Kinnnnnd of, sorrrrrt of … but not really. more ›

Q101's former competitors-cum-peers at The Loop 97.9 FM are turning back the musical clock — or, in their case, moving the clock forward — to the Alternative Era this weekend. more ›

That sound you hear in the distance isn't the wind; it's the snickering of scores of local media professionals reacting to the news. more ›

While we were out enjoying a lazy Sunday, former Tribune Co. chairman Randy Michaels launched his latest assault on local media with the signing on of WWWN, FM News 101.1 FM. more ›

Lollapalooza is still a week away, but you can start celebrating its imminent arrival tonight at Angels & Kings. Organizers have rounded up a few of the Q101 DJs left in the cold by the stations recent format change to provide the soundtrack to evening's festivities. Although, truth be told, of the four on the bill, only two were actually a DJs, another was a host of a local music show and the third, well, we're not sure what he did. But that doesn't matter! Tim Pogo, Tim, Virgin Chris Payne and Jaime Black are committed to spinning tunes to get you through the night. Just don't ask any of them to play you some Limp Bizket, we're pretty sure that's one corner of Q101's past they're all happy to have left behind. The gig kicks off at 9 p.m. and lasts until close, but we suggest getting there in the first hour since we hear there's a hosted bar by Titos vodka. more ›

Despite the station contributing to the rise of The Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan gave a rather honest appraisal of the demise of Q101 during an interview with Greg Kot last night on Chicago Live!. more ›

Tomorrow marks Q101's last day as the alternative rock station we once loved but grew to hate before Randy Michaels’ Merlin Media changes that spot on the dial into an all talk format. In an unusual move when it comes to format changes, the current roster of DJs are being allowed one last day to say their farewells. We know a number of the on-air crew and we're sad a bunch of decent folks are losing their jobs. At the same time we're not sorry to see Q101's wheezing take on alt-rock take a final bow. more ›

The biggest way to signal a major change at a radio station wasn't changing the staff, the management, or even blowing up the format: It's changing the call letters. more ›

Q101 DJs took to Twitter Tuesday after news that the station would switch to an all-news format in 45 days was reported by Robert Feder. more ›

After another day of jury selection, we're close to having a jury and getting the ball rolling with opening statements, which are set to begin this morning at 11 a.m. Yesterday's buzz at jury selection was mostly over a former Q101 radio host who now hosts a television show; he was eventually dismissed after telling the judge he'd likely lose his job over having to sit in on the trial, not to mention he had discussed the trial on his show (he was dismissed). The commenters over at the Tribune site took their best guesses and seemed to figure out the man's identity with relative ease (so much for anonymity). There are around 50 potential jurors left in the pool and attorneys on both sides will use their peremptory challenges to cut 22 jurors (defense cuts 13, prosecutors cut 9) and then whittle it down to a jury of 12 with around 6 alternates. Of the pool of jurors still left, Natasha Korecki notes there is not a single Liz Lemon among them. more ›

Chicago cable TV stalwart Jerry Bryant will be dialing back redefining his hosting duties as JBTV moves into its 25th year. Bryant released the news today [.pdf] via Twitter and on his Facebook page that the show will be expanding its format and adding a new host - Q101 jock Ryan Manno. Calling it the "new era of JBTV," Manno will be co-hosting the new format and "hosting and bringing unprecedented interview access to the biggest names in modern rock." more ›

Thanks to our pals at Pitchfork - who are busy enough - for pointing us to this bizarre phone call from former Smashing Pumpkin D'Arcy Wretzky. D'Arcy called in to Q101's Ryan Manno. It's...kind of weird as the conversation randomly bounces around. There's talk of the death of her ex-boyfriend, farms, and Davey Jones. Take a listen here. more ›