The John Records Landecker Interview

The Life and Times of John Records Landecker

Few names in American radio carry the same mix of wit, energy, and authenticity as John Records Landecker — a man whose middle name really is “Records” and whose career has become a living chronicle of the medium itself. For more than five decades, Landecker has been one of the defining voices of rock ’n’ roll radio, blending sharp humor, social commentary, and a deep love for the music that moved a generation.

The John Records Landecker interview with Jim Hampton

From Ann Arbor to the Airwaves

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1947, Landecker grew up at the crossroads of radio’s golden age and rock’s teenage rebellion. After graduating from University of Michigan High School, he attended Michigan State University and began working at campus station WMSN, where his charisma and quick wit soon caught the attention of professional broadcasters. His early gigs at WOIA in Ann Arborand WILS in Lansing gave him a taste of what was coming — but it was his leap to WIBG in Philadelphia that set the stage for his national breakout.

WLS Chicago: “Boogie Check!” and Beyond

In 1972, Landecker joined WLS-AM 890 in Chicago, the powerhouse 50,000-watt “blowtorch” that reached half the country after dark. It was there that “John Records Landecker” became a household name across the Midwest. His nighttime show combined a musical pulse with irreverent humor, wild listener call-ins, and his now-legendary feature “Boogie Check.”

Part game, part social experiment, Boogie Check was a rapid-fire on-air call segment that captured the manic fun and spontaneous spirit of Top 40 radio at its peak. Teenagers across multiple states huddled under their covers, transistor radios pressed to their ears, waiting for their moment to shout into the night: “Boogie Check!”

Landecker’s timing, voice, and fearless creativity made him one of the most recognizable personalities in the country. He turned the nightly playlist into theater — playful, rebellious, and occasionally subversive — and in doing so, helped define the sound of 1970s AM radio

The Book: “Records Truly is My Middle Name”

John Records Landecker’s memoir, Records Truly Is My Middle Name, offers an unfiltered, funny, and heartfelt look at his extraordinary life in radio. Blending behind-the-scenes stories from his WLS glory days with candid reflections on fame, family, and personal struggles, the book captures both the chaos and magic of broadcasting’s golden era. Landecker shares the highs of being one of America’s most recognizable voices and the lows of battling burnout and self-doubt, all with the same honesty and humor that defined his on-air style. Part autobiography, part love letter to radio, the book is essential reading for anyone who’s ever turned up the dial and felt the power of a great personality coming through the speakers.

A Career of Reinvention

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Landecker never faded with changing formats. He thrived on FM radio in the 1980s, hosting on WLUP (“The Loop”), WPHR in Cleveland, and later WJMK “Oldies 104.3” back in Chicago. Wherever he landed, he brought along his trademark intelligence and comedic edge — often parodying current events, politicians, or pop culture long before “morning zoo” formats made it common practice.

In later years, his career came full circle when he returned to WLS, this time on the FM side working with the Legendary Dick Biondi, and then to WGN Radio, where he brought storytelling and nostalgia to a new generation of listeners.

Accolades and Legacy

In 2017, Landecker was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame, cementing his status among the medium’s true icons. He has also been honored by the Broadcasting Hall of Fame in Illinois and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Radio Exhibit in Cleveland. His memoir, Records Truly Is My Middle Name, captures the highs and lows of his career with characteristic honesty — from radio’s freewheeling heyday to its corporate consolidation.

Art Vuolo, Jim Hampton and John “Records” Landecker

Just Talkin’ Here

Radio legend John Records Landecker brought his trademark wit and warmth to WGN Radio 720 AM when he joined the station in 2020, reinventing himself from Top 40 DJ to thoughtful talk host. On WGN’s evening airwaves, he traded countdowns and “Boogie Check” call-ins for lively, intelligent conversations about Chicago life, pop culture, and music history—infused with the same energy that made him a Hall of Famer. His show offered humor without hostility, connection without confrontation, and storytelling that reminded listeners why live radio still matters. In his later career, Landecker proved that great broadcasters don’t fade—they evolve, keeping audiences company across generations.

A Voice That Endures

Even as radio transformed through satellite and streaming, John Records Landecker’s voice remained a reminder of what makes live broadcasting special: a real human connection. He could make you laugh, think, and tap your foot, sometimes all in the same minute.

Listeners who grew up with him remember not just the songs, but the moments — when music and personality were inseparable. His influence can be heard in generations of DJs and podcasters who learned that the microphone isn’t just a tool — it’s a conversation with America.

As he once said on-air:

“Records is truly my middle name — and radio is truly my life.”

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