CHICAGO RADIO MIX SHOWS
Despite this assault "Disco DAI" did very well at the height of the Disco craze and it’s featured DJ mix show. Legendary local radio personality Herb Kent, a well known and a pioneer in Chicago's music scene was brought into WXFM (early 80's) and created his "Disco, Punk, Funk," show. Herb Kent's show included dance music of all genres. This show would open doors for the another radio mixing concept as shortly thereafter known as WBMX (102.7 FM). This station along with its "Hot Mix 5" team revolutionized the dance scene.
In 1981 WBMX program director Lee Michaels held a meeting where various Chicago DJs were invited to attend. Amongs them were Farley Keith, Ralphi Rosario, Kenny Jason, Mickey Oliver, and Scott Silz. Invited but unable to attend was popular DJ Jeff Davis. The team became known as the "Hot Mix 5." which remained popular thru the late 80's. WBMX radio personality Armando Rivera is to be credited for being a permanent fixture as the host of the Hot Mix 5 shows.
In 1984, rival WGCI radio personalities create the Mastermix 6 consisting of the aforementioned adding Mario Diaz, Charles Nelson, Fast Eddie, and Jeff Anthony. Through its popularity Chicago radio stations started airing their best Dance Music formats which spread to adjoining states. The creation of house music later becomes a worldwide phenomenon, now being showcased on airwaves through major and college radio, internet and into online streaming services.
By 1986, Chicago's B96 was airing hot mixes created by Brian "Hit Mix" Middleton. By 1988, DJ Julian Perez initiated the same and formed a hot mix team on the station. The B96 team would undergo changes throughout the following years but remained loyal to the hot mix program, and are credited to the progression of the house sound.
Chicago college radio was a strong influence on the dance and house music scene. Key college stations included: WCRX (Columbia College), WLUW (Loyola University), WNUR (Northwestern Illinois University), WHPK (University of Chicago), WCSU (Chicago State University), and WCYC (Boy's Club of Chicago), hosted by Harv Roman with earlier hostings from Jeff Davis, Mario Reyes, and Kenny Jason.
Prior to 1999, Chicago was primarily known as a 'classics' city. New music was met with huge resistance. Web sites like Deep House Page, Underground NYC, GottaHaveHouse, and other sites, posted mixes. Followers of house music with open minds adopted the new sounds. Eventually, internet radio stations like Cyberjamz and DeepHousePage radio jumped on board, and further fueled the movement.