WGRB

The station signed on the air on October 13, 1923. The original call sign, WTAY, was randomly assigned from a sequential list of available call letters, and its city of license was Oak Park, Illinois. It was a shared time station, running 15 watts and operating on 1330 kHz on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings. It was owned by a community newspaper called Oak Leaves."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1948/1948-10-25-BC-Chicago.pdf AM Histories]", Broadcasting — Telecasting. A Continuing Study of Major Radio Markets: Study No. 7: Chicago. October 25, 1948. p. 18. Retrieved December 8, 2019.

On February 15, 1924, the station began broadcasting from the Oak Park Arms Hotel."[http://oprfmuseum.org/sites/default/files/stories/featured-images/WTAY-OL-1924--1.jpg Radio Department]", Oak Leaves. February 16, 1924. p. 32. Retrieved December 8, 2019. Its frequency was changed to 1060 kHz and its power was increased to 500 watts.

On April 6, 1925, Coyne Electrical School purchased the station and changed its call sign to WGES, standing for Coyne's slogan, "World's Greatest Electrical School." Ray Kroc played piano live on the air at WGES's studios in the Oak Park Arms.Napoli, Lisa. "[https://chicago.curbed.com/maps/ray-kroc-chicago-mcdonalds-map Exploring Ray Kroc’s Chicago]", Curbed. January 18, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2019.Kroc, Ray (2016). [https://books.google.com/books?id=IKosDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT21 Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald's]. St. Martin's Press. Retrieved October 3, 2019.

In the late 1920s, the station was purchased by J. Louis Guyon and moved to the Guyon Hotel on the West Side of Chicago. The station aired big band music from the nearby Guyon's Paradise Ballroom.{{cite web|url=http://chicago.urban-history.org/ven/dhs/paradisb.shtml |title=Paradise Ballroom |publisher=Jazz Age Chicago |access-date=June 12, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927070634/http://chicago.urban-history.org/ven/dhs/paradisb.shtml |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }} It also broadcast African-American and foreign-language programming. In 1927, the station's frequency was changed from 940 kHz to 1210 kHz, and was changed to 1360 kHz the following year.[https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=68447 History Cards for WGRB], fcc.gov. Retrieved December 8, 2019.

Gene T. Dyer purchased interest in the station in 1930, and in 1937 its studios were moved to 2400 W. Madison Street, where co-owned WSBC was located.

In March 1941, WGES moved to 1390 kHz as a result of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA) and the following year its power was increased from 500 watts to 5,000 watts, moving its transmitter location from the roof of the Guyon Hotel to 86th and Kedzie in Chicago. In 1944 the FCC ruled that radio station owners could only own one AM and FM station per market."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1944/1944-05-22-BC.pdf FCC Infers Rigid Enforcement by Denying Duopoly Petitions]", Broadcasting. May 22, 1944. pp. 12, 57. Retrieved December 8, 2019. Gene Dyer sold WGES to his brother, Dr. John Dyer and associates."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1944/1944-12-18-BC.pdf WAIT–WGES Swap Approved by FCC]", Broadcasting. December 18, 1944. p. 70. Retrieved December 8, 2019. WGES's studios were moved from 2400 West Madison to 2708 West Washington Boulevard.

In 1945, Al Benson began hosting a Sunday evening program on WGES, using his real name Arthur Leaner.Barlow, William (1999). [https://books.google.com/books?id=gJuIHrKBONMC&pg=PA98 Voice Over: The Making of Black Radio]. Temple University Press. p. 98. Retrieved December 9, 2019. The program featured a sermon delivered by Leaner, a pastor, and gospel music. After the station told Leaner he could not sell advertising on his religious program, he began hosting a secular show as "Al Benson", playing blues, jazz, and R&B."[https://blues.org/blues_hof_inductee/al-benson/ Al Benson]", The Blues Foundation. Retrieved December 9, 2019.Reich, Howard. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-02-25-0102250531-story.html We Ain't Got That Swing]", Chicago Tribune. February 25, 2001. Retrieved December 9, 2019. Over the years, more hours of African-American programming were added, with the addition of disk jockeys Richard Stamz,Pruter, Robert (1992). [https://books.google.com/books?id=2kkcmS0AzMEC&pg=PA12 Chicago Soul]. University of Illinois Press. p. 12. Retrieved December 9, 2019. Ric Riccardo,"[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1963/Billboard%201963-04-13.pdf New Chess R.&B. 'Baby' Shows Face in Chicago]", Billboard. April 13, 1963. p. 24. Retrieved December 9, 2019. Sam Evans, Herb Kent,Hanson, Karen (2007). [https://books.google.com/books?id=VZufy6sKmN0C&pg=PA109 Today's Chicago Blues]. Lake Claremont Press. Retrieved December 9, 2019."[https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/herb-kent-39 Herb Kent's Biography]", The History Makers. Retrieved December 9, 2019. Franklyn McCarthy, and Sid McCoy."[https://books.google.com/books?id=QrEDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA62 A Winner Awarded]", Jet. March 2, 1961. p. 62. Retrieved December 9, 2019. WGES's foreign language programming was cut back to only four hours a day.

