The party’s over for Johnny B. at the Loop
This just in: Jonathon Brandmeier, one of the last of Chicago radio’s million-dollar superstars, is signing off at the Loop.
After four years this time around as morning personality at classic rock WLUP-FM (97.9), Brandmeier is expected to part company with the Emmis Communications station. Although he still has three months left on his contract, sources said he’s not expected back on the air after Monday.
Brandmeier, 53, achieved his greatest success during the Loop’s heyday in the 1980s. His morning show dominated the ratings among young adult listeners, and his live music performances packed concert arenas. He even hosted a nationally syndicated variety show, “Johnny B. on the Loose.” Following an ownership change at the Loop, he jumped to the former WCKG, where he hosted middays from studios in Los Angeles until 2001.
But unlike his first run at the Loop — from 1983 to 1997 — Brandmeier failed to replicate his ratings success this time. As measured by Arbitron’s Portable People Meter system, his morning show most recently ranked 21st in the market with a 2.2 percent share of listeners between the ages of 25 and 54. Overall, the Loop ranked 17th with a 2.6 share.
Money no doubt played as much a part as ratings in the decision not to renew Brandmeier’s contract. The one-year, $1 million extension he signed last March may have been among the last seven-figure radio deals the market will see for a long time.
That’s not to say he’ll be off the air here for good. Sources at two other stations — Tribune Co.-owned news/talk WGN-AM (720) and Citadel Broadcasting news/talk WLS-AM (890) — said they’ve made informal overtures to Brandmeier in recent months.
After obtaining an early release from his contract with CBS in L.A., Brandmeier’s return to Chicago in 2005 had as much to do with personal considerations as with business ones. “I missed my family,” he told me at the time. “With my dad dying [the previous] summer, my wife battling cancer, all of my brothers moving from L.A. back to Wisconsin, it really made me realize life is too short. Everyone I care about is here.”
Elsewhere on the media beat:
- News of the closing of the Washington Post’s Chicago bureau (along with its other domestic outposts in New York and Los Angeles) brought to mind the esteemed Chicago newspaperman who opened the bureau here in 1974. Joel Weisman, the Post’s first full-time Midwest correspondent, went on to become an award-winning broadcast news analyst and continues as host of the long-running “Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review” on public television WTTW-Channel 11. The Post’s last man in Chicago, Peter Slevin, has been offered reassignment.
- Ben Goldberger, the former Sun-Times reporter (and onetime assistant to columnist Michael Sneed) who left to launch the first local edition of the Huffington Post in 2008, stepped down last week. “It has been exciting to help chart HuffPost’s local course and I’m leaving only because of a great opportunity to return to writing and reporting (and a chance to unshackle — if only a bit — from the computer),” Goldberger told friends. Succeeding him as editor of Huffington Post Chicago is Matt Sledge.
- Marc Silverman, one of north suburban Skokie’s favorite sons, got everything but the key to Village Hall over the holiday weekend. The affable midday host on ESPN Radio sports/talk WMVP-AM (1000) served as guest of honor and celebrity coin flipper at Skokie’s 10th annual Indo Jew Bowl football game on Thanksgiving Day. Then he returned Saturday as the toast of his Niles North High School class at its 20th reunion.
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11 2009
blogs.vocalo.org
Hope he enjoys a big bowl of dog food as his last meal tomorrow.
And with this firing, Marv Nyren has set a new all-time Chicago radio record for Most Personnel Fired.
You’re #1, Marvelous!
Johnny, you’ll be missed!!!
There is no one like Johnny B.!!!!
Very short-sighted on Emmis’ part. Johnny brought new life to the station. And then to put Pete McMurray on the air instead? He does a good job but he is a sports guy not a rocker. Hopefully, that won’t be the long-term solution.
Matheney is just waiting on Johnny B to submit some air checks.
So all Chicago is left with is DREX, I rather just not listent to anything.
I seemed to recall Brandmeier working in a holiday film with Mary Tyler Moore many years ago. So I looked him up at IMDB. Sure enough. It was a little confection called Thanksgiving Day done in 1990. I remember seeing Moore interviewed at the time and her saying she genuinely enjoyed working with the guy. But this is even better. Who knew Brandmeier and Tony Shaloub, the fellow who plays Monk, are cousins? That’s what it says on IMDB. I’m showing my ignorance, I know. Since I don’t listen to Johnny B., he may very well chat about his Cousin Tony quite often. If so, then please disregard. Even though I don’t listen–I acknowledge his unique talent. Radio pickins’ around here are getting mighty slim.
How many times has Pete MacMurray done the “instant replacement host” gig? The guy must be a glutton for punishment.
