Today, the Living Legends Foundation celebrates Chicago, paying tribute to the Black radio stations that helped define & elevate the culture.
Known as “The Windy City,” Chicago has long been powered by radio stations that kept the city rockin’—soundtracking everyday life, shaping culture, and amplifying Black voices.
Under the leadership of President and General Manager Marv Dyson, WGCI rose into an urban radio powerhouse, becoming home to legendary personalities like Tom Joyner and Doug Banks. WVON, originally owned by Phil and Leonard Chess of the iconic Chess Records, earned the nickname “The Voice of the Negro,” standing at the crossroads of political activism and cultural awareness. The legendary Yvonne Daniels was part of WSDM’s first all-woman radio team until 1972, later lending her unmistakable voice to both WVON and WGCI. Following her passing in 1991, a portion of the Dearborn Street Bridge was renamed Yvonne Daniels Way, cementing her legacy in the city she helped shape.
WVON later became part of Midway Broadcasting under Wesley Scott and Pervis Spann. Today, that legacy continues under the leadership of Pervis Spann’s daughter, Melody Spann-Cooper, who serves as chairwoman.
Soul Train founder Don Cornelius launched his broadcasting career at WVON. Alongside the famed “Good Guys”—Herb Kent, Wesley South, Pervis Spann, E. Rodney Jones, and Bill “Butterball” Crane—the station dominated Chicago’s airwaves throughout the 1960s.
WJPC 950 AM, proudly known as “The Soul of Chicago,” was owned by John H. Johnson, founder of Ebony and Jet magazines. Its studios nurtured voices such as Tom Joyner, JoJo Bell Williams, Sam Weaver, Jeff Foxx, and LaDonna Tittle. Jerry Boulding and Sonny Taylor both served as program directors, with Taylor later moving on to WGCI. After decades of service to Chicago’s Black community, the station eventually changed formats, retiring its historic call sign.
In the early 1980s, WBMX introduced house music to the world, giving pioneering DJs a platform and launching a global movement. Now owned by Audacy and airing a classic hip-hop format, WBMX’s legacy includes trailblazers such as Farley “Funkin’” Keith, Mickey “Mixin’” Oliver, Ralphi Rosario, Lee Michaels, Doug Banks, Bobby O’Jay, and Marco Spoon.
In 1988, Barry Mayo and his partners founded Broadcast Partners and purchased the frequency 102.7 attached to the call letters WBMX & changed the call letters to WVAZ/V-103. He served as President & GM and Tony Kidd, Maxx Myrick & Derrick Brown have served as PDs. Popular on-air personalities included Herb Kent, Troi Tyler and Ramonski Luv.
In 2000, iHeartMedia purchased the frequency 102.7 & kept the call letters WVAZ (V103). Today, that legacy continues with Kashon Powell serving as iHeart’s Vice President of Programming for WGCI, V103, WGRB & WMFN—proof that Chicago radio’s influence remains as powerful as ever.
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