I
f you were wondering what happened to the 2024 Class of the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which was supposed to be inducted on March 30th, the answers were revealed last month.
The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 has rescheduled its annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to Sunday, September 14th at 5:00 pm at the Rialto Square Theatre in downtown Joliet. The new date will combine both the 2024 and 2025 inductions as voted by the museum’ s Charter Members.“ From Rock to Blues to Country, Heavy Metal, and more, it will be the largest group of Illinois-based singers, songwriters, and scheduled live performers on the Rialto’ s stage in the history of the theatre,” said Ron Romero, museum Founder, and CEO.“ WGN Radio’ s Bob Sirott will return as Master of Ceremonies, and additional live performances are being added to the event every week.”
I asked him why the event was rescheduled.“ We had some unforeseen scheduling conflicts,” Romero explained,“ and I didn’ t think we had a good full show. I’ m very glad that we did hold off because now we’ re gonna have probably the best show we’ ve ever had. He may be right about that. The 2025 class hasn’ t even been announced yet, but the show already features some big-time performances. Confirmed 2024 Hall of Fame inductees scheduled to perform live include Grammy Awardwinner singer / songwriter Richard Marx, Award-winning Country singer Suzy Bogguss, three-time Grammy-nominated Chicago Blues legend Billy Branch with a live tribute to the revolutionary Chicago Blues musician / singer / songwriter Little Walter and the award-winning Marshall Thompson & The Chi-Lites. Chicago Grammy-nominated heavy rock legends Disturbed were added at press time.
I talked to former New Colony 6 member( and comedian) Skip Griparis, and he will be part of the show as well.“ I’ ll be performing a tribute to a big hero of mine, Steve Goodman!” Griparis said.“ He was a leader of the Chicago folk scene, with wit, guitar chops, great voice, and songwriting. I’ ll be joined by a legend herself, Bonnie Koloc.”
Chicago radio will be represented as well. WGN radio’ s Bob Sirott will emcee. WGN radio’ s Steve & Johnnie will be on hand to induct Suzy Bogguss. WDRV’ s Bob Stroud will be honored. One of my youth ' s radio stations, WCFL, will be inducted as well. I checked in with one of those great WCFL jocks, Bob Dearborn, to see what he thought about the honor.“ I worked at WCFL in Chicago from 1970 to 1976, before and after it became Super CFL,” he explained.“ Despite what the talent turnover – 6 different program directors, 36 different jocks – might lead you to believe about turmoil during that period, my time there was exciting and joyful, far and away, the highlight of a 50-year broadcasting career. There were experiences, friendships, many highs, and a couple of lows from that period that could never be equaled. I doubt today’ s radio people can even begin to fathom what it was like there half a century ago. Live in-house shows? Of course. Engineers? Yes, dozens of them. Afullystaffed news department? Sure. Ten or more
By Rick Kaempfer
ROAD TO ROCK CLASS OF‘ 24 &‘ 25
who wrote and reported. And a music library with eight or nine individuals, most of whom were also TTOs – turntable operators – required by union regulation to play all transcriptions. We had a staff of 54 people altogether, probably a remarkable thought in itself for anyone working at a stand-alone AM station today, no matter how big their market. And they were the best people – not just talented and great at their jobs. They were wonderful human beings. I loved and still miss them all. I knew from the outset that being at that place at that time was a unique opportunity. The years since have only increased my awareness and appreciation of how lucky I was to have been part of it, making a small contribution to WCFL’ s greatness and the legendary status it surely has earned.”
There will be another radio station inducted as well. Which one don’ t we know yet? The 2025 class has not been announced yet.
Museum founder and CEO Ron Romero explained what would happen the rest of the way.“ Nominations have been made over the last few months. The charter members will be notified by email and will vote. The museum will announce the additional inductees and live performers to the September 14th event when their availability is confirmed. This is going to be a night to remember for fans of all musical genres and includes a“ Who’ s Who” of Chicagoland radio personalities and journalists as presenters.”
Even without knowing the full 2025 class, it will be memorable. I was part of the program in 2023 when The Loop was inducted as the radio station, and that was a great night. This has the potentialtobeevenbetter.
Ticket prices are $ 65.00, $ 55.00, and $ 45.00 each and are available now on the museum’ s website at www. RoadToRock. org as well as www. RialtoSquare. com and Ticketmaster. Ticket refunds for the March 30th date will be processed through TicketMaster. Those who do not wish to have a refund will keep their currently assigned seats. The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 is a 501( c)( 3) charitable organization. EIN 82-2293229. Contributions are tax-deductible for income, gift, and estate taxes. Event sponsorships and museum Charter Memberships are available by contacting Founder and CEO Ron Romero at 815-927- 1540. Learn more at www. RoadToRock. org.
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