Merlin Selling The Loop To EMF
• The end of a four-decade era is coming to an end for Chicago’s legendary Classic Rock WLUP (97.9 The Loop) — according to various published reports, including Windy City media maven Robert Feder, Merlin Media is selling The Loop to the Educational Media Foundation, which will convert it to syndicated Contemporary Christian “K-Love” brand. The pending $21 million transaction was filed with the FCC on Monday. As Feder wrote, “Pending government approval, the deal will mark the end of a legacy that began when owner Phil Chess of Chess Records flipped the call letters from WSDM to WLUP in 1977.”
The Loop and Alternative sibling WKQX have been operated by Cumulus Media since January 2014 under an LMA with Merlin Media. After Cumulus Media’s recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Cumulus and Merlin agreed to an amended arrangement, whereby Cumulus was longer required to buy both stations for approximately $50 million, and both companies temporarily extended the LMA while Merlin conducts a sale process for the stations. In a staff memo announcing the sale, Cumulus Chicago VP/Market Manager Marv Nyren said, “We continue to be in active discussions with Merlin regarding an acquisition of WKQX-FM. The sale of the Loop has no impact on our desire to bring WKQX-FM formally into the Cumulus family at the right price.” The Chicago Tribune has further information on the sale.
Radio Hall of Famer Steve Dahl, whose now legendary 1979 “Disco Demolition Night” promotion at Comiskey Park (left) cemented his icon status, told Feder, “As I look back on my 40 years on the radio in this market, I am reminded almost daily of The Loop’s impact, not only my career, but also rock and roll history in Chicago, and around the world. They just don’t make brave risk-taking local radio stations like that anymore, and that’s everybody’s loss. I hope the last song they play there is AC/DC’s ‘Highway To Hell!'”
Loop morning personality Erich “Mancow” Muller was the last personality on the Loop and signed off for the final time yesterday morning. As we speak, the soon-to-be bulldozed Loop is running jockless until EMF takes control of the station this Saturday. As Muller told Feder, “Well, I love Christian music and wish them all the best. The Loop lasted 41 years. I had hoped we’d be on to celebrate her 50th. Lots of great folks will be without a job and that’s very sad.”
Other Loop staffers who may now be available: midday personality Lyndsey Marie, afternoon drive talent Tim Virgin, evening entertainer James VanOsdol, weekender Abe Kanan and reigning “Loop Rock Girl” April Rose.