As far as Brandmeier going to GN, good luck both of you. I remember all the comments posted in articles regarding WGN hiring Garry Meier. The GN faithful were not warm to him, and I can’t see Gertrude, Dorothy, Harold and Howard at the old folks home “getting” Brandmeier.
And just like Garry Meier, Brandmeier fails to realize when he’s on top. Garry was the highest paid in his timeslot here, and he tried to negotiate for more. Who’s gonna hire you if the top rated station is already paying the most? Think before you act, guys.
First WLUP dropped Erin Carmen, now they dropped Johnny B? I’m done with them! They not only lost a morning listener, they lost a station listener.
With Steve Cochran (seemingly) not returning to WGN when his contract expires in March, does this open the door for Johnny B?
That’s the future of radio. “It’s over Johnny” No one cares enough to listen, so no one cares enough to pay. Actually feels good to see some of the big stars feeling a bit of the pain that the rest of us have felt for a long time. Bwahahahah
Too bad about Johnny B. There really is NOTHING left to listen to on Chicago airwaves. First Steve Dahl goes and now Johnny B. Maybe there is something wrong that that new ratings system…….
At least you can still hear Steve Dahl daily on his Dahlcast. I look forward to that every day.
Chicago radio really stinks now.
Johnny B would be a very good fit at WGN.
McMurray is horrible but he lives to be the safe, uninteresting fill-in guy. That is his calling.
He’s gone…he has been expunged from the WLUP website.
Johnny’s audience and the Loop audience aren’t compatible anymore… it’s clear as day… he was 21st in the ratings. Great move by Emmis. Not sure why another radio station would want to spend money on a 21st ranked morning show. A well-know name doesn’t translate in a PPM ratings world. Content is king.
Yep, gone from the website. Radio continues its tradition of totally disrespecting the listeners by acting like yesterday never happened. Brandmeier WAS the greatest thing but NOW he never existed. Radio is so predictable and lame.
He’s been officially expunged from the WLUP website…guess there won’t be any final show. Thanks for the memories Johnny!
Johnny B. should have never been brought back. Blech.
On a similar note, every time I get back into Chicago I so look forward to hearing good radio. And each time I’m sorely disappointed ’cause Chicago radio STINKS!!! Ah, the miracle of .MP3 players.
Wow – this was the last talk format show I listened to on Terrestrial Radio. It would have been the decent thing to at least allow a final show for his long time listeners to appreciate. (Even WGN had the decency to do that for Kathy and Judy) The good news is that I have an opening now on one of my presets. I’ll look forward to hearing about his return. I hope it’s soon.
Sad news about Johnny B, but thanks for continuing to be “THE MAN” Robert Feder and breaking every story everytime!
I had to laugh when I read this from a pretender to your throne. This media wannabe is very good at saying, (after you publish the facts) that he knew all along!
“This should not come as a shock to regular readers of this board. I said many, many months ago that this was going to happen.”
How am I going to find out how Walter Voss is doing? Do you think Walter could maybe start a blog…
Fare well Johnny B. until we hear you again. Too bad you didn’t get to say ‘these are my last few words’ again on the Loop. Pretty crappy way to end it. But I can imagine you this Christmas with Hector on your lap dressed like an elf making plans for you next adventure. Later….?
Wow. Johnny will be missed. Raidio just went down the crapper! No Johnny, no WLUP for me! Consider me an ex listener.
If there is no Johnny B., then there is no WLUP for me!
I listen to the radio at work all day every day, and Johnny is CHICAGO!
Hey Loop… “FIND A WAY TO FIX IT!” or QQQQ! (You figure it out… It Rhymes with ‘four q’s’.)
I have already removed 97.9 from the pre-sets in my two vehicles as well as my work radio.
The only worthwhile show to listen to in the mornings was Johnny B. For 4 straight years I would listen to him on the way to school, mainly because of the fact that NOTHING is good in the mornings–Drex on Kiss FM doesn’t even come close to comparing. And I kept up with his Podcast, now that I’m away froms chool. His format was simple, and yet he just made it so entertaining. The callers, the stories they would go on about, the games they would play. It was incredible, to say the least.
Now there’s no reason for me to ever listen to The Loop again. And I’m sure I’m not alone in that.
Steve Dahl, Kevin Mathews, and now Brandmeier?? Chicago radio now has no personality or personalities. Maybe incomes for these folks are too much to bear, but did any programming genius ever figure out that you don’t just put a “personality” to front the morning show and then play hard rock the rest of the day to get ratings or advertisers? That’s what happened with the new WLUP and other stations. The former LOOP and WCKG had the formula right – personality, talk radio all day. I guess the only alternative today is Sirius or XM. Sad……..
