Short Drive To A New Home
• Last Friday, after more than 17 years of blasting Classic Rock from Chicago’s iconic 875 North Michigan Avenue address, Hubbard Radio’s WDRV (97-1 The Drive) made its very public midday move one mile down the street and into its brand new studios on the 27th floor of Prudential Plaza, joining AC sister WSHE and Hot AC WTMX.
WDRV PD Rob Cressman (pictured, far right), commented, “While conventional wisdom would suggest that, for technical reasons, such a move take place deep in the middle of the night, The Drive’s approach sought to celebrate the change of venue by creating an extraordinary, live event around the associated journey south on Michigan Avenue.”
The Drive’s grand farewell included an extended roundtable segment featuring personalities Bob Stroud, Matt Bisbee, Brian Sherman, Steve Tingle, Jill Egan, Steve Seaver, Phil Manicki, Greg Easterling and Byrd, who reflected on the role the legendary John Hancock Center (now known simply as 875 North Michigan Avenue) played in the history of Chicago’s radio industry. Just before high noon, veteran midday personality Bob Stroud broadcast a very personal audio essay before flipping the control room mic into the “off” position for the final time.
The full WDRV programming team then boarded a double-decker bus as one hour of moving-related Classic Rock titles rolled. Updates were broadcast live from the bus as it made its way down Michigan Avenue toward the station’s new headquarters at Prudential Plaza. The group then gathered in the brand new, state-of-the-art studios where on an-air countdown ensued. Stroud then opened the mic on a new era for 97-1 The Drive and cued the perfect inaugural song from The Drive’s new home: “Start Me Up” from The Rolling Stones. Afterwards, most of the Hubbard Radio Chicago crew posed for this celebratory photo in their swanky new lobby.
• Please note: WDRV’s new mailing address is 130 East Randolph Street, Suite 2700, Chicago, IL 60601.
