john records landecker

Legendary Top 40 radio personality John Records Landecker was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His middle name, Records, was his mother’s maiden name and proved to be prophetic. As a boy, he built crystal diode radios in cigar boxes. To this day, he remembers his first real radio — a six transistor AM made by Channel Master.  

When he was a junior in high school, he walked into his local station, WOIA, and got his first job reading news on the air. He would go on to entertain audiences in Flint, Wyoming; Lansing, Michigan; Michigan City, Indiana; Toronto, Canada; and Cleveland, Ohio. He’s best known for his time on Chicago’s WLS-AM 890, particularly from 1972–1981, for his trademark Boogie Check and Americana Panorama bits.

Landecker’s 50-year radio career has inspired countless on-air personalities nationwide and has earned him multiple Personality of the Year awards and accolades. In Indiana, where Landecker resides, Michigan City’s mayor issued a proclamation declaring September 8, 2017 as John Records Landecker Day. He’s also the recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash Honorary Award, decreed by Indiana’s governor. Additionally, his best on-air work is enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s radio exhibit.

John Records Landecker was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2017.