WERV-FM

This station was the radio dream of WLS Radio announcer, emcee, and engineer Russ Salter, who put this station (then WKKD-FM); along with WKKD AM 1580 on the air.{{cite web|url=http://www.wkkd.com/salter/history.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971010015110/http://www.wkkd.com/salter/history.html|title=Salter Communications: Russell G. Salter|publisher=Salter Communications|access-date=December 11, 2018|archive-date=October 10, 1997|url-status=dead}} WKKD 1580 debuted on September 21, 1960, and WKKD-FM on February 12, 1961. The station's call sign stood for Kane, Kendall and DuPage, which were the primary counties in its coverage area."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Station-Albums/Chicago-Trib-1979-Mar-About-Chi-Radio.pdf What those letters on the dial mean]", Chicago Tribune Magazine. March 4, 1979. Retrieved December 11, 2018.Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 106-107. Both stations' studios, transmitters and towers were at 1880 Plain Avenue in Aurora.[https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=81672 History Cards for WERV-FM], fcc.gov. Retrieved December 11, 2018.[https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=52856 History Cards for WKKD], fcc.gov. Retrieved December 11, 2018.

The station was part of a simulcast with WKKD AM 1580.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1961-62/section%20B%201%20Radio%20%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201961-1962-9.pdf 1961-62 Broadcasting Yearbook], Broadcasting, 1961-1962. p. B-51. Retrieved December 14, 2018. Bill Blough hosted a country music program in the station's first years.Sachs, Bill. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=uB8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA47 Folk Talent & Tunes]", Billboard. May 16, 1960. p. 47. Retrieved December 10, 2018.Sachs, Bill. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=CiEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA8 Folk Talent & Tunes]", Billboard. July 10, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved December 10, 2018.Sinclair, Charles. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1962/Billboard%201962-12-01.pdf Vox Jox]", Billboard. December 1, 1962. p. 40. Retrieved December 10, 2018. Chicago weathercaster Tom Skilling began his career at WKKD, {{circa|1966}}, while he attended high school in Aurora."[https://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-chicagolive-guest-tom-skilling-html-htmlstory.html Tom Skilling]" Chicago Tribune. November 9, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2018.

By 1968, the simulcast had ended.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1968/B%201%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201968.pdf 1968 Broadcasting Yearbook], Broadcasting, 1968. p. B-50. Retrieved December 14, 2018. WKKD-FM was branded "The Golden Sounds"."[https://newspaperarchive.com/lemont-southwest-graphic-jan-28-1970-p-5/ Salter Broadcasting Company Proudly Present... The Golden Sounds on WKKD-FM]", The Southwest Graphic. January 28, 1970. p. 5. Retrieved December 14, 2018.Draves, William A. "[https://newspaperarchive.com/fond-du-lac-reporter-may-26-1973-p-1/ The Beacon]", Fond du Lac Reporter. May 26, 1973. p. 1. Retrieved December 14, 2018. The station aired a beautiful music format in the 1970s and into the early 1980s."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Station-Albums/Chicago-Trib-1979-Mar-About-Chi-Radio.pdf Stations, everywhere: a listeners' guide to the AM and FM bands]", Chicago Tribune Magazine. March 4, 1979. p. 35. Retrieved December 12, 2018.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1977/C-1%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201977.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1977], Broadcasting, 1977. p. C-59. Retrieved December 12, 2018.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1983/B-Radio-Ala-Mt-1983-YB.pdf Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983], Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1983. p. B-69. Retrieved December 12, 2018.

In late 1983, AM 1580's call sign was changed back to WKKD, and the two stations became part of a partial simulcast.Bornstein, Rollye. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1983/BB-1983-12-10.pdf Vox Jox]", Billboard. December 10, 1983. Retrieved December 12, 2018.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-Radio-Guide-May-1985.pdf Chicago Radio Guide], Vol. 1, Issue 1. May 1985. Retrieved December 12, 2018. The station aired an adult contemporary format, branded as "classic hits", playing music from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1985/B-Radio-AL-to-MT-BC-YB-1985.pdf Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1985], Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1985. p. B-78. Retrieved December 12, 2018. Throughout the 1980s, WKKD was originally used on a local access channel in Naperville throughout its AC days on Jones Intercable until the summer of 1988.

In the late 1980s, the station aired a soft AC format, as "Lite Mix",[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/City-Magazines-Misc/Chicagoland-Radio-Waves-Two-Issues.pdf Chicagoland Radio Waves], MediaTies. Summer 1988. Retrieved December 12, 2018. with the branding changing to "K-Lite" in 1989.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/City-Magazines-Misc/Chicagoland-Radio-Waves-Two-Issues.pdf Chicagoland Radio Waves], MediaTies. Summer 1989. Retrieved December 12, 2018."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-1989-Fall.pdf WKKD FM 95.9]", Radio Chicago. Fall 1989. p. 35. Retrieved December 12, 2018. The station continued to air this format into the early 1990s.Wilhelmson, Brenda. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1990-02-25-9001170010-story.html Radio In Du Page]", Chicago Tribune. February 25, 1990. Retrieved December 10, 2018."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-1991-Spring.pdf WKKD FM 95.9]", Radio Chicago, Spring 1991. p. 53. Retrieved July 14, 2018.Kening, Dan. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-04-07-9202010186-story.html The Home Team]", Chicago Tribune. April 7, 1992. Retrieved December 10, 2018.

In 1992, WKKD-FM became the flagship radio station for the Kane County Cougars baseball team.

