WDRV/Chicago Moves To New Studios

The Drive Now Rocking At Chicago’s Prudential Plaza

After more than 17 years at CHICAGO’s iconic 875 NORTH MICHIGAN AVE address, HUBBARD RADIO Classic Rock WDRV (97-1 THE DRIVE)/CHICAGO has moved. Last FRIDAY, WDRV veteran midday host BOB STROUD signed off for the final time from the building formerly known as The JOHN HANCOCK CENTER as THE DRIVE prepared to move operations one mile south in Downtown CHICAGO.    

WDRV PD ROB CRESSMAN said, "while conventional wisdom would suggest that, for technical reasons, such a move take place deep in the middle of the night, THE DRIVE’s approach sought to celebrate the change of venue by creating an extraordinary, live event around the associated journey south on MICHIGAN AVE."  

THE DRIVE's farewell included an extended roundtable segment featuring on-air hosts BOB STROUD, MATT BISBEE, BRIAN SHERMAN, STEVE TINGLE, JILL EGAN, STEVE SEAVER, PHIL MANICKI, GREG EASTERLING and BYRD reflecting on the role the legendary JOHN HANCOCK CENTER played in the history of CHICAGOS’s Broadcast Industry,and more specifically on the evolution of THE DRIVE.  
  
A very personal audio essay from BOB STROUD punctuated the final broadcast from the station’s longtime home and marked the occasion with a final switch of the control room’s console  microphone into the “off’ position.  Check it out here.

Next, the full WDRV Programming Team and staff boarded a Double Decker Bus as one hour of moving-related Classic Rock titles rolled.  Updates were broadcast live via cell phone from the bus as it made its way down MICHIGAN AVE towards the station’s new headquarters at PRUDENTIAL PLAZA. 

Finally, the group gathered in the brand new, state-of-the-art studios where on an-air countdown ensued.  BOB STROUD proceeded to flip the switch and open the mic on a new era for THE DRIVE with THE ROLLING STONES "Start Me Up."    

WDRV’s new mailing address is 130 East Randolph Street, Suite 2700, CHICAGO, IL 60601

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