Updated Apr 10, 2025 - History
Don't touch that dial! Who's the best radio host in Chicago history?
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A transistor radio from 1955. Photo: Bettmann archive/Getty Images
The late Lin Brehmer was voted Chicago's best radio host by Axios readers.
State of play: The former WXRT legend defeated another WXRT legend, Terri Hemmert, to earn the crown.
The methodology: The tournament only featured 16 top broadcasters, so some greats weren't listed.
- Hat tip to Kevin Matthews, Eddie & JoBo, Orion Samuelson and Eric & Kathy, just a few who barely missed the cut-off.
Methodology: We tried to balance talk show hosts, music jocks and even duos.
Zoom in: Brehmer withstood challenges from some heavy hitters to win it all, a fitting tribute to "Chicago's best friend."
The bottom line: In the end, 4,755 readers voted, making this Axios Chicago tournament one of the most successful.