I appreciate Jeremy and while we agree majority of the time, I disagree this time around.

The main reason is, Chicago has always had a ROCK mindset, not only WLS-AM as Jeremy pointed out. Look at WLS-AM after Disco from 80 - 82, AOR based, minimal jingles, the #2 wannabe to WLUP-FM. Look at WLS-FM and early Z95, not as rock based as WLS-AM but it lacked Urban titles, very "safe". Even B96 during its 96Now, Hot Hits and B96 WBBM-FM days massively lacked dance and urban product, they were #1, due to younger screaming jocks and they were on FM, as WLS-AM and FM were trying to be.... WLUP-FM #2. The Urban at the time had 10 - 20% White listeners. (WJPC-AM, WGCI, WBMX-AM & FM). Digest that as it screams what was going on (or not going on) @ the CHR's. There was still a demand for Urban, Dance etc and Urban radio filled it. In the mid to late 80s CHR did not shy away from those artists and titles. But, WLS-FM is still way more rock based and ignores all but the big named non-White artists. The 80s format has moved on from the early to mid and later part of the decade as the demo is aging. The later part of the decade, which was more rhythmic while rock and hair bands flourished alongside Dance, sadly, WLS-FM doesn't see it.

Kids please note. WBBM-FM in its different positions between roughly 86 - 97 was Pop, Dance, Urban, Retro, Disco based and was in the Top 3 for years. Listening to the dial today, it is like it never existed!

Guess it is easier to be #2 than actually own the audience with content they can't hear on WDRV or elsewhere! Oh wait, the research says..... no gut instinct, no passion, why is radio in the toilet? (I need John from Wisconsin to jump in here and take over for me. LOL)

Z