In 1962, the station was sold to Gordon McLendon for $1 million, plus an additional $1 million for a non-compete agreement."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1962/1962-06-18-BC.pdf Ownership changes]", Broadcasting. June 18, 1962. p. 80. Retrieved December 9, 2019. McLendon eliminated all foreign language programming in favor of an all-black format."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1962/1962-09-03-BC.pdf New WGES Format Draws Hot Words]", Broadcasting. September 3, 1962. p. 48. Retrieved December 9, 2019. There were complaints to the United States Federal Communications Commission that the station had eliminated foreign-language programming. The FCC held a hearing to investigate the complaints at which some politicians testified.{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/623798082.html?dids=623798082:623798082&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Jan+24%2C+1963&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=FCC+WILL+HEAR+COMPLAINTS+ON+STATION+WYNR&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604095517/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/623798082.html?dids=623798082:623798082&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Jan+24,+1963&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=FCC+WILL+HEAR+COMPLAINTS+ON+STATION+WYNR&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 4, 2011|title=FCC will hear complaints on station WYNR |date=January 24, 1963|work=Chicago Tribune|quote=Federal Communications Commission in Washington said yesterday that it will hold hearings in Chicago at an unannounced date on complaints of program ...|access-date=February 1, 2010}}{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/612477932.html?dids=612477932:612477932&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+20%2C+1963&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=N.+A.+A.+C.+P.+AID+DEFENDS+WYNR+RADIO+POLICIES&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604095547/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/612477932.html?dids=612477932:612477932&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+20,+1963&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=N.+A.+A.+C.+P.+AID+DEFENDS+WYNR+RADIO+POLICIES&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 4, 2011|title=N. A. A. C. P. Aid Defends WYNR Radio Policies. Fuqua Holds Programs Serve All |date= April 20, 1963 |work=Chicago Tribune |page =A9|access-date=February 1, 2010 |quote=A Chicago official of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People testified yesterday that radio station WYNR is serving a worthy purpose ...}}{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/572760792.html?dids=572760792:572760792&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+18%2C+1963&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=REP.+PUCINSKI%2C+BERRY+TESTIFY+AT+WYNR+QUIZ&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604095602/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/572760792.html?dids=572760792:572760792&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+18,+1963&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=REP.+PUCINSKI,+BERRY+TESTIFY+AT+WYNR+QUIZ&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 4, 2011|title=Rep. Pucinski, Berry Testify at WYNR Quiz. Issue Is Dropping of Foreign Program|date= April 18, 1963 |work=Chicago Tribune|page=W19|access-date=February 1, 2010}}{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/612475712.html?dids=612475712:612475712&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+07%2C+1963&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=FCC+to+Investigate+Complaints+on+WYNR&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604095807/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/612475712.html?dids=612475712:612475712&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+07,+1963&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=FCC+to+Investigate+Complaints+on+WYNR&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 4, 2011|title=FCC to Investigate Complaints on WYNR |date=April 7, 1963 |work=Chicago Tribune |quote=FCC to Investigate. Complaints on. Hearing on complaints of elimination of foreign language programs by station will be held in the United States courthouse ...|page=A4 |access-date=February 1, 2010}}

The callsign changed to WYNR on September 1, 1962.{{cite web | url = http://www.reelradio.com/ricky/wcwynr62.html | title = PD Presents Wild Child Dick Kemp WYNR Chicago 1962 | work = Reel Top 40 Radio Repository | publisher = ReelRadio, Inc. | location = Sacramento, California | quote = Volume I, Issue 14 of Programmer's Digest, dated February 12, 1973 ... According to the narrator, WYNR was a McLendon (KLIF) station, switching from call letters WGES on September 1, 1962. }} The station was branded "Winner". Announcers included Big John Evans, Dick Kemp (The Wild Child), Luckey Cordell, Bruce Brown, Floyd Brown,"[https://wgnradio.com/2014/12/02/floyd-brown/ Floyd Brown]", WGN. Retrieved December 9, 2019.Harder, Chuck. "[https://www.rbr.com/the-death-of-radio/ The Death of Radio]", Radio & Television Business Report. August 12, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2019. and Yvonne Daniels.{{cite web|url=http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/ydaniels.html|title=Yvonne Daniels, Radio Hall of Fame|publisher=Radio Hall of Fame|access-date=June 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111142939/http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/ydaniels.html|archive-date=January 11, 2011|url-status=dead}} In 1963, the station's studios were moved to its transmitter site at 86th and Kedzie.

On September 3, 1964, the station adopted an all-news format with the new call letters WNUS."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-08-24-BC.pdf McLendon all news at Chicago station]", Broadcasting. August 24, 1964. p. 68. Retrieved December 10, 2019."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1964/Billboard%201964-08-29.pdf WYNR Goes to All-News]", Billboard. August 29, 1964. pp. 3, 18. Retrieved December 10, 2019. In 1965, McLendon bought WFMQ (107.5 FM), changed its call sign to WNUS-FM and began to simulcast the all news format on the FM frequency.[https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=80970 History Cards for WGCI-FM], fcc.gov. Retrieved December 10, 2019."[https://books.google.com/books?id=biAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28 Demand is Heavy For FM Outlets]", Billboard. December 5, 1964. p. 28. Retrieved December 10, 2019.

