WMVP

File:Edward Nockels.jpg

In 1922, the American Federation of Labor began discussions regarding owning and operating its own radio station. By 1925, the AFL decided not to enter the broadcasting business but to purchase time for organized labor's message on commercially operated radio. The dream stayed alive with the Chicago Federation of Labor, who believed having an owned and operated radio station would be an effective way to spread its message. In 1924, the Federation gave its approval to work toward establishing a radio station.{{Cite book | editor-last =McChesney| editor-first =Robert|title=Telecommunications, Mass Media, and Democracy: The Battle for the Control of U.S. Broadcasting, 1928-1935|year=1995|pages=416|publisher=Oxford University Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WuY7t7Cr5GoC&pg=PA63|isbn = 0-19-509394-1 |access-date=May 10, 2010}} The original plan for WCFL called for it to be a non-commercial station, operating on the support of its listeners; in a sense it was one of the first large-scale efforts at public radio.{{cite web|url=http://www.wsvh.org/pubradiohist.htm |title=Public Radio-A Short History |author=Schardt, Sue |year=1996 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |access-date=July 30, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809080512/http://www.wsvh.org/pubradiohist.htm |archive-date=August 9, 2011 }} Spearheading the drive to make WCFL a reality was the Federation's Secretary, Edward Nockels;{{cite web|url=http://www.library.gsu.edu/dlib/iam/getBrandedPDF.asp?issue_id=1725 |title=WCFL, 'Voice of Labor' at Chicago, starts 39th year of radio broadcasts |date=July 9, 1964 |publisher=The Machinist |access-date=July 30, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215225445/http://www.library.gsu.edu/dlib/iam/getBrandedPDF.asp?issue_id=1725 |archive-date=February 15, 2010 }} without his efforts, there would have been no radio station at all.{{cite web|url=http://www.kentlaw.edu/ilhs/1987.htm |title=Illinois Union Hall of Honor-Edward Nockels |year=1987 |publisher=Illinois Labor History Society |access-date=July 30, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509150042/http://www.kentlaw.edu/ilhs/1987.htm |archive-date=May 9, 2008 }}

WCFL officially began on December 4, 1925; the Federation's hopes were temporarily dashed when the US Department of Commerce (there was no Federal Communications Commission until 1934 and no Federal Radio Commission which preceded it until 1927) refused to grant WCFL a wavelength on January 13, 1926. Just five days after what could have become an end to the station, the Federation announced it would go ahead with building it anyway.{{cite web|url=http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/history/index.html |title=History of WCFL Radio|publisher=Manteno|access-date=April 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030813000018/http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/history/index.html|archive-date=August 13, 2003}}{{cite web|url=http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/history/050.html |title=Origination of WCFL-transcript|publisher=Chicago Federation of Labor|access-date=April 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030819223557/http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/history/050.html|archive-date=August 19, 2003}}{{cite web|url=http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/history/051.html|title= Aim and objective of WCFL-transcript|publisher=Chicago Federation of Labor|access-date=April 22, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20030819223237/http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/history/051.html|archive-date= August 19, 2003}}

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The first WCFL transmitter stood on Chicago's Navy Pier (then called Municipal Pier); the Federation was able to lease the pier's North Tower for 10 years at $1 per year and its willingness to make WCFL available for city broadcasts. Initially the Illinois Manufacturers' Association attempted to keep WCFL off the air by protesting the use of public property for the station's transmitter and broadcasting site. The station purchased the land in Downers Grove where the current transmitter operates in 1928 and broke ground there in 1932.{{cite web|url=http://www.fybush.com/sites/2008/site-080118.html |title=WCFL/WMVP transmitter|year=2008|author=Fybush, Scott|publisher=Fybush|access-date=April 19, 2010}} The Federation originally purchased {{convert|100|acre|km2}} of land in the western suburb; 20 of them were allotted for the WCFL transmitter, while the other 80 were subdivided as lots for 258 homes and 72 businesses in "WCFL Park". Nockels believed having a union-based community spring up around the WCFL transmitter would be beneficial to both those purchasing lots and building homes and to the station itself. The labor union entered the real estate business shortly before the Great Depression hit. After selling no lots in the early part of the 1930s, the Federation put WCFL Park on hold, reviving it again in 1939 with the building of a model home on one of the lots, all of which would eventually be divested.

AM 1000 began operation as WCFL in test broadcasts on June 19, 1926; the Commerce Department granted it call letters on July 10, 1926. It was officially on the air the next day on 610 kHz, with 1,000 watts of power, one of the last non-profit radio stations to take to the airwaves. The first broadcast consisted of two hours of music.{{cite web|url=http://tenwatts.blogspot.com/2005_11_01_archive.html|title=Chicago's Voice of Labor|author=Fritz, Jose|date=November 21, 2005|publisher=Arcane Radio Trivia|access-date=July 30, 2010}} In November 1926, with an eye toward being self-sustaining, the Federation added a shortwave station to the Navy Pier transmitter site, planning to use WCFL Radio Telegraph to help offset broadcasting costs. The station initially used studios at Navy Pier, but during the winter of 1926–1927 found that the weather often made them inaccessible.

By 1927, WCFL was broadcasting from 623 South Wabash in Chicago (today the home of Columbia College, Chicago{{cite web|url=http://www.colum.edu/About_Columbia/Maps_-_Building_Directories/623_S._Wabash_Building.php |title=Columbia College Chicago South Michigan Campus |publisher=Columbia College |access-date=May 10, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603174641/http://www.colum.edu/About_Columbia/Maps_-_Building_Directories/623_S._Wabash_Building.php |archive-date=June 3, 2010 }}) producing a quarterly radio magazine, and operating on 620 kHz; the frequency being shared with the Lane Tech High School radio station, WLTS. In 1928, WCFL applied to the Federal Radio Commission for an increase in its transmitter power and hours of operation.[https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=51160 History Cards for WMVP], fcc.gov. Retrieved August 8, 2019. Several other radio stations were now also operating on the 620 kHz frequency along with WCFL and the Lane Tech station. The commission disagreed with the reasoning that such increases were necessary to serve union members.{{Cite book | editor-last = Simmons | editor-first = Steven J. | title = Fairness Doctrine and the Media | year = 1978 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/fairnessdoctrine0000simm/page/33 33]–35 | publisher = University of California Press | url = https://archive.org/details/fairnessdoctrine0000simm | url-access = registration | isbn = 0-520-03585-2 | access-date = April 19, 2010}} Further, it cut the operating power of WCFL to only 1,500 watts. General Order 40 brought WCFL to the 970 kHz frequency, shared with KJR in Seattle, still at 1,500 watts and now allowed to operate in daylight only. The Federal Radio Commission had labeled the station as a "propaganda" type, not truly worthy of a license. The FRC would grant WCFL a 5,000-watt license in 1932,{{Cite book|title=WCFL, Chicago's Voice of Labor, 1926-78|last=Godfried|first=Nathan|publisher=University of Illinois Press|year=1997|location=Google Books|pages=102}} but it would take some years of expensive discussions to attain clear-channel, 50,000-watt status.{{cite web|url=http://www.newberry.org/outspoken/exhibitimages/2c02.jpg|date=May 19, 1930|title=Remarks of Honorable Frank R. Reid of Illinois|author=Reid, Frank R.|publisher=U. S. House of Representatives|access-date=May 22, 2010}}

