcoming concerts, and pictured one of the DJs.  In fact, I had every one from 1977-1983 until I, for some reason, threw them all out when I moved years ago.  Also, the New Years Eve Big 89 Countdown was great, as I always looked to see how it would compare to Billboard Magazine's and others.  Of course, at the stroke of midnight each January 1st, there would be the incredible #1 songs Time Sweep montage from the beginning of the rock and roll era until that year. 

It's great to see and hear the memories of what was, along with WGN-TV, the media outlets that influenced so many people, especially throughout the Chicago area and the midwest.  It's hard to go back to Chicago and turn on the car radio to 890 AM and NOT hear the music and the great DJs, but thanks to sites like yours they will live on forever. 

-Bob Hayden, 
Rancho Santa Margarita, California

Hey Scott,

I appreciate your WLS site, and other dedications to a radio station
that I grew up with.

Thanks again,

-Gary Bernstein

Scott:

Just had to drop you a note to say how much I enjoyed your History of WLS site.  I must admit I skipped the first few decades to the 70's and 80's.  That was "my era" of listening to WLS, the early 70's through the mid 80's.  After that, I moved away from the Chicago area but still have fond memories of the Big 89. What great memories you were able to bring back reading (and listening to) your site.

Thank you! :-)

-Dale Reeves

Scott-

Very entertaining and informative site...brings back a lot of memories.  I lived in Illinois for 12 years...from 1963-75, first in the western Chicago 'burbs...then downstate in Pontiac.  WLS was THE station!  I remember very well the mid-sixties team of Weber, Allen, Card, Riley, Roberts and Phillips....and later, Lujack.  The aircheck links on your site are great. THAT was professional radio!  And they don't do radio like that anymore. 

Thanks for your research, and for the great memories. 

-Dave Baxter
Middletown, Ohio

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