By Kelley Simms
C
elebrating 25 years in the radio biz
is pretty impressive. Especially in
the new-model digital age where
Sirius, satellite stations and streaming
services are competing for listeners. Just
turning on the radio and letting the current
DJ decide your playlist can be refreshing.
Terrestrial radio's 95 WIIL Rock is
somewhat rare by today’s radio station
standards, as it's considered to be a full-
blown active rock station. It’s a musical
format that most stations in the area aren’t
doing at the moment. Amidst the rotation
of modern rock acts such as Papa Roach,
Theory Of A Deadman and Hollywood
Undead, WIIL also spins classic tracks by
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cheap Trick,
Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam. Plus, you’ll
also hear ’90s alt/Nü metal regulars such
as Limp Bizkit, Korn and System of a
Down. Every day, WIIL rocks north
Chicago and its suburbs, as well as south-
ern Wisconsin. One of the station’s catch-
phrases is, “If it rocks, we play it.”
Program Director and on-air host/DJ
John Perry has been at 95 WIIL Rock since
its 1992 formation. In the 25 years he’s been
with the station, Perry has seen several for-
mat changes. However, since 2009 the sta-
tion has been serving up its winning active
rock formula. “When we started, nobody
was playing classic rock/classic hits, so we
went there,” Perry said. “Then stations like
94.7 WLS and others came along. With all
these different stati