While the original idea of a self-supporting WCFL was based on each Federation member's donation of $1 a year for all station operating expenses, by 1926, 30% of the membership had donated. The donations continued to spiral downward as time passed, especially after 1928, when WCFL's operating power was cut and it was limited to "dawn to dusk" broadcasting—from sunrise to sunset. The dawn-to-dusk operation limitations were lifted in 1929, but there was still no clear channel yet for WCFL.{{cite web|url=http://depts.washington.edu/labhist/laborpress/Mitchell.htm|title=There's A Rumbling In The Air: The Importance And Influence Of The Labor Press In Chicago|author=Newton-Matza, Mitchell|date=December 1999|publisher=Illinois History Symposium|access-date=July 30, 2010}}{{cite book|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Radio_Broadcast_Master_Page_Guide.htm|publisher=Radio Broadcast|date=September 1929|title=The March of Radio|pages=272, 273|access-date=March 6, 2014}} 1929 found the station notifying the Federation that unless members made their dollar donations, WCFL would need to implement some type of commercial broadcasting to stay afloat. This was the reason why the transmitter land had been purchased in 1928, but no construction was able to be done on the Downers Grove transmitter site until 1932. By 1930, commercials had become a reality on WCFL; the station did not show a profit until 1940.

In 1927, WCFL broadcast the Gene Tunney-Jack Dempsey championship boxing match at Soldier Field, challenging the National Broadcasting Company's exclusive claim to the event. This led to an arrangement whereby WCFL became one of three affiliates in Chicago of the Blue Network of NBC; WCFL broadcast non-sponsored, or sustaining, NBC programs not carried by WENR or WLS, as well as selected major sporting events and any broadcast speeches by union leaders aired by the network. WCFL became a member of the Mutual Broadcasting System in December 1949.{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimeline.com/am1000wcfl.htm |title=WCFL |publisher=Radio Timeline |access-date=March 14, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617042124/http://www.radiotimeline.com/am1000wcfl.htm |archive-date=June 17, 2010 }} When the Federal Communications Commission forced NBC to sell the Blue Network, WCFL's affiliation continued with the network through its new identity as the American Broadcasting Company, ending with the merger of WENR and WLS in 1959.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ugwEAAAAMBAJ&q=wcfl+park&pg=PT7|title=Blue Net Deal With WCFL a Plus|date=May 27, 1944|publisher=Billboard|access-date=May 11, 2010}} Prior to this, the station offered selected programming from the network. WCFL was also to become an affiliate of the Amalgamated Broadcasting System in 1933, but that network collapsed after only a month of operations, prior to its planned westward expansion from New York. The usual broadcast day included dance and classical music, comedy, as well as radio programs in 11 different languages designed to reach out to Chicago's immigrant population.{{cite web|url=http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug00/3on1/radioshow/labor.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010217180703/http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG00/3on1/radioshow/labor.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 17, 2001|title=A Closer Look:Labor Radio and the Blind|author=Robinson, Anna, Garfinkel, Steve, Eckstein, Elizabeth|year=2000|publisher=University of Virginia|access-date=July 30, 2010}}

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WCFL was also involved in early experimental television broadcasts, and operated a shortwave repeater station, W9XAA, in the 1930s. This was the first television station in Chicago.{{cite web|url=http://www.televisionexperimenters.com/sanabria.html|title=Ulises Armand Sanabria|publisher=Television Experimenters|access-date=January 23, 2011|archive-date=May 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520144822/http://www.televisionexperimenters.com/sanabria.html|url-status=dead}} On June 19, 1928, Ulises Armand Sanabria, a local television pioneer, made the first Chicago television broadcast using the WCFL Navy Pier transmitter to send the video portion of the signal and Chicago radio station WIBO for the audio portion.{{cite web|url=http://www.earlytelevision.org/a_j_carter.html|title=Carter's Aid Speeds Early Television in Chicago|publisher=Early Television.org|access-date=December 9, 2010}} Those with receivers were able to see a head and shoulders view of Edward Nockels, the Federation secretary and driving force behind WCFL.{{Cite web|url=http://www.chicagotelevision.com/channels1.htm|title=Television Comes to Chicago|publisher=Chicago Television|access-date=May 11, 2010}} It's also possible the broadcast was simulcast by the WCFL shortwave station, W9XAA.{{cite web|url=http://www.earlytelevision.org/w9xaa.html |title=WCFL Radio Magazine-Fall, 1928-WCFL Is on the air with Television Programs|publisher=WCFL/Chicago Fededration of Labor|access-date=April 28, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hawestv.com/mtv_chicago/mtv_cgo.htm |title=Early Chicago Television|publisher=Hawes TV|access-date=April 28, 2010}} Accounts of later broadcasts at WMAQ specify their shortwave station was used for this purpose.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=niAbAAAAIBAJ&pg=5984,3826420&dq=wmaq&hl=en|title=WMAQ To Start Sound Television|author=Weir, James W. H.|date=March 30, 1930|publisher=The Pittsburgh Press|access-date=December 6, 2010}} As the Federation tried to revive their "WCFL Park" real estate project near the Downers Grove transmitter, the decision was made to abandon W9XAA in 1937, preferring to concentrate on gaining more transmitter power for WCFL. New Federal Communications Commission rules insisted that shortwave stations have a minimum of 5,000 watts of power; the cost to WCFL to upgrade to this level would have been around $10,000. In the 1941 NARBA reallocation, WCFL moved to 1000 kHz. The same year, it was granted a Class 1-B clear channel license, and increased its power to 10,000 watts. In 1948, its power was increased to 50,000 watts.

In the fall of 1937, the station was one of several Chicago radio stations to donate airtime to Chicago Public Schools for a pioneering program in which the school district provided elementary school students with distance education amid a polio outbreak-related school closure.{{cite news |last1=Strauss |first1=Valerie |last2=Hines |first2=Michael |title=Perspective {{!}} In Chicago, schools closed during a 1937 polio epidemic and kids learned from home – over the radio |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/04/03/chicago-schools-closed-during-1937-polio-epidemic-kids-learned-home-over-radio/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 16, 2021}}

In 1948, the Federation was granted a license for an FM radio station, WCFL-FM on 104.3 MHz. Its transmitter was atop the American Furniture Mart, where WCFL's studios and offices had been located since 1931. WCFL-FM went on the air March 12, 1949, and simulcast its sister AM station's programming for six hours a day–from 3 p.m. to 9 pm. This time the Federation was impatient for its new radio station to become profitable, having gone from 1926 to 1940 before WCFL was "in the black". On January 10, 1950, WCFL-FM went off the air permanently; the Federation believed its dollars were better spent for its AM radio station. (Today, the frequency is occupied by WBMX, and the call letters belong to a station in Morris, Illinois that is now owned by University of Northwestern – St. Paul.)

