John Rook

For the British agricultural chemist, see J. A. F. Rook.
John Rook
John Rook (in 2013)
Born(1937-10-09)October 9, 1937
Chillicothe, Ohio, U.S.
DiedMarch 1, 2016(2016-03-01) (aged 78)
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.
Occupation(s)American radio scheduling (broadcasting) programmer and executive
Businessman (John Rook & Associates)

John Harlan Rook (October 9, 1937 - March 1, 2016) was an American radio programmer and executive, most known for his tenure in Chicago.[1][2] Under his guidance in the 1960s, 50,000-watt ABC-owned WLS became the highest rated station in the Chicago metropolitan area, known as one of the greatest Top 40 stations in America.[3][4][5] After leaving WLS to form a radio consultancy in 1970,[6] WLS' rival, WCFL-AM, beat WLS in the ratings after retaining Rook's services.[7] Throughout his programming career, Rook won numerous national radio awards[8][9][10][11] and was repeatedly singled out for his ability to pick hit records.[12][13][14] He would later own his own radio stations before founding the Hit Parade Hall of Fame, the only foundation that bestows awards on popular performers based upon the votes of the general public.[15]

John Rook's final interview, a comprehensive overview of his entire life and career, was broadcast on Marcus Singletary's Far Out Flavors podcast on December 15, 2015. Topics included breaking into radio, meeting Mick Jagger, Ted Kennedy, and The Beatles, and the emergence of Republican Donald Trump as a viable presidential candidate.[16]

  1. ^ "Industry Mourns Influential Programmer John Rook". Insideradio.com. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
  2. ^ Hall, Claude. Vox Jox, Billboard Magazine. December 22, 1973, p. 20
  3. ^ Childers, Scott (2008). “Chicago’s WLS Radio”. Arcadia Publishing, Mount Pleasant, SC; ISBN 978-0738561943
  4. ^ Salowitz, Stew (1993). Chicago's Personality Radio. Chicago Radio Book: Normal, IL.
  5. ^ Rhoads, B. Eric (1996). Blast From The Past, A Pictorial History Of Radio's First 75 Years, Streamline Press: West Palm Beach, FL; ISBN 1-886745-06-4 p. 12
  6. ^ Variety Magazine. February 11, 1970
  7. ^ Hall, Claude. “Vox Jox”. Billboard. May 19, 1973, p. 28
  8. ^ Variety. December 17, 1969
  9. ^ Billboard. July 7, 1973. p. 24
  10. ^ Billboard. June 1, 1974, p. 59
  11. ^ “Where Are They Now - John Rook”; retrieved May 10, 2013.
  12. ^ Faggen, Gil. “Vox Jox” Billboard Magazine. February 8, 1964. p. 40
  13. ^ "KQV - Pittsburgh Music History". sites.google.com.
  14. ^ Hall, Claude. "Vox Jox", Billboard. May 19, 1973, pp. 26, 28.
  15. ^ “Hit Parade Hall of Fame relies on the votes of the fans to honor musical hitmakers from 1950 until the present”, Goldmine, November 10, 2011; accessed May 10, 2013.
  16. ^ "John Rook Interview August 13, 2015". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 24 February 2019.