Who knows – Marv may have offered Johnny a final show but JB said: “Naaaaah”, and ran out the door.
Take some time off, Johnny. Re-invent yourself. The old act is tired. Good gawd, 21st in the market? You’re 53, man. “We’re all CRANKY in Chicago” is more realistic.
RIP WLUP
So who to listen to in the morning now?
The Bears are so bad I can’t listen to sports radio.
Drex pretends he is 16 years old.
Eric and Kathy are so fake they make me want to vomit. How much of an act are they? Every time Kathy reads a commercial or promo she is so phony with her “oooos” and “wows”. Please stop.
Sorry, I can’t listen to WGN. If my grandmother listens religiously every day, I can’t consider it entertaining. Also, I don’t want to even think I find the same things entertaining as anyone who watches Ray, Gar and Bozo specials on TV.
Basically there is nothing for someone in their 30s/40s to listen to that is a bit cutting edge but not teenagers complaining about their parents.
What happened to Chicago radio?
The only good thing in Chicago radio is gone! Please come back somewhere soon Johnny, Xmas just won’t be the same without you!
I was always a big fan of Johnny B, but I have to admit that his show was not what it once was, particularly back in the ’80’s. I certainly like the world we live in today, with its tremendous technological advances. However, there have been a number of areas that have not adapted to all the changes very well. Radio, newspapers and books/book stores are just a few examples. We can’t look at Brandmeier (or Steve Dahl or Kevin Matthews, for that matter) the same way we did 20 years ago. In the mean time, what are my options for driving to work? Eric and Kathy? I don’t think so! I will have to maneuver my pre-set buttons on the car radio; without Johnny B I won’t listen to WLUP any more.
Brandmeier is Chicago radio.
’nuff said
Of course there is nothing on the radio for people in their 30’s/40’s. Every self respecting 30/40 year old radio person left the business a long time ago. That’s what happens when you keep the dinosaurs on the air while pushing the next generation aside. Imus, Stern, Dahl, Johnny B. Those are the same freaks that were on the air when i was in middle school. Radio is a joke and it killed itself.
Robert…thanks for always being on TOP of the Chicago Radio News. You, and perhaps others might disagree with me, but Emmis has previously considered adding a syndicated morning show to The Loop if Johnny B. walked…or in the case, didn’t make the grade as a “business decision.” Personally I feel a city the size of Chicago should be able to find LOCAL talent good enough and ready to work for today’s money. However, the program that would probably fit the best on WLUP is the enormously popular Bob & Tom Show based down at WFBQ-FM in Indianapolis. I don’t feel that “rim-shot” stations like 103.9 Crown Point, IN, 100.7 in Joliet, and the FM in the Rockford area should stop carrying Bob & Tom, since they’ve been longtime loyal affiliates. Their show IS the funniest and most entertaining in America, without being in-your-face dirty. They wouldn’t have 150 stations carrying the show if it wasn’t good. Plus Emmis, has had the Indy duo on their legendary FM KSHE 95 (94.7) in St. Louis, for more than a dozen years, and it does very well. Whatever the Loop does, I just hope it’s good for Chicago radio listeners.
Art Vuolo, Jr.
“Radio’s Best Friend”
Johnny was the last of local personalities that are on radio. His humor was unique to anyone growing up in the Chicago area,many inside jokes and things that “outsiders” would never get.Along with Matthews and Dahl, Johnny’s leaving will create a void that won’t be replaced by all music in the morning or some slick younger personality. The Loop hasn’t been relevent for quite some time and “free” radio is dead. I mean how many times can you hear “You Shook Me All Night Long”, “Running With The Devil” and “Black Dog”? Radio sucks.
He’ll be fine.
The guy knows and is loved by almost every big name in comedy…. and rock, show biz and movies for that matter. Always had A-List guests, as well as local interest nobodies…..a well-balanced, entertaining show. Not to mention the interplay with Voss, Bauer, Gino, and mostly the callers whom he always gave credit to for the popularity of the Showgram.
Can’t imagine how many “Loyal Loopers” have unsubscribed.
I like waking up with Johnny B.,,,oh wait not anymore.
Hey guess what everybody, the Loop sucks again!!!
This sucks!!…Jonathon Brandmeier is the sh#t… Been a long time listener sence the old loop days w/J.B.,Kev,Gary,then Danny… Always enjoyed listening to Johnny…No matter what his show put a smile on my face… If i had a Bad day going… J.B. and crew made the day better and go by faster… Miss ya guys!…SON OF A BISH!…NO LONGER A LOOP LISTENER FOR SURE!