During the 1940s, the Federation's thoughts turned once again to television, and in 1953, it applied for VHF channel 11 in Chicago. The Federation lost the bid to the city's educational groups, who would put WTTW on the air in 1955. An early 1960s try netted the Federation a license for Chicago UHF channel 38. In June 1968, plans were made for building a transmitter and antenna atop Chicago's John Hancock Center, as well as other construction needs to get WCFL-TV on the air. By late 1970, the Federation had begun to look at other uses for the station's license which didn't involve the organization. Christian Communications purchased WCFL-TV in August 1975, with the FCC approving the license transfer in early 1976. At the time of the sale, WCFL-TV had yet to be on the air; it became WCFC-TV and, later, WCPX-TV.

The station carried general entertainment over the decades, but by the late 1950s, WCFL evolved into a popular music station, which had banned all Elvis Presley records from its playlist in late November 1957.{{cite web|url=http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/November%2023%2C%201957.pdf |title=WCFL Bans All Elvis Records (page 5) |date=November 23, 1957 |publisher=Mr. Pop History |access-date=April 1, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714124931/http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/November%2023%2C%201957.pdf |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }} (PDF) The pre-Top 40 talent lineup included Dan Sorkin{{cite web|url=http://chicagoradiospotlight.blogspot.com/2010/03/dan-sorkin.html|title=Dan Sorkin interview|year=2010|publisher=Chicago Radio Spotlight|access-date=April 20, 2010}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bwsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA39|title=Segue (page 39)|date=September 14, 1963|publisher= Billboard|access-date=April 20, 2010}} in the morning, Mike Rapchak following him and Sid McCoy's all-night jazz program. It was Sorkin who introduced a young Chicago comedian, Bob Newhart, to Warner Bros. in 1959.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vwkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA105|title= Pioneering Warner Bros. Remains Comedy Kingpin (page 105)|date=September 28, 1996|publisher= Billboard |access-date=April 20, 2010}} Bob Elson did both White Sox games and interviewed celebrities at The Pump Room; his sports cohort, Milo Hamilton, also wore two hats, talking football and playing music. Rapchak, who quit on the air in 1965 due to WCFL's new format, returned there in 1978, once again playing big band and jazz music.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/03/29/mike-rapchak-2/ |title=Mike Rapchak, 1920–2006|date=March 29, 2006|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=April 20, 2010 | first=Josh | last=Noel}}{{cite web|url=http://www2.colum.edu/cps/demo/demo3/radiodays.php |title=Radio Days-Mike Rapchak |year=2006 |publisher=Columbia College |access-date=May 11, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627123151/http://www2.colum.edu/cps/demo/demo3/radiodays.php |archive-date=June 27, 2010 }}

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Between 1963 and 1965, WLS was the only Top 40 station in Chicago. This situation was unusual, as most major cities had two or even three stations featuring pop music. Consequently, WLS had become somewhat complacent as it had no real competitors. This all changed in 1965, when WCFL became a Top 40 music station, competing with WLS. The station also moved from the American Furniture Mart where it had been since 1931,{{cite web|url=http://www.newberry.org/outspoken/exhibitimages/2c03.jpg |title=Formal Dedication of Radio Stations |date=September 25, 1931 |publisher=Chicago Federation of Labor |access-date=May 22, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708044922/http://www.newberry.org/outspoken/exhibitimages/2c03.jpg |archive-date=July 8, 2010 }} to the then new Marina City,{{cite web|url=http://www.marinacityonline.com/history/downtown_wcfl.htm |title=History of WCFL at Marina City |publisher=Marina City Online |access-date=March 22, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704135946/http://www.marinacityonline.com/history/downtown_wcfl.htm |archive-date=July 4, 2011 }} where it remained for the next 20 years.{{cite web|url=http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/wcfl3.html |title=WCFL Marina City Studios-a look in January 1985, shortly before the station left the building|year=1985|publisher=Manteno|access-date=March 22, 2010}} While the station itself was on the 16th floor of the Commercial Building (today the Hotel Chicago Downtown),{{cite web |url=https://autograph-hotels.marriott.com/hotel/hotel-chicago-downtown/ |title=Hotel Chicago Downtown |publisher=Marriott Hotels |access-date=August 8, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809090305/https://autograph-hotels.marriott.com/hotel/hotel-chicago-downtown/ |archive-date=August 9, 2017 }} WCFL also had a "VIP Room" on the fifth floor where the "WCFL VIPs" (DJs) hosted various events such as record parties and autograph sessions for listeners who were members of the WCFL VIP Club.{{cite web|url=http://nicksradiocorner.blogspot.com/2010/02/wcfl-chicago-privileged-membership-card.html |title=Photo of WCFL VIP Club Card|year=1966|publisher=WCFL/Chicago Federation of Labor|access-date=April 24, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://radiotimeline.com/wcfl-1968ad.jpg |title=1967 Radio 10 Survey with WCFL VIPs pictured |publisher=WFCL/Chicago Federation of Labor |access-date=April 24, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127060746/http://radiotimeline.com/wcfl-1968ad.jpg |archive-date=November 27, 2010 }} One of the station's first promotions was the "Bold" campaign-describing itself as a bold, new way of presenting today's music and its listeners (who wore "I'm Bold!" buttons) as bold enough to want a change.

