4-11-13
Some of the biggest names in Chicago radio will take part in a special broadcast tonight from historic Navy Pier to celebrate 89 years of WLS Radio. The Big 89 launched the careers of many celebrities, including Gene Autry, Larry Lujack and Bob Sirott. Other local personalities like Dick Biondi and John Records Landecker (pictured) are still heard on WLS-FM.
The First Broadcast: ?Hear Ye Hear Ye Hear Ye, WLS, The Sears Roebuck Station, is on the air.? Those first
words by Edgar Bill, director and program manager, were broadcast on the evening of April 12, 1924 from the Sherman House Hotel in Chicago. The WLS call letters were taken from the nickname ? World?s Largest Store ? for Sears-Roebuck's West Side Headquarters on Homan Avenue. Today, 89 WLS ? a Cumulus Media station ? broadcasts from its State Street studios in the heart of Chicago?s Loop.
Roe Conn, co-host of the Roe & Roeper Show, will host the 89th Birthday Bash Broadcast featuring legendary 89 WLS broadcasters such as Dick Biondi, Catherine Johns and Wayne Messmer, with special birthday greetings from Larry Lujack, Jeff Hendrix, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Rep. Peter Roskam and Notre Dame Football Coach Brian Kelly.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will present WLS with a special proclamation. WLS listeners and special guests at the event will celebrate with champagne toasts to 89 years, and dine on deserts of Eli?s Cheesecake. John Records Landecker said, ?When I got into radio I never expected one set of call letters to mean so much to me, and to so many listeners. WLS, The Big 89, truly is the 50,000 watt blow torch of the Midwest.?
(4/12/2013 4:23:00 AM)
Those lucky enough to hear the "Mr. Biondi" era will never forget radio as it once was
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