THIS BREAKS MY HEART! I’VE BEEN A HUGE JOHNNY B FAN SINCE HE WENT ON THE AIR IN THE 80′S AND HE’S ALWAYS BEEN A CLASS ACT. WHAT’S LEFT WHEN HE’S GONE? CHICAGO HAS TRULY BECOME A SPICELESS CITY!
Oh Pish Posh! Johnny, please land somewhere soon. There is nothing, I mean nothing out there for 40 somethings. I miss you already!
Weekday mornings just lost their edge. JB made everyone smile and laugh, no matter the weather. Its going to be a really long winter.
Come back soon!
I was out of town and I missed the news… today I turned on the radio and I couldn’t find Johnny. I knew something was up when I heard Ballroom Blitz and the whole song played. I was much younger back when Johnny and the Leisure Suits played EVERYWHERE in Chicago, but I always felt young again when listening to Johnny B in the mornings. Sometimes, you just feel like laughing in the morning and now there is nothing left. I’m really going to miss him. WLUP is off my pre-sets.
Wont be lisening to this station any more – i was very excited when he came back )long time lisener) He made me laugh and now I am sad
Man, I’m slow. I just learned about this today when I turned on the radio. I’m sorry this has happened. I can only wonder if the ratings are down because his demo is the hardest-hit with unemployment. If you’re not waking up early to go to work, you’re certainly not turning on morning radio. Just a thought.
I will not be listening to the Loop anymore either. Johnny B was great at getting your morning going. Now just music? That blows.
Here’s my response to WLUP-FM…… Sirius Satellite Radio….
Like so many others here have stated – Jonny B – you da man. Sry to see you go and I no longer have a need for LUP. LUP I can’t take the hard music that early in the morning on the way to work. I needed some light entertainment for that 45-60 minute drive. I guess now I DO have a valid reason to go satellite radio. Funny, in several years the terrestrial radio stations are going to be asking themselves .. “what the hell happened?” Answer: you shot yourself in the foot. CLLLiiick !
Johnny B show was the best talk radio a station can have.
It was not only crazy and fun but he touched on serious issues as well.
He did some great interviews with high profile celebs, comedians, musicians, and just the average citizen.
I found him to be extremely generous and he has a heart of gold.
He gave all the profits from his music CD last year to support our troops.
I cannot be a loyal listener to WLUP without JB and his crew.
I hope I will hear them elsewhere real soon.
The mornings are not the same without his show.
No Johnny B Bye Bye Loop! I wont be listening to that radio station anymore! Oh Well they seem to play the same stuff all the time anyway!
Jonny B has been part of my morning for years, just like coffee. This is sad to me. After Jonny @ 10am I would switch to listen to Howard on Sirius radio. My guess is that he genius’s on terestrial radio are secretly pushing us to go buy a satellite radio.
see u John b and bye bye loop.
maybe if the loop played some different music, I think theyhave had the same playlist for 30 years now, lame dj’s, crappy music, the loop is the worst staion in Chicago
If ‘GN had any sense at all they’d get Brandmeier and Steve Dahl, and then actually PROMOTE, something radio has been severely slacking on in the last few years. Get them all on there (Garry’s already there), promote, and PODCAST because that is the new wave of the future in talk radio. Any show that isn’t podcasting along with their standard broadcast is doing themselves a huge disservice.
Everyday we would wake up laughing when listening to Johnny-B’s morning show. We didn’t even hit the snooze button. He jump started our day. Now, everyday is like getting up on the wrong side of the bed. He is missed. Chicago-land radio does sucks! Hey Mr. JB. If you ever read this. Thank you for making mornings tolerable. Wishing you the best!
I have not listened to the loop since I tuned in and found Johnny B was gone. I just read the report and the reason the LOOP ranked 17th is not because of Johnny B but others on the station. He WAS the station. It was unfortunate that he was only on for a few hours. I miss his every morning and now listen to 780 AM news – how boring is that!!!!!
The WLUP has been removed from my car radio…I’m listening to satellite now. No more WLUP for me.
Hello – I was hoping to be able to access archived photos from Johnny B’s 1983 Playboy’s ‘Girl of Summer’ contest that was held over the summer at Faces nightclub in Chicago.
I believe you acted as one of the ‘judges’ in the contest. Could you please tell me where I could find this info?
Kind Regards,
Kathy
im sitting in a bar with johnny right now and he’s choking. he is.
I hope Johnny B lands somewhere, even if it’s a podcast. He was always silly and fun… not mean spirited. The Dahlcast has worked well. Johnny should consider that. Btw, the music videos he’s done recently were a good way for him to vent.