General Manager Ken Draper{{cite web|url=http://www.happyhareonline.com/happyhare-23.htm |title=Cleveland is no joke |author=Martin, Harry |publisher=Martin, Harry |access-date=August 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728104814/http://www.happyhareonline.com/happyhare-23.htm |archive-date=July 28, 2011 }} ran the station from 1965 to 1968 and brought many of the original staffers with him from the big Cleveland station KYW/WKYC he had run before.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WygEAAAAMBAJ&q=stagg+music+director+wcfl&pg=PA34 |title=WCFL Is Looking to Be No. 1 (pages 34, 36)|date=September 30, 1967|publisher=Billboard|access-date=April 1, 2010}}{{Cite book | editor-last = Smith | editor-first = Ron | title = WCFL Chicago Top 40 Charts 1965-1976 | year = 2007 | pages = Front Matter Introduction | publisher = iUniverse | url = https://www.amazon.com/reader/0595431801?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=sib_dp_ptu | isbn = 978-0-595-43180-9 | access-date = April 2, 2010}} These included not only DJs but also chief engineer Mike King{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/hes-everywhere-hes-everywhere/Content?oid=879264|title=He's Everywhere! He's Everywhere!|year=1992|author=Henderson|publisher=Chicago Reader|access-date=May 21, 2010}} (later, Jim Loupas),{{cite web|url=http://www.jimloupas.com/jimloupas.html |title=About Jim Loupas |publisher=James Loupas Associates |access-date=May 21, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713105635/http://www.jimloupas.com/jimloupas.html |archive-date=July 13, 2011 }} and members of the crack newsroom team, which included the unstoppable Jeff Kamen.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,944082-4,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604092430/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,944082-4,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 4, 2011|title=Police:Tales of Three Cities|date=June 22, 1970|magazine=Time|access-date=August 8, 2010}} WCFL gained fame in 1966 when Kamen followed Chicago Civil Rights leader and comedy star Dick Gregory to Mississippi and was beaten by KKK members while reporting on a voter registration protest. The network TV film of the attack was seen by millions, with a still picture appearing on newspapers' front pages.{{citation|editor-last=Sloman|editor-first=Larry|title=Steal This Dream: Abbie Hoffman & the Countercultural Revolution in America|year=1998|pages=[https://archive.org/details/stealthisdreamab00slom/page/464 464]|publisher=Doubleday|url=https://archive.org/details/stealthisdreamab00slom/page/464|isbn=0-385-41162-6|access-date=July 30, 2010}} Prior to Draper's establishment of an eight-person news department, news was gathered by taking the copy from the station's news wires and reading it on the air.

In their Top 40 years, some famous disc jockeys on WCFL included Jim Runyon, Joel Sebastian,{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/01/19/joel-sebastian-radio-personality-executive/|title=Joel Sebastian, radio disc jockey|date=January 19, 1986|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=July 31, 2010}} Dick Williamson, (who was already with WCFL at the time of the format change), Jim Stagg,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lSgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38|title=WCFL Takes First Step Toward Format Change|date=April 15, 1965|publisher=Billboard|access-date=May 11, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.lifeinlegacy.com/display.php?weekof=2007-11-10#P7168|title=Jim Stagg|date=November 10, 2007|publisher=Life in Legacy|access-date=October 10, 2010}} Ron Britain,{{cite web|url=http://www.leovia.com/?q=node/2066 |title=Ron 'King B' Britain |year=2006 |work=Leo Weekly |access-date=March 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061031022901/http://www.leovia.com/?q=node%2F2066 |archive-date=October 31, 2006 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/December%2020-31%2C%201965.pdf |title=Ron Britain moves from WHK, Cleveland to WCFL (page 11) |date=December 20, 1965 |publisher=Mr. Pop History |access-date=April 1, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714124945/http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/December%2020-31%2C%201965.pdf |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }} (PDF) ("America's First Psychedelic Disk Johnny"), who did a second stint at the station in 1978, the legendary Dick Biondi,{{cite web|url=http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/dickbiondi.html|title=Dick Biondi|year=1998|publisher=Radio Hall of Fame|access-date=March 14, 2010|archive-date=January 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109174922/http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/dickbiondi.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/dickbiondi.html |title=Biondi Returns to Chicago at WCFL (page 6) |date=October 10, 1967 |publisher=Mr. Pop History |access-date=April 1, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109174922/http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/dickbiondi.html |archive-date=January 9, 2010 }} (PDF)[http://rockradioscrapbook.ca/air1967.html audio file-WCFL Aircheck-Biondi's first WCFL show-October 3, 1967] (RealPlayer) whose Mutual Radio syndicated Dick Biondi's Young America show was heard here 3 years before his actual arrival,{{cite web|url=http://airchexx.com/2005/01/23/dick-biondi-and-the-mutual-network-on-wcfl-chicago-1964-612-scoped/ |title=Biondi on Mutual Network |year=1964 |publisher=Airchexx |access-date=April 24, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722160806/http://airchexx.com/2005/01/23/dick-biondi-and-the-mutual-network-on-wcfl-chicago-1964-612-scoped/ |archive-date=July 22, 2011 }}[http://airchexx.com/ram/2005/January/1964-wcfl-biondi.ram audio file of Dick Biondi's Young America WCFL aircheck-1964] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722160919/http://airchexx.com/ram/2005/January/1964-wcfl-biondi.ram |date=July 22, 2011 }} (RealPlayer) Barney Pip,{{cite web|url=http://radio.about.com/cs/radiohistory/a/aa110903a.htm|title=Death of Barney Pip|publisher=About.com-Radio|access-date=March 7, 2010|archive-date=August 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809164605/http://radio.about.com/cs/radiohistory/a/aa110903a.htm|url-status=dead}} Ron Riley,{{cite web|url=http://ronriley.com/ |title=Ron Riley's website-ronriley.com|access-date=March 7, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061205044233/http://ronriley.com/ |archive-date = December 5, 2006}} and Sid McCoy and Yvonne Daniels with late night jazz{{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 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111142939/http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/ydaniels.html |archive-date=January 11, 2011 }} during the earliest days of the change to Top 40.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GSgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA62 |title=Sid McCoy leaves WCFL (page 62)|date=April 1, 1967|publisher=Billboard|access-date=April 23, 2010}} In late 1966, WKYC popular afternoon DJ Jerry Ghan (now Jerry G. Bishop) also decided to follow Draper to WCFL for morning drive.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-jerry-bishop-obit-20130918,0,35714.story |title=Jerry G. Bishop, 1936-2013 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=August 3, 1936 |access-date=September 19, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotelevision.com/bishop.htm|title=Chicago Television Alumni Club-Talkin' With Jerry G|author=Jajkowski, Steve|year=2002}} Later, WIND's former long-time morning man Howard Miller,{{cite web|url=http://www.cflradio.net/1240_WMMB_AM.htm |title=Howard Miller |publisher=WMMB, Melbourne, FL |access-date=March 7, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815083424/http://www.cflradio.net/1240_WMMB_AM.htm |archive-date=August 15, 2010 }} who was a decided departure from the youthful staff, came to helm WCFL's 6-9AM spot in 1968.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,841585-1,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105101428/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,841585-1,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|title=Howard Power|date=January 31, 1969|magazine=Time|access-date=May 11, 2010}} He was replaced before long by Clark Weber, long-time WLS morning man.{{cite web|url=http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/June%2015%2C%201969.pdf |title=Weber Replaces Miller-WCFL (page 9) |date=June 15, 1969 |publisher=Mr. Pop Culture |access-date=April 1, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714125017/http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/June%2015%2C%201969.pdf |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }} (PDF)

File:WCFL Sound 10 survey October 1966 Beatles Jim Stagg.jpg.]]

