“Discover America’s Hit Music…the Bus, WBUS.”
Offering a unique name and an even more interesting playlist, WBUS was an interesting Mainstream CHR station that originated in Kankakee, IL but could be heard in parts of Chicago (about an hour to the North.) Researching the history of this station, it was considered very Rhythmic given its rural roots. It was also apparently a huge success financially — yet, only about a month after this aircheck was recorded, the station changed its format following a sale to a Spanish-language broadcaster.
A couple years later, the Bus returned to 100.7 FM with the WBVS calls and had approximately a five-year run on that frequency.
Podcast: Embed
Michael Hart is the jock here. His real name is Doug Johnson, he later ended up at WJMK-Chicago doing oldies on weekends. Also Doug’s wife was Margo Johnson, who did middays at WLIT-Chicago.
Later in the aircheck, is RIgg Chicoye who was filling in for PD Mick Milner. Rigg normally did the evening shift.
Thanks to whoever posted this! I was a freshman in high school and it brings back a lot of memories. This station although in the far south suburbs had one of the most powerful signals in all of northern IL. The Milner family took a good offer for it (even though it was making money as stated) and the rest is history.
I’m not sure where this aircheck came from because there are “drops” that wouldn’t have been on a regular aircheck tape. Either way, I’m humored to hear this oldie floating around the cyberspace.
The Milner family moved from S. Florida to Kankakee, Illinois to open “The Bus” and now I’ve moved from Illinois to S. Florida (out of radio). Thanks for the blast from the past.
Thanks for the info! I obtained this aircheck from a friend about 15 years ago. It’s the only one I have of the original “Bus”; I have one or two of the WBVS 100.7 version that appeared later.
BACK IN THE 70’S I USED TO LISTEN TO THIS RADIO STATION. DOES ANYONE REMEMBER ADS FOR HINEY BEER? WITH A CATCH PHRASE KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF MY HINEY BEER.
Previous to the WBUS and Milner’s ownership, the station’s call letters were WBYG, “The Big One”, featuring album oriented rock music. I recall that the station often featured rock singles months before they became mainstream hits…The Knack’s “My Sharona” comes to mind.