Chris Larko’s Radio Odyssey

Chris Larko’s Radio Odyssey

The Little Guy with a Big Dream: Chris Larko’s Radio Odyssey On the gritty south side of Fort Wayne, Indiana, where perseverance was as common as the hum of factory shifts, Christopher “Chris” Larko came of age with scant resources but an unquenchable thirst for the airwaves. Nurtured in a single-parent household by his devoted mother, Roberta Louise (Brodbeck) Larko, following his father's departure, Chris navigated the challenges of a modest upbringing. Yet, amid the constraints, he discovered a boundless […]

August 25, 2025 47 7

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Radio History

Art Vuolo: Radio’s Best Friend

In the kaleidoscope of radio broadcasting, where voices crackle through the airwaves and personalities shape cultural moments, one man has stood quietly behind the scenes, camera in hand, preserving the heartbeat of an industry. Art Vuolo, Jr., affectionately dubbed “Radio’s Best Friend,” has spent over five decades capturing the essence of radio through his lens, amassing an unparalleled archive of video airchecks, radio conventions, and special events. His contributions extend far beyond mere documentation; Vuolo has woven himself into the […]

August 17, 2025 31 13

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Radio History

WLS-AM: The Rock of Chicago

Pull up a chair, grab a coffee (or a slice of deep dish, if you’re into that sort of thing), and let’s talk about WLS-AM. For those of you too young to remember the glory days of Top 40 radio in Chicago, WLS was the “Rock of Chicago” for over two decades starting in the 1960s. It had legendary DJs, unforgettable stunts, and a format that many people turned to for their daily dose of new music. Today, we’re going to dive into […]

July 26, 2025 122 113

Radio History

KROY Radio: Sacramento’s Top 40 Station

KROY Radio: Sacramento’s Top 40 Station of the 1960s and 1970s KROY Radio (1240 AM) is one of Sacramento, California’s two most popular Top 40 radio stations of the 1960s and 1970s. Its selection of high-energy sound recordings, popular disc jockeys, and effective promotions earned the station an important place in the city’s cultural and musical history during its heyday in the area. This article is a retrospective review of the KROY Radio station, including its history and profiles […]

July 25, 2025 42

Radio Eras

Allentown’s Top 40 Powerhouse in the Lehigh Valley

The Golden Age of WAEB: Allentown’s Top 40 Powerhouse in the Lehigh Valley In the vibrant tapestry of American radio history, few stations capture the essence of a community’s spirit and the dynamism of the Top 40 format quite like WAEB in Allentown, Pennsylvania, during its peak in the 1960s and early 1970s. Known as “Music Radio 79 WAEB,” this AM station, broadcasting at 790 kHz, dominated the Lehigh Valley’s airwaves, becoming a cultural touchstone for the region’s youth and […]

July 3, 2025 43

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Radio History

KAAY’s Top 40 Triumph in Little Rock

The Mighty 1090: KAAY’s Top 40 Triumph in Little Rock In the pulsating heart of the 1960s and 1970s, KAAY-AM 1090, known as “The Mighty 1090,” stood as a colossus of Top 40 radio in Little Rock, Arkansas, its 50,000-watt signal blanketing much of the United States and beyond. Launched as KTHS in 1924 in Hot Springs, the station reinvented itself in 1962 under LIN Broadcasting, adopting the KAAY call letters and a dynamic Top 40 format that captured the […]

July 1, 2025 50 3 2

Radio History

The Big Ape’s Roar

By Kelly Parker, Aircheck Radio Enthusiast In the heart of Jacksonville, Florida, a radio station once roared with a sound so powerful it echoed from Cape Canaveral to Cape Hatteras, captivating generations of listeners. WAPE, known as “The Big Ape,” was more than a radio station—it was a cultural cornerstone, a soundtrack to adolescence, and a beacon of community connection from its inception in 1958 through its AM heyday and into its modern FM era. For those of us who […]

May 26, 2025 109

Radio History

Radio Tribute Websites

Radio Tribute Websites: Preserving the Legacy of Classic StationsBefore the rise of digital streaming, AM and FM radio stations were the pulse of music, news, and community engagement. Many iconic stations from the 1960s through the 1990s have since evolved or ceased operations. However, passionate enthusiasts and historians have created radio tribute websites to ensure their legacies endure.These online archives offer airchecks, jingles, photographs, and stories, capturing the essence of tuning in during radio’s golden eras. Below, we highlight some […]

March 18, 2025 157

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Radio History

WEFM 99.5 FM Chicago

WEFM 99.5 FM: The Underdog That Took on Chicago Radio in the Late 1970s "Radio is the theater of the mind; television is the theater of the mindless." — Steve Allen A Station in Transition: From Classical to Contemporary For decades, Chicago’s FM dial was home to WEFM 99.5, a station steeped in tradition. Founded in 1940 by Zenith Radio Corporation, WEFM was among the pioneers of FM radio, broadcasting a steady diet of classical music that catered to Chicago’s […]

January 2, 2023 101 3