The DJ secretary during this era was Connie Szerszen, who went on to forge her own career on the air in Chicago radio, appearing on WIND and other stations. WCFL general manager Ken Draper also hired Carole Simpson as one of radio's first female newscasters; Carole went on to a big career with ABC-TV. Also on staff at that time was continuity director Barbara Sternig, who left for Los Angeles once the Beatles broke up, became Rona Barrett's writer, and later Senior Reporter in Hollywood for the National Enquirer.{{cite web|url=http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/visitor.html |title=Visitors recall the station and the personalities from their teen visit days|publisher=Manteno|access-date=April 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030813000440/http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/visitor.html|archive-date=August 13, 2003}}{{cite web|url=http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/ |title=Transcript of a Robert Feder Chicago Sun-Times column looking back at WCFL and its people|access-date=April 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030801190418/http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/|archive-date=August 1, 2003}} Draper is also credited with the introduction of the Sound 10/WCFL survey, which became a competitor to the WLS "Silver Dollar Survey" that station issued weekly beginning in 1960.{{cite web|url=http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/html/june25-1965/ |title=Ken Draper wants to win-announces WCFL Sound 10 survey |date=June 25, 1965 |publisher=Mr. Pop Culture |access-date=April 26, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714125140/http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/html/june25-1965/ |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }} (PDF) From 1966 to 1970, the station produced six "branded" record albums.{{cite web|url=http://www.radiouseonly.com/states/illinois_albums/wcfl_solid_gold.htm|title=Solid Gold|publisher=WCFL Radio|access-date=January 19, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radiouseonly.com/states/illinois_albums/wcfl_double_gold.htm|title=Double Gold|publisher=WCFL Radio|access-date=January 19, 2017}} Later in the "SuperCFL" era, Larry Lujack{{cite web|url=http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/larrylujack.html |title=Larry Lujack |year=2004 |publisher=Radio Hall of Fame |access-date=March 14, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126025350/http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/larrylujack.html |archive-date=January 26, 2010 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/July%2013%2C%201972.pdf |title=Larry Lujack joins WCFL (page 4) |date=July 13, 1972 |publisher=Mr.Pop History |access-date=April 1, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714123752/http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/July%2013%2C%201972.pdf |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }} (PDF) and Art Roberts{{cite web|url=http://artroberts.com/ |title=Art Roberts' website-artroberts.com |access-date=March 7, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418143924/http://artroberts.com/ |archive-date=April 18, 2010 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.reelradio.com/ar/index.html |title=The Art Roberts Collection-audio files and information about Art Roberts|publisher=Reel Radio|access-date=March 7, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radiodailynews.com/artroberts.htm |title=Tributes to Art |publisher=Radio Daily News |access-date=May 30, 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316201711/http://www.radiodailynews.com/artroberts.htm |archive-date=March 16, 2010 }} came to WCFL.

WCFL's coverage of the Beatles 1965{{cite web|url=http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/html/sept15-1965/ |title=DJ's on 1965 Beatles Tour |date=September 15, 1965 |publisher=Mr. Pop Culture/Mr. Pop History |access-date=April 1, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714123712/http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/html/sept15-1965/ |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }} and 1966{{Cite web|url=https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/thatmagicfeeling/episodes/2007-04-19T21_54_01-07_00|title=17 Chicago 2 (12 August 1966)|website=Podomatic}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/thatmagicfeeling/episodes/2007-05-20T13_54_22-07_00|title=19 Philadelphia + Toronto (16-18 August 1966)|website=Podomatic}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/thatmagicfeeling/episodes/2007-06-06T20_02_31-07_00|title=20 Boston + Memphis (18-19 August 1966)|website=Podomatic}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/thatmagicfeeling/episodes/2007-06-13T07_12_23-07_00|title=21 Memphis + NYC (19-22 August 1966)|website=Podomatic}} U.S. tours was provided by Jim Stagg, who traveled with the group.{{cite book|title=That Magic Feeling: The Beatles' Recorded Legacy, Volume Two, 1966-1970|editor-last=Winn|editor-first=John C.|year=2009|pages=416|publisher=Three Rivers Press|isbn=978-0-307-45239-9}} The station began a weekly British Countdown program with British DJ Paul Michael, in 1965.{{cite web|url=http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/html/oct18-1965/ |title=British DJ Paul Michael Joins WCFL for British Countdown |date=October 18, 1965 |publisher=Mr. Pop Culture/Mr. Pop History |access-date=April 1, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005185832/http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/html/oct18-1965/ |archive-date=October 5, 2011 }}

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, WCFL also featured a popular Sunday night program of "underground" album-oriented music called Ron Britain's Subterranean Circus.{{cite web|url=http://chicagoradiospotlight.blogspot.com/2008/05/ron-britain.html |title=Ron Britain|year=2008|publisher=Chicago Radio Spotlight|access-date= March 7, 2010}} Due to madcap DJ Britain's sure ear for the innovative and his highly inventive sketches,[http://www.reelradio.com/ram/beg2.ram?rbwcfl031170.rm~0:00.0~01:03:25.0 audio file Ron Britain Show WCFL March 11, 1970] (RealPlayer) plus WCFL's powerful AM nighttime signal, these programs gained huge listenership not just in the Chicago area, but in other parts of the country as well. Britain's "Sub Circus" made WCFL one of the few AM stations to feature this kind of music, which was a major staple of "underground" FM stations.{{cite web|url=http://www.ebay.com/itm/034-Subterranean-Circus-034-Radio-Show-WCFL-Chicago-5-31-70-/140354862519?nma=true&si=%2FcnjnrVUmVw9wcbNkWxk2uGU8LQ%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 |title=Aircheck & transcript of Subterranean Circus-May 31, 1970 |access-date=March 7, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119200941/http://www.ebay.com/itm/034-Subterranean-Circus-034-Radio-Show-WCFL-Chicago-5-31-70-/140354862519?nma=true&si=%2FcnjnrVUmVw9wcbNkWxk2uGU8LQ%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 |archive-date=January 19, 2017 }} The station also supported local bands with its Sunday evening "Chicago Countdown", hosted by Ron Britain, featuring the recordings of Chicago area music groups.{{cite web|url= http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/glory-days/Content?oid=873250|title=Glory Days|author=Langer, Adam|date=January 12, 1989|publisher=Chicago Reader|access-date=July 30, 2010}}

