WJR Celebrates Century Of Service
• Cumulus News-Talk 760 WJR/Detroit today marked its 100th anniversary as the station launches into a year-long Centennial celebration. The iconic station signed on for the first time on May 4, 1922 as WCX, which changed a few years later to WJR to reflect the ownership of the Jewett Radio & Phonograph Company.
Throughout its storied history, WJR’s legendary line-up has featured such broadcasting luminaries as Paul W. Smith, Jack Parr, Mitch Albom, J.P. McCarthy, Frank Beckmann, Ernie Harwell, Guy Gordon, and Rush Limbaugh, all powered by WJR’s mighty 50,000-watt signal than can be heard across nearly half the country at night.
Steve Finateri, VP/Market Manager of Cumulus Detroit, said, “Being at WJR is like being part of an all-star team at every position in this famous Fisher Building. WJR is iconic because of the extremely high standards set by so many world class broadcasters over the past 100 years. Today, those same high standards and our ‘blowtorch coverage’ is what still attracts top newsmakers from around the Great Lakes Region and is the reason for our continued success. We take great pride in our programming, our business and civic relationships, and serve the community by raising millions every year for numerous worthy charities that improve the quality of life in Detroit. The ‘best-of-the-best’ seem to find their way to WJR, and I know that tradition will continue on for the next 100 years.”
WJR PD Mike Wheeler added, “What an honor to be here at this moment in WJR’s history. Truly one of the most important and special radio stations in American history — and we are just getting started!” Fans of WJR can enjoy tons of archival video, audio and photos that chronicle WJR’s first 100 years posted at wjr.com.
