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WBBM-FM B96 Chicago - Station Composite - 1983 - Radio Aircheck

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 7, 2026, 4:16 pm

The great Ellis Feaster brining us an 11+ minute composite of post Hot Hits 96 and just entering the B96 days as mainly as WBBM-FM. Listening to it, reminded me how Rock leaning they were before they leaned Dance starting 86/87. Phoners, unheard of these days as people do not call radio stations rather text or social media. Also a lot of songs you never hear anymore. Bob Seger, Don't pay the ferryman by Chris DeBurgh (who would have thought he had another hit besides Lady in Red). INXS - "The One Thing,"

You will hear Tomm Rivers (displaced to bring in the legendary but woefully out of place Dick Biondi), Dave Robbins (RIP), Gary Spears (retired), Jeff Hooker (out of radio, now owns a wine company), Joe Dawson (RIP), Tony Taylor (for years was in Philly), and weekenders Frank Foster (no clue where he ended up) & Mark Windsor (last I heard he was in San Antonio with his wife, out of radio).

This is one of the better airchecks I have run across in a long time.

Link: WBBM-FM B96 Chicago - Station Composite - 1983 - Radio Aircheck

Re: WBBM-FM B96 Chicago - Station Composite - 1983 - Radio Aircheck

Posted by disman00911 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=disman00911' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 8, 2026, 4:51 pm, in reply to "WBBM-FM B96 Chicago - Station Composite - 1983 - Radio Aircheck"

Nice find even though this era of B96 is well before my time. Feaster has a excellent collection of radio station airchecks from different parts of the country and he just uploaded an aircheck of B96 from December 1982 today.

Re: WBBM-FM B96 Chicago - Station Composite - 1983 - Radio Aircheck

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 8, 2026, 6:47 pm, in reply to "Re: WBBM-FM B96 Chicago - Station Composite - 1983 - Radio Aircheck"

"Chicago's Best Musicradio, B96" I never heard that produced top hour. Always heard the jocks talk over it. That was a stab right @ WLS-AM and FM 95, as that was WLS positioner for years.

B96 was majorly generic white bread, to the max, in this aircheck. Rock based, minimal Urban. This is really unlike all the other "Hot Hits" stations around the country.

Good find Disman. Smoking' Joe was awesome. Loved when he made his return on WXXY. He loved music, loved radio, loved the 80s. He left us way too young.

Ellis Feaster is beyond awesome too.

Z

Re: WBBM-FM B96 Chicago - Station Composite - 1983 - Radio Aircheck

Posted by PhilJSmith <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=PhilJSmith' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 8, 2026, 11:42 pm, in reply to "Re: WBBM-FM B96 Chicago - Station Composite - 1983 - Radio Aircheck"

That was fun to hear. B96 was on a LOT of radios in late ‘82 and ‘83. Thanks, disman and Z!

Re: WBBM-FM B96 Chicago - Station Composite - 1983 - Radio Aircheck

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 12, 2026, 9:45 am, in reply to "Re: WBBM-FM B96 Chicago - Station Composite - 1983 - Radio Aircheck"

http://las-solanas.com/arsa/survey.php?sv=170557

Chart for date of aircheck

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