The comedy feature Chickenman, a satire based on the Batman TV series, originated on Jim Runyon's morning drive-time show in the fall of 1966.{{cite web|url=http://www.audiotheater.com/cman.html |title=Chickenman background information |publisher=AudioTheater |access-date=April 9, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202035714/http://www.audiotheater.com/cman.html |archive-date=December 2, 2010 }}{{cite web|url=http://the60sofficialsite.com/Chickenman.html|title=Chickenman|author=Hoffman, Carl|publisher=the Official 60's Site|access-date=May 11, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://the60sofficialsite.com/Chickenman_Has_Been_Identified.html|title=Winner of WCFL "What Does Chickenman Look Like?" Contest|author=Hoffman, Carl|publisher=the Official 60's Site|access-date=May 11, 2010|archive-date=June 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604055358/http://the60sofficialsite.com/Chickenman_Has_Been_Identified.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Best-Of-Chickenman-Most-Fantastic-Crimefighter-The-World-Has-Ever-Known/release/2202525|title=He's everywhere!|website=Discogs|year=1966 }} It was created by WCFL staffer Dick Orkin, who was also brought from Cleveland to Chicago by Ken Draper.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,843884,00.html |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20081215123448/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,843884,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 15, 2008 |title=It's a Bird! It's a Plane! Whoops, It's a Bird|date=June 9, 1967|magazine=Time|access-date=April 9, 2010}} All the voices were done by Orkin, Runyon, and Jane Roberts, who also did WCFL's morning traffic reports as "Trooper 36-24-36" (She became Mrs. Jim Runyon.).{{cite web|url=http://www.reelradio.com/wc/index.html |title=Windy City Airchecks Collection-10 audio files of "Chickenman" episodes also on page|publisher=ReelRadio|access-date=March 31, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radio-ranch.com/chickenman.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715144522/http://www.radio-ranch.com/chickenman.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2011 |title=RadioRanch-How the Radio Serials, Chickenman and Toothfairy Were Born |publisher=Radio-ranch.com |access-date=September 12, 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/orkin.html |title=Interview with Dick Orkin covering Chickenman and WCFL |year=1985 |publisher=Manteno |access-date=April 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030801190305/http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/orkin.html |archive-date=August 1, 2003 |url-status=live }} The Chickenman program was subsequently syndicated to radio stations worldwide.{{cite web|url=http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/January%2016%2C%201967.pdf |title=Chickenman Syndication (page 9) |date=January 16, 1967 |publisher=Mr. Pop Culture |access-date=April 1, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714123744/http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/January%2016%2C%201967.pdf |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }} (PDF){{cite web|url=http://www.radio-ranch.com/chickenman.html |title=How Chickenman was Born |publisher=RadioRanch |access-date=April 9, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709193213/http://www.radio-ranch.com/chickenman.html |archive-date=July 9, 2011 }}

In August 1968, sales manager Lew Witz replaced Draper as WCFL general manager. Witz continued to make changes to the station during his tenure. It was Witz who lured Larry Lujack away from WLS in 1972, and the "less talk-more music" philosophy continued. On August 8, 1974, Richard Nixon announced his resignation from the office of President of the United States. The announcement occurred at 8 pm. Chicago time, but there was no acknowledgement of it on WCFL's airwaves until 11:30 pm. Witz defended his decision by saying there was ample local and national coverage of the story so there was no need to interrupt the music on WCFL. Gary Deeb, media critic for the Chicago Tribune, blasted Witz in print, saying it was this decision and many others like it that turned WCFL from, "a bright, civic-minded 50,000 watt rock powerhouse into a sonic slum".{{cite book|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Station-Albums/Chicago-Trib-1979-Mar-About-Chi-Radio.pdf|title=The Dark Side of the Medium|author=Deeb, Gary|publisher=Chicago Tribune|date=March 4, 1979|page=27|access-date=March 9, 2014}}(PDF){{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14503419/wcfl_ignores_nixon_resignation/|title=CFL 'oversight' tunes out history|author=Deeb, Gary|date=September 18, 1974|work=Chicago Tribune|page=11|access-date=December 24, 2014|via = Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} By the time the station prepared to enter its "Beautiful Music" phase in early 1976, Witz had totally done away with WCFL's news department. Under the management of Witz, the station's turntables used for transferring music onto tape cartridges for broadcast were speeded up from 45rpm to 48rpm. This was meant to make for a "brighter sound" than the station's main rival, WLS, and meant that since it was faster, more music could be aired. Witz also insisted his on-air personalities broadcast false time checks, in the event listeners might be part of Arbitron ratings households.

An internet radio tribute station to this era of WCFL was launched on Labor Day 2013, including original airchecks, commercials, jingles and Chickenman episodes; jingle producer TM Productions waived its licensing fees to assist J. R. Russ, developer of the internet station.{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/24940633-421/fan-of-classic-chicago-radio-creates-a-cyber-cfl.html |title=Fan of classic Chicago radio creates a cyber 'CFL |author=Hoekstra, Dave |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=January 14, 2014 |access-date=January 15, 2014 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218115304/http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/24940633-421/fan-of-classic-chicago-radio-creates-a-cyber-cfl.html |archive-date=February 18, 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://WCFLchicago.com|title=WCFL internet radio|access-date=January 15, 2014}}

On March 15, 1976, after two years of falling ratings, WCFL abruptly dropped its Top 40 format in favor of The World's Most Beautiful Music, leaving WLS as Chicago's only AM Top 40 station.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_PEjXMp54M|title=Larry Lujack - Last Show on WCFL 3/15/76|date=November 30, 2008 |via=YouTube}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tommcmahon.net/2005/09/loaning_larry_l.html|title=Loaning Larry Lujack Bus Fare During WCFL's Beautiful Music Summer of 1976|date=September 16, 2005|author=Demos, Tom|publisher=McMahon, Tom|access-date=May 12, 2010}} Station management released all disc jockeys who did not have "no cut" clauses in their contracts with the official explanation of the format change as "being more in keeping with the labor movement". Larry Lujack, still under contract with the station, stayed on at WCFL playing easy listening music until moving back to WLS in September 1976.{{cite web|url=http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/lujack.html|title=Larry Lujack Interview|year= 1985|publisher=Manteno|access-date=April 1, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20030816121659/http://www.manteno.com/wcfl/lujack.html|archive-date= August 16, 2003}} The easy listening format was already heard in stereo on FM beautiful music stations WLOO and WLAK. By 1978, the easy sounds were replaced by a gold-based adult contemporary format.{{cite web|url=http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/January%2023%2C%201978.pdf |title=WCFL Returns to Pop Music (page 9) |date=January 23, 1978 |publisher=Mr. Pop History |access-date=April 1, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714123759/http://www.mrpopculture.com/files/January%2023%2C%201978.pdf |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }} (PDF)

WCFL and the Chicago Federation of Labor enjoyed the support of Mayor Richard J. Daley throughout his 1955–1976 administration. He proclaimed January 11, 1966, as "WCFL Day in Chicago" to mark the 40th anniversary of the station. In 1976, when it became evident it was time for the Federation to sell the radio station, Federation President William A. Lee turned to his long-time friend, Mayor Daley, for advice.{{cite web|url=http://www.kentlaw.edu/ilhs/1986.htm |title=Illinois Union Hall of Honor-William A. Lee |year=1986 |publisher=Illinois Labor History Society |access-date=July 30, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509100402/http://www.kentlaw.edu/ilhs/1986.htm |archive-date=May 9, 2008 }}

