Art Roberts

Art Roberts was known as Chicago's "hip uncle" for his work on AM radio in the 1960s and '70s. And to teenagers of that time he was a godsend for bringing them the rock 'n' roll they craved. Art was born and raised in New York City. He attended Southeastern Louisiana University, in Hammond.

While attending college he met and married Bobbi Voorhies, a New Orleans Southern Belle.

Art with the Beatles, The Byrds, and Sonny & Cher

After graduation, Art and Bobbi headed across the border to Texas, where Art launched his radio career in the thriving town of Atlanta and KALT. Art and Bobbi left Atlanta for KTBB in Tyler, then KLIF in Dallas.

His radio career bloomed rapidly. They moved to WCUE, Akron, Ohio, WKBW, Buffalo, and then WLS in Chicago, where they stayed for 10 years. He was one of seven young, star disc jockeys hired by WLS to bring rock to Chicago, and in the process, he helped make it one of the most dominant stations in the country.

Art is at WLS playing records on January 1, 1966. LISTEN to segment [ 1 ] (32:06), [ 2 ] (18:22), and
[ 3 ] (51:32).

The date is August 25, 1967 and Art is on the air at WLS. [ LISTEN ] (43:08)

This aircheck features Riverview Park (kids' favorite in Chicago), News (there's trouble in Chicago-land), Vietnam bombing strategy, and more. Drag Racing at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Casey Stengel for the '67 Rebel, more news, and more music.

Roberts started in the early afternoon slot, then took over the popular 9 p.m. to midnight gig from Dick Biondi. Along with spinning the most popular music of the day, Mr. Roberts was known for telling bedtime stories about "the head that ain't got no body" and creating fictitious characters like "Hooty Saperticker," who wanted to go through life doing nothing.

Eventually, Art added WKQX, Chicago, WOKY and WBCS, Milwaukee, Wisconsin KNBR and KNEW, San Francisco, California, and KLUV, Dallas and KBUC / KXTN, San Antonio, Texas to his list of success stories.

Many of the radio stations with which Art has been associated are recognized as legendary call letters in the broadcast industry. His experience has encompassed all areas of broadcasting: talent, operations, sales, station manager, and general manager. Art died on March 6, 2002 at the age 70.

WHERE DID ART WORK? Here is the list: KALT, KTBB, KLIF,,WCUE, WKBW, WLS, KNBR, WCFL, WOKY, WKQX, WBCS, KLUV, KBUC, KXTN, KWKH, KDOK, and KGVM.

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