Chicago Radio: John Records Landecker Retires

John Landecker

Cumulus Media announced July 28, 2015 that legendary Chicago radio personality and WLS 94.7 FM host, John Records Landecker will retire at the end of the month after more than 40 years in radio.

His last show will air on Friday, July 31 from 8:00-11:00 p.m. Following Landecker’s sign-off, frequent guest host Jeff Davis will step in to cover Nights on WLS-FM until a new host is named. Landecker has hosted weeknights on WLS-FM since 2006.

Landecker, who was inducted into the Radio wing of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, began his radio career in his hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and arrived in Chicago in 1972 as a night DJ at WLS-AM, where he garnered success for almost a decade. He has entertained radio audiences in Michigan (WOIA, WERX, WTRX, WILS), Philadelphia (WIBG), Chicago (WLS, WLUP, G-106, WCKG, WJMK), Toronto (CFTR) and Cleveland (Power 108).

John Landecker Circa '70s

In 1997, Landecker received the Achievement in Radio Award as Best Morning Show in Chicago and was honored by Radio & Records in both 2001 and 2002 as Best Oldies Morning Show in America. Billboard Magazine also named him Radio Personality of the Year. His autobiography, “Records Truly Is My Middle Name”, was published in 2013.

Jan Jeffries, Senior Vice President, Corporate Programming for Cumulus said: “It may be the end of an era as John Records Landecker hangs up his headphones, however his influence and legend will live forever. Working with John in the 80's in Chicago and most recently here at WLS-FM, has been a career highlight. One of the most memorable times is noted in the last chapter of John's book where the weekly ratings ranked WLS FM nights #1 in key demographics. Personality plus. And yes, Records truly is his middle name.”

Landecker said: “Why now? Hey, my biological grandfather clock is ticking and it’s time to move on. That and my wife thinks I'm a creative genius so I definitely want to spend more time with her! My eternal gratitude to Jan Jeffries for the chance to come back and wrap it up in Chicago on WLS. I've had a great time and worked with fantastic people. Who could ask for more than that?”