After deciding its profit margin was too small for the Chicago Federation of Labor to maintain, on April 10, 1978, it was announced that WCFL would be sold to the Mutual Broadcasting System, at the time a subsidiary of the Amway Corporation, for $12 million."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1978/1978-04-17-BC.pdf Mutual blows into the Windy City]", Broadcasting. April 17, 1978. p. 52. Retrieved August 10, 2019."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1970s/1978/RR-1978-04-14.pdf Mutual Purchases WCFL For $12 Million]", Radio & Records. April 14, 1978. p. 1. Retrieved August 10, 2019. The history of the first and longest-lived labor radio station was over; after nearly 52 years, the "Voice of Labor" had been stilled.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,800475,00.html?iid=digg_share|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629014424/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,800475,00.html?iid=digg_share|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2011|title=Laboring Voice|date=June 27, 1949|magazine=Time|access-date=February 26, 2011}} The station began to identify itself as "Mutual/CFL". A magazine-type news/talk format was adopted, with sports talk in the evening hours and the syndicated Larry King Show overnight, but ratings remained low. In January 1981, WCFL flipped to a middle of the road format playing adult standards and pop hits of the 1950s and '60s mixed in with some softer oldies and AC cuts, and even a few currents. Ratings were still low; and later that year, WCFL evolved into an adult contemporary format.{{Cite book | editor-last = Godfried | editor-first = Nathan | title = WCFL, Chicago's Voice of Labor, 1926-78 | year = 1997 | pages = 281–290 | publisher = University of Illinois Press | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=wd_PDZkvS8cC&q=dick+biondi&pg=PA284 | isbn = 0-252-06592-1 | access-date = April 6, 2010}}

File:WCFL (WMVP) transmitter building.jpg

On November 4, 1983, WCFL was sold by Mutual to Statewide Broadcasting.{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/63148/jordan-ginsburg-passes-away?ref=search |title=Jordan Ginsburg-Statewide Broadcasting-co-owner obituary-Boca Raton, FL|date=August 26, 2009|access-date=March 22, 2010}} Statewide switched WCFL to adult contemporary Christian music about 10 hours a day and teaching programs the rest of the time on May 22, 1984. WCFL sold brokered programming in 30-minute blocks of time to Christian radio organizations and preachers. The format was profitable but received low ratings. At that time, WCFL advertised its call letters as standing for "Winning Chicago For The Lord". In early 1985, the station moved from Marina City into the backup studio at its original transmitter building in Downers Grove. Statewide Broadcasting specialized in religious formats but merged with a secular company called Heftel Broadcasting in early 1987."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1987/RR-1987-01-09.pdf Heftel, Statewide Merge, Now H&G Communications]", Radio & Records. January 9, 1987. pp. 1, 10. Retrieved August 10, 2019."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1987/RR-1987-02-27.pdf H&G Establishes New Executive Tier]", Radio & Records. February 27, 1987. pp. 1, 8. Retrieved August 10, 2019."[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-04-29-8702010745-story.html WCFL Merger Puts WLUP on AM Radio]", Chicago Tribune. April 29, 1987. Retrieved August 10, 2019. Although no longer in use, the former call letters WCFL, rendered massively in stainless steel, remain on the exterior wall of the transmitter building off 39th Street in Downers Grove.

Following the Heftel takeover, WCFL remained religious alongside AOR-formatted WLUP (which had been purchased by Heftel in 1979)"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1978/1978-06-12-BC.pdf In Brief]", Broadcasting. June 12, 1978. p. 41. Retrieved March 7, 2019. until just after the stroke of midnight on April 29, 1987.{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Feder|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3823221.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312022438/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3823221.html|title=Dahl & Co. throw WCFL for a 'Loop'|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=April 29, 1987|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-date=March 12, 2018|url-status=dead}} The call letters of the station were changed to WLUP, and its FM sister station became WLUP-FM.[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=73303&Callsign=WMVP73303 Call Sign History], fcc.gov. Retrieved August 8, 2019. WLUP-FM remained an AOR station, while WLUP switched to a full service rock format focusing on personality, comedy and talk programs with a few rock cuts an hour. After 7 pm, WLUP and WLUP-FM simulcast the AOR format until dawn.{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Feder|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3834332.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312022530/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3834332.html|title='Loop' looks for laughs in new weekend lineup|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=July 8, 1987|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-date=March 12, 2018|url-status=dead}} As it concentrated on Spanish radio, Heftel sold its English-language stations, including WLUP-AM-FM; Evergreen Media bought WLUP-AM-FM in 1988.[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/comment.pl?Application_id=114300&File_number=BTC-19880622EC Public Notice Comment - BTC-19880622EC], fcc.gov. Retrieved August 8, 2019."[http://www.chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/8495-the-controversial-jimmy-de-castro-era-at-wgn-radio-is-coming-to-an-end The Controversial Jimmy De Castro Era At WGN Radio Is Coming To An End]", Chicagoland Radio and Media. October 5, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2019. From October 1992 until August 1993, WLUP (AM) was the first Chicago affiliate for The Howard Stern Show.{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Feder|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4135125.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312084027/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4135125.html|title=Stern Opens Radio War With a Bang|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=October 16, 1992|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-date=March 12, 2018|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Bednarski|first=P.J.|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4185756.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312083948/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4185756.html|title=WLUP-AM Dumps Stern // Station Cites 'Shock Jock's' Abrasive Style|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=August 21, 1993|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-date=March 12, 2018|url-status=dead}}

File:WMVP 1000 AM ESPN logo.svg

File:WLS-TV WMVP Studios & Gene Siskel Film Center.jpg for the CTA Red Line.]]

Initially, the AM and FM stations remained the same under Evergreen. But on September 27, 1993, WLUP-FM switched to a full-service talk/comedy format, while WLUP (AM) became all-sports.{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Feder|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4193252.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505112521/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4193252.html|title=New Sports Loop Goes After WMVP|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=October 5, 1993|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-date=May 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}"[https://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1993/RR-1993-10-01.pdf Loop Changes: FM Emphasizes Personality, AM Heads Sports]", Radio & Records. October 1, 1993. pp. 3, 26. Retrieved August 7, 2019. To differentiate between WLUP-FM and to reflect the new format, WLUP's call sign changed to WMVP, for "Most Valuable Player".{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Nidetz |work=Chicago Tribune |title=ESPN Scoring Here--On Radio |page=9 |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24178695.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629022813/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24178695.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |date=January 17, 1994}} WMVP's schedule included some nationally syndicated shows such as The Fabulous Sports Babe and Ferrall on the Bench as well as play-by-play of local sports games. Despite broadcasting 24/7, the station trailed in the ratings to (at the time) daytime-only WCPT (AM) and to WMAQ's Sports Huddle at night. WMVP dropped its all sports format at 6 a.m. on June 5, 1996, the day before the Chicago Bulls opened the NBA Finals against the Seattle SuperSonics, and returned to mostly simulcasting WLUP-FM.{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Feder|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4335610.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505114417/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4335610.html|title='MVP Drops Sports For Loop Simulcast|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=June 5, 1996|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-date=May 5, 2016|url-status=dead}} WMVP did carry its own night-time sports talk program, and play-by-play broadcasts of the White Sox, Blackhawks and Bulls, and would later air some shows from hosts who were moved over from the FM beginning that September.{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Feder|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4350811.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505114442/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4350811.html|title=DJ shift to launch Loop's rock revival|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=September 25, 1996|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-date=May 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}

