The Loop Files: An Oral History of the Most Outrageous Radio Station Ever

by Rick Kaempfer

For that period of time when all the stars aligned, when rock and roll and comedy and radio were all simultaneously kings, when the 1927 Yankees of Radio all gathered in the same hallway at the same time, the Loop created something that will never be forgotten. That story is told in the pages of this book by the people who were there.

Genres: Nonfiction

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2023

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a Chicagoan of a "certain age" you'll enjoy this nostalgic look at WLUP, The Loop, as I did.

[Ty G. Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my favorite read of 2023. There was a good 20 year stretch of my life where the only radio stations I listened to were the AM & FM Loop stations. Kevin Mathews, Steve & Gary, Brandmeir, and all their co-hosts and hanger ons lived rent free in my head. This book, written by a former producer, is an intimate oral history from the mouths of the people who worked there from 1977 until 1998. Its not just a nostalgia trip but a chronicle of the radio industry going from an anything goes Wild West atmosphere to the current sanitized corporate product terrestrial radio has become. I can’t recommend it enough.

[Marco G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. I read it in less than 48 hours possibly? eI was humongous fan this radio station including Kevin Matthews Jonathan brandmeier, Steve and Gerry , chet coppic, the list goes on and on. In 1991 approximately I was working at a gas station and I remember during that time I would have the loop on literally all day from 5:00 in the morning then I would continue to listen it on my way home, leave it on until 10:00 11:00 at night. It was amazing lineup of talent and it kept me company for enormous parts of the day. I will never forget how much I enjoyed listening to that lineup. It was truly a unique time in Chicago radio. This book does a decent job putting together a history of the radio stations on the am and FM dial. It was a truly enjoyable experience reading these collections of history, and my one complaint is I just wish it was longer. I am sure there were many other stories that were left out. I have so much fondness for the people in this book, I genuinely hope they are all doing well. I hope this book does well too, as it's a love letter to a radio station that was mythical in it's lineup of personalities. And as the author writes at the end it's a salute to the fans who supported the radio station through the years. That was heartening to read. It's a good breezy book, you can read it in a day or two if the history of this radio station is relevant to you.

[Matthew Krecun · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great trip down memory lane. I grew up listening to the Loop and if you did as well, then you’ll love this one. The author interviews most of the personalities from that era and gets their take on the station and what was going on during the heyday. He even digs up old interviews to put some perspective on what they were saying to the media back then.

It’s a fun, quick-read with great photos from the era. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid listener to The Loop in high school and when back home during college, this book really took me back. So many hours listening to the on air talent, this gave a peak into the studios and lets the reader in on the behind the scenes shenanigans and stories that made The Loop such great listening. Highly recommended to anyone who made The Loop part of their lives and let them provide a soundtrack to it.

[Ken Churilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? The Loop (WLUP) was hands down the best radio station in the country - twice. Rick does a great job covering this. As a Chicago radio lover, I was lucky enough to be born into a market with this / these stations. As a reader, I was lucky enough to know about this book to relive it and laugh my ass off all over again.

[Patty Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a teenager growing up in the Chicago suburbs when the Loop was really popular so I enjoyed this book about all the DJs, hosts, and behind the scenes producers. Rick Kaempfer worked there as an intern, producer, on-air talent - and everything in between. Lots of pictures too. Very fun.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great books to start the new year with. If you are interested in Chicago radio, this book is for you.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very special book about a very special radio station in a very special place during a very special period of time.
The story of the Loop from everyone who was there.

[Troy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun recollections of when The Loop was a great, fun rock and roll radio station

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Got to re-live the greatest era of radio in history

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was a fun read and probably only for anyone who listened to The Loop in Chicago back in it’s heyday of the 80’s-90’s.