In 1968, the station adopted a beautiful music format."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-02-26-BC.pdf In and out]", Broadcasting. February 26, 1968. p. 5. Retrieved December 10, 2019. In 1967, the station's studios were moved to Chicago's River North neighborhood.

In 1975, Globetrotter Communications, owners of soul music station WVON, purchased WNUS-AM-FM from McLendon for $3,550,000, and moved WVON from its 1,000-watt signal on 1450 kHz to the 5,000-watt facility on 1390 kHz that had been occupied by WNUS."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-03-10-BC.pdf CCI heads toward top among groups]", Broadcasting. March 10, 1975. p. 20. Retrieved December 10, 2019. WVON retained the studios it had used on 1450 in South Lawndale.

WNUS-FM changed to a disco format later that year, with a change of call letters to WGCI-FM.Duston, Anne. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1975/Billboard%201975-11-01.pdf Midwest Becomes Hotbed Of Disco Activity]", Billboard. November 1, 1975. p. D-28. Retrieved December 10, 2019."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1976/Billboard%201976-06-26.pdf Chi WGCI Music Switch]", Billboard. June 26, 1976. p. 27. Retrieved December 10, 2019. In 1977, Combined Communications Corporation purchased Globetrotter Communications, and the following year Combined Communications merged with Gannett Co."[https://books.google.com/books?id=WiMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT41 Soul Sauce]", Billboard. May 14, 1977. p. 42. Retrieved December 10, 2019.Jones, William H. "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1978/05/09/gannett-plans-to-buy-combined-communications/0e005aaa-35ee-4696-8a26-e756cdb5ac65/ Gannett Plans to Buy Combined Communications]", The Washington Post. May 9, 1978. Retrieved December 10, 2019.

File:WGRB - WVON transmitter site.jpg

On October 3, 1983, the station's call sign was changed to WGCI.[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=51162&Callsign=WGRB51162 Call Sign History], fcc.gov. Retrieved December 12, 2019. The station aired an urban adult contemporary format.[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, 2019.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1985/B-Radio-All-BC-YB-1985.pdf Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1985], Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1985. p. B-79. Retrieved December 12, 2019.Zorn, Eric. "WGCI Alphabet Change Doesn't Soup Up Listener Ratings", Chicago Tribune. February 4, 1985. Yvonne Daniels hosted mornings. By 1986, the station was airing an urban contemporary format as part of a simulcast with 107.5 WGCI-FM.Freeman, Kim. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1986/BB-1986-11-15.pdf Urbans Take to the Streets For Better Books]", Billboard. June 23, 1986. pp. 1, 101. Retrieved December 12, 2019.Daley, Steve. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-06-23-8602140881-story.html Morning Radio Girds for Battle]", Chicago Tribune. September 23, 1986. Retrieved December 12, 2019.

On January 16, 1989, the AM station debuted an African-American-oriented talk format, while WGCI-FM continued to play urban contemporary music.Warren, James. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1990-09-11-9003160179-story.html WGCI Ends Black-Talk Radio Format]", Chicago Tribune. September 11, 1990. Retrieved December 12, 2019. The talk format was dropped September 10, 1990, and it adopted an urban oldies format branded "Dusty Radio".Kirk, Jim. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-09-29-9809290209-story.html WGCI-AM Decides to Sweep Away the Dusties]", Chicago Tribune. September 29, 1998. Retrieved June 21, 2020.Borzillo, Carrie. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=TAgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA71 Promotions and Marketing]", Billboard. May 21, 1994. p. 71. Retrieved December 12, 2019.

File:WGRB transmitter building.jpg

The format changed to urban gospel music on October 5, 1998, under Chancellor Media ownership.{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Feder|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4460608.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911160918/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4460608.html|title=WGCI-AM is switching from dusties to gospel|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=September 29, 1998|access-date=December 9, 2019|archive-date=September 11, 2016|url-status=dead}} Chancellor Media was merged into Clear Channel Communications in 2000.

The station's call letters were changed to WGRB on June 1, 2004, to differentiate it from its sister station, WGCI-FM. Clear Channel Communications changed its name to iHeartMedia in 2014.

WGRB was licensed to broadcast a hybrid{{Cite web|url=http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/iboc-digital-radio-broadcasting-am-and-fm-radio-broadcast-stations|title = Digital Radio|date = December 10, 2015}} signal (analog plus digital) on 1390 AM HD 1.http://www.hdradio.com/station_guides/widget.php?id=4 HD Radio Guide for Chicago

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://inspiration1390.iheart.com/}}

{{AM station data|51162|WGRB}}

{{Chicago Radio}}

{{IHeartMedia}}

GRB

Category:Gospel radio stations in the United States

Category:Radio stations established in 1923

GRB

Category:1923 establishments in Illinois

Category:IHeartMedia radio stations

Category:Former Gannett subsidiaries