Evergreen later merged with Chancellor and sold WLUP-FM to Bonneville International in July 1997, with WMVP permanently splitting from WLUP-FM. WMVP began airing its own talk/sports format, simply called "AM 1000".{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Feder|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4417720.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312083344/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4417720.html|title=With Brandmeier gone, AM-1000 shuffles deck|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=October 20, 1997|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-date=March 12, 2018|url-status=dead}} In August 1998, WMVP was sold by Chancellor to ABC/Disney, and flipped back to sports on October 12, this time affiliated with co-owned ESPN Radio.{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Feder|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4447853.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911160904/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4447853.html|title=Disney may buy radio home of Bulls and Sox|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=June 3, 1998|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-date=September 11, 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4458387.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505114729/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4458387.html|title=Disney OKs deal to buy WMVP-AM|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=August 20, 1998|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-date=May 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Feder|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Feder|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4468594.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112165350/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4468594.html|title=ESPN Radio hands off mornings to Canellis|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=October 7, 1998|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-date=November 12, 2012|url-status=dead}}

On August 28, 2019, it was announced by ESPN Radio that day-to-day management of the station would move from direct purview by ESPN to a management agreement with Good Karma Brands, a company owned by Craig Karmazin which has had sustained success running ESPN Radio stations to the north in Madison and Milwaukee, along with Cleveland and West Palm Beach, Florida. General manager, Jim Pastor, retired at the end of the year, with Good Karma beginning to operate the station on September 29, 2019, under a lease with Disney (no information about a conversion to an eventual station purchase has been revealed).

The lease makes WMVP a sister station to GKB's Milwaukee cluster of WTMJ, WKTI, WGKB, and WAUK, and the Madison market's WTLX (WTMJ carries a local news/talk format, with WGKB airing local format of Black talk). No changes to personnel and facilities in the near future are currently expected under the lease agreement,{{cite web|url=https://www.robertfeder.com/2019/08/28/new-management-team-brings-good-karma-take-espn-1000/|title=New management team brings Good Karma to take over ESPN 1000|last=Feder|first=Robert|date=August 28, 2019|access-date=August 29, 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2019/08/28/milwaukees-good-karma-agrees-to-run-chicago-espn.html|title=Milwaukee's Good Karma agrees to run Chicago ESPN radio station|last=Kirchen|first=Rich|date=August 28, 2019|work=The Business Journal of Milwaukee|access-date=August 29, 2019}} though the station's morning schedule was adjusted in August 2020 due to the national network's large-scale schedule overhaul.{{cite news|url=https://www.robertfeder.com/2020/08/11/david-kaplan-jonathan-hood-co-host-mornings-espn-1000/|title=David Kaplan and Jonathan Hood to co-host mornings on ESPN 1000|last=Feder|first=Robert|date=August 11, 2020|access-date=August 16, 2020}}

In late June 2021, GKB entered into an agreement with Hubbard Broadcasting to simulcast WMVP in HD Radio, over WSHE-FM (100.3)'s HD2 subchannel to allow FM access to the station in some manner. In December 2021, Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reported that GKB planned to acquire WMVP outright.{{Cite tweet|number=1470493100342755334|user=AndrewMarchand|title=Good Karma Brands announces it plans to acquire ESPN 1050, ESPN 710 LA and ESPN 1000 in Chicago, as well as the local marketing agreement for 98.7 FM in New York. I'll try to put it all into English in column later.|author=Andrew Marchand}} The deal was filed with the FCC on December 20, and did not include WMVP's current transmitter site.{{Cite web|title=More Details On Good Karma's ESPN New York, Los Angeles & Chicago Purchase|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/216860/good-karma-acquires-espns-new-york-los-angeles-chicago-properties/|access-date=December 27, 2021|website=RadioInsight|date=December 20, 2021 |language=en-US}} The purchase was consummated on March 1, 2022. In August 2023, Good Karma applied to the FCC to move WMVP's transmitter from its longtime site in Downers Grove to WCPT's transmitter site near Joliet.{{Cite web |title=FCC Report 8/20: ESPN 1000 Chicago on the Move |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/257629/fcc-report-8-20-espn-1000-chicago-on-the-move/ |access-date=September 19, 2023 |website=RadioInsight |date=August 20, 2023 |language=en-US}} In May 2025, building infrastructure at the Downers Grove site was demolished, and in June 2025, the three guyed radio towers that have been in place since the 2000s were dismantled.{{Cite web |date=2025-06-02 |title=Video shows landmark radio towers demolished in Downers Grove |url=https://abc7chicago.com/post/video-shows-landmark-radio-towers-demolished-downers-grove-il-previously-used-wcfl-wlup-am-espn-100/16634413/ |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=ABC7 Chicago |language=en}}

On November 1, 2022, the NFL's Chicago Bears announced that they would move their radio flagship to WMVP starting in the 2023 season, replacing a 22-season long stint with WBBM.{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears To Move To ESPN 1000 |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/244589/chicago-bears-to-move-to-espn-1000/ |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=RadioInsight |date=November 2022 |language=en-US}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website|https://goodkarmabrands.com/espn-chicago/}}

{{AM station data|73303|WMVP}}

• [https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=51160 FCC History Cards for WCFL (1926–1980)]
• [http://www.fybush.com/sites/2004/site-041001.html A look at the ESPN 1000 studios-2004]
• [http://www.reelradio.com/ram/beg2.ram?sejsbpwjmk041185a.rm~0:00.0~48:44.2 audio file:A Look Back at WCFL Part 1-Britain, Stagg and Pip on WJMK-FM 1985] (RealPlayer)
• [http://www.reelradio.com/ram/beg2.ram?sejsbpwjmk041185b.rm~0:00.0~54:18.1 audio file:A Look Back at WCFL Part 2-Britain, Stagg and Pip on WJMK-FM 1985] (RealPlayer)
• [http://fmdx.usclargo.com/hearditonam/ audio file-I Heard it on the AM Radio-WCFL being picked up in Sidi Yahia, Morocco-1967]
• [http://www.reelradio.com/joce/index.html Reel Radio-John Celarek Collection-audio files and information on various WCFL disk jockeys]
• [http://www.reelradio.com/rook/index.html Reel Radio-John Rook Collection-audio files including WCFL jingles and air checks for many personalities]
• [http://rockradioscrapbook.ca/radwcfl.html WCFL Personality lineups-1965-1976]

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