In 1993, the station adopted an oldies format, and was branded "Pure Gold 96".Todorovich, Lisa. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-02-12-9303180714-story.html Lettermen Bring Valentine Spirit To Norris]", Chicago Tribune. February 12, 1993. Retrieved December 10, 2018."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1993-08.pdf Format Changes]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 10, No. 32. August 11, 1993. p. 1. Retrieved December 10, 2018.{{cite web|url=http://wkkd.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961228151206/http://www.wkkd.com:80/|title=WKKD Pure Gold 96 ON-LINE|publisher=WKKD-FM|access-date=December 10, 2018|archive-date=December 28, 1996|url-status=dead}} WKKD-FM was again part of a simulcast with WKKD AM 1580. In 1998 the station changed its branding to "Kool 95.9", while continuing to air an oldies format.{{cite web|url=http://wkkd.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980522141346/http://wkkd.com/|title=Welcome to the new KOOL 95.9 web site!|publisher=WKKD-FM|access-date=December 10, 2018|archive-date=May 22, 1998|url-status=dead}}"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-2001-01.pdf Elsewhere]", The M Street Journal. Vol. 18, No. 01. January 4, 2001. p. 10. Retrieved December 10, 2018.

In 2000, the Salter family sold WKKD AM and FM, as well as WRWC in Rockford, Illinois, to RadioWorks for $6.5 million, plus $1.5 million in consulting and non-compete agreements.[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=287300 Application Search Details] fcc.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2018.Kirk, Jim. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-07-28-9907280144-story.html Rockford Firm Adds To Its Reach]", Chicago Tribune. July 28, 1999. Retrieved December 15, 2018.

In 2001 WKKD-FM and AM were sold to NextMedia Group for $3.4 million.[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=549693 Application Search Details] fcc.gov. Accessed January 3, 2014 On January 25, 2001, the station became "95.9 The River", airing a classic hits format with the slogan "Rock 'N Roll Favorites for the 'Burbs".{{cite web|url=http://www.djheadlines.com/index.php?pid=102|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051031091650/http://www.djheadlines.com/index.php?pid=102|title=Chicago Media Headlines - January|website=DJHeadlines.com|date=January 24–26, 2001|access-date=June 23, 2018|archive-date=October 31, 2005|url-status=dead}}Devine, Cathy (2002-2003). [https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/2002/AL-MT-M-Street-11-2002-2003.pdf The M-Street Radio Directory], 11th Edition. p. 183. Retrieved July 13, 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.959theriver.fm:80/index.cfm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020103021425/http://www.959theriver.fm/index.cfm|title=95-9 The River|website=959theriver.fm|access-date=July 13, 2018|archive-date=January 3, 2002|url-status=dead}} The station's call sign was changed to WERV-FM shortly thereafter. The classic hits format on WERV-FM leaned toward classic rock: its playlist stressed the rock hits of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s such as Van Halen, U2 and Bon Jovi, but did not play pop and dance artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna or Whitney Houston, heard on most classic hits stations.

On July 15, 2006, the station debuted an HD-2 station branded "The Rapids!", airing a hard rock gold format."[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/11842/werv-to-debut-hd-2-station-the-rapids-at-listener- WERV To Debut HD-2 Station "The Rapids" At Listener Party]", All Access Music Group. July 11, 2006. Retrieved December 13, 2018.

NextMedia sold WERV-FM and their 32 other radio stations to Digity, LLC at a price of $84,975,200; the transaction was consummated on February 10, 2014."[http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/6316-nextmedia-radio-stations-now-owned-and-operated-by-digity NextMedia Radio Stations Now Owned And Operated By Digity]", Chicagoland Radio and Media. February 10, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2018. Effective February 25, 2016, Digity and its 124 radio stations were acquired by Alpha Media for $264 million."[https://www.alphamediausa.com/alpha-media-closes-purchase-of-digity-radio-stations/ Alpha Media Closes Purchase of Digity Radio Stations!]", Alpha Media. February 25, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2018."[http://www.insideradio.com/free/with-digity-alpha-is-now-fourth-largest-radio-co/article_41e9dcb8-dc5d-11e5-8a45-f368858e2092.html With Digity, Alpha Is Now Fourth-Largest Radio Co.]", InsideRadio. February 26, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2018.

Personalities heard on The River include Scott Mackay, Nick Jakusz, Mitch Michaels, Leslie Harris and Scott Childers."[https://www.959theriver.com/shows/ Show Schedule]", 95.9 The River. Retrieved December 10, 2018."[http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/1912-major-changeswitch-at-werv-fm-a-wrxq-fm Major Change/Switch At WERV-FM & WRXQ-FM]", Chicagoland Radio and Media. September 8, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2018.

On May 24, 2024, at 2{{nbsp}}p.m., after playing "Right Now" by Van Halen, WERV-FM relaunched with a classic alternative format, retaining the "River" name; the first song under the relaunched format was "Today" by Chicago-founded band The Smashing Pumpkins.{{cite news |last1=Venta |first1=Lance |title=WERV Brings Classic Alternative To Suburban Chicago |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/269830/werv-brings-classic-alternative-to-suburban-chicago/ |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=RadioInsight |date=May 26, 2024}}

• WKKD (AM)

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.959theriver.com}}
• {{FM station data|73171|WERV}}

{{Aurora-Elgin-Wheaton Radio}}

{{Alpha Media}}

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ERV

Category:Radio stations established in 1961

Category:1961 establishments in Illinois

Category:Alternative rock radio stations in the United States

Category:Alpha Media radio stations